It seems like the character of Brad has been happening this season, and it’s portrayal little about the 118 have bigger things to worry about than his own problems. In the end, Craig jumps off the bridge, buddy,” Brad says, but Craig hesitates before jumping, giving in me going.
waking up in a hospital bed, I find myself as Captain Race Banner, slowly regaining my senses. A doctor’s voice echoes, “You were struck by a bowling ball traveling at 40 miles per hour.” Yet, it’s not this piece of information that weighs heaviest on my mind. Yes, I’m relieved to hear that all the orphans from the bowling alley have been rescued.
Apologies for the confusion earlier, I was referring to an episode of “Hotshots,” not the midseason finale of “9-1-1.” The particular episode is titled “Wannabes” and it opens with a scene from “Hotshots.” In this scene, Captain Banner, played by Brad Torrance, helps a woman out of a burning car. She tells him, “You don’t need to burn too,” to which he replies, “Hotshots don’t get burned; we just get a little toasted.” This kind of action-packed, heroic drama is more my cup of tea compared to the mid episode of “9-1-1” that I ended up watching. It seems like the show could have ended on a stronger note before taking a four-month hiatus, and perhaps my feelings towards Brad’s character from last week might be influencing this viewpoint.
At the firehouse, Brad’s watching the new episode of Hotshots, but the audience isn’t as enthusiastic as he’d hoped – especially after he encourages them to point out inaccuracies. Bobby mentions that the series isn’t intended to be a documentary (anticipating my criticism of this 9-1-1 episode being unrealistic), and Buck remarks, “Real life is dull.” It’s hard to agree when your real life involves a constant drama with high-stakes situations every week, but his point is understood. Nevertheless, Brad isn’t content; he yearns for the authenticity of being a true firefighter instead of being on a fictional show.
The first incident of the episode doesn’t necessitate firefighters; instead, it involves a riot at Fields Market, triggered unexpectedly by a YouTuber known as the Cart Cop. This individual typically spends his leisure time recording people who fail to return their shopping carts properly at the supermarket. In an attempt to place one of his shaming magnetic bumper stickers (“I GOT CART NARCED”) on a woman’s vehicle, he inadvertently sets off a chain reaction: a minor car collision, congested parking lot, lots of shouting. Athena steps in, successfully calms the situation down, and ultimately gets the woman to return her cart. However, she labels Graham as a meddlesome busybody, cautioning him, “Quit your Cart Cop antics before you meddle with the wrong person.” This hints at future events!
A sewer line bursts, leading to numerous car accidents due to the downpour of 5,000 gallons of wastewater. When the emergency team arrives, only Brad seems excited (“There it is!”), but the rest bravely face the overwhelming stench and get to work. Eddie is assigned to rescue a young couple trapped in their flooded SUV, which made me wince when they kissed as they were submerged in filthy water. The scene inside was beyond description. Brad, who should have been taking notes, decides to save a woman instead, carrying her from her car like a true superhero. Bobby is understandably shocked by this action, as Brad didn’t check her vital signs or look for head injuries. It’s at this point that I question why Brad is even allowed on such calls, given he has no professional training in emergency response.
At the fire station, it’s time for cleaning up and disinfection. (Buck describes the smell as reminiscent of “a mixture between spoiled milk and rotten fish innards.” Quite vivid!) Brad is feeling proud from his rescue and the cheers he received from the onlookers who recognized him, but Bobby is eager to correct him. The captain once more reprimands Brad, making him aware of how reckless and risky his actions were. “You’re not a true firefighter,” Bobby snaps, “and no matter what entries you write in your journal, nothing will change that.” As Bart Simpson once said, it’s easy to identify the moment when one’s heart is broken in two.
In a downcast mood, Brad takes extra care in polishing the fire truck as instructed by Bobby. Meanwhile, Eddie drops by for an autograph for Christopher, only to discover Brad’s melancholy state. At 47 years old, Brad laments the emptiness in his life, apart perhaps from the successful TV show he stars on (it’s understandable that wealth and fame can coexist with misery, as Britney Spears sings in “Lucky”). However, it feels unfair to me that Brad is being elevated to a leading role so suddenly. During a sincere conversation, Eddie discloses his estrangement from Christopher, admitting he left to pursue a CW pilot (quite dark, indeed). Brad encourages Eddie not to let the gap between him and Christopher widen any further.
