9-1-1 Recap: Ground Control to Sergeant Grant

As someone who’s spent years navigating through the chaos of emergency response units, I must say this episode was quite the rollercoaster ride, much like the turbulent flight Athena had to handle. The plot twists and turns were as unpredictable as the real-life calls we often face.

It seems I’ve been misled about the bee-nado event. When I heard about a three-episode series, I imagined numerous bees throughout. However, in the second episode of 9-1-1‘s eighth season, titled “When the Boeing Gets Tough,” not a single bee was present. The bees were only mentioned as the cause of a plane accident that dominated the episode. I had hoped for the hive to return and seek revenge, but it didn’t happen. Instead, I feel a bit let down, much like Patricia Arquette in Boyhood, expressing “I just thought there would be more.

I’m getting my disappointment out of the way upfront because this episode is actually an improvement on the season premiere, offering a more tightly focused story that gives Angela Bassett ample room to shine. We’re on the plane from the jump, though we begin right before Athena and Dennis Jenkins make it onboard, allowing time for introductions to all the characters we need to know: Tia and her dog who hates men, businessman Jordan, child prodigy plane enthusiast Jim and his dad, an older couple meeting their new grandchild, and, of course, an entire girls’ volleyball team. (As a superstitious person who is very afraid of flying, I’m always looking for reasons not to get on a plane, but in a post-Yellowjackets world, if I see teen girls in uniform on my flight, I am running.)

With the introduction of passengers who may be severely injured or will provide aid to the injured, the story progresses towards the moment just prior to the mid-air collision. Jenkins clarifies why the intimidating individuals are pursuing him: The U.S. Attorney’s Office strategically transferred him to another detention center with the intention of making him friendly with Maxwell “Schmeffrey Schmepstein” Fulton, who eventually revealed his trove of incriminating evidence. Fulton had also alerted Jenkins about people determined to obtain his little black book, but Jenkins remains willing to share information. Intriguingly, he’s prepared to collaborate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office without the early release he was promised — unless Athena grants him forgiveness for killing her fiancé. This presents an engaging, albeit tension-free, moral quandary for her (Jenkins will share regardless), but before she can ponder it properly, the pilot struggling with bees from the season premiere collides with their plane.

A smaller vehicle punctures two large gaps into an airplane. The first hole, located in the cockpit, forces the pilot out of the plane and sadly results in their death. The second hole, positioned at the back, causes a nerve-wracking situation for the passengers. Fortunately, the holes are swiftly covered by debris, preventing further accidents. The co-pilot sustains severe injuries but manages to steady the aircraft before losing consciousness. In desperation, Athena heads to the cockpit and realizes that the radio is damaged. As a quick solution, she does what any reasonable person would do – she dials 911 on her mobile phone. (I’m curious to know which service provider she uses.)

In the scenario, Josh connects Athena with air traffic control, who manage to stay composed even though they’re secretly considering an airport evacuation. The plane is using autopilot and air traffic control is clearing the surrounding airspace, giving them a brief moment of safety—yet, as a flight attendant informs Athena, there are numerous injured passengers, not to mention a large hole in the aircraft. This unfortunate event doesn’t bode well for Boeing. Working together, they move the passengers away from danger, and Athena delivers an inspiring speech over the intercom. This moment showcases Bassett’s talent perfectly, as she brings a sense of importance to even the most ridiculous situations. She plays a crucial role in making 9-1-1 successful because she consistently treats the absurdity with sincerity.

The series excels due to its ensemble cast, and this specific episode effectively integrates most of the characters. The team at 118 is still grappling with Buck’s actions that border on both saving Gerrard and knocking him down. As their captain lies in the hospital receiving medical attention, Hen takes charge, and they all have tasks to complete. Maddie communicates that she will direct passengers onto Athena’s flight so the firefighter paramedics can assess injuries from high above. This creative approach ensures the 118 remains active, making it easier for me to accept the frequent use of working cell phones on the plane.

