The newest season of 9-1-1 has come and gone, and to say it was a journey could be an understatement.
After an exciting begin, the season misplaced its footing, with a handful of hours towards the top that did not fairly really feel as satisfying as these earlier installments. 9-1-1 Season 6 Episode 18 particularly had us spinning our wheels, with an ending that felt rushed and awkward at occasions.
But there was nonetheless quite a bit to like concerning the season general and quite a bit to stay up for because the collection discovered new life within the eleventh hour, and we’ll return for one more season on a brand new community.
TV Fanatics and 9-1-1 lovers Whitney Evans and Jasmine Blu chatted concerning the season, what labored and what did not, and what they should see when the collection returns.
Dig into the chat, and tell us within the feedback what phrase you’ll use to explain the season and anything you would like to debate.
Whitney: The season began very sturdy, with hours like 9-1-1 Season 6 Episode 3, however they struggled to stay the touchdown.
How would you describe this season in a single phrase?
Jasmine: Inconsistent.
There had been some memorable features of the season after which some forgettable ones. And it did not preserve the identical momentum throughout.
Whitney: I can agree with inconsistent. And it form of goes hand in hand with my phrase: underwhelming.
I used to be so excited when the season began, they usually had some actually sturdy installments, after which someplace within the again half, they misplaced their manner.
Jasmine: Do you suppose the fixed breaks contributed to that as effectively? At some level, I began to lose the plot of the season and could not definitively say the place we had been headed or what we had been constructing to ultimately.
Whitney: I’m so used to the breaks that it would not actually add or take away from my ideas on the present. When you mentioned you began to lose the plot of the season, I agree completely, primarily as a result of the primary characters acquired mini-arcs right here and there, however just one character acquired a real, season-long journey ultimately.
So, once we acquired to the finale, there weren’t an entire lot of chapters that wanted closing as a result of not many chapters had been ever written.
Jasmine: I believe that is additionally a part of it. That, mixed with the abrupt after which prolonged breaks meant that there weren’t any actual overarching storylines unfold all through that might have me clamoring again and even remembering what was taking place that season.
For a lot of the characters, it actually was like particular person storylines that did not all the time carry by. I believe Bobby and Buck benefited from extra display time and a concrete story in comparison with Eddie or, to a point, even Hen.
All this time, you have been hiding in plain sight. Forty-five years. But I acquired you. I lastly acquired you.
Athena [to Junior]
Whitney: I’d add Athena into that, as effectively. She began the season coping with the case from her previous and her father’s sickness, however after that, moreover one-off instances or serving to Bobby with the Wendell scenario, there have been no different long-form storylines for her.
Jasmine: Yes! Athena was very a lot in a supporting function for a lot of the season in that manner, and by the top of 9-1-1 Season 6, I used to be dissatisfied that they hadn’t achieved a lot together with her for a lot of the season.
Whitney: It’s a tough season to even analyze as a result of it felt very disjointed. The first half felt very completely different from the again half, and the ultimate few episodes felt completely different from the entire thing. I ought to change my phrase to disjointed!
But earlier than we get into extra of what was lacking, what did you want most concerning the season?
Jasmine: Yes! Disjointed is one other good phrase to make use of. It had completely completely different tones as effectively.
Bobby will all the time have my entire coronary heart, they usually actually delivered on some Bobby content material this season. I used to be so heartbroken for him when he misplaced his buddy throughout 9-1-1 Season 6 Episode 9, and I believed the premise of them investigating it was wild, nevertheless it nonetheless had me hooked anyway.
And OMG, the Bobby and May stuff triggered all my allergic reactions directly. I beloved their dynamic throughout this season and the way Bobby has actually come to just accept that he is nonetheless a dad.
I additionally beloved the Bobby and Buck stuff, particularly with 9-1-1 Season 6 Episode 11, as a result of I’m such a sucker for the Bobby/Buck dynamic. They actually leaned into their father/son factor, and that is like catnip for me.
And they deal with the discovered household issues higher than the true ones generally (Buckley dad and mom, Chim’s father, and so forth).
I’m additionally proud of the place Madney is and the way they needed to earn that spot a bit. I truly beloved that Hen was being an excellent buddy and protecting of Chimney over the entire engagement factor.
