9-1-1 Review: Point of Origin (Season 1 Episode 5)

9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 5, “Point of Origin,” hits the storytelling on the head. It reminds us that we love this show because of its ability to keep us interested in the complexity of the characters.

The most complex of these characters is definitely Bobby. The longer 9-1-1 goes without telling us who he is, the more we are itching to know.

With “Point of Origin,” we finally find out everything. There is something refreshing and also disappointing in knowing.

On the one hand, it’s great to know why Bobby is as reserved as he is. On the other, it leaves us wishing that a bit of the mystery had remained unknown. There is always a good and bad side to knowing everything.

Bobby is clearly guilt ridden by all that transpired that fateful night in his past, but to drag out the reveal a bit would have added to the show’s intrigue. Who knows, maybe the show has more in store for Bobby and revealing everything now is helpful in their game plan for him.

Bobby: I chose to disappear.

That being said, Bobby’s heartbreak hits you right in the soul. Being a firefighter and knowing what he knows about potential fire hazards really adds to his guilt. Bobby knows now that if he had been sober then he would have seen the potential problems with where he lived and would have moved his family.

As it stands, Bobby wasn’t sober. This really adds to his depth of character, and the audience’s connection with him, even if you have never dealt with any kind of addiction or have never helped someone else through it.

Bobby reminds us that we are all human. We all make mistakes. We all have problems or issues that affect those around us, no matter how much we try to protect them from it.

We can all relate to his guilt. Many of us have all felt regret or guilt over something we view as a mistake, especially those moments that completely alter the course of our lives.

This story is about guilt and addiction all in one. The seamless weaving of it is what makes us feel strong emotions about Bobby and this show, even if we don’t have a personal story of addiction.

It’s a common problem that really connects and binds people together. This show continues to bring different groups of people together with each episode. No two tragedies are the same, but they can hold similar experiences.

Bobby: I’m their leader.

That’s what sets 9-1-1 apart in the slew of medical and police dramas currently on television. Week after week, this show finds a different way to connect all their viewers to one another. It’s not through the outlandish crazy moments either; its in the little ones.

“Point of Origin” calls out to all the Bobby’s of the world and tells them that they aren’t struggling alone. They are seen and supported. All it takes is holding out your hand and asking your neighbor for a bit of help.

Even if we have never experienced addiction, we can relate to Bobby’s struggles. We all have moments where we need to ask for help, but we struggle to actually follow through. We think that making ourselves vulnerable in front of the ones we love will make us weak and broken.

Priest: Give them a chance. You’re allowed to be human.

Just like Bobby, we think that our struggles can’t be talked about because for some reason we have to be the tough ones. Whether its because we are leaders or teachers or even caretakers, we think that asking for help makes us unqualified to continue the jobs we hold dear.

Bobby has struggled with this for years. Even now he struggles to trust the family he has built around him because he doesn’t want to let them down.

What he needs to do now is be vulnerable. He needs to follow through with his words to Hen and show his team the real him. Bobby needs to trust his men in the same way that they trust him as their leader.

It’s the best way for him to honor his wife and children. He needs to stop hiding and step up. Bobby needs to be their rock.

Bobby has clearly decided that he is done with running. He picked himself up and put himself through rehab in order to get his job back. It may have taken him several years, but he found his way back to the only family he has left: the firefighters.

This shows that he wants to open up and be a part of something again. He may take a while to truly open up completely, but he’s definitely taking steps towards a new start.

Maybe this is what the show has in store for the rest of the season. Maybe they revealed his whole past early on so that there would be time to show his growth. Personally, I hope this to be true because I’d love to see Bobby truly embrace all that he can gain from his firehouse family.

Stray Thoughts:

• Evabby continues their will they won’t they saga. While this drama is very cliche, I find it to also be very different in that they are both invested in each other’s success.
• Despite Buck being a mess on his own, he really cleans up his act for Abby. This couple is really going to be good for each other
• Hen…the more I learn about her the more I want to be her best friend.
• I really hope that Hen doesn’t help out her ex but something tells me she will.
• Finally, I miss Athena being a part of all the action. I hope her desk assignment doesn’t last much longer.

What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! Be sure to check out our review of 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 4 “Worst Day Ever” right here.

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9-1-1 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on FOX.

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