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Reviews
9-1-1: Pay It Forward (2023)
This is not The Buck Show
It might come as a surprise to the fandom and the showrunner and a fair few other people as well, but this is an ensemble cast. Which means we're supposed to have a reasonable split of time on all the characters, not Buck and the thousand guest stars we've had all season long.
It might also come as a surprise to some to know that we loved the actual emergency in this episode because it felt like the 9-1-1 we fell in love with, and all that got ruined because of the time jump with absolutely nobody showing any recovery.
Henren deserve an adoption storyline if that's what the characters want but where did this come from? The show hasn't bothered to mention this for how long now? Kind of like how they dropped the medical school thing for Hen like that wouldn't in reality, have cost them a fortune?
Chim pulling out that rod like he did when he's a trained, experienced paramedic is going to give me nightmares I swear, and speaking of nightmares, why have they diminished the Madney screentime so much? They give us so much joy and you won't even give us that?
Eddie was cute jumping around on his phone call but are you seriously telling me a character who had more chemistry with her brother is the one for him? If you want us to like your love interests maybe make them interesting to us, the people watching?
And as for Buck? Not even worth the words, his storylines have been too numerous and he hasn't learned a single thing.
What an awful possible-ending to a series this would have been, though can ABC actually make it any better?
9-1-1: Cursed (2022)
What an episode!
As in... what an episode...
Eddie was the best part of this of course, and it was nice to hear a little about Abuela and see Chris for a good couple of seconds. It was good to have an explanation for why he doesn't believe in curses etc, I enjoyed all of that.
Chim's distrust of all things involving curses/superstition continues to be present! This episode felt like Jinx 2.0 in that respect.
Good to see Hen back where she belongs! Side note: do members of the LAFD get free medical school education or are the Wilsons seriously in debt now? Will we ever know? Unlikely!
I really enjoyed Athena in this, I loved her 'I don't believe in coincidences' spiel, and I loved her with Bobby discussing that. I also really loved their kitchen with Eddie!
The emergency though, the one that was the entire theme of this episode was... boring. When was the last really good emergency? Genuinely, I can't remember.
And as for Buck...
Why was so much of the episode dedicated to us hearing about him not jerking off? Seriously. That was a bizarre choice (par for the course in this show now unfortunately). Incredibly poorly researched storyline too - does the show have no way of speaking to people who have actually given sperm donations or gone through the process? SO many things were wrong about this. Are we even going to see all the ways Buck would be screened out of being a donor at some point? I doubt it, but there are plenty.
I just don't understand why this storyline is even happening to be honest. You can tell me all you want about this leading to something and will I hope you're right! But this episode just cemented several things for me. Including:
- Buddie is never going to happen. The distancing between Eddie and Buck is deliberate, and not in a way that's leading to romance. Can you not even show us them being the great friends we know them to be?
- Buck will continue to be the joke. He's there to be laughed at, and mocked, and that's about it. For a character that is supposedly so loved by the audience they sure like to make him the butt of all the jokes. Is this funny for you? Is it a good story knowing all the ways this storyline will mess even more with his self-worth? In what way is this good? Is this the only way to show his growth? If so, where is it? Because this episode didn't show any growth at all.
- Buck, and Oliver, deserve far better storylines. I don't know what they are doing (and I don't think the show does either) but he deserves so much better. I don't even enjoy watching him anymore, he isn't interesting in the slightest unless he's involved in someone else's storyline. It's so unfair because Oliver puts all of himself into Buck, and this is what they give him to work with.
Cursed was a meh episode overall. Nowhere near as bad as some, but absolutely miles off any of the fun episodes we've had in the past.
9-1-1: May Day (2022)
911! I recognize you!!!!
Okay, THAT was a 911 episode and oh how I have missed this show being as good as May Day was.
The call was riveting from start to finish, I was invested in all of it, and finally seeing the 118 back together after so long of them being apart was utter joy.
So, the good parts in an already amazing episode! May was BRILLIANT, every scene she was in was perfect and heartbreaking and I found myself cheering her on at every turn. She's shown such growth and whatever she chooses to do next is going to be amazing. May Grant deserves the whole world.
Eddie getting to be competent I think is everybody's thing, and damn look how much better he is looking now! He looks content, he looks settled, and his friendship with Linda is an utter delight. Seeing his smile towards the end when he runs off to join his family? Yes. More of that, please.
Chim. Amazing. Give Kenneth Choi every awared there ever was. I can't say I'm that fond of Albert but damn if my heart wasn't in my throat for watching all of the Han brother moments together. Chim has gone from someone who it seemed resented his brother's existence (understandable given his father) to a genuinely warm-hearted loving big brother.
Josh. Now that Eddie got his petty little dig in back which I LOVED, I am good with him again. Him and Carlton (is that the electrician's name?) is good and beautiful and I want it in my life.
Buddie. Yeah, I'm mentioning that, how amazing it was to see them fall straight back into sync the second they work together. That scene of Buck having a good ramble? We haven't seen that in so long and it was lovely.
