Don't Drink the Water

This might actually be one of my favorite episodes. I'm obviously still very upset about Bobby and will never be okay with that but it's nice to finally see some real grief within the characters. For a long time now things just happen and then an episode or two they are completely fine again. No dealing with grief, no talking, nothing really. This episode finally gives us what we've been wanting. We want to see how the characters feel because we feel it too. The acting from all of the cast was absolutely outstanding. I love this cast so much and I'm so happy we get to see them in new situations and broader emotions. Yes we've seen them sad in seasons long ago but this is refreshing to see. Again I really want Bobby back and it will never be the same but this episode way ecceeded my expectations. Very excited for season 9!

Those who say we haven't moved forward with the plot are wrong. I want to clarify something: WE NEEDED TO SEE THE GRIEF. The fact that everything felt so bland in the last episode (which I still can't stand, just like I can't stand that Bobby is dead) is what made me appreciate this one even more. Seeing the emotions, the anger, the fear, the PAIN that cuts deep: Buck and Eddie hurt each other, Athena and Chimney hurt each other. And each one finds different ways to cope with the grief. It's part of the plot to finally see how the relationships change between them, if they move backward or forward, if they choose to stay or part ways. Beautiful, thank you.

They finally got the ratio of the screentime right, and also showed us what the past episodes were missing: the family ties of the 118.

What I didn't like was that how unrealistic it was that Athena is acting like shes didn't just lose the greatest love of her life and now she's back on the job all perfectly normal. Idk of they'll justify it as her coping mechanism but it just doesn't sit right with me.

The only thing they need to do next is bring Bobby back. At this point, I don't care what supernatural shxt they need to do to bring him back - I'll gladly eat it up and move along. Just. Bring him back.

The stark contrast from the last two episodes (especially the last episode) to this one is crazy.

The last two episodes had focus in all the wrong places, sloppy writing, characters feeling so out of character, poor directing choices, unnecessary action and side plots, and more.

This episode felt like it had a strong balance of the ensemble cast that was lacking previously, the focus on side characters did not overstay their welcome, all of the main characters had memorable moments that felt in-character and a part of their own personal larger arcs, etc.

We got to see the importance of their family dynamic (one of the biggest draws of the show, and so horribly lacking in the previous two episodes), and the storylines felt like they had a strong balance between work/calls and their personal lives.

THIS felt more like a classic 9-1-1 episode than anything we've seen in a while. Please bring these writers back, please fire whoever worked on the last two episodes.

The directing in this episode was also a standout. The cut from Buck's memory/daydream to the empty station table, the fight between Buck and Eddie in the kitchen, Eddie receiving the phone call... all so wonderfully shot and directed.

That goes double for the acting this episode. The acting was incredible last week and it was amazing to see that continue this week as well. Oliver Stark and Ryan Guzman especially brought the emotion, matching the performances of Angela Bassett and Kenneth Choi from last week.

This episode compared to the previous two shows perfectly how this show does best not when shoving two-part emergencies at us, or focusing on random side characters, or overdone cop plot lines, or unnecessary action sequences- it does best when it balances the ensemble cast in all their storylines, drives home the found family dynamic, gives us some goofy calls balanced with true emotion, and gives us HEART.

The difference between this week's episode and the last two has astounded me.

This is exactly what I want from an episode of 9-1-1.

Filled with joy, humour, grief and emotion, this was a VAST improvement over the previous dreadful episode. Credit to the acting and especially the writing of Molly Green and James Leffler, it feels like they truly understand these characters and what they mean to each other and honestly they should take over when big decisions need to be made. Loved seeing the characters, especially Maddie and Eddie talk about the impact Bobby has had on them, Hen and Karen's interactions and Buck and Eddie stealing the show with their undeniable chemistry.

If the finale is anything like the penultimate episode, we are in for a treat and i cannot wait to see how 911 closes out a tumultuous season 8.