9-1-1 Review: Christmas Spirit (Season 3 Episode 10)

Over the course of 2 and a half seasons, 9-1-1 has always managed to make a finale count — whether it be a midseason finale or a season finale. However, 9-1-1 Season 3 Episode 10, “Christmas Spirit,” does very little to etch itself into our holiday memories. 

In fact, this is probably my least favorite episode of the show — ever. For a show that has been steadily getting better and better since the Season 1 finale, this is disappointing.

Nothing really stands out apart from Michael’s announcement towards the very end that they found a tumor in his brain. Out of an hour-long program, that is the only moment really worth noting? Shameful.

Sure, Athena and Buck’s secret Christmas surprise is nice and warms our very souls, but it isn’t enough to make this episode full of holiday cheer. The firehouse family Christmas should be a beautiful bookend to an overall stellar episode. But instead, it just floats there unattached.

There are two things in this episode that should pack an emotional punch. Yet the writing of them is so lackluster and dull that they’re more “blink and you miss it” kind of moments.

I’m talking about Bobby’s test results and Maddie facing her past in order to let Doug go. Let’s unpack the bigger of the two, shall we? That’s Maddie’s recovery.

Ever since last season, Maddie has been plagued by her actions with regard to escaping her abusive ex-husband. Now that she is in therapy to work past it, she has been opening up more and more about how this event has affected her.

With how well her abuse story has been handled so far, it would be safe to assume that her return to the cabin would be handled with the same level of respect and grace. Unfortunately, the scene ends up reading like a boring phone book roster or even worse — like paint drying.

Maddie’s present-day journey through those fateful woods is interlaid with flashbacks to that day last year. This should really have the audience on their knees in sympathy and love for Maddie.

It really is unfortunate that a scene so artfully put together should be wasted. To be honest, it is hard to tell if this fails due to the acting choices from Jennifer Love Hewitt or the writing, or even a combination of both. 

Personally, I am a huge fan of Hewitt and have enjoyed her acting choices ever since the early 2000s. However, with “Christmas Spirit,” I barely even notice her on the screen when she is there. 

It is as if she is trying to fade into the background — to not be noticed at all.

Speaking of fading into the background, Bobby’s test results have been this big thing since he was exposed to the radiation. Unfortunately, if you aren’t paying close enough attention, the whole result announcement flies right by you. 

Instead of it being done in front of the whole firehouse family, Bobby announces it to his wife while they get ready for bed. Which is completely understandable, but then write a scene where he tells the rest of the guys — don’t just leave it hanging right there!

A really memorable thing would be if they’d tied it in with Bobby’s conversation with Michael there at the end of the episode. Maybe Bobby uses his experience to encourage Michael to believe that the world hasn’t ended just yet.

9-1-1 has been building up this bond/friendship between Bobby and Michael all season long. Why not utilize it to its strength this whole episode?

You can’t help wondering whether or not Bobby could’ve approached Michael sooner — as his friend — and avoided all this mess. Instead, he stands off to the side and lets Athena handle it all, when what Michael really needs is a friend.

Michael’s world is being rocked right now, and it’s our hope that in the second half of the season Bobby will be a strength he can lean on. It’s going to be a long road, and he can use all the support and love he can get — let’s hope it expands his bond with the headstrong, loyal Captain. 

You may be wondering why I haven’t brought up any of the emergencies of the week, and that is because none of them contributed to the overarching story arc.

Once again, this show fails to really bring in the emergencies as lasting expansions on the personal lives of the first responders.

To round out this review on a positive note, let’s turn to Buck. His scenes with Christopher and the other children really bring out his child-like wonderment — which is the kind of holiday spirit this episode needs more of.

Let’s just hope that the long hiatus will give 9-1-1 enough time to regroup and come back stronger than ever. 

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 will return in March with all new episodes on FOX.

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