9-1-1 Roundtable: Heartbreaker
Love is in the air on 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 6, “Heartbreaker.”
Buck introduces Abby to his team at the welcome back party for Chimney. The first meeting is full of smiles and light teasing.
Buck and Abby’s first date turns dramatic when Buck chokes and Abby has to put her lifesaving skills to the test. Talk about an exciting Valentine’s Day.
Meanwhile, Athena goes on a domestic disturbance call that turns deadly. She narrowly escapes with her own life.
Tell-Tale TV writers Alamin Yohannes, Samantha Coley, and Mary Misasi discuss the episode below.
1. This episode was crammed with many love moments. What was your favorite one?
Alamin: Athena finding treats and a card on her table when she got home was your favorite moment. After having an extremely difficult day it was nice to see her happily accept a gift. Her life at home has been quite hard lately, so it was nice to see her finding refuge at home after a long and dangerous shift.
Samantha: I’m going to second Alamin, Athena coming home to that sweet note from her whole family and the sweet treats was really such a perfect ending to the episode! I really loved the use of Heartbeats by José González in these final moments.
Mary: I did love Athena coming home to the treats from her children. However, my favorite love moment was during the party. When Hen first meets Abby and she gives her the whole fake out tough questions. To me, that showed just how much Hen loves and protects Buck. She is looking out for his heart.
Hen has proved to us over and over that she loves her firehouse family. This protection, big sister mode moment continues to prove that.
2. Chimney is officially back after his accident. What are your thoughts on the timing of it all? Is it too soon?
Alamin: It didn’t cross my mind until I saw Chimney that we were able to get to know the others better while he was gone because there was one less character in the mix. I don’t know if I think it’s too soon, but the timing is perfect for us to know get to know Chimney better. I really like the trio of Buck, Bobby, and Hen though, so I am kind of undecided about him being back.
Samantha: I’m lukewarm on Chimney, he seems like a nice character and I enjoyed the team being his found family in the episode of his accident but I just don’t care that much about him yet? I suppose it’s good they brought him back quickly because it’s hard to like a character that isn’t there. I’m looking forward to seeing him integrated back into the team.
Mary: Personally, I was hoping that he would have a bit more recovery time and that we would get to see the team helping him with that recovery. I’m really iffy on this because I do want to get to know him a bit better, but I also think that his miraculous recovery is a bit far-fetched.
3. Let’s shake things up with this question. Abby and Buck went on a date; what was your least favorite thing about that whole event?
Alamin: Abby having to save Buck was my least favorite part. The show keeps putting Abby in situations that seem to be pushing her to change her career. The show has set up this romance and we should be seeing where that relationship goes. It was cool that she saved the day, but it felt unnecessary for the date.
Samantha: That it was almost immediately interrupted by almost choking to death!! I think these two are super cute together and I loved him introducing her to his squad, and then her saving his life in the restaurant. But I need these two to catch a break, and it looks like next week they might.
Mary: I really didn’t like that Abby had to save Buck’s life. This whole date, in general, is coming much too soon, but to have Abby play hero on top of that was overkill. I love these two characters and I think they would be great together. However, give them time to get to know one another.
4. If you could have any of the first responder team members as your Valentine, who would you choose and why?
Alamin: Bobby. He just seems like the best of them. Even with his problems. That conversation he had with Buck where he talked to him about the date with Abby was my favorite scene from the episode. It was such a great moment and a huge difference from their interactions in the pilot.
Samantha: Probably Hen, she’s sweet and funny and sassy and I feel like she’d be a great Valentine! She seems like she’d be easy to have fun with and like she’d know how to show a lady a good time. I want to know more of her story.
Mary: Mine is a tie between Hen and Athena. Both are strong, independent women with a fun side. Am I allowed to have them both? Since this is my fantasy I am gonna go with YES. They also both deserve to know their worth and I think I could show them that.
5. Were you ever afraid for Athena during her ordeal with the fatal attraction lady?
Alamin: No, I was never worried Athena would be hurt or killed, but I was concerned for the woman in the basement. I was sure she would be killed while Athena was trying to escape.
Samantha: Nope, if it had been me, sure I’d have been afraid because I’d have wound up dead. But Athena has already proven to be a stone cold badass so I didn’t doubt for a minute that she wouldn’t be able to kick her way out of that situation. Seconding, Alamin though, the lady in the basement easily could have been a red shirt.
Mary: Athena has proven to be a cool-headed badass in the face of danger so I wasn’t afraid for her. However, like Samantha and Alamin said that woman in the basement was definitely in danger. Even after Athena was free I was terrified she was going to be collateral damage.
6. Finally, Bobby gave quite a bit of solid advice. What piece of advice did you connect with the most?
Alamin: The advice Bobby gave Abby was the strongest to me because it seemed like she actually listened. Abby seems to not take people’s advice and instead do whatever she wants, so it was surprising that he got through. It spoke to Bobby’s skill with people, which is evident from the solid advice he gave all episode.
Samantha: I liked that he made Buck see the value of celebrating romance. When you’re with someone special it’s important to honor that love and commitment and to celebrate it. Your whole perspective on these things changes when you have someone to share those moments and holidays with.
Mary: My favorite bit of advice was Bobby telling Buck that he should get to know Abby before having sex. He is showing Buck, in this moment, that he knows Buck’s tendencies and he knows what works in a relationship. Getting to know someone first is always solid advice, no matter the situation.
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What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1? Respond to our roundtable questions with your own answers in the comments below! You can also catch up with our review of 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 6, “Heartbreaker” right here.
9-1-1 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on FOX.
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love any and all TV Dramas with a few sitcoms mixed in. Join in the fun talking about TV by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.