Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.
As Buck worries about his sister and brother-in-law, he takes his anxiety out on the newbie. Meanwhile, May and Harry bond over the things which are making their lives hard.
| Aired | 10/18/2021 |
| Network | Fox |
| Directed By | Joaquin Sedillo |
| Written By | Nadia Abass-Madden |
Newly Noted
Characters
Ravi (Anirudh Pisharody)
A new member of the 118 who Buck was training and really putting a lot of pressure on. But, with him surpassing Buck’s expectations, he earns Buck’s respect.
Recap
I’m Hard On You Since I See Greatness – Claudette, May
Was Claudette mad because some tyke got a job somewhere she had a hard time getting an interview at? Maybe due to thinking someone had to properly train May? Maybe. What is clear right now is that Claudette sees something great in May and wants her to do two things: Know the procedure before she goes rogue and learn how to stand up for herself and what she believes in. Which May does, and it earns some of Claudette’s respect.
More Than One Of Us Need Therapy – Harry, Athena, Bobby, Michael
Harry is acting up at school, and with that comes frustration all around. However, when Harry gets suspended and tries to use Bobby to hide it, things go from bad to worse. Add in Harry being confronted and coming for both of his parents, including calling Athena a bad mom and her slapping him? Oh, that’s it. In Michael’s mind, this means Athena needs therapy which is an idea she doesn’t seem fond of.
Maybe I Should Leave Too? – Buck, Bobby, Ravi, Chim, Maddie
Buck feels a lot of guilt regarding what he did know regarding Maddie leaving and Chim’s reaction to him knowing the truth. Due to this, he starts to really put some pressure on the new kid, Ravi, with the intention of possibly transferring to a different station. This idea gets shut down as soon as Bobby hears it, and with everyone reassuring Buck they aren’t mad, it seems he cools it on the idea of leaving. Add in Ravi liking Buck around, despite how he grilled him, and Buck seems better now.
Add in Maddie calls and reassures him she is okay, and it seems Buck is in a better place.
Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered
Things To Note
- Character Guide Update (Buck): He has been with the 118 for 5 years now
What Could Happen Next
- I think we may see what Maddie’s life was like before she came to LA.
- May continuing to earn her stripes as a dispatcher
- Athena being confronted far more than she is used to or comfortable with
Review
Highlights
May
I should stop being surprised by May’s growth, but I feel that Claudette really has added to her character. Maybe because she doesn’t care about who May is, regarding Athena and Bobby, and treats her as Buck did Ravi – someone new who has to earn their place. Especially since, as Claudette said, you can’t just say or do anything as a dispatcher for you potentially hold someone’s life in your hands.
I’d even argue, between Buck’s ex, Maddie, and now May, May might become the most entertaining of the three regarding showing the dispatcher side. Heck, considering how easy it is to forget the various calls everyone goes on, I would even submit May, and the guest actress made me pay attention to the call and the rescue more than the most dramatic disasters we’ve seen in a while.
On The Fence
Being Rather Fine With Maddie and Chim Away
I shouldn’t be this fine about someone from the series’ beginning and another who has become so integral not being here, right? Don’t get me wrong, Chim and Maddie are cool, but it almost feels like a soft exit them being away like this and a new character coming on. One reason we feel this way is because both Chim and Maddie seem to have run their course. Maddie found love and stability, and if and when she isn’t dealing with post-partum depression, what’s next? Raising her child is a possibility but the show barely focused on Hen raising her son. Add in Harry is still growing up, and then May, it makes me ask: do we need another kid?
Then with Chim, I feel like he has been stalling for a while now. He is one of the most senior members of the 118, but he won’t become captain, and the issues with his family haven’t been resolved but seem beyond the backburner. It is just not even a topic the show seems to want to go back and visit anymore.
Add in this show has never really knew how to equally develop all of its characters and, it wouldn’t be so bad if it chopped one or two, especially in a way where they could come back since 9-1-1 refuses to kill off characters.
The Idea Of Athena In Therapy
It’s not terrible to see Athena in therapy, especially if they do it respectfully. However, a part of me hopes this therapy pushes her more to talk to someone outside of Bobby and Michael, like Hen. For I know, I can’t be the only one missing those two having lunch dates and hanging out. It feels like they’ve been separate too long.
[ninja_tables id=”46830″]
TV Shows We’re Covering This Season
Images used for editorial and commentary purposes. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.
