⚠️ CAUTION: This write-up unveils key events from the latest episode (on Monday) of “9-1-1: Lone Star” on Fox, titled “The Wanderers.”
Lone Star,” which aired on Fox on Monday.
On Monday, episode 126 of “9-1-1: Lone Star” aired, marking the beginning of the final set of episodes. For five years now, this Fox drama has taught its audience that Ryan Murphy’s series often reaches its darkest point before dawning on a new season. However, unlike previous instances, there won’t be a new season for the Rob Lowe-led series, and it needs to wrap up several open character storylines if it wants to provide viewers with a satisfying conclusion.
In this week’s “9-1-1 Lone Star” episode titled “All Who Wander,” Marjan (Natacha Karam) had a romantic, rapid-paced wedding with her reappeared boyfriend Joe (John Clarance Stewart), when her parents were in town. Meanwhile, Judd (Jim Parrack) reached a low point in his struggle with alcoholism that developed during his isolation, as his wife Grace (former cast member Sierra McClain) is currently on an extended missionary trip.
As we approach the final episode on February 3, Karam and Parrack sat down with EbMaster to discuss where our characters are headed next and what challenges await the 126 in Austin. Additionally, they shared their personal thoughts about the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles and expressed their support for the brave firefighters working tirelessly to control the situation.
Where did Judd’s alcoholism storyline come from, and what were your thoughts on the turn for him so close to the end of the show?
Jim Parrack: Alcohol addiction doesn’t suddenly appear or get resolved overnight. Halfway through the series, our showrunner Rashad hinted, “This could be a path we might take.” I suggested, “Then let’s subtly set up what’s to come now. It doesn’t need to be explicitly written in the script, but if it’s a group scene, position me in a secluded spot or have me sipping on a drink, so that it feels organic and not entirely unexpected, even if we have an entire season to address it.” After all, alcoholism isn’t something that can be neatly wrapped up quickly. I myself am a recovering alcoholic, having achieved sobriety at the age of 22. It took effort to get there and out of it, so I was thrilled to contribute my personal experiences to the storyline. The writers were incredibly supportive and accommodating, considering it’s network television with certain limits on graphic content. Therefore, my main goal was to make the portrayal as authentic as possible within the context of our show.
Sierra McClain, who played Judd’s wife Grace over the first four seasons of “9-1-1: Lone Star,” chose to exit ahead of the final season. How has her absence affected both you, personally, and how you portray Judd?
Parrack’s explanation: A fascinating query! In literary terms, we often talk about a character having a backbone or driving force, something that propels them throughout their storyline, and they may not even realize it. This internal motivation fuels every action they take. For Judd, I portrayed him as someone who had made family his core value, especially his wife, Grace. However, when the circumstances changed, it required an acting adjustment because the foundation of his character was challenged. In the show, that foundation was shattered when his wife left, and he could no longer live for her. Consequently, the absence of this driving force led to a struggle, and Judd’s actions became more erratic, as if he was taking uncertain steps forward. This is where I believe the show effectively used dramatic literature – by breaking Judd’s backbone or core motivation, it showed how one’s life can become disoriented when the primary source of their strength is removed.
As an actor, making adjustments is simply part of our job. Working with her, though, is one of my most cherished experiences. She’s a fantastic collaborator and partner in the art of acting. Therefore, I sympathized with her decision because I care for her deeply, and I believe she was following her sincere convictions. Respecting her choice was not difficult. She’s a woman of faith who sought divine guidance when faced with a difficult decision: “What should I do?” After receiving an answer, she demonstrated immense courage by acting on it. The emotions I felt were complex – I was proud of her and still am, but I was also disappointed that our shared project didn’t reach completion. We didn’t get to bring it to a close together. Yet, I accept this outcome because… well, that’s life.
Without Sierra returning on screen for the final episodes, how do you expect fans will be able to find closure in Judd’s storyline?
Parrack: Initially, the 126 we lost during the pilot, they were like my brothers to me. By the end of the series, those who were mere acquaintances at the start have become family members to me. I now have a daughter and a new son, and there’s also a bond with Robyn [Lively]’s character, Marlene. There’s a link, a connection, with Grace, and we expect her to return home once her work is completed. Our family isn’t broken; she’s just away. The change in Judd’s role within the 126 and his new position at its head represents a man who cherishes his family. Five years ago, he wouldn’t have imagined his family expanding as it has now, but he’s embracing this expanded role as the leader of our family.
During this episode of “9-1-1: Lone Star,” it’s established that Judd and Grace’s baby daughter Charlie has gone to live with her grandparents because she’s too sad to be in the house without her mother there. After Judd’s choice to pour out his alcohol and commit to sobriety at the end of the episode, with the help of Owen (Rob Lowe) and before he even hears from Grace, is it fair to assume he’s in a good enough place that Charlie will be able to come home?
Parrack: Towards the close of this episode, there might remain some spiritual struggles, but these are due to Judd’s conviction that God is ready and willing to engage in a struggle with him. Sobriety commences, and I can attest personally, one of the things that transpires when you eliminate alcoholism is that what truly matters becomes strikingly apparent right away.
