How 9-1-1 Mastered the Art of the TV Disaster

As a seasoned 9-1-1 viewer with years of emotional rollercoaster rides under my belt, I can confidently say that the honeymoon cruise episodes from Season 7 are nothing short of a masterpiece! From the moment Bobby and Athena set sail on their belated honeymoon, it was clear that trouble was brewing. But boy, did they deliver on every front!

Fans of the show 9-1-1, the time we’ve all been eagerly anticipating is nearly upon us. Let’s say it together: Bee-nado. Bee-nado! BEE-NADO! This could very well be one of 9-1-1’s most spectacular disasters yet, airing on ABC. Known for its portrayal of first responders, the show has already given us a bee attack, and this one is set to escalate the action to levels quintessential to 9-1-1. From day one, it’s followed in the footsteps of Grey’s Anatomy by tackling large-scale emergencies, ensuring at least one major crisis per season. Over the years, it has honed its style, consistently finding fresh and increasingly absurd ways to keep us entertained, moved, and left in awe.

Time-honored TV traditions often include episodes centered around disasters. Over the years, these have become common in various types of shows such as soap operas like “Dallas”, sitcoms like “Roseanne”, procedurals like “Hawaii Five-0”, teen shows like “One Tree Hill”, and prime-time dramas like “ER”. What makes a good disaster episode great? The best ones share three key elements: they offer an abundance of visual excitement, develop characters, and provide a significant emotional impact. While the genre may vary, each episode should leave viewers in tears, whether from sadness or laughter. Examples include Arizona’s leg amputation after the “Grey’s” plane crash, which had long-term consequences, or Dorothy discovering her ex-husband Stan with her sister Gloria during “The Golden Girls'” two-part hurricane episode “The Monkey Show.

The creators of the series “9-1-1,” Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Timothy Minear (who also oversees production), are known for their extravagant scene arrangements. Consequently, it’s not surprising that their procedural drama uses such arrangements to tell its stories. Over time, “9-1-1” has mastered the recipe for grand disasters, culminating in this significant moment. Here’s a summary of the season-defining catastrophes that have created the perfect conditions for a bee-nado.

The Airplane Crash

Season 1, Episode 4, “Worst Day Ever”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=pZAQtYvGOag

The event that kicked off everything was truly unforgettable, even though it wasn’t the first episode of the season. “Worst Day Ever” stands out as the most impactful episode in season one due to its introduction of themes that recur in virtually every disaster portrayed on 9-1-1. These include the use of time jumps, which provide additional context about the civilians who are rescued by our heroic first responders. The writer of this episode, Zachary Reiter, has a knack for building suspense, starting with heartwarming moments (such as a mother helping her son prepare for his first date) and subtle foreshadowing (a couple can be seen in the bathroom, hinting at trouble to come). The dialogue exchanged before an emergency is one of the show’s most endearing elements.

In this instance, the emotional intensity is palpable. After observing the chaos, Bobby (Peter Krause) slips back into alcoholism and collapses at home, prompting him to seek help when his peers discover him in this state. This moment serves as a significant revelation, shedding light on not only Bobby but also his associates. Most impressively, Angela Bassett’s character, Athena, takes a stand for the people by detaining an airline full of passengers to release them from the irrational commands of a paranoid CEO. It’s truly inspiring!

There’s a lot of dramatic action happening in this installment, though it doesn’t quite match up to the level of destruction. The graphic image of that man’s seat belt tearing his skin will forever be etched in my memory. However, this episode is notable for setting the stage for several future catastrophic events.

The Earthquake

Season 2, Episodes 1 (“Under Pressure”) and 2 (“7.1”)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=5feUCpwEgG4

The second season of 9-1-1 intensifies the action with a multi-episode disaster sequence that serves as a blueprint for future premieres. While the plane crash in the first season was thrilling, this geological saga has a more cinematic feel due to its two-part structure, stunning visuals of buildings collapsing, and the immense scale of the sets our emergency responders get to navigate.

