9-1-1 Season 3 Premiere Review: Kids Today (Season 3 Episode 1)

If there is one thing we can always count on from 9-1-1, it’s a wild ride. 9-1-1 Season 3 Episode 1, “Kids Today,” is no exception.

Between highway chases, flesh-eating STDs, stolen babies, and Buck’s life being on the line, this episode has it all — and considering it is a season premiere, this bodes well for the rest of the season.

One of our chief complaints about 9-1-1 in the past has been its inconsistency with developing killer medical stories that mesh well with the personal lives of its main characters.

“Kids Today” is definitely a hallmark episode in that the stories all flow from one moment to the next. Things going on with Bobby connect to the baby story as well as the ultimate story of Buck’s recovery. 

In what is probably a more subtle season premiere than expected, 9-1-1 manages to keep us grounded in the mundane. Sure, there is a bit of medical excitement sprinkled throughout, but the best moments are the little ones between the members of the 118.

In our review for 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 18, “This Life We Choose,” I voiced a desire to see Buck struggle with his injuries caused by the explosion. I would now like to take that back. 

Buck struggling to find a new identity is very much in sync with realism and telling a complete and accurate story. However, the fans could do without the multiple moments where Oliver Stark fights back tears of sadness and frustration over Buck’s new reality. 

“Kids Today” may have multiple references to children, but the true star of the episode is Buck — for once, this is his time to shine. 

When he tells Bobby that he would rather quit than take a desk job, we all feel that in our very souls. It is as if our own dreams are being squashed right before our very eyes. 

The best part about this is the complete turnaround we get to witness when Buck goes to the pier with Christopher. It is a beautiful moment of children reminding adults of all the wonder that can still be found in the world.

Of course, the ending of the episode has to be Buck telling Christopher that he hopes the young boy gets to realize a passion he loves and that no one will ever take it from him. It’s meant to be a wonderful moment of growth for Buck, but it ultimately ends up making everyone cry. 

That is all because of Stark’s powerful delivery of each line — some of which are almost drowning in unsaid emotion. He manages to make Buck’s heartbreak come crashing through our screens and into our own chests. 

Let’s just hope that this isn’t truly the end of Firefighter Buck. 

If anything can be taken from this episode, it’s that Buck should never be underestimated. While his firefighter family means well, their jokes about his “juvenile” nature hit a little below the belt for him right now.

Maybe this is the starting point for all of 118 to take Buck a bit more seriously. Even Athena is already advising them toward that mentality with her reminder to Bobby that Buck needs to learn and grow on his own.

It would be great to see Athena be there for Buck in ways that he can’t quite express. Here are two characters that don’t really interact all that often, but would do well as friends and mentor/mentee. 

Buck already has Bobby. He just needs a bit of Mama Bear Athena Grant on his side. 

The impending tsunami could be Buck’s way to stay a hero even when he can’t be a firefighter. It’ll be interesting to see if 9-1-1 can finally pull off the consistency of the story as the season progresses. They are off to a promising start — but only time will tell if the trend will continue. 

And who knows? Maybe Season 3 will finally give us the moment we will get to fully appreciate all that Oliver Stark has to offer us. It’s already clear that the focus will be more on Buck this season than any other season before.

Other Moments of Note:

• “Better Buck Next Time,” while being a well-placed joke, actually ended up foreshadowing what was to come with Buck’s recovery.
• Athena has all my love and respect after two very harrowing calls ended up with positive outcomes.
• Maddie is the hero we all love and desperately need in times of crisis.
• Bobby calling Athena his wife — be still my heart!

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 18, “This Life We Choose” right here!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

9-1-1 airs Mondays at 8/7c on FOX.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

What to Watch on TV This Week: Suits, Prodigal Son, The Politician