9-1-1 Review: Athena Begins (Season 3 Episode 7)

It’s always an adventure when 9-1-1 decides to go back in time.

For 9-1-1 Season 3 Episode 7, “Athena Begins,” that adventure includes an origin story that is much like the woman it’s about — strong, independent, and fierce. In fact, Athena’s beginning is the best written and best-performed backstory episode of them all.

Between the strong transitions between 1991 and the present day as well as the believable performance of Pepi Sonuga, as young Athena, this episode tops the list of 9-1-1‘s greatest. The emotionality is that solid throughout.

Athena Grant has always been built up as this character who has nothing to hide. So it comes as quite a shock to everyone that she has this whole past relationship no one has ever heard of. 

This is a great breakdown of Athena’s almost perfect image. After three seasons, it really is starting to seem as though this tough as nails Sargeant could do no wrong.

It’s refreshing to see her struggle to talk about a moment that was Earth-shattering and altered her life forever. Athena is never one to back down from sharing her opinion or to speak out.

Now imagine her at a loss for words in front of her husband, ex-husband, and kids — people who have supported her unconditionally over the years. Why is she struggling with this when she’s never been afraid to speak out before?

It’s a thirty-year secret that has been eating away at her little by little each day. So much so that when the killer is finally found, Athena manages to hold herself together just long enough to get home to Bobby.

So far, we have gotten to see Athena be the pillar of strength and support for Bobby. Now it is his turn to do the same for her and he passes spectacularly.

Bobby: We’ll all be here when you are done.

Much like in the past where Athena has been a silent rock, Bobby becomes that support for Athena. He never demands answers from her or insists that she tell him anything for that matter.

Much like he is with his firefighters, Bobby simply opens himself up to receive Athena whenever she may be ready. Even though Athena is quick to dismiss him when she’s in the thick of her own battle, Bobby actually does understand everything she is feeling.

He knows what it is like to feel extreme guilt over the loss of a loved one. Sometimes I think Athena forgets his whole family died in a fire that he caused with his negligence.

“Athena Begins,” much like many other episodes this season, also takes the time to highlight another important bond.

Athena cares about Michael even though he is her ex-husband and for 9-1-1 to strengthen his character through his relationship with Bobby shows attention to character detail as I’ve never seen before.

Family is at the very core of who Athena is — that family includes both Michael and Bobby.

Athena: I have some regrets about Emmett and how he died. But I don’t have any regrets about this family. I love you all.

It shows just how much these two men love and respect Athena that instead of hating one another they have mutual respect — possibly even friendship. I’m here for more Bobby and Michael working together to create a lasting connection between them.

While the bonds between Athena and Bobby and Michael are really highlighted in this episode, we can’t undercut the significance of the bond between Athena and Emmett’s killer. It’s not a long-lasting bond, but its duration is still tear-inducing.

Athena’s words to this man — who spent the last thirty years trying to make up for his sins — are heartbreaking and honest. She knows that Emmett would want her to forgive him, but she just can’t find it within her to do so.

However, the man’s response is what really creates cracks in her facade, and it’s beautiful to see her start to let go of all the hurt and anger and guilt she felt over the years. She hears his words and in her eyes, you can see that her heart is softening a little towards this man.

The following sequence of clips from 1991 interwoven with present-day to the backdrop of Rise Up by Andra Day flow together so strongly that each second is a sucker punch of emotion. 

Young Athena telling her mother it is her duty to be the cop to show other cops they are wrong pairs nicely with Athena arresting the man and handing him over to the cops who never gave up on the case. Then comes the highly emotional parallel scenes with Athena and Emmett’s mother.

Athena: He’d be proud of the life you built, built on the back of a dead man. I, for one, cannot forgive you.

Emmett’s killer: You’ve carried my burden for almost 30 years now. Let me take it back.

The duality of Athena breaking news to this woman is a strong way to round out this episode. It shows that no matter how much time has passed these women are forever linked to one another through pain and tragedy but also love.

All in all, this episode is a master class in acting from Angela Bassett. She delivers each heart-pumping moment with a raw intensity that you feel it in your core. 

What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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