Hen: Maybe your nerves are attempting to inform you one thing.
Chimney: Like what?
Hen: Like possibly you should not be getting married!
Whitney: I believed they gave Oliver Stark a number of juicy materials, and he knocked it out of the park. The coma-dream episode, specifically, was an incredible showcase for him and a really memorable hour. I’m glad they took the chance.
Even although Athena and Bobby did not get season-long journeys, the whole lot they did get, I beloved. Their relationship is simply so safe and loving, they usually all the time have one another’s backs. So each time they started working collectively was a standout for me.
They constantly show why they’re the center and soul of the collection, and I like that for them and us.
Jasmine: My dad and mom!!! Bathena perpetually, actually, as a result of identical.
Whitney: This is a pleasant segue into the {couples} portion of the dialog. What did you concentrate on {couples} this season and the tales they had been telling?
Maddie: We’re gonna marry that man! Cheers!
Jee-Yun: Cheers!
I’ll say that I beloved Bathena. And whereas I beloved Madney getting engaged, I’m nonetheless upset that they by no means had a correct dialog. The engagement saga went on somewhat too lengthy, and it was bothersome that they stored having these large and essential conversations with everybody however one another.
Much like Bathena is settled, I like seeing that with Henren, as effectively. From the lab hearth to the whole lot with Denny and Nathaniel, it was good to see them proceed to be a united entrance. Their relationship is so particular, and regardless that they simply dropped that adoption stuff in on the twenty fifth hour, that is a really thrilling place to see them begin 9-1-1 Season 7.
Here’s to extra chaos! And extra love.
Hen [to Karen]
I’ll allow you to speak about Buck and Eddie first.
Jasmine: Bathena will all the time be the objective; I like the whole lot about them. I like how a lot they assist one another by the whole lot, they usually actually have develop into the gold normal of {couples} on this collection. I’m so thrilled they acquired to go on their cruise collectively, as they earned it.
And Henren is one other couple who’ve actually earned what they’ve, and simply makes me so comfortable for them.
I agree that Madney wanted to speak by issues extra.
What the hell is that this with Eddie and Buck, although? I do not know which of their love conditions bothered me extra. Probably Buck’s.
I really feel like they actually half-assed this factor with Eddie and Marisol, is it? I swear I barely keep in mind her. And I used to be about as over the whole lot as my darling Christopher.
And I really feel like they’re trolling us with Buck at this level. His love life has develop into a joke and a collection of poor choices, and I do not know why.
I’m extra detached to the concept of Buddie than you might be, clearly, however even from my perspective on this, I would like them to do higher with their romantic conditions as a result of I have not been impressed.
Whitney: Eddie courting and determining what he needed in a companion had a lot potential. Eddie was sidelined for a lot of the season, and really giving him area and time thus far for himself might have been an thrilling and lighter storyline for Eddie.
Eddie is definitely a hilarious character, and courting round might have been a enjoyable time, actually. That transient montage throughout 9-1-1 Season 6 Episode 17 proved that.
But as a substitute, his aunt mainly needed to inform him he was lonely, after which he went on one non-date, and that was it. And then to carry again somebody from a name (is there nowhere else for these guys to satisfy individuals?) and make it seem to be it was destiny or one thing simply felt so weird to me.
The entire set-up fell flat, and if Marisol was all the time meant to finish up within the finale, then why wasn’t her introduction to Eddie again throughout that decision framed in a manner that foreshadowed her coming again once more? Instead, she was one other forgettable particular person from a name, which made her reintroduction much more odd.
Buck. Buck. Buck. I like Buck, however bringing in a dying doula after Buck has died and solely utilizing her to be a love curiosity was the weirdest misstep. They wasted an entire episode the place we might have gotten to know Natalia on bringing again Buck’s exes for what cause?
For him and Natalia to finish up collectively ultimately and Buck seemingly able to embark on this new journey, they did a poor job of organising their relationship. How does Natalia “see” him? What makes them so good for each other? How am I being offered on these two being a long-term couple?
Luckily, they’ve one other season to attempt to flesh these out in the event that they’re meant to be greater than only a coda to what very effectively might have been a collection finale, however simply throwing these love pursuits in on the very finish of the season, with zero buildup, and even much less time to discover, was definitely a alternative that didn’t work.
