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Plot Recap
An Internal Affair Question – Hen, Chim
On a car crash call, Hen and Chim deal with a belligerent driver who clearly is drunk but refuses a breathalyzer or medical help. Because he is a privileged child, an annoying White boy, and caused the accident that nearly left a mother and daughter dead, Hen doesn’t push for the young man to be given medical attention, even though Chim thinks he should. Heck, even when the young man ends up in cuffs and is detained, Hen doesn’t decide Chim should now evaluate the kid.
The young man dies of a brain bleed, and with him being the son of a councilwoman, heads have to roll. Now, the Chief doesn’t and isn’t able to fire Hen, but she is taken off duty pending an investigation, and with Chim making it clear he didn’t gear the truth towards protecting Hen, there is a sense of betrayal there.
Talk About Bad Timing – Athena, Bobby, Lola, Norman
Like Athena, Bobby went to therapy before this cruise trip and expressed his worries. In his mind, this is the second marriage for both; they had a quick engagement and got married rather fast, but neither of their first marriages ended well. Lest we forget, Athena’s first marriage ended because she learned her husband was gay. Bobby’s first marriage ended in a devastating accident that killed his wife and children. So this fresh start is major for both.
That is why Athena repeatedly getting involved in Lola and Norman’s drama is frustrating. In fact, we learn the reason Lola was kidnapped is that she is having an affair with a member of the cruise ship’s staff mistaken for Norman—hence all the drama they are in. But to make things worse, the pirates not only shot Norman but also set up a bomb after doing notable damage to the ship to make it possible for them to get away.
This leaves the ship, already threatened with severe weather, taking on water, having to get its guests and crew onto lifeboats, and you know Athena and Bobby, the first responders they are, end up being one of the last to leave.
The Poseidon Adventure – Hen, Maddie, Athena, Bobby, Lola, Norman
Athena’s worst fears come true. She, Bobby, Lola, Norman, and a few others are the last ones on the ship, and with a tidal wave hitting it, the ship capsizes. This happens with the communication systems on the ship down, the transponder down, and a storm that has made using cell phones impossible.
Thankfully, because Hen wanted someone to take her side for a venting session, she contacted Athena, and when she didn’t get a hold of her, she got worried. This led her to go to the 911 center to see Maddie in person, and while there, she learned the young man from before was under the influence of substances, so she is in the clear and reinstated.
But, before she heads back to the 118, it seems she is ready to call the Coast Guard and do a full-on rescue mission against orders, all due to Athena not picking up, the ship not showing up on any sort of radar, and her gut telling her something is wrong.
Cast Guide
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Hen | Aisha Hinds |
| Chim | Kenneth Choi |
| Athena | Angela Bassett |
| Bobby | Peter Krause |
| Lola | Romy Rosemont |
| Norman | Daniel Roebuck |
| Maddie | Jennifer Love Hewitt |
Review
Highlights
Hen Taking The Lead
Anytime Hen gets to be a featured character and not just do a few lines and be seen enough to show she is still part of the cast, it is a wonderful episode for “9-1-1.” Now, is what we see on the level of Hen episodes where she gets the focus of a lead character? No. But, sometimes, something is better than nothing.
Low Points
The Writing For Bobby and Athena’s Relationship
The scene when Bobby and Athena are about to drown before they are discovered and saved? That was probably one of the worst scenes I’ve seen on the show and is likely the weakest performance in Angela Bassett’s career. You cannot tell me either one of the actors in that scene gave the type of feeling and emotion that could push you to think their characters felt like that could be it; they loved one another, and if they had to die, they were glad it was with each other.
I wish it was legally possible to clip that scene without a copyright issue, for it has truly set a new low bar for me when it comes to a mainstream program.
Background Information
| Episode Title | Rock The Boat |
| Release Date | March 21, 2024 |
| Network | ABC |
| Director(s) | Bradley Buecker |
| Writer(s) | Lyndsey Beaulieu, Juan Carlos Coto |
| Previous Episode | Season 7/ Episode 1 |
| Series Page | 9-1-1 |
| Character Guide | 9-1-1 Character Guide |
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