9-1-1 Review: Careful What You Wish For (Season 2 Episode 17)
With Captain Nash on temporary leave, 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 17, “Careful What You Wish For,” answers the important question of who will lead the 118. Say hello to your new Captain, Howie “Chim” Han!
Chim’s promotion is a great choice for the show; he is long overdue for the recognition. However, the adjustment almost breaks the house.
It’s actually fascinating to watch the house struggle a bit to adjust their lives post-Nash suspension. If the transition had been a smooth one, we would’ve lost interest. It would’ve been way too easy of an answer and not realistic in the slightest.
Choosing Chim to succeed Nash is smart because it keeps things in the house and gives us hope that the awkwardness will eventually taper off. It’s never an easy thing to have your friend go from coworker to boss.
Chim struggles to also work out that balance between leader and friend. Watching him go from overcompensating to hide his insecurities to mellowing out under the advice of Nash during one episode is an adventure, to say the least.
I personally love the subtle hints in there that show Nash is still the glue of the house even when he is “working” from home. No matter the outcome of the investigation against him, Nash will always be the father of the 118.
However, there is still the matter of Nash’s advice to Chim. It honestly sounded as though he doesn’t expect to come back to the house; that he’s preparing Chim for a permanent position as captain.
It’s a hard pill to swallow but one that needs to be evaluated and acknowledged. Based on 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 17, “Careful What You Wish For,” and 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 16, “Bobby Begins Again,” there have been way too many signs pointing towards Bobby being away permanently — whether it be because he decides to retire or he gets let go.
He’s been talking to his teammates in a manner that reads he doesn’t expect to come back. He advises them on their issues by asking them to have faith and trust in Chim. It would be an interesting dynamic change if he were to not come back to the 118.
That’s not to say that’s what I want, it’s just something that would make for great storytelling and change the pace a bit.
Left and right, all episode long, Chim feels like he doesn’t make the right calls or doesn’t make them fast enough. It’s enough to make anyone anxious, let alone him. This is when the greatest friend to him steps in to help him see the positive.
One of the things 9-1-1 is really good at is creating connections and relationships that mean the world and help everyone to get through the difficult calls they have to make. No relationship is better or stronger than that of Chim and Hen.
Chim: You didn’t think I could do it?
Hen: Hell no! I knew you could do it!
Through all the shenanigans in their lives, they are always there to lean on and never judge each other no matter what. It’s a bond that has survived injury, cheating, and questionable leadership decisions.
Having these two sit down and have a conversation where both lay out their fears and insecurities regarding the new leadership role is so poignant and a prime example of what 9-1-1 is all about.
These two needed to sit down and listen to each other in order to realize this new job doesn’t stop them from being best friends. It shows a level of mutual respect between them not usually touched upon throughout the show.
Chim wasn’t the only one who needed a friend to set him right about his new found responsibility. Maddie needs others to remind her of all the good she does by being a dispatcher.
Her struggle is reminiscent of other domestic abuse survivors. Often when the source of our fear is taken away we left trying to decide if the life we lead is actually what we want now that we are free.
It’s sweet to watch her go through that and come out the other side supported by her friends and colleagues. Josh knew she needed them as much as they needed her even if she didn’t actually admit it.
It’s these dynamics that make the show what it is. Friendship becomes family and family is more than blood.
Family is there for you when you need it the most, even if you don’t have the words to express all that you are feeling. Case in point, Eddie when he loses Shannon to that car accident.
This guy just realized he still loved her, and then she gets taken from him. Not only that, he has to tell his young son that his mom isn’t coming back.
We don’t get to see too much of that emotional and physical support of him this episode, barring the hospital scene, but I am sure in the finale we will get to see much more. I really want to see Buck step up to the plate and really be there for his friend.
Eddie is going to be tormented by this loss for a very long time. Let’s just hope that he realizes he needs the 118 instead of choosing to walk away, which he very well could.
What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Catch up with our review of 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 16, “Bobby Begins Again” right here!
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9-1-1 finale airs Monday, May 13 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.
One thought on “9-1-1 Review: Careful What You Wish For (Season 2 Episode 17)”
Love the show, hated this episode. Why does the woman who decides to have her own life always have to die? Why couldn’t Maddie just become a nurse? Honestly this episode felt more like a Lifetime special than 9-1-1. Just wrong.
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