In this scenario, we mainly concentrate on two incidents, one of which involves a volleyball player who suffered a severely broken leg. Chimney guides Jenkins on how to stabilize the fracture, but it quickly swells, leading to a condition known as compartment syndrome. The treatment for this is distressing: they must alleviate the pressure by performing an urgent fasciotomy with a sharp tool, and no ordinary knife will suffice. Fortunately, Jenkins steps in: “I can fashion a blade; fetch me a toothbrush and a lighter.” Chimney explains how to use the makeshift knife to cut down to the muscle along the girl’s leg. Although it’s quite gruesome, it proves effective immediately (perhaps too quickly for comfort). There is a sickening popping sound as the pressure releases.

When the plane was steady, businessman Jordan struggled to breathe properly. He spoke with Tia over the phone, and Hen initially thought he was having a panic attack. However, when Jordan started coughing up blood, Hen realized it was high altitude pulmonary edema. Hen came up with an innovative solution: Boner pills, which would widen his blood vessels (understandable reason given). Since Jordan couldn’t swallow the pills, Hen suggested using a nebulizer instead, and it worked. Afterward, Hen asked Tia to cover Jordan with a blanket for “decency”. The grandparents on the plane were helpful, providing the necessary items to save Jordan. As grandma said, “It pays off being old, dear” – a true queen!

In the meantime, Athena finds herself dealing with a more significant predicament as air traffic control instructs her to take over landing the plane on her own. Fortunately, they’ve summoned a seasoned flight instructor who has guided numerous trainees through this same process. Although these students practiced in flight simulators instead of actual planes, the concept remains essentially the same, save for the possibility of real-life casualties. Athena receives some help from Jim, the young boy with a passion for aviation, who assists her in maneuvering the plane initially. Things seem to be progressing well until the injured volleyball player, against all advice, calmly states that they’ll be alright. This statement of reassurance triggers the loose debris blocking the hole at the back of the plane, causing it to spin out of control and plummet from the sky.

Jim naturally knows what to do and helps Athena stabilize the airliner again, with an assist from the people on the ground. And that’s not the only reason to celebrate: The co-pilot has woken up, meaning Athena is off the hook and doesn’t have to learn how to land while doing it. The 118 is en route to LAX to provide assistance when the plane touches down, and Buck heads to the set of the firefighter show Bobby is working on to fetch him directly. But this is 9-1-1 and nothing is ever so simple, especially when you’re at the midpoint of a three-part event. The co-pilot stands up and promptly has a heart attack — and we’re left with another cliffhanger. I have no doubt that Angela Bassett could land a plane … but can Athena?

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It turns out I didn’t have much to share about Bobby’s storyline because he hasn’t been fully connected to the main plot yet. For most of the episode, his character was inaccessible to others. However, it’s worth noting that the series he’s working on is unmistakably 9-1-1, as even the director reminded him, “Hey, tech advisor, remember this is a TV show, not real life.” So there you have it, fact-checkers!

I’m also keeping an eye out for further developments with Brad, the highly passionate actor who appears fixated on Bobby. It just doesn’t feel right, even though I enjoy seeing Callum Blue. However, it’s important to mention that Brad extending an invitation to Bobby for a “guys only” weekend in the mountains or at his Malibu home could be interpreted as quite gay. What’s going on between them?

• Regarding the absence of “Buck-Tommy” in today’s episode: While I’m not trying to stir up any debates among shippers, I’d like to take this opportunity to express my excitement about the representation of same-sex relationships on 9-1-1. I’m delighted to see Buck in a relationship with another man, and I want to acknowledge that. Should there be a potential shift from Tommy to Eddie, rest assured that we will transition to the “Buddie watch” section. Here at our place, we wholeheartedly support and applaud Buck sharing affectionate moments with his male counterparts.

In this episode, there were several hilarious instances, as well as a few awkward scenes. For instance, Hen’s declaration as acting captain while Gerrard is injured, “My initial action as the stand-in captain is to organize a dance party,” and the volleyball coach’s statement, “We’re heading to that tournament, and regardless of what happens, you remain team captain, understood?” both stood out.

Despite my dislike for him, Captain Gerrard’s absence on communication is troubling. If he’s deceased, does that imply Buck played a part? Or was it immaterial since the weapon would have taken his life regardless?

2024-10-04 05:54

9-1-1 Recap: Ground Control to Sergeant Grant

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