The ensuing 9-1-1 call takes us back to Fields Market with the statement: “I believe Cart Cop is deceased!” However, he’s merely severely injured and close to death when discovered. Chimney and Hen successfully revive him, while Athena initiates her investigation. The sole clue is a boot print on Graham’s head and numerous motives at play. At the hospital, Graham has no recollection of the assault – quite common after having one’s head attacked – but he does provide Athena and Detective Romero with a link to his YouTube channel. As expected, Cart Cop has many adversaries, all of whom Athena and Romero question. They each harbor reasons to dislike Graham and different-sized boots, yet before Athena can solve the case like Cinderella’s prince, the investigation delves into a discussion on whether or not one should return shopping carts (of course, you should; weren’t you brought up properly?).
In another location, the number 118 team is handling a possible suicidal jumper on a freeway bridge. Trying to talk Craig out of it, Buck and Eddie find that he’s more focused on Brad instead – which sparks an idea for Bobby. “Fancy yourself a hero?” he asks Brad. “Here’s your opportunity.” With the moment finally coming for Brad to save the day, Craig is genuinely amazed. Craig’s wife leaving him led him to binge-watch three seasons of ‘Hotshots’, and his affection for Brad as his “comfort captain” echoes with many who’ve found solace in ‘9-1-1’ during tough times like breakups, job losses, and global crises.
Brad’s spirits are too low to comprehend the impact of “Hotshots” on others, and he informs Craig that his character isn’t recovering from the coma they wrote him into. “It’s impossible to eliminate Captain Banner,” Craig argues. “He’s the one who binds the 119 fire team together!” It reminds Brad of when it seemed they were going to kill off Bobby at the end of last season. To prevent Craig from being distressed, Brad assures him that if Craig ever feels down, Captain Banner will wake up from his coma. This solution benefits both parties: Craig is reassured, and Brad gets to return to “Hotshots” and leave the 118 behind. Although Callum Blue, whom Brad admires as an actor, deserves respect… it’s now time for a change.
The case regarding the assault on the Cart Cop has been wrapped up, as Ira – the seemingly gentle older gentleman who retrieved the carts – delivered a head-stomping to him because Graham was encroaching on his work. Apparently telling Athena that he was stealing his job, Ira explained his actions by saying “I had to put my foot down.” However, it’s been revealed that “Ira” is actually an alias for a repeat offender with a background in violent assault. It serves as a reminder that appearances can be misleading! Athena advises Graham that he should consider turning pro, and he wonders if she thinks he’s ready to join the police force. Angela Bassett’s portrayal of “Baby, I say this with all the love in the world … no” is a classic. In essence, what she means is that he should take over Ira’s old job instead, which, indeed, could be considered a satisfying resolution to the story.
As a follower, I’ve noticed that things are getting a bit rocky for the 118 team, particularly since Buck found out that Eddie might be moving to El Paso to reunite with Christopher. I’m trying my best not to get too caught up in this situation, as it appears Ryan Guzman, who plays Eddie, could be leaving the show. However, just like Craig said, you can never count out Eddie Diaz – he’s the glue that holds the 118 fire family together!
Call Log
I’ve been concerned that my critique of Brad in these reviews might have been too harsh, as his character hasn’t made much sense from the beginning and it’s quite unusual how much focus he’s received this season. Frankly, it’s disappointing to see more of him than Karen, for instance!
In that particular scene where Brad and Craig together delivered an impactful speech from the season finale of Hotshots, it struck a chord with me. It’s heartening to witness how 9-1-1 acknowledges its role as a reliable comfort show amidst all the action, drama, blood, and explosions.
Once more, Angela Bassett deserves high praise for convincingly delivering awkward dialogues. When Graham states, “It’s not truly concerning the carts,” Athena replies, “It’s about the emotions they evoke within us.” Remarkably, I find myself agreeing with her sentiments.
I’m not monitoring someone else, but if I were, I would highlight the moment when Buck mistakenly assumes he’s disturbing Eddie while he’s actually browsing house listings in El Paso, which isn’t particularly suggestive.
As a dedicated fan who’s followed this show for years, I must admit that I was taken aback by the abrupt ending of the mid-season finale. I had been looking forward to the Christmas episode next month, but it seems that it won’t be happening. The lengthy hiatus ahead feels like an eternity. However, I trust the creators to deliver a fantastic second half of the season when we reunite in March. Until then, I’ll keep re-watching old episodes and speculating about what’s to come!
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2024-11-22 07:56