9-1-1 Review: Sink or Swim (Season 3 Episode 2)

One of the most beautiful things about 9-1-1 is its ability to tell a captivating story that reminds everyone that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. For 9-1-1 Season 3 Episode 2, “Sink or Swim,” that message is woven into the fabric of every little moment.

When the tsunami hits the Santa Monica pier, it sends out a ripple effect of consequences. It isn’t just people at the immediate coastline who are affected — the breadth of this disaster stretches miles.

Most immediately, this disaster affects Buck and Christopher. While that is heart-pounding enough, the emotions are amplified the moment we realize that no one in their immediate group of friends and family knows they are there. 

No one knows to look for them, and so begins the hour-long anxiety attack over whether or not they will be rescued or found. This in and of itself is dramatic enough — now add in Buck risking his life to save Christopher and a group of complete strangers!

Throughout the whole episode, we are anxiously thinking, “What if Buck’s clot creates problems? What if his leg gives out while he is in the water?” This fear makes all of Buck’s daring moves that much more heroic when they actually work out.

There is something to be said about Buck’s heroic nature even when he doesn’t have the job title to back it up. Maybe now he can truly believe that he doesn’t need to be a firefighter to still be a hero and help people. 

Christopher: We have a firetruck.

The bond between Buck and Christopher really does solidify that Buck is going to change his way of thinking. This small, sweet, innocent character is going to make all the difference in the world for Buck to move forward in his life.

While Buck seems to have made it out of the tsunami unscathed, barring a few scratches, his battle is far from over. Not only is Christopher now missing — leaving Buck feeling responsible — but Buck has also been doing more physical activity than he really should be, considering his injuries.

This disaster has shown Buck that he can still be a hero even without the uniform and title, but it’s also going to probably set Buck back a bit. If anything happens to Christopher, Buck is going to be feeling the effects of that for a really long time. 

On the other side of the situation is Athena and her daughter, May. They are simply enjoying a day together when they are in a car accident caused by the events at the pier. 

This is when Athena really shines. Despite not having her uniform on her or her badge handy, Athena proves once and for all that she can command a room or situation. 

Before, anytime she has been a commanding presence she’s always had her uniform to back her up. Now, she proves that her uniform doesn’t make her who she is — Athena is just a leader, through and through.

It’s especially noticeable when she instructs her daughter on what to do for a woman who is bleeding out in her car. These two characters have always been missing each other as they pass each other in the hall so to speak. Now, May and Athena truly have a moment to bond and connect.

Once again, 9-1-1 instructs us to have faith and trust the process. It may have taken three seasons, but its process is solid. 

It’s actually been something at the background this whole time — the tension between May and Athena. But now, a tremendous emergency is bringing them closer together. May now understands all that her mother has to go through — not just during natural disasters, but also in her day-to-day.

This mutual understanding is going to create tidal waves of change in the bond between mother and daughter. Who knows, maybe now May will see that she too is a hero and has a purpose in this life. 

Maybe this tsunami is exactly what the younger Grant needs to open her eyes and realize that life isn’t just about what college she gets into. There is a whole world of adventure and purpose out there for her to grab and take for herself.

May isn’t a trained firefighter or cop, but she still managed to save a life when it mattered the most. In a crisis, May proves that she is Athena Grant’s daughter and a natural-born leader. 

The moment to watch for is going to be in seeing how all of this truly affects May moving forward. It’s one thing to be moved in the moment, another entirely to have that moment move you to change.

Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t at least speak of Maddie. This woman is a bleeding heart, but when the going gets tough, she knows how to balance her emotions and her head. 

Her boss realizes her ability to not only empathize with her callers but also think quick on her feet and uses it to the betterment of the whole center. This is a major step forward for Maddie, who just a few short months ago was the victim instead of the compassionate hero.

Maddie definitely brings a level of love and humanity to a job that is tough day in and day out. She always manages to exude confidence even when she is freaking out. 

In short, Maddie is the hero we all hope we get when we call 9-1-1 in a panic because something is wrong. She’s had many horrible things happen to her and she’s heard many horrible things, yet she remains this gentle ray of sunshine in the darkness.

If the first two episodes are anything to go off of, 9-1-1 is taking us for a ride this season. It is going to be a welcome change and exciting to behold.

An overlaying story arc is going to really set the groundwork for further exploration of all the key players. Let’s just hope that something tragic isn’t on the horizon for any of our beloved characters. 

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 3 Episode 1, “Kids Today,” right here.

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

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