9-1-1 Review: Trapped (Season 1 Episode 9)

Abby: Sometimes it feels like we’re on our own. It might even feel like the world is conspiring against us at times. A test to see just how much we can take. How do you get out? How do you break the cycle?

These opening words along with the rock feel of Bruce Springsteen’s “Trapped” really sets the tone of 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 9, “Trapped.” Automatically the audience is left wondering who of our beloved characters are going to feel trapped.

Is it Hen who has many struggles in her personal life that she can’t seem to get control of? Is it Bobby who is struggling with his guilt? What about Buck and his addiction? Or Abby and her mom? Then there is Athena and her family drama.

There are just so many possibilities, and it leaves us wanting to know more. So we tune in more attentively and hope that all our questions will get answered. This episode doesn’t leave us disappointed to say the least.

One of the things 9-1-1 does really well is creating reasons for the audience to become invested in the character’s struggles. It’s what brings us back week after week, more so than the daring rescues.

The heroes manage to be heroes not just for others, but themselves as well.

Athena: Make divorce your last option. It’s hard work especially with kids.

On the serious side of things, Hen starts to face the full consequences of her mistake. Even though she has done something so inexcusable, we find ourselves wanting her to succeed at making amends.

Part of what draws us to that is her clear regret for her actions. While cheating is a terrible thing to do and usually doesn’t happen if people are completely happy in their marriage/relationship, it’s even worse when the person doing the cheating is refusing to stop the action or have any repentant feelings about it.

Through talks with Athena, Hen is able to show the audience what lies in her heart. She loves her wife and wants to make sure this doesn’t define her. That alone leads us to believe good things are on the horizon for her, but only if she puts in the work.

Based on her final conversation with Eva, our fearless medic has a level head about her situation. She is going to work in the best ways she knows how to protect what she loves and cherishes.

One of those things is clearly her relationship with Athena. This girl power friendship is the strongest relationship on 9-1-1, hands down. Through everything, these two women stick by each other with an open heart and a quick joke. That is true friendship.

Buck: Maybe I should find something a little less adult.

This whole season we have seen Buck struggle with his addiction to sex and finding something more meaningful in his life. He jumps headfirst into his relationship with Abby without really weighing all the facts.

This is something I have said before, and I will say it again, Buck and Abby may be what each of them needs but that doesn’t mean right now. From the start of their courtship, I have been wary about its longevity.

As lovable and sweet as Buck is, he isn’t ready for this. Or maybe he is, but that’s something he really should’ve explored before dating her. His uncertainty about it all is really evident on his face when Abby cancels because of her mom.

In my review of 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 6, “Heartbreaker,” I discuss that Buck is trying too hard. He really likes Abby, and so he pushes hard and fast for something genuine with her. What ends up happening is the opposite.

It is great to see him sit down with Bobby and open up about how he is feeling because Bobby has always been Buck’s true north. When Buck feels lost, Bobby is there to steer him in the right direction.

Bobby is one of the greatest assets of this show overall. Even when he is struggling he provides a clear enough head to present sage advice to his team. His experiences give him an authority over them in the life department, which makes him the perfect person to captain this firehouse.

Bobby: All those things you feel when you’re with Abby — the closeness, intimacy, and trust — those things don’t come for free. Any woman of substance and experience has lived a life and she’s gonna come with some baggage.

One of the best parts of Bobby’s advice-giving is he withholds judgment when he gives it. He hears what his colleague is struggling with and gives them words to either take to heart or completely ignore.

Buck doesn’t really open up about himself to anyone but Bobby. There has to be a reason, and I believe it to be because Bobby is so experienced and open-minded.

Bobby doesn’t sugar coat the truth. He gently reminds Buck that love is more than just happiness, fun, and sex. Sometimes it’s a struggle. With the right person, it is worth it.

The audience can hear this advice and apply it to their own lives. It has a realness factor to it that transcends beyond Buck and Abby. Honestly, this moment is one of the best ones of the whole season.

Bobby has given advice before, but this one really hits Buck where it matters most, and he takes it to heart.

Buck’s shining moment of the season comes when he confronts Abby on their next date and surprises us all by declaring he is going to stick around. This Buck is miles away from Buck from the pilot.

I, for one, am really glad this character development has taken place.

This brings us to the other major character development going on, Athena Grant. All season this woman has struggled with her own personal happiness, and now she is going after it.

Athena: I got married because my biological clock was ticking. I stayed married for the kids. I’m getting divorced for myself.

This woman’s strong and sturdy declaration of independence is long overdue. What makes it even more poignant is that it is to a man. She could jump into a relationship again and end up worse off than she is in her marriage.

Thankfully, she knows herself well enough to slam the brakes when necessary. This a woman deserving of love who knows what she needs in life. Another relationship right out the gate isn’t it.

It would be so easy for 9-1-1 to blow Athena’s character development off and have her look for fun over happiness. However, it’s better that she knows how to have fun while also knowing her limits.

Trauma for the sake of the story is not what Athena is about, and I’m so glad they aren’t presently taking her in that direction.

Choosing to spend the episode focusing on the heroes instead of the rescues is a smart choice. It brings us to the finale with open eyes and a clearer understanding of everyone. The stage has been set for a more meaningful end to what has been a beautiful, yet eventful first season.

Abby: Traps don’t look the same to everybody, especially not from inside one.

Further thoughts:

• Athena and Hen laughing their way through her snafu with the handcuffs is what I’m here for. Women who are confident enough in their own skin to laugh through each other’s embarrassing moments.
• “See, I feel like anyone else, most people, if they were dealing with the stuff you deal with every single day, they would they would see it as a cage. But you don’t. You find a way to break free. You find a way to be yourself. You find life. If the price I have to pay for being close to a woman like you is, yeah, whatever, a couple of canceled dates, then you know what? Then that is one heck of a good deal and I am in. I’m not going anywhere.” – Buck *insert love emojis* SO PROUD OF MY BOY! He’s growing up!
• The end with Abby and her mother has me sobbing! Knife to the heart.

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 8, “Karma’s a Bitch” right here. And also our 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 8, “Karma’s a Bitch” roundtable discussion.

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9-1-1 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on FOX. Be sure to tune in next week for the season finale!

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