Fun Facts About Gavin McHugh
- McHugh was originally adopted from Latvia and moved to the States when he was just 2.
- Gavin was born with Cerebral Palsy.
- Gavin’s siblings are also actors and have appeared in commercials for popular brands such as Adventist Health and Target.
- The actor is incredibly sporty and enjoys surfing, swimming, and exploring beaches.
Christopher Diaz is the son of Eddie and Shannon Diaz but was mainly raised by his grandparents in El Paso. Diaz became a regular on the show in Season 3 and quickly highlighted how Eddie struggles to handle the stress of his job while watching his son grow up. Christopher also deals with his fair share of difficulties on the show, especially when his mother decides to leave and place the majority of his care onto his father’s family. As such, Christopher is not just seen as a way to strengthen Eddie’s character arc but works to show adversity in his own right.
The character is played by Gavin McHugh, a developing young actor who, like Christopher, has Cerebral Palsy. In turn, McHugh manages to bring a sense of himself into Christopher’s character, offering a keen sense of realism and disability representation. Due to his adorable personality and infectious delight, the crew at LAFD quickly took Christopher under their wing. Thus, it’s clear that Christopher acts as a useful vehicle to showcase the unity within Crew 118 as well as highlight their ability to raise him as a group.
His Enormous Strength Creates Immense Levels of Dramatic Tension
5 of the Best Christopher Diaz Episodes
- Season 2, Episode 15, “Ocean’s 9-1-1”
- Season 5, Episode 10, “Wrapped in Red”
- Season 4, Episode 14, “Survivors”
- Season 3, Episode 15, “Eddie Begins”
- Season 6, Episode 8, “What’s Your Fantasy?”
There’s no denying that Christopher’s disabilities make every situation a little bit more complex, especially when it comes to Eddie’s job as a firefighter and paramedic. Thus, it seems that whenever Christopher is involved in a crisis, every second counts for his survival. This is particularly true in Season 3, Episode 2, “Sink or Swim.” This fan-favorite 9-1-1 episode shows Buck trying his hardest to save Christopher from drowning during a tsunami at Santa Monica Pier. This episode is not for the faint-hearted, as many fans experience intense levels of stress as Christopher continuously fights for his life. It should be noted that Christopher is not particularly burdened by his condition, but placing him in situations like this really does put his life on the line. As such, viewers are forced to sit with the uncomfortable fact that this little boy could die in such awful circumstances.
Christopher not only shows a determined sense of physical strength, but he handles his emotions as well as a man twice his age. This is apparent in Season 7, Episode 1, “Abandon Ships,” when he tells his father that he misses his mom. To help him feel better, Eddie hands him a letter that Shannon wrote right before she left. This episode is a clear example of how 9-1-1 effectively balances magnetic plot points with emotional backstories as it shows Christopher processing the grief of his mother’s departure. Again, this episode indicates that Christopher is able to cope with difficult issues in a graceful manner so that his arc can continue to develop and blossom.
Christopher and Eddie’s Relationship Ties in With the Entire LAFD
Christopher and Eddie’s bond is remarkably strong and remains that way, even when the pair goes through a collection of hardships. Although Eddie acts as a single parent in this case, Christopher’s bond with the rest of his father’s peers makes it seem like both Christopher and Eddie have found their chosen family at LAFD. Take, for example, Season 6, Episode 4, “Animal Instincts,” where Christopher is caught skipping science class. Instead of punishing his son, Eddie decides to offer him more independence and essentially cut him some slack. This shows that Eddie is finally ready to let his son grow up and finally focus on his own life. Thus, by offering Christopher the chance to mature, Eddie is able to jump back into his job, knowing that the team will support him if Christopher ever needs some guidance.
A prime example of how the crew cares for Christopher is in Season 2, Episode 4, “Stuck.” In this episode, Eddie is forced to take Christopher to work with him because no one else is able to take care of him. The team decides to show Christopher the ins and outs of the station and even let him ride in the fire truck. As such, these moving interactions highlight that the rest of the crew quickly see Christopher as one of their own and are keen to make him feel safe. As a result, the crew’s relationship with Christopher emphasizes the familial nature of the station and the type of bonds that are usually formed in this line of work.
What’s Next for Christopher Diaz?
Many fans quickly fell in love with Christopher the moment he appeared on-screen and enjoyed watching him grow from a little boy to the man he is today. It seems that over the last few seasons, Christopher has transformed into a traditional teenager, attending school dances and having crushes on girls in his class. Despite the normality associated with his growth, a lot of viewers praise his character development and for not letting his disability hold him back.
As a regular cast member since Season 3, it’s clear that Christopher has made quite an impression on the audience. Plus, his ever-growing relationship with Buck seems to captivate audiences, and many find it incredibly charming. In turn, it’s unlikely that he will exit the show any time soon. Yet, fans are still curious about what lies ahead of this admirable young man’s future.
