9-1-1 Season 2 Finale Review: This Life We Choose (Season 2 Episode 18)
9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 18, “This Life We Choose,” comes with a promise of drama and heartbreak. However, what we end up leaving with is hope.
Much like 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 10, “A Whole New You,” this season’s finale gives us everything we could hope for in regards to character development.
Unfortunately, that is where the greatness ends. All of the rescue stories on “This Life We Choose” end up fading into the background so far they could’ve easily been taken out, and we wouldn’t have noticed.
While the bombing storyline was compelling from the beginning to almost the end, the ending was rushed and uninspired. The part about that story’s conclusion that matters the most is the effect it has on Buck and Bobby.
Honestly, if this whole episode had simply been expansions on the character development I would have been as happy as a clam. Sure, it isn’t lost on me that Buck’s trajectory wouldn’t be the same without the bombing, but I’d still rather avoid seeing the bombing and instead focus all on Buck’s recovery.
We have yet to see Buck truly struggle with something.
Yes, he has a past sex addiction but even that didn’t seem to be too much of a struggle for him to get under control. This injury is going to be a real struggle for him, and I would love to see the writers explore all the complexities involved in that as we go into the third season.
It would be a huge disservice to the character if they introduce this possibility of him being forced out of firefighting by his injury only to wrap it up with a tiny little bow during the hiatus. I think it will be good for Buck to explore other parts of himself that he doesn’t pay attention to because his drive to be a firefighter is so strong.
One thing I was hoping to see during this finale — no, it doesn’t involve the stunt driver or that ridiculous internet sensation — was Eddie and Buck supporting one another in their struggles, but unfortunately, it doesn’t happen.
Eddie has just buried his wife and told his family he isn’t moving back to Texas. This would be a perfect opportunity for the writers to build on the friendship that is blooming between Buck and Eddie. They should use them as allies for each other much like they do with Hen and Athena.
In that regard, I feel that both Buck and Eddie get shafted, but ultimately their characters progress tremendously during the finale. It’s a journey that is needed for their continued compelling storytelling — without it, fans will lose interest in them very quickly.
As always, the scene stealer for the whole episode is Christopher.
He is the biggest influence on his father’s life and choices so it is great to see them have this unbreakable bond. At his swearing-in ceremony, we get to see Eddie put down all his defenses and just appreciate the pride his son has for him.
Eddie: What have you got for me, son?
Christopher: I got your helmet.
With this final scene for Eddie and Christopher, 9-1-1 above all else is about family. That is the one good thing we can take away from this finale.
While Athena and Bobby prove time and time again that they are united as a family, the finale does them a disservice.
On the one hand, I completely understand that they wanted to be married surrounded by family and to do it quickly since nothing is guaranteed. However, on the other hand, I can’t help feeling like they forgot a huge part of their family.
Who knows maybe this wedding at the courthouse is just for them, and they will have a bigger celebration at the firehouse later on. All I can say is their love was something unexpected that turned into something that just feels right. They are one for the ages.
If “This Life We Choose” is anything to go on, Bobby’s uncertainty about the future for them should be all but obliterated. That man has nine lives, almost quite literally. I don’t foresee anything terrible happening to him anytime soon — after all, the man has survived a fire and a crazy bomber.
While Season 1 ended with Bobby and Athena getting together and sending fans into a tizzy, Season 2 ends with Chim and Maddie doing the same thing.
It’s been a really tough season for these two but, through it all, they’ve both come out stronger both together and apart. Chim and Maddie really do deserve to be happy and I can’t wait to see this journey progress and become stronger.
In the end, 9-1-1 doesn’t disappoint in the character department, even if the storytelling is uninspired. And ultimately that is what continues to drive this show and save it from completely falling into the background.
Here’s hoping 9-1-1 Season 3 gives us even more consistent storytelling. If the series could nail that down, they would be a powerhouse.
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 17, “Careful What You Wish For” right here.
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9-1-1 will return to FOX for Season 3 this fall!
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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.