Eddie: So, how’d you make it occur for you and Athena?
Bobby: We acquired referred to as to a bike accident. It was a nasty one. I wasn’t at my finest on the time. Needed to take a minute. She sat with me. Eventually, I requested her to go to church, and we prayed collectively.
Eddie: Wow.
Bobby: A few days later, we had dinner, issues grew from there. Now, we’re about to have our fourth anniversary.
Eddie: So, you undoubtedly weren’t on the lookout for it.
Jasmine: They completely squandered the Eddie factor. It’s virtually like they do not know methods to give him something mild and enjoyable that is not angsty. It had a lot potential however did not go anyplace, nor did they make investments any time or vitality into it. It felt like they scrambled to tie issues again round to this or forgot about Eddie.
The Buck factor, they actually did not develop Natalia or what they’re speculated to have in any respect after which simply threw them collectively.
Both males have zero chemistry with their new love pursuits. I do not purchase into these romances in any respect. They’ll have to begin from the groundwork degree to promote us on this come subsequent season. You cannot be sliding into ABC with out DELIVERING on ship goodness. I’m simply saying.
Whitney: So true. One factor about ABC is that they offers you these ships that get the individuals TALKING. The Meredith and Derek’s. The Olivia and Fitz’s. The Chenford goodies. As it at present stands, I would like to begin a brand new sentence as a result of neither of these “romances” belong in the identical stratosphere as these names.
It simply seems like six seasons in, we’re recycling the identical story with these two and their love pursuits.
As Kelly Clarkson would say, ‘Take a danger. Take an opportunity. Make a change. And BREAKAWAY.’
Jasmine: Not you quoting Auntie Kelly!
I can a minimum of be grateful that the season delivered with its emergencies. I’m popping out of 9-1-1 Lone Star Season 4, the place they had been few and much between, and even with all the private arcs this season, the motion did not slack. That finale was epic in that manner.
Whitney: They had some good emergencies alongside the best way. Standouts for me had been clearly the finale, and the lightning strike with Buck was shot superbly.
Jasmine: I actually gasped with the lightning strike, and sure, the course and cinematography this season had been top-tier.
Whitney: One different standout for me was the firefam feels, which had been nice this season. Everything in 9-1-1 Season 5 felt so off-kilter as a result of Chimney was gone for a lot of the season, however we had so many scenes of them on the firehouse chatting, joking, and simply having fun with one another’s firm.
Even although they did not keep it up, that they had completely different dynamics this season. Like Hen and Buck hanging out extra in 6A, Eddie going to Bobby and Athena throughout the entire curse fiasco, and he and Bobby going to the ironmongery store and speaking romance.
Do you prefer it when 9-1-1 switches issues up? Or do you like the dynamics everyone knows and love?
Jasmine: Yes! I’m all the time all concerning the household dynamics. I’ll take these 1000xs over the romance, actually, and I’m so glad they upped the ante with these this season and switched issues up.
The Buck and Hen content material was amongst my favourite, and I swear, generally it felt like we had been simply watching Aisha and Oliver being besties.
Eddie is particularly an excellent one as a result of they have a tendency to isolate him from the others a lot that he often solely will get time with Buck, and I beloved seeing that increase extra. I additionally preferred that Maddie interacted with extra individuals this season too.
I would like a mixture of each. We are going to like our tried and true dynamics on this collection, they usually work. And so I would like these.
But it is also a waste of a robust forged with nice chemistry if they do not change issues up somewhat, both.
They have loads of time and episodes to ship each, so I’m comfortable that we’re attending to see new dynamics, too, as a result of that retains issues contemporary, they usually’re new angles of the collection unexplored. It’s simply heaps of potential.
It additionally means you get to see completely different sides of the characters as a result of nobody dynamic would be the identical as one other.
Like Hen and Chim is completely completely different from Hen and Buck, however each give me all of the feels.
Whitney: I’m of two minds as a result of I like these core dynamics. Give me an entire episode of Hen and Chimney, and I’ve by no means been happier.
So, I do not love after they get sidelined. But I agree that among the finest issues about having such a robust forged with a lot chemistry is that you may pair individuals up and nonetheless get amazingly wealthy tales and dynamics.
Maddie: Still would not appear actual.
