9-1-1 Roundtable: Season 1

It’s official, 9-1-1‘s first season has ended. It was an exciting one filled with crazy, hard to believe cases. Right along with character development on a level that hasn’t really been seen before in other procedural shows like it.

We grew, cheered, and cried right along with our faithful heroes as they battled crises both at work and home.

Tell-Tale TV Writers Alamin Yohannes, Samantha Coley, and Mary Misasi discuss the season below.

• Alamin Yohannes (@AlaminYohannes)
• Samantha Coley (@samcaseys)
• Mary Misasi (@dorothynyc89)

1. On a scale of one to ten, how was 9-1-1’s freshman season?

Alamin: I’m gonna go with a 7 because it mixed the procedural elements with the personal arcs much better than most procedural shows.

We didn’t have a case that took up most of the hour then have a scene or two about a character’s life. It balanced it all every episode, some better than others, but I really appreciated how much time was spent getting to know the characters.

Towards the end, it did feel like the show lost a bit of its energy, so I am hoping they keep the same energy throughout the show next season.

Samantha: I’d probably give it a 6. It was entertaining and I really loved the suspense of saving a life that was super present in the first several episodes, but towards the end, it kind of fizzled out for me. I’ll probably continue watching when Season 2 airs, but I hope it gets that magic back from the first 5 or so episodes.

Mary: I would give it a 6.5 because it really did start out strong. I loved the show in the very beginning. However, after about mid-season, I felt they started to falter in their storytelling balance.

At times, they had a great balance between the cases and the stories. Then the next episode it would be tiresome and trudge along. I hope that Season 2 shows us more of that great balance.

2. What was this season’s biggest mistake?

Alamin: Not filling out the police station or the 911 operations center. We met a group of firefighters then Abby and Athena. We got moments with both of them at work, but not in the same way the fire station was fleshed out.

This way the show doesn’t find itself in a situation where Connie Britton leaves and viewers have to meet all new characters that will be compared to Abby because that’s what happens on social media. Plus, Athena could have used a partner.

Samantha: I don’t think they quite found the right groove in their storytelling. I think they’re still struggling to balance that “case of the week” style with using those cases as a vehicle to tell stories about the various team members.

In some episodes, it worked really well, like the plane crash or the roller coaster incident, but in others, the cases just played in that “problem of the week” style without revealing anything that actually mattered about the characters we care about.

Mary: I am going to have to agree with both Samantha and Alamin because I feel they both tie into what I feel was 9-1-1‘s biggest misstep, which is fleshing out the story we care about. Sure, we got great background and development on the main components of the show: Athena, Bobby, Buck, Abby, and Hen.

What about other’s they work with? I’m sure they aren’t the only people in their places of work. There is no way Athena works alone ALL the time. Abby has to know a few other dispatchers. Without knowing who these characters are we find ourselves bored at times with the people we do see.

3. What worked really well this season?

Alamin: The development of some of the personal relationships. I mentioned in my answer to the last question that I wanted more from the 911 operators and police station and I said that because of how well-developed the fire station is. They have made this great family and I think they show really developed those individual relationships and group dynamic well.

The friendship between Athena and Hen is another great example. A very strong friendship that was showcased well.

Samantha: The interconnectedness of the various teams. The show takes on 3 different units involved in 9-1-1 calls, but it managed to connect the dispatcher, the fire department, and the police department pretty well.

By making them all friends with each other and giving them connections outside their work it strengthened the bonds between the characters, making them more of a found family. Without connecting these characters in this way, I doubt the show would even be half as good as it was this season.

Mary: I was really amazed by the development of characters. I worried that this show would become another one of those procedurals that showcase one talent/character and leaves the others in the dust.

However, this show did a really great job of making every character important. We got to see each and every one of them grow and develop over the course of ten episodes. It’s what makes me want to come back for more.

4. What was the biggest surprise?

Alamin: The biggest surprise came right at the end and that was Athena and Bobby’s date. I just didn’t see them really interact much – at least not in a way that was very memorable – outside of the season finale, so I was a bit shocked about that final development.

I definitely don’t mind their relationship because it seems like a good way for both of them to move forward, but it was definitely a shock.

Samantha: Probably Bobby’s history, knowing that he was responsible for that many deaths was really shocking. I love that now he works to save people, but he also struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts.

I love that his blood can save babies and I hope we get to see more of that in the next season. And I hope they continue to develop his relationship with Athena.

Mary: I am with Samantha on this one. Bobby’s history was such a shock to me. From the beginning I knew there was something eating at him, I just didn’t know what.

To find out the weight of guilt he carries and the effect it has on him. Blown away. Bobby hid it well and I hope that Season 2 continues to develop on that.

5. What are your hopes for next season?

Alamin: A better storyline for Hen. I also want them to expand the number of police officers and 911 operators in a way that creates different group dynamics than the fire station. There’s a real family vibe between Bobby and his team and the show could mix things up when setting up the other two bases of operation.

While I do want Abby to come back too, I hope they let us get to know any new 911 operators first.

Samantha: I hope Abby comes back if they can get Connie Britton back, of course. If she doesn’t I hope that they don’t lose the dispatcher aspect of the show. I hope that they give Hen a storyline that isn’t about infidelity and actually put the work into writing queer representation that isn’t a grotesque stereotype.

I hope they continue to tell interesting and suspenseful stories with the cases they approach each week and I hope they continue to develop the team relationships in realistic and compelling ways.

Mary: My biggest hope for Season 2 is a continued expansion of Athena and Bobby’s separate growth. They both have started to be happy and know happiness. I don’t want that to stop with Season 1’s finale. I want them to continue to grow and develop as characters.

I also would be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite firefighter, Buck. He’s grown so much because of his relationship with Abby. I just hope that without her in the picture he can continue to grow and mature instead of falling back into his old habits.

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What did you think of this season 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 Finale, “A Whole New You” right here.

9-1-1 returns for Season 2 this fall on FOX.

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