9-1-1 Review: Merry Ex-Mas (Season 2 Episode 10)
The Christmas spirit is alive and well on 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 10, “Merry Ex-Mas.” Despite a few setbacks, the overall feel is hope and love.
Going into the holiday season and the shows subsequent hiatus, this is the perfect way to end out 2018. 9-1-1 gives us a healthy dose of emergency, human connection, and intrigue.
One of the strongest points of this episode is definitely the music. There is a nice mix of modern and classic Christmas tunes. It adds to the festive feel and enhances the not so festive details.
A prime example of this is “Simply Having A Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney playing as a man gets trapped in a package as it gets prepared to ship. The overly upbeat vibe of the song really adds to the unease and unknown about the kid’s situation.
Then there is the final song of the episode, “Oh Holy Night,” it’s sweet, gentle, soft, and classic, which makes Maddie’s flashback to Christmas the year before and the image of her ex-husband stalking her in the present that much more dangerous.
All season long, Maddie’s ex-husband has been a background threat. It hasn’t seemed entirely eminent until now. Seeing him integrated into the world surrounding her without raising suspicions is unsettling to a degree we have never seen 9-1-1 go.
When he first appears on screen, as the kind and gentle Jason Bailey, our minds immediately go to It’s A Wonderful Life and George Bailey. A thought that as we further explore his character makes us feel dirty for thinking it. However, the analogy created between the two men helps to better focus the underlying sinister nature of “Jason” or Doug.
While the ending isn’t what we expect, and leaves us anxious about Maddie, and by extension Chim’s future. The overwhelming amount of love and hope found throughout the remainder of the episode far outshines it.
This message of hope, faith, and trust has us believing in the true magic of the holidays: family, biological or chosen, and love. In particular, that rings true for Bobby and Athena with their ups and downs, but ultimate triumph.
9-1-1 has always been good at integrating the personal stories with the professional ones. “Merry Ex-Mas” is the prime example of how that is done seamlessly.
When Bobby struggles to voice to Athena that he’s just scared of how much he loves her, the opportunity to explain presents itself in the form of two young people “not dating.” It’s clear from how Bobby keeps looking back at Athena while Hen explains the emotional portion that he sees himself in the young woman.
Hen: If you don’t see a future with her, you can’t pretend that you do. She’s had enough of that already.
Hen, as per usual, is used as a bridge between people to accomplish a goal. In this case, it is to boost Bobby’s confidence.
It is the mark of truly beautiful storytelling that 9-1-1 completely intertwines the stories of all their characters. They all work together so it would make sense that their lives all intersect regularly. Not all shows are good at this feature, but it is truly one of 9-1-1‘s strengths this season.
Another poignant song choice comes in the scene where Bobby gets up the nerve to propose to Athena. By choosing “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole the show is signaling that they believe Bobby/Athena is a tale as old as time; a classic if you will.
Christopher: I knew Santa could do it again!
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention another important element found throughout this episode: innocent faith in holiday magic. It’s a level of wonderment we often lose or forget as we get older.
Christopher’s sole purpose is to remind us of that beauty. The way he refuses to spill the beans on his one Christmas wish and his excitement over a tree in his yard, with his mom beside it, really drives home what the holidays are truly about: belief in the fantastical.
This belief is also shown strongly in the marine who is just trying to do everything he can to see his daughter sing in the choir. As the soft intro notes of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” ring out, we truly worry that the father won’t make it in time.
Just as it seems he isn’t going to make it the fantastical happens and the people around him pitch in to make it happen. That is the true essence of what makes 9-1-1 what it is as a show and a conversation.
They constantly remind us that we are all one big family and no matter what we are never alone, especially on the holidays.
Further Thoughts
- Eddie and his ex-wife have a ton they still need to work through. But underneath it all, it seems as though they have only their son’s best interest at heart.
- Chim is the kind of man everyone deserves. He is kind, thoughtful, and present in everything that he does.
- The awkward moment where the holiday elf commends Buck on his and Eddie’s “son” is one of the funniest moments the entire episode. (And totally fan service for all the Buck/Eddie shippers)
What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Be sure to check out our review of 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 9, “Hen Begins” right here!
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9-1-1 returns Monday, March 18th 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.