Vic's love life is complicated again as she learns of a shocking secret. Andy grows frustrated at Sullivan for undermining her authority. Maya struggles to keep her jealousy at bay when one of Carina's old flames comes to visit.
In 2020, the television industry aired 493 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of ABC's Station 19.
"Make No Mistake, He's Mine" was written by Shalisha Francis-Feusner and directed by Allison Liddi-Brown
Vic believes that she is cursed. She vents those emotions to Miller. It's easy for the audience to understand that as well. The show once again throws major melodrama into her latest relationship. Now, the couples of this show should face challenges. It makes for compelling television. However, this latest development with Vic and Travis feels a bit overwrought. Yes, the show still has more that it can mine out of Travis' past. The story of Michael's tragic death is still relevant and informative. It has shaped him as a character. It still brings value to the overall story. The problem comes when that is suddenly connected to Vic's pursuit of a meaningful relationship once more. She even talks about this dynamic with Theo being different than what she usually does. She doesn't typically go on first dates. Relationships form out of friendships for her. People in close proximity to her suddenly start dating her. That has been the pattern of her life. Meanwhile, she met Theo while out running and was encouraged by Travis to give it a chance. She wanted the freedom to see where it went. The only potential drama was him also being a firefighter. That already ended in tragedy for her once. She shouldn't go down that path again. The narrative still wants to drain as much drama from the situation as possible. That apparently means throwing some tension into Vic and Travis' friendship. Again, it's easy to understand the impulse. The various relationships should be challenged. These characters are still growing. Their journeys in this world are still compelling. Sometimes though, it feels like they are needlessly suffering simply because that's what the demands of a television series are. That has become quite apparent with Vic. Her commenting on that fact doesn't rationalize it either. It simply sends her spinning when she is suddenly forced to question the relationships she has based on the reactions they have in this moment. Travis doesn't drive over Theo on purpose. It still happens though. Meanwhile, Vic wants to navigate these dynamics appropriately. But she talks with Miller about them. He knows it is wise to confess the truth to Travis. She is never given that opportunity though. Instead, she spends her time with Theo solely for them to be caught in a slightly compromising position. It's all about the perception of something scandalous that can rise to the level of betrayal. It feels like the show is reaching to make it come across as that though. Travis' emotions are raw. That comes across clearly. The show is still forcing a lot of this to happen in an overly dramatic way just because it increases the tension. That structuring is apparent. The blatantness of it all then forces the audience out of the situation. That is never good. It's also annoying when it is paired with the moving visual of Jack finding an invention way for Marcus to see Marsha in the hospital. It's a story adjusted to the pandemic while still telling a fundamentally emotive story about the power of human connection. Jack's stories don't always work. In fact, they can feel quite distant from the others that are happening. Here though, it offers an effective image. One where no one is acting irrationally or out-of-character. Similarly, Maya's jealousy of Carina's friend had the potential to become something meaningful. It remains mainly surface level though. It's nice to see Jack talk some sense into her. This relationship has to remain strong this season despite the turmoil Carina is in. But it's also a plot that feels contained to this particular episode. That's not the case with everything else happening. Furthermore, Andy and Sullivan acknowledge that they have a problem that must be addressed. He continues to undermine her authority. He never allows her to be the one who shines. That is a significant issue considering their aspirations in the department. The job is important to them. Leadership is as well. They mostly deflect here instead of acknowledging what they want and how they are going to obtain that while remaining respectful of everyone involved. As Miller's new litigator suggests, that will be the easy part. This couple fails to do that here which would seem to suggest plenty of conflict in the future for them. These power dynamics are worth examining. But again, they have to be done with care and consideration without the audience seeing the strings being pulled from behind the curtain.
Vic believes that she is cursed. She vents those emotions to Miller. It's easy for the audience to understand that as well. The show once again throws major melodrama into her latest relationship. Now, the couples of this show should face challenges. It makes for compelling television. However, this latest development with Vic and Travis feels a bit overwrought. Yes, the show still has more that it can mine out of Travis' past. The story of Michael's tragic death is still relevant and informative. It has shaped him as a character. It still brings value to the overall story. The problem comes when that is suddenly connected to Vic's pursuit of a meaningful relationship once more. She even talks about this dynamic with Theo being different than what she usually does. She doesn't typically go on first dates. Relationships form out of friendships for her. People in close proximity to her suddenly start dating her. That has been the pattern of her life. Meanwhile, she met Theo while out running and was encouraged by Travis to give it a chance. She wanted the freedom to see where it went. The only potential drama was him also being a firefighter. That already ended in tragedy for her once. She shouldn't go down that path again. The narrative still wants to drain as much drama from the situation as possible. That apparently means throwing some tension into Vic and Travis' friendship. Again, it's easy to understand the impulse. The various relationships should be challenged. These characters are still growing. Their journeys in this world are still compelling. Sometimes though, it feels like they are needlessly suffering simply because that's what the demands of a television series are. That has become quite apparent with Vic. Her commenting on that fact doesn't rationalize it either. It simply sends her spinning when she is suddenly forced to question the relationships she has based on the reactions they have in this moment. Travis doesn't drive over Theo on purpose. It still happens though. Meanwhile, Vic wants to navigate these dynamics appropriately. But she talks with Miller about them. He knows it is wise to confess the truth to Travis. She is never given that opportunity though. Instead, she spends her time with Theo solely for them to be caught in a slightly compromising position. It's all about the perception of something scandalous that can rise to the level of betrayal. It feels like the show is reaching to make it come across as that though. Travis' emotions are raw. That comes across clearly. The show is still forcing a lot of this to happen in an overly dramatic way just because it increases the tension. That structuring is apparent. The blatantness of it all then forces the audience out of the situation. That is never good. It's also annoying when it is paired with the moving visual of Jack finding an invention way for Marcus to see Marsha in the hospital. It's a story adjusted to the pandemic while still telling a fundamentally emotive story about the power of human connection. Jack's stories don't always work. In fact, they can feel quite distant from the others that are happening. Here though, it offers an effective image. One where no one is acting irrationally or out-of-character. Similarly, Maya's jealousy of Carina's friend had the potential to become something meaningful. It remains mainly surface level though. It's nice to see Jack talk some sense into her. This relationship has to remain strong this season despite the turmoil Carina is in. But it's also a plot that feels contained to this particular episode. That's not the case with everything else happening. Furthermore, Andy and Sullivan acknowledge that they have a problem that must be addressed. He continues to undermine her authority. He never allows her to be the one who shines. That is a significant issue considering their aspirations in the department. The job is important to them. Leadership is as well. They mostly deflect here instead of acknowledging what they want and how they are going to obtain that while remaining respectful of everyone involved. As Miller's new litigator suggests, that will be the easy part. This couple fails to do that here which would seem to suggest plenty of conflict in the future for them. These power dynamics are worth examining. But again, they have to be done with care and consideration without the audience seeing the strings being pulled from behind the curtain.