The episodes serve as significant character development tools, as they delve into Jennifer Love Hewitt’s character Maddie, who escapes her abusive husband and takes refuge with her brother Buck (Oliver Stark). In these situations, Maddie uses large-scale emergencies to help navigate crucial relationship hurdles. For instance, Buck recognizes that his long-distance relationship with Abby (Connie Britton) is merely a prelude to their eventual separation, and Bobby and Athena finally come out in the open about their romance. In most instances, Bobby and Athena are dealing with personal issues when crises occur, but here, even amidst trouble, Athena manages to defend the underdog once more by criticizing a convenience store owner for overpricing essential goods. (Perhaps she could contact some grocery chains now regarding the cost of eggs?)

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must say that the show “9-1-1” wouldn’t be the same without its dose of witty humor, even when it comes wrapped in a package as intense as an earthquake, heatwave combination. The sweltering weather seems to bring out the most absurd and chaotic behaviors from Los Angeles’ citizens. From a tour bus guide losing his cool on the road to a band of YouTubers who thought it was a brilliant idea to seal their friend’s head in a microwave with cement for a stunt, this city never ceases to surprise! (Yes, they attempted to live-stream Bobby saving their friend’s life, and yes, he promptly tossed their phone into a swimming pool.) In my opinion, this two-part series might just be the best that “9-1-1” has ever delivered.

The Tsunami

Season 3, Episodes 1 (“Kids Today”), 2 (“Sink or Swim”), and 3 (“The Searchers”)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=xksJGPJp298

Indeed, it is quite a catastrophe, the one that surpasses all others. One moment, Buck was having a fine day at the pier with Eddie’s son, Christopher, and the next, they were fighting their way through the water. The tsunami, like an earthquake, appears monumental – from the wave menacingly towering over an amusement park to the camera swaying up and down amidst the wreckage. We find a couple on the verge of divorce stranded on a Ferris wheel, a building filled with people succumbing to carbon-monoxide poisoning, and Athena is forced to perform a field amputation using a stolen knife. Oh my!

The crucial turning point in this catastrophe unfolds when the water retreats to the sea, leaving Buck apart from Christopher, who has cerebral palsy. This moment marks the most tear-jerking experience I’ve had while watching a 9-1-1 episode, hands down. Buck desperately seeks Christopher, calling out his name with a voice that sounds heartrendingly broken. The tsunami exposes a vulnerability in Buck we’ve never seen before – a mix of tender affection towards Christopher on the pier and terror-stricken shrieks during the search. He even resorts to playing “I Spy” with Christopher to help him ignore the distressing sight of bodies in the water. When he has to tell Eddie that he lost Christopher? UGH!!! Luckily, Christopher reappears shortly after that ordeal. So far, the tsunami episode stands as 9-1-1’s most powerful disaster installment, striking a chord with its shock value and emotional intensity.

The Dam Break and Landslide

Season 4, Episodes 1 (“The New Abnormal”) and 2 (“Alone Together”)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=worRFX1tNlI

This debut episode signified the comeback of 9-1-1 following the lockdown, and as expected, the recurring sentiment is “What a Year!” (although it premiered in January 2021). After some minor earthquakes, the plot thickens when the Hollywood Reservoir dam bursts, causing another flood. The chaos continues with mudslides. In terms of shock value, this episode certainly delivers! Not only does a bus collide into a building and explode, but also, Athena helps a person suffering from agoraphobia who was trapped after their house slid away. Buck and Chimney (Kenneth Choi) search for a crying baby and discover a basement filled with pregnant women held captive (an intricate backstory). Meanwhile, Bobby and the team save a man who declares his love to his roommate’s girlfriend while sinking in quicksand. Now that’s what I call compelling television!

Apart from the thrilling twists and suspenseful plotlines that make these episodes stand out, they also delve into emotional depth. For instance, Athena returns to work following a harrowing attack, only to find her plans for a smooth comeback shattered. Coincidentally, May (Corinne Massiah), who is starting her first day as a dispatcher, becomes entwined in this nightmare. This exposure to her mother’s world helps May gain insight into Athena, thereby fostering the development of their relationship further. How delightful!