As someone who plays a firefighter on TV, what has been your reaction to the effects of the wildfires in Los Angeles?
One key lesson I’ve carried from the five seasons of the series is that my respect for first responders has grown exponentially, having played one myself. Before this role, I thought I held them in high regard; but after, it’s reached unprecedented heights. My castmates and I often found ourselves in awe, exclaiming, “It’s incredible that there are individuals who genuinely perform these heroic acts!” I am deeply grateful for their service and have been earnestly praying for L.A.’s aid, the protection of our first responders, and their safe return home. The courage they display is truly awe-inspiring, something few of us possess or understand. My sympathies are with those who have suffered tremendous losses.
In this episode, Marjan goes from introducing her boyfriend Joe (who the audience hasn’t seen for some time) to her parents Waleed (Michael Benyaer) and Nasreen (Anne Nahabedian), and being nervous about their initial critical response, to proving to them that this is the man she should be with — to then marrying him while they’re still in town, all in the same episode. How did you approach this storyline with the writers, and what would make it believable for Marjan?
Given the shorter season length, we had to conclude certain character stories and arcs in a way that would be satisfying for viewers while remaining true to the characters’ past experiences. Since there were fewer episodes, we had a lot of ground to cover, so it became an accelerated journey within a single episode. This approach proved beneficial because the stakes were significantly higher due to compression. After the initial surprise from the audience (e.g., “He’s back? But he was always there!”), they quickly embraced the narrative and followed along. It soon felt natural that we wanted the character to marry this man, and have what she desired in life. This contrasted beautifully with Judd’s storyline, showcasing fresh love versus old love, struggles, and triumphs.
What input did you have on what Marjan’s wedding would look like, especially given that it is put together very quickly?
I’ve been deeply invested in that situation from the start. Ever since we decided to go ahead with what could be likened to a shotgun wedding, I reached out to Rashad and explained that Karam’s character hasn’t been low-key for the past five years. Thus, there’s no way we’d have a simple, “I’m here for love,” type of ceremony. That idea is as implausible as me, Natacha Karam, having a small, understated wedding or getting married in something other than a traditional white dress. We both have larger-than-life personalities and enjoy the finer things in life. Fashion is her domain, she’s an influencer with freebies and connections in the industry.
In another scenario, we spontaneously decided to get married later that very day. Yet, I protested, “This can’t be real!” The wedding had to exude opulence, whimsy, and reflect her ideal dream wedding – an event uniquely hers. For me, the attire was crucial. I collaborated extensively, undergoing no less than five fittings, and the costume department crafted my outfit based on designs I provided. I desired a striking jumpsuit with a layered skirt, and they delivered just that according to my specifications. From their very first encounter, she had been saving this special moment for him.
How did you approach the wedding night scene and the depiction of Muslim love on screen?
The emphasis in our discussions was on maintaining an intimate connection rather than sexual matters. This was significant because despite her powerful and commanding presence in various aspects of life, whenever she finds herself in love-related or intimate situations – be it courtship or dating – she shows signs of inexperience and shyness. Unlike the confident demeanor she has exhibited in all previous romantic encounters over the past five seasons, here she appeared uncomfortable and flustered. I believe it was crucial to portray her as someone who hasn’t had numerous romantic experiences before, because she hasn’t.
In this scene, I aimed to portray the genuine purity, closeness, and bonding that was unfolding for the first time. It was crucial to me that the moment remained subtle. Fortunately, Brad, our director, was skilled at suggesting instances of profound love and gentleness without resorting to anything forceful or sensual, as that wasn’t the focus. Instead, it was about experiencing and revealing oneself in a fresh, secure environment, ensuring she felt completely authentic and protected. I believe we managed to achieve this effectively.
Now that Marjan is married and happy with Joe, and they’re even discussing having children sooner rather than later, can we assume her storyline is smooth sailing from here until the series finale next month?
We only have two episodes remaining, starting from this one. Each episode will be filled with one crisis after another – an emergency, a near-miss with an asteroid, a nuclear incident, and perhaps even something that could potentially end the world as we know it. I believe our audience deserves a rewarding conclusion for having followed us through these five years, so we’re aiming to provide them with a brighter horizon towards the finish line.
As someone who plays a firefighter on TV, what has been your reaction to the effects of the wildfires in Los Angeles?
As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours with firefighters over the past five years, I must say that my respect for them has only grown deeper. Their selfless service, a quality I hold in high regard, shines through in every action they take. I am continually inspired by the men and women I’ve encountered, their moral compass guiding them with unwavering purpose.
In our group conversation, we were exchanging messages as the fires began, discussing those who perform such acts in reality, and brainstorming ways to keep aiding them. We contemplated visiting fire stations to donate supplies. The few fire stations I visited had families relaxing inside with their mothers and fathers, which, as someone who has had a slight understanding of what a fire station is like from numerous visits to functioning ones, I believe our show excels at depicting the family dynamic and how tightly bonded these firefighters become.
These interviews have been edited and condensed.
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2025-01-21 05:17