Bobby. I'm often on the fence with Bobby but god did he have my heart when he went in to rescue May. That he got to rescue one of his kids, I hope it was cathartic, an May calling him her second dad was just icing on the cake.
Now on to the meh moments, and there really is only one. I don't think I care in the slightest about Jonah being an angel of death? Claudette dying like that even though she hasn't been liked, and five seconds after we get to see a little of why she is how she is, hmm. Progressing the story and all but I'm not sure I'm personally interested. But getting to see Henren and their Mrs and Mrs mugs sort of made up for that!
And finally the NO moments.
Tell me again why we had to have Lucy there? Why? Ravi would have been an excellent crew member in her place, showing his growth as a probie and how he actually gels with the team. I'm sure we're meant to keep feeling she is an outsider (I think we're supposed to think that) because she just doesn't fit. At all.
Taylor Kelly. Why? There is no other news reporter in LA, huh? Wow. And while I don't think she deserved to be cheated on and haven't seen Buck redeem himself at all for this yet, what on earth was that thing with Lucy? Two vile characters given far too many seconds of screentime together, that's what, I don't care if her sounding off and attempting to show some care for Buck for once leads to her being gone (though I really want her gone), she's just an awful character all round. We don't need her here.
All in all, brilliant episode, 911 please continue to be like this and not like you have been up until now this season?
Heartstopper: Boyfriend (2022)
Watch. This. Show!
Absolutely beautiful from start to finish. Every single episode of this series is magical, my god the love and care that's been put into making this is exceptional. The casting, the characterisation, the transformation into a show, absolutely beautifully done. This is the kind of show that makes you realise what is possible out there in TV-land if only you get the right people who care.
This episode, though, to talk about it specifically, I wouldn't even know where to begin. The friendships, the burgeoning and actual romances, the standing up to bullies, the facing your fears - all of it - I just can't find the right words to tell you how wonderful it all is. Nick's coming out, all the parents being supportive, the teachers, the friendship groups... beautiful.
If you're wanting a happy little corner of the world which portrays the complexity of discovering your sexuality and living your truth as a teen - and how that'll in form adulthood - watch Heartstopper. I promise you it's worth every second.
9-1-1: Dumb Luck (2022)
Once again Eddie is the best thing about the episode
Dumb Luck in theory is a great episode. We had a lot of different rescues, a lot of our firefam, the continuation of Maddie's recovery/Madney becoming close again/everything that hospital scene gave us. We had the caring Buck we all know and love, we had Karen, we had so many good things.
In particular, we got to see Eddie's therapy, how he's feeling, his nightmares, Bobby and Buck taking care of him, actual conversations with Christopher, and then the sweet horse therapy scene at the end. Given that it's felt like Eddie has been sidelined for so long (and not for one minute do I think it's been to make him 'shine' in these episodes, it's been deliberate), it was an absolute joy to have him on screen and seeing so much going on for him.
The fact that they forced Taylor in for no good reason at all aside from to continue this dumb 'love triangle' rubbish only served to show that the only time Buck and Taylor have 'chemistry' together is when they are using one another. Maybe that was intentional too?
And as for Lucy. You might as well have renamed this episode The Lucy Episode. She is absolutely awful, what a self-absorbed character. That they had pretty much every single character praising her will not endear her to any of us. And wasting an entire scene on her and Jonah was infuriating. We get it, show, Lucy's your new fave, but she is not ours.
Overall, aside from the far too heavy emphasis on Lucy, Dumb Luck was a decent episode. Just a little flavour of the good stuff the show is capable of and used to be about.
9-1-1: Fear-o-Phobia (2022)
The stars are purely for Eddie/Chris/Ryan/Gavin
This episode was something, wasn't it!
The only thing that really matters to me and the only reason I stick around is for Eddie and Christopher. Ryan was absolutely perfect in this episode, breaking my heart and giving me hope that Eddie will finally learn to love himself or at least forgive himself (for things out of his control!) until he's ready to do that. I repeat, the ONLY thing worth watching for is his arc. It's a pity the showrunners don't seem to like him enough to give him the same screentime as everyone else.
The rest of the episode was a huge no. Forgetting the rescues that no longer feel interesting, you've absolutely butchered Buck. I don't recognize who that is on screen, you had the perfect opportunity in 5x13 to have him do some actual honest confessing, but instead you half-hearted it (barely even) and had him and Taylor staying together. He's a coward. He does not deserve any of the love that people show him or their obsession with him.
I have to say, the sympathy I've had for Taylor since 5x11 is now gone, more fool her for willingly living with a cheat. Especially as it's clear for the rest of the season we're going to have Buck and Lucy flirting and doing who knows what else. How does it feel to have introduced the absolute WORST character ever in Lucy, and how the way you introduced her has completely destroyed the fan favorite that is Buck? That's quite a skill. I watched for the original crew, I absolutely detest all these new people you keep bringing in, the only good one is Ravi and you've even side-lined him for Lucy and Jonah. I'm thankful for the few seconds of Ravi we got in Fear-O-Phobia I suppose, got to take what we get.
