9-1-1 Season-Finale Recap: Not Just a Number

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Following the rather underwhelming second-to-last episode of the 9-1-1 season last week, I was prepared to suggest that the series should have concluded with Bobby’s funeral. However, after viewing the finale, I find myself feeling somewhat similar yet slightly more conflicted. Essentially, “Seismic Shifts” is an episode that doesn’t stand out much within the show’s context, as it concentrates more on a less captivating catastrophe than on the emotional interactions between characters who are still grappling with a significant loss. Nonetheless, the poignant final scenes do bring a satisfactory conclusion to the season, and I appreciate the sense of closure they provide. In hindsight, maybe we could have chosen a different path to reach that point!

The main issue I have with this episode lies in the scale of the central crisis: the collapse of the apartment building that was left hanging last week. It seems out of proportion when compared to events like a tsunami, an overturned cruise ship, or even a bee-nado. The 19-story building’s collapse doesn’t feel as significant as it should, perhaps due to the narrow focus on just a few residents. We follow Graham — also known as Cart Cop — his rival in the laundry room Donnie, and Donnie’s girlfriend, Crystal. Additionally, we meet Jessa and her mother, who express concerns about the building’s safety (which is unheard of in the 9-1-1 universe!). Later, we encounter an older man named Flint West. Although I acknowledge that the lab lockdown and potential outbreak are challenging to surpass, particularly given Bobby’s death being tied into it, these characters don’t capture enough interest to warrant as much screen time as they receive in this episode.

Prior to the main event, everyone gathers at Fire Station 118 for a farewell barbecue hosted by Hen for Eddie, who is leaving for El Paso Fire Department in the morning. The gathering seems unnecessary given that Eddie has already moved and is only back for Bobby’s funeral. Despite this, it’s Gerrard’s last day, but no farewell party is planned for him. Buck comments that the 118 will finally have a good captain again, which may seem harsh but could be true. The identity of the new captain remains uncertain. Hen admits she declined the promotion, and Buck supports her decision to do what’s best for herself. It doesn’t affect Buck much as he has requested a transfer himself. With Bobby gone, Buck views the 118 as just another number. Despite his current emotional state, I find it hard to believe that he would be so dismissive of his fellow team members after last week’s events.

Moving on to the apartment collapse incident, the 118 team has arrived and Gerrard accurately identified the probable cause – gas pockets from a reservoir incident that seeped methane into the water system. The first critical problem at hand is Jessa and her mother. Her mother was buried under debris, and Hen detected multiple skull fractures. Upon turning her over, it became evident that her condition was more severe than initially thought: She had a large pocket of air above her eye that was putting pressure on her brain. Fortunately, Hen managed to drain it with a needle, causing the swelling to subside immediately. While watching this scene can be quite relieving, it’s not the exhilarating rescue you’d expect for a season finale. It seems like there might be many other rescues happening concurrently that we don’t get to witness. I wonder if the narrow focus in this scenario is due to budget limitations or creative choices. Frankly, after last week’s puzzling water crisis, I had hoped for a more dramatic conclusion!

In the meantime, Athena is finding it challenging to free Donnie and Graham who are trapped under debris in the laundry room. Donnie appears to be in a more critical condition, as he’s lying on the floor, struggling for breath. Athena manages to clear enough rubble for him to breathe normally, but this reveals a frightening metal shard stuck in his shoulder. When Athena dispatches Crystal for help, Donnie pleads with her not to leave and his movements cause the shard to fall out. Now he’s bleeding heavily, and it’s down to Graham to press his hand against the wound to prevent Donnie from losing too much blood. Although it’s refreshing to witness Cart Cop’s bravery being utilized, we’re unexpectedly asked to regard a character who had previously been portrayed as a joke with more gravitas. Outside the laundry room, a worried Crystal is able to locate Chimney and inform him that Athena sent her to find him. Hen offers to go instead since Chim and Athena aren’t on speaking terms, but Chim insists he will take care of it. Although they might put their disagreements aside for the sake of saving lives, it’s heartening to see him step forward.

