9-1-1 Review: Worst Day Ever (Season 1 Episode 4)

On 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 4, “Worst Day Ever,” everyone braces themselves for impact. The results have a ripple effect of change for each of our first-responders.

It’s hard to believe that this is only episode four of 9-1-1 because this episode definitely feels like a season finale. This whole episode is a watershed moment for each character; both literally and figuratively.

Let’s be real, this crisis takes place in the water.

One of the best moments is actually a compilation of the little moments that finally showcases Hen as the hero we all know her to be. So far, she has been the sidekick, a hero adjacent if you will. However, this plane crash has her stepping forward into the spotlight.

Hen: We all have our breaking point.

“Worst Day Ever” shows the world what Hen is made of. She is tough as nails with about ten million dashes of hope and love mixed in. Everyone loves a fierce female, and this show has no shortage of them. It’s just a matter of time before they add another one to the mix.

Hen showing us all that she is more than just a side character is what we need in an emotionally heavy episode. She proves that even though she isn’t the leader of the firehouse, she can step up when the moment calls for it.

Bobby slipping out of sobriety is one such moment.

Him having a breaking point is one of the most human moments of 9-1-1. This is actually proof that this show has what it takes to stand out.

Often times shows fall into the “shock value” category where they do things just to keep viewers on their toes. In all honesty, I was worried that this episode was going to put 9-1-1 into that category.

However, Bobby’s breakdown is what brings the show out of this usual trope.

This hour makes us invested in the characters. We’re not sticking around for the shock value; we’re staying for the characters. Any theories as to why Bobby and Hen have keys to each other’s apartments or happened to Bobby’s family?

For the rest of the season, I really want to see Buck continue to not listen when it matters. His best quality so far has been to put the people first when it comes to crises.

Buck: Maybe ask for help once in a while.

His heart is what sets him apart, and what makes him the ultimate firefighter. Buck’s impulsive behaviors often mask his deeper intentions. What may seem like annoying and meddling is actually what puts him on the line for being there in the best way possible for his boss.

Buck telling Bobby to ask for help is a full circle moment for the pair.

On 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 2, “Let Go,” Bobby told Buck that it was okay to ask for help. So for Buck to tell him the same thing, in this moment, is a sign that Buck really is growing up and taking things seriously. It’ll be interesting to see if Buck and Bobby continue this give and take relationship as they both heal from their own scars.

Athena: Oh, no, no, no…Not today.

Athena has her own crisis to deal with, not just with the families at the airport, but with her own family as well. Seeing her go out of her way to hunt down the girls who wronged her daughter is a bit cathartic.

She does what every mother or family member wishes they could do when their loved one is hurt. She arrests the perpetrator for being a horrible person.

While her actions are severely misguided and out of line, you can’t help but root for her. When she bitches out the girl’s parents for being awful people and handing that down to their own daughter it’s like we are doing this to our offenders.

While it’s understandable that her boss took away her field position for a little while, it’s still disheartening to see our favorite cop forced to ride a desk. Athena is just letting her Mama Bear get the best of her, no one can blame her.

During the aftermath of the crash, you can easily see her frustrations build up to a boiling point. She is not here for anyone’s games. Athena Grant didn’t come here to play.

Arresting a plane of people so that they could get off the plane is such an Athena thing to do. Her hands are tied unless she takes legal action. So she does the only logical thing to get all those people off the plane.

You can just tell that at this point she has had it up to her eyeballs with everyone else’s rules and “being correct.” She is not about to let some “customer” once again tell her that they are correct no matter how obnoxious that is.

Being forced to ride the desk is not Athena’s style, so we shall see what happens. Let’s hope this isn’t something that blows over. With how well the rest of the season has been far, I’m not too worried.

“Worst Day Ever” gives us mad respect for all the things that first-responders have to go through both on and off the job.

Other Thoughts:

• Abby is starting to unravel from all the stress at work and home. I can only hope that her mom hasn’t gone far.
• I really hope that Buck is able to help Abby in some way
• The mention of Chimney warmed my heart knowing he’s not swept under the rug.

What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! Check out our review of 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 3 “Next of Kin” right here.

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9-1-1 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on FOX.

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