The Cyberattack and Blackout

Season 5, Episodes 1 (“Panic”), 2 (“Desperate Times”), and 3 (“Desperate Measures”)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=E0NVl9SZ9GQ

As a devoted fan, I’d say that while many episodes of 9-1-1 often revolve around natural disasters, the show masterfully interweaves man-made horrors too. The heart-wrenching climax of season four was the traumatic sniper shooting, and season five kicked off with a nerve-wracking two-part premiere featuring a power outage instigated by a hacker. To make matters worse, Athena’s arch-nemesis, Jeffrey Hudson (Noah Bean), abducts her son Harry (Marcanthonee Reis). Throughout these episodes, it’s clear that Harry bears the brunt of the suffering, being trapped in a confined space by his captor. Jeffrey, seeking revenge against Athena for arresting him and maiming him, uses Harry as a pawn. The tension soars when Jeffrey taunts Athena into executing him before anyone locates Harry, but thankfully, they manage to find him in the nick of time.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say this film delivers some thrilling scenes, such as the hacked GPS sending one woman into a canal or loose zoo animals roaming the streets of L.A., but visually it doesn’t quite meet the high expectations set. However, the pivotal blackout scene serves as a significant turning point for Athena, concluding her long-running cat-and-mouse chase with Jeffrey and offering us a satisfying resolution to move forward. Moreover, the heart-wrenching moment where May mobilizes an entire neighborhood to recharge and restart a young boy’s ventilator is a testament to everyday heroism – just another day in this extraordinary world.

The Bridge Collapse

Season 6, Episode 18 (“Pay It Forward”)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=TYvKjka5gM4

Instead of splitting this into two episodes, the writers chose to concentrate the season’s major crisis, placing many members of the 118 in grave danger. I would have appreciated if one of our principal characters faced a bit more peril as it would elevate the tension. However, the intensity of watching nearly-bleeding-out Chimney in the subsequent episode is quite nerve-wracking.

Initially, emergency responders are managing a car accident on a bridge, but suddenly an exhausted truck driver collides with a pillar, causing the entire structure to collapse. This collapse leaves Hen (Aisha Hinds) disoriented and nauseous, Chimney impaled in an ambulance, and Bobby trapped beneath the debris. Interestingly, Eddie has only cracked some ribs, considering the situation, which surprisingly makes him feel quite fortunate. The initial scene of this episode is intense, as we witness all the pieces falling into place leading up to the bridge’s collapse. However, despite the dramatic start, most characters are relatively unharmed before the end, making the incident seem somewhat anticlimactic. Remarkably, even Buck manages to deliver a newborn baby by the conclusion – his friends’ baby, whom he helped conceive. While this episode is solid on its own, it falls short compared to other major disasters we’ve witnessed. But remember, every show deserves at least one less-than-impressive episode!

The Honeymoon Cruise From Hell

Season 7, Episodes 1 (“Abandon Ships”), 2 (“Rock the Boat”), and 3 (“Capsized”)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=jBXdfzEp63Y

[Stefon voice] These … episodes … have … everything.

As soon as Bobby and Athena make their appearance at the cruise ship in season six’s finale, it’s clear they’re in for a tough time. After all, isn’t it uncharacteristic for a series like 9-1-1 to let its primary characters have an ordinary belated honeymoon? This episode seems to revert back to its original style, coming quite close to the intensity of the tsunami incident; all the essential components are present.

Intriguing scene? Definitely. We’ve created an atmosphere that’s a mix of the chilling confinement of a cruise liner and a rebellion led by pirates. There are several blasts, and eventually, the ship flips over, trapping one unlucky soul to the floor, now serving as the ceiling. (Quite a tale behind it.) Bobby saves this individual using a makeshift pulley system, which combines elements of danger and genius.

Progression of characters? Check. Initially, Athena was apprehensive about her interactions with Bobby beyond managing chaos, fearing they’d run out of things to say. However, their shared perilous experience of nearly drowning while rescuing the ship helped Athena release her anxiety and understand that she and Bobby are destined for each other. Back ashore, Hen was incensed by her coworkers’ lack of support during an office investigation. Fortunately, they reconciled before embarking on a journey into a hurricane (you got it, a hurricane) to save Athena and Bobby.

In conclusion, this episode delivers an impactful emotional punch, just as expected. It’s heartening to witness the resolution of the conflict at the station and it’s equally satisfying to observe Athena’s fear transform into genuine emotional exposure. This is the kind of opening episode we’ve been waiting for, and if “bee-nado” manages to stir up the same excitement, we’ll be buzzing with anticipation!

2024-09-25 18:55