In another part of town, a man named Flint West, quite an unusual name if you ask me, dials 9-1-1 from his high-rise apartment. Unfortunately, Maddie can’t hear him before the call disconnects. She manages to track down his location by speaking with his former wife. When Buck and Ravi reach his apartment, they find that he has fallen through to two floors below. It’s quite astonishing, but it’s claimed that there were no casualties from the explosion and the subsequent building collapse. However, another explosion occurs as the firefighters arrive at Flint’s location, causing more debris to fall, blocking their exit route. The three individuals are now trapped on the side of the building. It would take too long to rescue them using a ladder, so they wait. Gerrard declares that they have no other choice, to which Eddie replies, “If Bobby taught me anything, it’s that we always have a choice.” Indeed, Eddie has rushed to the scene upon hearing the news at home and is ready to assist. He comes up with an ingenious plan: firing a line gun from the parking lot opposite the apartment building, allowing Buck, Ravi, and Flint to slide across the street to safety using a zip-line. I must admit, 9-1-1 deserves praise for its inventiveness, not just for the name “Flint West.

Unfortunately, an extra blast of explosion confines Athena, Chimney, Graham, and Donnie in the laundry room. As Donnie faints, Chim checks his vital signs and determines he’s on the brink of cardiac arrest – CPR isn’t feasible. Instead, they opt for defibrillation, which necessitates helpful Graham’s assistance. This manages to restart Donnie’s heart, but he urgently requires medical attention that neither Athena nor Chimney can offer. On the other side of the debris, Hen and her team are drilling to free those trapped inside. It seems odd that only four people are stuck in this apartment building; it feels almost deserted! When Eddie, Ravi, and Buck arrive, they’re able to help, eventually creating a way through to the laundry room.

The rescue team manages to extract Donnie from the debris and stabilize him on a stretcher. However, Graham’s situation is dire. It appears that his injuries are more severe than anticipated, and upon freeing him from his trapped state, they discover that he has been pierced by a piece of steel rebar, causing internal bleeding from his abdominal aorta. Despite this, he remained silent, prioritizing Donnie’s safety over his own. Although Graham is likable, the emotional impact of his self-sacrifice is diminished following the recent loss of Bobby. The show spares Athena the extra distress by not showing another person dying before her eyes. Chimney remains hopeful for Graham and instructs Hen to perform CPR until they manage to revive him. It seems he will recover.

Outside in safety, Athena informs Chimney that he was instrumental in saving Graham’s life. When he attempts to downplay his individual role, she explains that Bobby used to get frustrated because Chim never gave himself enough credit for his skills and leadership abilities. “You were a smart, talented paramedic, and an excellent leader,” Athena tells him, adding that Bobby would be proud of him. This heartfelt moment causes Chimney (and me) to shed tears. They exchange a warm embrace, hinting perhaps that their professional relationship may evolve into something more personal. It appears as though Chimney is assuming the role of captain. Back at the 118, his new position becomes more evident when he firmly tells Eddie and Buck that he will not be going to El Paso or transferring. “This is our firehouse,” Chimney declares. “This is the 118, and it’s not just a number — it’s us.” This powerful scene helps elevate an otherwise average episode, as Chimney reminds everyone that leaving will not lessen the void left by Bobby. Sounding remarkably like the late captain Nash, Chimney concludes, “We are his legacy, so we can miss him and grieve for him, but we are not going to dishonor him by abandoning what he built here.” Unsurprisingly, Hen replies with a “Roger that, captain.

Hello, Bobby.” Although I may not have adored this episode, it managed to tug at my heartstrings in the end.

Call Log

It seems like Chimney has taken over as leader now, doesn’t it? Despite the fact that delivering a Bobby-encoded speech might be enough to secure the position, I can’t help but feel there’s a more intricate selection process at play. However, with all that’s transpired, it’s challenging to envision anyone else stepping into this role.

Simultaneously, I had a feeling that Eddie could land the job, especially when he likening his zip-line rescue idea to something Bobby would do.

I’m glad Eddie has returned to the 118, yet his El Paso storyline didn’t resonate with me. To be honest, it was hard for me to buy that he couldn’t easily move his child back to L.A. Given Christopher’s happiness in Texas, one might expect it, but Eddie is still Chris’ father! In the end, Chris appeared unfazed by the prospect of moving again.

It struck me as somewhat unusual when Athena’s children seemed to think she was putting the house up for sale, but since they are more familiar with her than I am, it makes sense that they would know her intentions better.

As a movie enthusiast, if Buck intends to reside in that residence, I’m curious about his financial means. Given that Los Angeles firefighters can potentially earn a sizable salary reaching the low six figures, one might wonder if that equates to “afford a house in L.A.” kind of income?

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2025-05-16 05:56