9-1-1 Review: Stuck (Season 2 Episode 4)

New and old wounds begin the healing process on 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 4, “Stuck,” when characters finally find the courage to get themselves out of their personal ruts.

Last season, Chim suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was in a car accident and a steel rod went right through his head. While that was a compelling story at the time, the show did very little with it.

Chim miraculously ended up okay and had no lasting issues. This outcome is realistic in that it can happen; however, it leaves much to be desired when the show all but abandons it an episode or two later.

It has been an entire season since Chim’s accident, 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 3, “Next of Kin.” Viewers have all but given up on them ever truly approaching Chim’s accident in any way ever again. Which is why “Stuck” is such a success.

Not only do the writers approach his accident again from a medical standpoint, his doctor visit, but also from an emotional standpoint.

Chim: How come I survived and that guy back there didn’t?

It doesn’t even cross anyone’s mind that Chim is still suffering from his trauma, because he brushes it off as no big deal and that he can’t remember. It reminds us that we should take a harder look at our friends and make sure they aren’t simply putting on a mask.

It’s like Bobby so eloquently puts it, we have to let life-changing events change us in order to move forward or heal.  People like Chim, who simply push everything down in order to “forget” aren’t going to get on their new path in life until they face their fears and worries head-on.

And what about Buck’s trauma? Sure, it is emotional and significantly less substantial than Chim’s on a scale but, it’s still as impactful. He lost the greatest love he’s ever known.

For him to find out on Instagram that things are basically over is not an easy event to deal with. It’s hard enough to face relationships ending in person let alone via text or social media.

Living in her apartment doesn’t help things. However, Buck’s sister moving out and finding her own place might just give Buck the push he needs to take that first step towards freedom.

So far this season, Buck has done nothing but live in denial that Abby isn’t coming back. He’s holding onto the faint hope and faith that she really will come back and bring his heart with her.

However, the social media fallout, coupled with his sister’s move might convince Buck to get back his independence.

He is young, he has a lot of years ahead of him. He may as well enjoy them.

Eddie is definitely a key player in that emotional move. The level of friendship between the two guys is already present in the storytelling and that isn’t coincidental.

All last season, Buck had a family through his firehouse team, but there lacked a certain camaraderie between him and everyone else. With Eddie now on the team, it’s easy to see that Buck is going to keep growing and changing through their bond.

As for Eddie, his wounds are a bit newer but just as important to the plot.

It’s really nice getting to see a bit more about Eddie and his family. It really brings home the saying, it takes a village to raise a child.

Tatiana: Raising any child alone is rough. My nephew is a saint but I pray for him anyway.

Clearly, Eddie needs to realize that he can get help from his family and his firehouse family. Just because he is a single father doesn’t mean he has to do it all on his own.

Especially, considering all the special therapies and attention his son, Christopher needs. Cerebral Palsy is no joke. It’s rough on both the person with the diagnosis as well as their family.

If the writers had chosen to have Bobby find a solution for Eddie it wouldn’t have been as meaningful as Buck’s gesture is. It is a sign of Buck’s growth as a character and as Abby’s ex.

By having Abby’s mother’s home health aide step in to help Eddie, the writers are showing us that Buck is moving forward too. He’s in a way letting go of Abby, one step at a time.

Once again, Eddie and Buck are going to be extremely integral to each other moving forward. It’s going to be very fascinating to see just how much.

Other Thoughts:

• Highlighting the struggles of being a parent to a special needs child, while using a CP actor I might add, is very important. Showing disabilities are only as important as the authenticity of the telling.
• Once again Hen is at it with her one-liners. “Condolences on Betty.”
• Athena not taking the promotion is a real show of her character, maybe even more than if she had taken the promotion. She’s grown so much since last season.

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 3, “Help Is Not Coming” right here.

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

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