9-1-1: Lone Star Review: Yee-Haw (Season 1 Episode 2)

With such a strong opening it is expected that 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 1 Episode 2, “Yee-Haw” will measure up. What isn’t expected is that the episode somehow surpasses the premiere.

I am very critical of this franchise because of 9-1-1‘s inability to consistently mold every element of an episode together into a cohesive unit. It’s satisfying to see that so far 9-1-1: Lone Star doesn’t suffer from that problem.

As a continuation of 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” this episode builds upon the major elements presented in the first half. They focus the attention on Michelle’s quest for her sister while also managing to connect it with Owen’s fears about his diagnosis which in turn connects with Judd’s own healing.

Simply put, this episode does a stellar job of taking elements and storylines that don’t necessarily fit together and makes one giant picture puzzle of them. This is a family unit and that feeling continues to spread and expand the more we see into the lives of these characters.

Before I get ahead of myself I do want to make a small comment about how well-rounded the whole Firehouse 126 and beyond crew is. This show highlights certain characters, but never dismisses those on the sidelines or in the shadows. 

Everyone matters and that is the most positive uplifting message this year has received so far.

Let’s dive into the big one of this episode: the continued bond between Judd and Owen. These two firefighters come from completely different backgrounds and yet through tragedy they are able to understand each other as no one else can.

It’s a strong message of community and camaraderie when Lone Star decides that these two are destined to walk the same path together. It shows not just audiences that the two worlds can mesh together but the rest of the 126 crew as well.

Going into the pilot episode, Judd seems to be a typical country boy determined to be what he’s always been — a firefighter. “Yee-Haw” serves to expand our view of him and see that through everything he carries inside him this inherent nature to find the beauty and goodness in the wreckage and ash.

Judd is showing Owen that his irrational fear about his hair and his illness isn’t what matters in the grand scheme of things. With his horseback riding adventure and their gentle heart to heart at the firehouse, Judd urges Owen to take each moment as it comes and treasure it.

Let’s hope that this relationship eventually creates a confidence in Owen that will allow him to open up to his son. That is something that needs to happen because the longer he waits the more it is going to mess up TK.

TK may be battling his own fires with his failed relationship so fresh and new behind him, but finding out his father kept this all a secret is going to spiral him even more than any relationship trigger ever could. We can only hope that Carlos doesn’t continue to be collateral damage in the life of TK Strand.

While it is nice to see this relationship blossom so unapologetically right before our eyes, it can’t be overlooked that TK has no business doing anything with anyone right now. He isn’t quite healed from his previous relationship and by allowing himself even a one-time thing with Carlos he drags the other man into his mess.

Carlos just wants to have a conversation with him and be a genuinely nice human being, but TK is still so far into his head about the breakup that he can’t even see Carlos’ gesture for what it really is.

As Carlos says, he’s not proposing marriage just a conversation. 

Both TK and Owen need to have better communication with each other but also themselves. Owen keeps pushing for Judd to attend therapy for his PTSD, but what needs to happen is Owen needs to focus some of that attention on his son and help him get therapy for more than just the drugs and alcohol. 

However, as I noted previously, Owen is way too wrapped up in his own fears and concerns that he can’t see past it in order to truly help anyone else. Maybe he could do with a bit of a soul cleanse much like Michelle is doing in her quest for answers.

The bond slowly forming between Owen and Michelle is screaming potential love interest but, I hope it stays in the platonic setting for a while as each of these characters works on themselves. Michelle is a gentle voice of reason that Owen needs more of, and that she should pay attention to a bit more.

Michelle and Owen don’t have much to say to each other and yet it still manages to stick out as being one of the most profound moments of the whole episode. With no more than thirty words exchanged between the two, they manage to reassure each other that their fears and concerns are not irrational but in fact the most logical step on their separate journeys. 

It’s refreshing to see a male and female character of the same level, professionally interact with each other in such a respectful manner. There are no egos between them and by doing so they are able to help one another heal just a tiny bit.

Michelle definitely has a bit of healing to do and it looks as though she has the support system necessary to accomplish just that. Throughout the past three years, she has been looking for closure and it seems that Carlos is a constant for her through that.

Maybe now with the added support of Owen knowing her background and her willingness to relinquish a bit of her anger, Michelle will either find a way to let go or she will find the answers she’s been desperate to find. Either way, her journey continues to be the most intriguing and compelling aspect of this show.

We were given a small glimpse into just who Iris is and what happened, but there is still so much more to learn. Michelle unpacks a bit of that through her conversation with the spiritual woman. 

The biggest take away from this episode and the show at large is that old wounds heal slowly, but they do heal. Talking about our pain and allowing others to feel it with us creates a bond that helps the healing process.

If Lone Star continues to create this aura of healing as the season progresses, it’s definitely going to have a recipe for success.

Stray Musings:

• Mateo is a sweet little angel that I want more of. Please.
• The scene with the woman who reported her neighbor for being a person of color could’ve been handled with anger and indignation, but instead 9-1-1: Lone Star chooses humor and kindness. 5/5 stars for that alone.
• The emergency with the office building is insane but has a couple of takeaways.
  • Always tip your service provider otherwise they could poison your food.
  • Both Michelle and Paul have mad observational skills that we deserve to see more of.
• Grace is such a strong ally for Judd. I love this marriage and this support team.

What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1: Lone Star? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Check out our review of 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot” right here.

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

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