Athena: That it occurred? Or that anybody survived?
Maddie: Both. And all of them cannot wait to get again on the market once more.
Athena: It takes a particular form of loopy to need to dwell this life.
Like Maddie and Athena are an incredible pair we do not get to see typically, however while you do get their scenes, they’re all the time incredible.
Jasmine: What do you concentrate on how they’ve dealt with issues with the Buckley dad and mom and Chim’s father?
I’ve been shocked at how they’ve backtracked on issues with how each have been terrible dad and mom simply to work in the direction of some storyline the place every man makes amends with their dad and mom.
I particularly had a tough time with the Buckleys as a result of they had been canonically terrible, and now it is like they’re giving us candy grandparents who by no means did something mistaken of their life, and it bothers me.
It’s okay to indicate that some relationships with poisonous members of the family do not work out and should not, however they’ve actually compelled this forgiveness narrative, and it rubs me the mistaken manner.
Whitney: So, simply figuring out 9-1-1, they do not actually function from a spot the place they won’t attempt to discover widespread floor someway. With each units of fogeys, I believe the objective was to indicate that transferring ahead is feasible and you may “forgive” individuals who wronged you on your personal sake, not theirs.
I do suppose they’ve achieved an excellent job through the years of exhibiting parental relationships which can be complicated and sophisticated, however they rushed these reunions — if you wish to name them that — and I’m undecided why.
Toxic household dynamics are a really actual factor that folks undergo, and also you’re proper in that they need not have everybody singing kumbaya and making amends as a result of that is not all the time actuality.
Did you’ve a favourite episode this season? Or one thing that caught out for you that you just’d like to focus on?
I’ll go first.
It ended up mainly which means nothing within the grand scheme of issues as a result of they selected to forgo Buck’s dying journey in favor of a woman buddy and did nothing with the brand new talent set, however the poker scene in 9-1-1 Season 6 Episode 13 was so enjoyable.
Buck and Eddie dressed up, schmoozing with the higher-ups, and simply having an excellent time collectively? It’s been 84 years since we noticed that, and I used to be greater than glad with that elongated scene.
I like that Buck and Eddie typically get to have these intense and life-affirming conversations, however I additionally like after they simply let their hair down collectively.
And I’m as soon as once more waxing poetic about Bathena as a result of that they had so many cute moments right here and there. They deserved their little hop and skipped towards that large cruise ship to shut out the season.
Jasmine: My dad and mom occurring that cruise was the very best factor.
I do know the episode was form of controversial, however I truly loved Buck’s coma stuff. They did a pleasant deep dive into his character, and it was a good way of exhibiting how far he is come.
I felt how he took cost throughout the finale additionally did that. I stored eager about that risk-taking child he was in 9-1-1 Season 1 versus commanding the scene within the absence of others, and it was simply actually nice content material.
Whitney: That was an incredible full-circle second for Buck. With every passing season, he turns into an increasing number of comfy in his skilled function. And he is effectively on his solution to captaincy down the road.
I might speak about this ALL day, however what was the purpose of Bobby telling Buck within the coma dream that if what issues to him is how individuals see him, he hasn’t discovered a rattling factor. Only for Buck to show round and be excited to inform Eddie that Natalia sees him. Like, what is going on right here?
Jasmine: Sometimes it seems like there is no comparability of notes, so sure issues do not circulate cohesively from one set of individuals to the subsequent with regards to the characters and moments.
Also, SHOW, not inform. Because I felt just like the viewers and Eddie had been like that meme of Ms. Juicy on the sofa trying confused as a result of when did they present us that Natalia “sees” Buck? I stored feeling like I missed one thing. But let me cease.
Whitney: No, you are proper, and it is best to say it. I see your Ms. Juicy meme and lift you the Nene portray and rolling her eyes gif as a result of I think about that was most us of attempting to decipher when he was seen as a result of it definitely wasn’t ON the display.
Okay, let’s wrap issues up with a pleasant, loaded query. What do you need to see in 9-1-1 Season 7?
Jasmine: Oof!
Okay. I NEED them to determine one thing else out with Buck and Eddie’s love lives as a result of I’m uninterested in them with these girls with no chemistry. They are two attractive, employed, type males. Their love lives shouldn’t be this messy and tragic when they’re surrounded by all these nice examples of affection.
