The first responders race to rescue victims trapped in various tight spots. Athena contemplates accepting a promotion that will take her out of the field. Chimney finally deals with the aftermath of his near fatal car crash. Eddie turns to the crew for help with his young son.
In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of FOX's 9-1-1.
"Stuck" was written by John J. Gray and directed by Sarah Boyd
It was absolutely crazy last season when Chimney got into his accident and suffered absolutely no consequences from his injuries at all. He was quickly back to work. It seemed as if this incident wasn't going to define his story in any major way. And now, the show suddenly realizes that it could tell a compelling story about Chim surviving the impossible when he is incapable of saving everyone through his job. He is just now noticing that his life isn't any different than it was before. That's inherently tragic. He lost his girlfriend because of the accident. She has completely moved on and transformed her life. Chim's biggest accomplishment is being picked for the firefighter calendar. That was a huge deal that showed the support amongst the firehouse. But he needs even more support now because he is faced with his own bout of survivor's guilt. He has told everyone that he doesn't remember the brutal details of the accident. But that's a lie. He remembers everything and is haunted by those memories. It's agonizing. And now, Bobby is the one being a rock for a firefighter in need. He depended on that support from his team last season. He is now giving it back to Chim when he needs it the most. He can't save the guy who gets crushed by an escalator while proposing. In fact, no one should ever propose in this universe because it always leads to some disaster happening and the firefighters needing to response. As such, that's not an original injury. However, it's still as crushing because this is a guy whom Chim really needed to save right now. Elsewhere, the show is still introducing story when it comes to Eddie. It's just so much fun watching the entire firehouse pitch in to help him look after his son for a couple of hours. They are more than welcoming to him in that environment. It shows that he is just as capable as any other child his age even though he does need a little more help. That's the thing that is all-consuming to Eddie's life. He carries this entire burden himself simply because the bureaucracy of applying for help is too daunting. Sure, the resolution to this story may just be a convenient way to bring back Carla. And yet, she was such a fun presence last year. It would be a shame if the show lost her just because Connie Britton left. Similarly, Buck is realizing just how weird it is that he is still hanging onto this relationship with Abby. Yes, their connection was real. But they are in two entirely different positions in their lives. Sure, she helped him become a better man. He is no longer feeling the urge to have sex with any woman he comes across in life. He knows what something special looks like. But he can't just sit around for her either. She is embracing the realities of her own life. She no longer feels like she is holding back. However, all of this only stirs up more abandonment issues with Buck because he feels the women in his life are leaving him. Maddie wants her own place in the city. Abby doesn't seem like she's coming back anytime soon. Plus, his friends at the firehouse are telling him it's weird to be living in Abby's apartment despite how uncertain their relationship currently is. Finally, Athena's possible promotion largely seems like a story that gives Angela Bassett something to do for the week. It's not a new direction for the character. She doesn't accept it. It mostly just shows that her relationship with Bobby is real because he understands her wants and desires at this moment in time - as opposed to Michael who knew what her ambitions were in the past.
