Station 19 Review: Born to Run (Season 3 Episode 8)
It’s a rough day for the firehouse on Station 19 Season 3 Episode 18, “Born to Run.” Everyone is either scared, exhausted, or both. Pushing through it gives some characters clarity, while the rest just feel worse.
The drunk driving call at the center of the episode is heavy. First, the imagery smacks you in the face, then Emmett is simultaneously trained and played, THEN at least five of the nine patients die.
Maya needs to hone her coaching skills; it’s unfortunate that her father’s style is the only one she knows because it is a big reason why she has driven such a wedge into the firehouse.
I say this because Emmett is one of the characters left feeling worse post-call. Yes, he now has invaluable experience, but Maya, his Captain — someone he is supposed to be able to trust — set him up to fail.
Jack also struggles at the scene, but it’s Jack and Eva’s scene at the bar that is puzzling due to the situational irony behind it. We know that Rigo’s injury is not Jack’s fault, but nobody else does. The subsequent scene in the PRT on Station 19 Season 3 Episode 7, “Satellite of Love,” is powerful enough to make us forget.
Jack isn’t Jack, though, if he doesn’t internalize the false accusation that he is the reason Rigo nearly died.
Let’s also not be fooled: both characters are in the wrong in this moment. Him for not leaving her alone, and her for that savage burn of “walk away, little boy.” Damn.
The more “Born to Run” simmers, the more Jack pisses me off. He lied to Andy on Station 19 Season 3 Episode 4, “House Where Nobody Lives.” When he says he needed a friend, he really just means sex.
He’s got nerve treating Andy like his sloppy seconds, and somehow, someway, we are back at one of the age-old debates of, “why do men think they can walk all over Andy Herrera?” Don’t worry, I’m not staying on this soapbox long, but it needs to be addressed.
The ladies of Station 19 show that in this day and age, being “nice” gets you nowhere. Look at Maya! She is NOBODY’S friend, and it’s downright frustrating because (a) I hate it, but (b) she gets ish done. Jack is unsuccessful settling for Andy because she makes it crystal clear that she is not there for anyone else but her.
This is why running to Sullivan is a total power play. Andy has had nothing but adversity since the end of season two, and now that she has overcome it, she’s filtering out the BS and going after what she wants. Yes. Queen.
Time will tell, but she may also be in a good enough place to help Sullivan fight his addiction. Specifically seeking out Amelia’s help shows that Robert is ready to fight. She is the perfect person to be in his corner since she can get through to him via her own experiences.
Amelia and Andy respectively entering and reentering his life indicates things might be looking up for the new Battalion Chief.
Andy and Sullivan have never been my favorite couple, but neither have Vic and Jackson. Their days appear to be numbered, but that’s a good thing since it looks like we’re getting a sitcom within a drama over on Dean’s houseboat. Dean, Vic, and Pru. Insert dreamy sigh here.
That’s right, Pru! The drunk driving call is heartbreaking, but Dean naming the baby after Pruitt has me crying in the club. I can’t even expand on it for fear of ugly crying all over again. Really, though, the flashbacks this season are everything.
What did you think of this episode of Station 19? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Station 19 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Gina Zippilli
Gina is the co-host of Meet Us At Molly’s, the first-ever Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. podcast. Outside of One Chicago, she has never met an ensemble-driven cop show, post-apocalyptic drama or true crime whodunit she has not liked.