Skip to content
Wherever I Look Logo

Wherever I Look

  • HomeExpand
    • About Wherever I LookExpand
      • Our Writers
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Cookie & Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • HTML Sitemap
  • TV Shows
  • Movies
  • Character Guide
  • Live Performances
  • Videos
Wherever I Look Logo
Wherever I Look

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

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

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

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted onNovember 15, 2021 9:59 PMNovember 16, 2021 2:53 PM Hours Updated onNovember 16, 2021 2:53 PM
Michael reacting to an explosion

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.


  • Recap
    • Can't Hide Love – Michael, David
    • Remember Rule #1 – Claudette, Linda, Josh, David, Eddie, Buck, Bobby, Michael
    • Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder, But You Don't Have To Say Goodbye To Everyone – Michael, David
    • Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered
      • Question(s) Left Unanswered
      • What Could Happen Next
  • Review
    • Highlights
      • Another One Bits The Dust
      • They Lost People
    • On The Fence
      • Ravi

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


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.

Claudette and Linda (Chiquita Fuller) fist bumping
Claudette and Linda (Chiquita Fuller)

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

Michael asking David if he is leaving

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.

[ninja_tables id=”46830″]

Michael reacting to an explosion
9-1-1: Season 5/ Episode 8 “Defend In Place” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
Trajectory: Plateau
Out with the old and in with the new, and in the process of doing so, we do get what can feel like a dry episode. But considering Michael has long been a stunted character, his exit, whether short-term or long-term, could make his eventual return grander than his departure.
Highlights
They Lost People
Another One Bits The Dust
Disputable
Ravi
81

TV Shows We’re Covering This Season

Expanded Coverage

Includes written recaps and reviews, character guides, season reviews, and video content—providing details beyond casual interest.


  • New Saga
  • Summer Pockets
  • Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho
  • Ready To Love
  • Wednesday
  • The Summer I Turned Pretty

Essential Coverage

Includes character guides, season reviews, and video content—covering the key highlights.

  • The Water Magician
  • The Summer Hikaru Died


Follow/Subscribe To Our External Pages

  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X

Sending
User Review
0 (0 votes)

Listed Under Categories: TV Shows

Related Tags: 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Season 5, Chiquita Fuller, FOX, James Wong, Taylor Wong

Amari Allah

Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been writing reviews since 2010, with a focus on dramas and comedies.

Facebook Instagram YouTube

Post navigation

Previous Previous
Ragdoll Cast & Character Guide
NextContinue
Yellowjackets Cast & Character Guide

Site Pages

  • Home
  • About Wherever I Look
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie & Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • HTML Sitemap
  • Our Writers
The Wherever I Look logo featuring a film reel, a video game controller, old school TV set, a stage, and more done by artist Dean Nelson.

The overall goal of Wherever I Look is to fill in that space between the average fan and critic and advise you on what’s worth experiencing.

Category Pages

  • Articles
  • Character Guide
  • Collected Quotes
  • Live Peformances
  • Movies
  • Our Latest Reviews
  • TV Series
  • Video Page
Scroll to top

Wherever I Look logo

Welcome to Wherever I Look, your go-to destination for insightful and personable reviews of the latest TV episodes, movies, and live performances. Also, dive into our character guides and discover what’s truly worth your time.

  • Home
    • About Wherever I Look
      • Our Writers
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Cookie & Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • HTML Sitemap
  • TV Shows
  • Movies
  • Character Guide
  • Live Performances
  • Videos
Search