9-1-1: Season 5/ Episode 8 “Defend In Place” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Another character might be taking a break from the show. Can you guess who it is?

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Aired	11/15/2021
Network	FOX
Directed By	James Wong
Written By	Taylor Wong
Introduced This Episode
Linda	Chiquita Fuller

Recap

Can’t Hide Love – Michael, David

With Haiti experiencing another traumatic environmental event, David decides he will go over there and help. Michael, at first, is flabbergasted as to why, but David notes that Michael has exposed him to first responders, so it’s only natural for him to be inspired by them. So, with no means of stopping David, Michael accepts David is about to head over to Haiti and thus preps to propose so that David can know how much he loves him.

Remember Rule #1 – Claudette, Linda, Josh, David, Eddie, Buck, Bobby, Michael

But here comes the issue, a series of events caused a major fire at Alvarado Union Hospital, where David is a surgeon. This fire takes out multiple floors and forces every patient and doctor out. However, with David doing brain surgery, he is one of the last to get evacuated, which causes many problems. In particular, Bobby wants to see Michael propose and be happy, but David refuses to leave because he knows his patient will die if he stops.

As that is going on, Eddie, Buck, Claudette, and Linda find themselves trying to save an 8-year-old and his newborn sister from dying of smoke inhalation, and on the first attempt, Buck and Eddie think the child died in the explosion. This sends shockwaves through the usually calm and collected Claudette, to the point Josh has her leave the floor.

But, luckily, Eddie and Linda, the one Claudette thought wouldn’t make it, figure out the kid got the room number backward, so he gets saved! As for David? He finishes the job, and while Bobby ruins Michael’s surprise, it doesn’t take away from David saying yes to the proposal!

Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder, But You Don’t Have To Say Goodbye To Everyone – Michael, David

With the proposal accepted, Michael decides to take things a step forward and wants to go with David to Haiti. Because of this decision, it means Michael will be away from his family for up to 2 months, maybe more, but just as they gave their blessing for his proposal, they do the same for him heading to Haiti with David.

Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. Per Deadline: Michael was written off since his actor, Rockmond Dunbar, couldn’t get an exemption to being vaccinated.

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. What happened to all of Hen’s classmates from the last season?
2. Considering we got flashbacks and everything, should we see this as the potential end of Michael’s appearances for a while, alongside Chim and Maddie?

What Could Happen Next

1. Considering how many characters are getting put on ice, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more of Ravi and maybe even Chim’s brother, Albert, making a return.

Review

Highlights

Another One Bits The Dust

Am I sad to see Michael go? Not really. Michael’s big to-do started with him coming out and rocking Athena’s world, and since that died down, while you have to appreciate him staying in his kids’ lives, he has always struggled to earn his keep. His brain tumor storyline ended up setting up a false end for his character, his envy of Bobby moving in on his life ended, in a mature fashion, and Michael’s dating life? Honestly, as mushy as I can be, I can’t recall swooning when I saw him with any guy. Granted, seeing Michael almost exclusively date Black men was notable, but with Michael not being a first responder, his dating life was always in the background.

So with him likely being written off for a while, it could mean someone else taking his screen time, and I’m here for it.

They Lost People

It’s very rare to see members of the 118 lose anyone, and while they only lost one, as the other was dead before they arrived, it reminds you of the real dangers involved with this line of work. That you don’t always rush in and get to be the hero, and sometimes you lose people, despite you doing everything you are supposed to do. Which, from what it seems, maybe what pushes Ravi as he becomes a more prominent character.

On The Fence

Ravi

One who is kind of boring thus far. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying everyone needs to burst on the scene like Buck or Eddie and are doing fantastical feats to get viewers’ attention. It’s just, beyond being young and the only South Asian character on the show, Ravi hasn’t presented any notable reason to take note of his person. Yes, he does reveal he went through chemo and was in the hospital a lot when he was younger. But it’s thrown into the story in such a way that if you aren’t paying attention, you’ll miss it.

Plus, when you consider all the trauma we’ve been presented over 5 seasons, from Bobby losing his family, Athena losing her first fiancée, Maddie’s ex hunting her down, and so much more, I feel like the bar has been set high. So to rush Ravi’s story to garner empathy just won’t do. Even though, after his last few outings, I can foresee Ravi representing why some quit being firefighters.

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