9-1-1 Review: Help Is Not Coming (Season 2 Episode 3)

For many shows, including a major disaster ends up being less than stellar storytelling — bordering on the mundane and predictable. However, on 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 3, “Help Is Not Coming,” we find ourselves immersed once again in a story so real it feels less like television and more like real life.

Last week, with my review of 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 2, “7.1,” I commended the writing, visual, art, and sound departments for their work on the earthquake itself. Now, I want to once again sing their praises.

To have sets built to accurately resemble that of a bent over/collapsed building they ensured that the audience would be captivated and drawn in. The danger of it all is put into hyperdrive under the knowledge that what the characters are facing, so are the real-life actors.

When Eddie and Buck have to maneuver their way down a semi-collapsed stairwell, so did Ryan Guzman and Oliver Stark. The attention to detail in this aftermath is what sets 9-1-1 apart from the rest of the rescue team shows currently on primetime television. (Here’s looking at you, Chicago Fire.)

The creators wanted a scene that is so real it would be nothing like other television earthquakes. Well, they succeeded. Every aftershock is felt because it doesn’t seem staged in the slightest.

Even more successful than the visuals this season is the story and direction.

Last season 9-1-1 fell into the trap of trying to shock us every week with whatever bizarre case they could think of. All the while spending very little time to develop the characters on a personal level. Most of the time the firefighters were just firefighters and the cops were just cops.

So far this season, we have depth. While audiences — myself included — already loved each of these characters we now better understand the why behind it.

By including more scenes and moments with Michael and his kids, sans Athena, we are able to see just what her family dynamic is. In fact, Michael of Season 1 is much more negatively seen than Michael of Season 2.

Michael: I’ve been worrying about your mom since before you were born. It comes with the territory.

May: But today is not an ordinary day!

Even though Athena and Michael are divorced they still love each other. By giving us this simple moment of mutual worry between Michael and his children we come to care more about him.

Another element to this that can’t be counted out is Rockmond Dunbar. He brings a level of compassion to Michael that goes way beyond words. I saw it many times last season even when his words said otherwise.

Dunbar really sells the love and compassion between two adults who are no longer in love but love one another. The laughter and teasing in his eyes when he confronts Athena and Bobby really bring it all full circle.

I am excited to see even more parenting and camaraderie between Michael and Athena this season.

Another character the team of writers has expanded on is Henrietta. While she was given a bit of depth last season it wasn’t a true mark of her character – in my opinion.

After all, the expansion of her that we saw in Season 1 was centered around her cheating on her wife. Based on the conversations she has with her best gal pal, Athena, we were able to see that it isn’t normal behavior for her.

I truly believe that the Hen we have seen in the first three episodes of Season 2 is the true Hen. She is fearless and compassionate.

Chim: Cap, we can’t give up on Hen. She’d stay until the end for us.

They say that you can learn a lot about someone from the people they surround themselves with. Well, from what we see in “Help Is Not Coming,” Hen must be one hell of a woman.

She manages to bring every firefighter in the area together to rescue her. All the while disobeying orders to vacate.

To me that says more about her than the half-hearted, stereotypical cheating storyline ever could.

Hen would die for anyone. Even people she doesn’t know, i.e. Russ from 221.

Finally, 9-1-1 expanded on the one character we really wanted, the call center. I know, I know the call center is a location.

On shows with stellar writing, a location can be just as much a character as any one actor or actress. In this case, it’s the call center.

Last season the 9-1-1 dispatch center seemed like an afterthought. Something thrown in to give Connie Britton a place to belong on the show. In fact, we only ever saw it when Connie was on the phone with someone. We never saw anybody else who worked there.

Already this season we have met multiple call center trainees and their trainers, a stern woman with no name yet, and Josh. So far, that puts our count up to about 6-7 characters give or take.

Maddie: If you can’t get the first responders to the caller, then get the caller to the first responders.

Like I previously stated, I’m glad to see them expand on the call center. In an emergency, the dispatchers are the victims’ first line of defense.

They are the ones that get them the people who can help them. Sometimes, they even guide individuals through their emergencies.

For a show like 9-1-1 to disregard their importance for a whole season is dangerous. In all honesty, it almost made me care even less about the cops and firefighters. I am sure I wasn’t the only one feeling this way.

Luckily, they quickly recovered and gave us Maddie & Co. Not only are we getting a more rounded view of each emergency, but we are also getting another family element to one of our characters.

While Michael is the human part of Athena, Maddie is that for Buck. It’s nice to have both larger groups tied into the smaller groups through their family. Michael is both part of the civilian and cop group, while Maddie is both dispatcher, nurse, and firefighter.

It’s the level of complexity 9-1-1 failed to deliver on previously. This complexity gives us reason to worry about the fates of these characters.

Knowledge is power. With Maddie as a backdrop for Buck, we are shown a different side to Buck that makes us wonder.

Should we be worried about him? What secrets does he hold close to his chest out of fear for losing control?

If Buck ends up getting impulsive and reckless – signs of which are already starting to appear – will Maddie be able to reel him in or help him?

We are made to care through the smaller stories and elements thrown at us amidst the rubble. A metaphor for Season 1 in my opinion.

Further Thoughts:

• Heroes by David Bowie during the closing sequence really drives home the overlaying theme of the first 3 episodes: we can all be heroes, even without a uniform.
• I love this deeper focus on Hen and Chim. I just hope it continues positively through the rest of the season.
• Hen’s rescue and the Grant children volunteering were great images of how humans can come together for the good of others if we only try.

What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Be sure to catch up on our review of 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 2, “7.1” right here. 

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9-1-1 airs Mondays at 9/8c on FOX.

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