9-1-1: Outside Looking In (2022)
I miss the potential this show once had
I've been sat here staring at this white box for five minutes trying to figure out what to say and I still don't really have any words.
The character assassination of Buck in the show's attempt to show him regressing is more awful than I know how to get my head around.
Lucy and in particular her introduction was absolutely vile. Knowing that she'll be an integral part of the rest of the season means I won't watch live, I won't interact with the official SM, I'll just look at clips on Youtube. This episode was supposed to reignite our love for this found family we all fell in love with and instead... I don't recognize anyone much anymore.
The only saving grace is Eddie and Chris. This show, and this episode, and the recent articles the showrunners gave interviews for, just make me think these people have nothing but pure disdain for their viewers. This episode came after a long hiatus and it just felt all weekend that we were being put off watching, as did the promos. I cannot understand for a moment why anyone would think what went down in 5x11 was good, interesting viewing. I am so disappointed.
9-1-1: Wrapped in Red (2021)
New viewers, turn back now :D
What on earth was that midseason finale episode?
Maddie and Chim? Not actually mentioned aside from a vague hint at family being gone. Where's Karen? Abuela? Pepa? We have Taylor Kelly all smiley and laughing with Bobby who she would have happily watched throw himself off a building all to further her career, no apology or discussion about that. No mention of Eddie's will regarding Buck. And while we're on the subject of Eddie - and Buck - and every character who has been through stuff - what is it with this show and its lack of continuity when it comes to trauma? Am I supposed to believe this is how Eddie's trauma comes out, in a 'shock' quitting the 118? Unbelievable. It's frankly insulting to any of us with PTSD and other issues to watch this unfold - as in, not followed through at all. And to think this is a first responder show, one that at its core is about the family we choose, our found families :D
Are you going to tell me I should follow the narrative, and it's all about the found family being broken, the symbolism in the episode of Eddie breaking both the gingerbread house and the firehouse family? Am I supposed to have that much faith in this show after the appalling writing for a good chunk of season 4 and 5? Sorry, but the writers haven't earned my trust. Gavin and Ryan were spectacular in their scenes but everything else was just so mediocre.
Oh and while it's fresh in my mind, if we're talking about unresolved trauma, what kind of boyfriend gives his girlfriend a Christmas gift that is basically a safety device to protect her if she gets into trouble? What kind of boyfriend? A boyfriend with his own severe trauma/fear of losing people and so on! Your precious white lead that the show is obsessed with? You don't even want to address his trauma/forgot he was in therapy himself? Okay then. Tells us everything we need to know. People who have trauma/PTSD/anxiety just need to get one with it then. Got it. Great message for your mid-season finale just coming up to one of the most stressful times of the year for many.
If your hope with that cliffhanger was to hook people into coming back for 5b then, well, this episode just proved who your target audience is/isn't. I wish the cast well, as well as the crew who help make the show happen, but the time for me to stop watching is well past gone.
9-1-1: Defend in Place (2021)
Looking more familiar
This episode looked and felt more like the 911 I used to love before whatever mess that is season 5 so far was decided on. Defend In Place had all the good things I like, the team working well together on a rescue, some lovely tugs on heartstrings, the team also using their brains to think through what felt like a hopeless scenario (the boy and his baby sister).
Michael and David's engagement was lovely, and I'm happy that it 'feels' like they're getting their happily ever after. But I really have a bitter feeling in my gut about how that went down in this episode. If this was a straight couple, they would have kissed when they got engaged. Now, a kiss isn't the be-all-and-end-all, we know that, but you know if they were straight it would have happened regardless. And for all the pointless guest stars that the show currently has, you want to get rid of Michael and David? You want to break up the fantastic portrayal we've had with the whole mixed family/step family setup and the lovely dynamic we've had between Michael, Athena, Bobby, and David? It doesn't feel right at all. Especially when the found family element of the show feels so fractured right now.
I don't know, this was a good episode overall but these characters leaving doesn't feel right, and I can't help but be suspicious about why it's the gay characters the show is having leave - especially when they didn't even get a normal engagement reaction of a kiss.
9-1-1: Peer Pressure (2021)
So disappointed in this episode (and the show generally, more every week)
I don't know in what universe anyone thinks it's acceptable or excusable to hit a child. When I saw the preview for this episode I was hoping it was just poorly put together, but no, Athena actually hit her own son, and then acted like she was the victim for it. I don't know what the show is trying to do with Athena this season, but Peer Pressure was just compiling all the bad stuff that came from before.
Chim's voicemail and text to Buck were incredibly petty and childish. Are we to assume he won't face any consequences for hitting Buck? This episode just felt like that's what they were saying. Buck's insecurity is of course going to flare up. Buck considering a transfer after how he's feeling is funny, is it? Okay then.
Finally, who thought having Taylor Kelly in this episode three times was good viewing? Forget shipping, this character is awful, the retconning done by the writers won't make most viewers forget her previous behavior. She is stiff, false, poorly acted, it's uncomfortable to watch.
Peer Pressure, in short, was a terrible episode from start to finish.