The Henren adopting stuff got here out of nowhere, however I’m excited to see it.
I would like them to cowl extra in-depth conversations with Madney, however I’m additionally enthusiastic about marriage ceremony planning and stuff. I like an excellent marriage ceremony.
I want to see Buck take into account some avenues for climbing up within the ranks as a result of he is proven how nice he’s in a management place. It could be fascinating to see him focus extra on his profession now that he is safer and assured.
Literally, something and the whole lot with Bathena can be proper up my alley as a result of I like them so rattling a lot.
I actually need some extra particular person Athena content material, although. When I consider all of the shenanigans Owen (a hearth chief) will get into on Lone Star, I do know they will let Athena do extra, possibly an ongoing large case, catching a serial killer, or stopping an assault. Something! Like, put Mother to make use of!
I would like them to determine what they’re doing with Eddie as a result of, half the time, it does seem to be they do not know what to do with him. Preferably one thing lighter. He would not want angst on a regular basis.
Ravi: Uh, Cap? Can I simply say if Buck must get the pregnant girl out of his condominium, I do have a two-bedroom that is about to be in the marketplace. So…
Bobby: Thank you, Ravi. Maybe a dialogue for one more time.
Also, if they’ve Ravi again or one thing, I would like them to make it worthwhile as a result of they actually waste that child.
And undoubtedly extra of the dynamics. Will Hen be Chimney’s Best Woman? And will issues nonetheless be tense for Hen and Maddie generally? While additionally carrying on with among the newer dynamics that they love exploring, too.
Whitney: Oh, that is a wonderful record of issues to discover, and I actually agree with all of it.
I would like them to determine Buck and Eddie’s love lives and current it to the viewers in an fascinating and distinctive manner. We’ve seen them meet girls on calls. We’ve seen girls stroll out on them. Give us one thing new!
As you mentioned, you have acquired these candy, radiant males, and it should not be this troublesome to search out them an incredible companion who compliments them.
I’m very enthusiastic about Madney’s marriage ceremony planning, and I hope we do not have to attend all season to see it, however I might love a number of episodes of marriage ceremony shenanigans. But additionally, as a result of the engagement was so wonky, the whole lot might go completely for the marriage.
The Henren adoption factor got here deep out of left discipline, however once more, it is such a beautiful place for them to be subsequent season and has a number of potential.
I really feel like a damaged document with the Ravi stuff, however I would like him built-in extra. He’s a precious piece of the crew, and he matches in seamlessly.
There was no cause he should not have gotten somewhat montage on the finish with the remainder of the 118. It would have been an incredible place to select up his story subsequent season, exhibiting us his life outdoors the station.
I might additionally actually wish to see all of the {couples} doing one thing collectively. I do not know what, and I do not actually care, however I want to see it. Maybe it includes them working collectively, or maybe it is only for enjoyable, however I need it.
I might love an episode just like the coma dream once more that’s simply completely different and never one thing they usually do. Maybe the 118 will get trapped in a Walmart-type place, a la Dawson’s Creek, and we get an entire hour of various teams and intense bonding.
Throw an emergency in there when the vehicles come to make a supply within the morning!
And I, too, would like to see Buck working in the direction of extra professionally. It does really feel like the subsequent step for him.
Bobby: You’re an incredible firefighter. When you are all in, no one goes tougher than you. But being an excellent chief is about extra than simply the work. It’s additionally about life expertise, and I believe you want some extra of that earlier than you are prepared.
Buck: Is this cuz I haven’t got a sofa?
Jasmine: Firefam feels. More love. And extra new, contemporary tales.
That is all stuff I can undoubtedly cosign with you on.
I hope this transfer means they will get even greater, higher, and extra bold with all their calls and different issues. I’m excited to see how issues could change a bit from them shifting from one community to the opposite.
Whitney: I’m excited, too. There remains to be a number of story left to inform with this crew. A lot of meat left on the bone.
I would like them to lean into the brand new and escape the outdated. Audiences have fallen in love with these characters, and we need to preserve falling in love with them as they develop.
As we await information on when 9-1-1 will return, be sure you watch 9-1-1 on-line so that you’re all caught up!
Whitney Evans is a employees author for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter.
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