9-1-1 Review: The Taking of Dispatch 9-1-1 (Season 3 Episode 14)

Over time, shows have a tendency to get into a certain flow that gets tired and repetitive.

After coming back from their long winter hiatus, 9-1-1 has been struggling to find their groove once again. The storytelling is hit or miss with about half of it being a big ole miss. 

So when 9-1-1 Season 3 Episode 14, “The Taking of Dispatch 9-1-1,” starts up with a totally different format — no initial 9-1-1 call and no sign of the original characters — audiences know they are in for an interesting ride. The whole time we get to watch this episode play out from a fly on the wall perspective. 

Usually, 9-1-1 likes to put us into the distinct viewpoint of each first responder as we go through each episode’s stories and emergencies. This time, we get to be along for the ride and feel, along with each character, just how anxious everything is.

It’s also a nice reprieve that the main focus of the whole episode is the show’s dispatchers — not the firefighters like usual. Sure, Chim and Buck are still present, but as bystanders, which is also a new and exciting format for them.

It is rare that we get more than a few seconds of sight into the world of the 9-1-1 dispatch office. So for the ambush to take place on their turf is a format on thievery and heist work that we’ve not really seen before on television.

That inventive approach really keeps us engaged and focused throughout the episode. Even with an ambush and a heist and a covert police takeover all happening at once, it never once feels like too much is going on. 

The writers and creators have visually timed this entire episode to make it feel more like an operatic dance than chaotic turmoil. Each dispatcher gets their moment to shine as opposed to Maddie getting all the glory. 

I know that the criminals purposely planned it so that the dispatchers go to the call logs a couple at a time to make things harder to pinpoint, but as a viewer, it gives us performance gold from some unsung heroes. Josh is able to silently redirect the police to Chim’s apartment to aide in informing Athena.

Meanwhile, Sue’s quick thinking allows Athena to know that they are under an ambush while still keeping the captors in the dark. It’s her genius use of the code number instead of words that saves everyone’s lives in the end.

Sue doesn’t get nearly enough credit for just how badass and brave she is. This woman may run the dispatch office, but she should be allowed to rule the world. 

Sue: Next one goes in your head.

Don’t even get me started on the cajones of Linda. She fakes an allergic reaction at exactly the right moment to take down Greg. 

Up until this episode, Linda has always been a background character who comes around occasionally with a smile or an encouraging statement. I need her to get more airtime from now on — give me more of her and a little less of Maddie.

The best part of this episode comes at the end when Maddie, Chim, Josh, and Athena are all telling their families the full story. It gives off a Scooby Gang vibe that I absolutely love. 

My initial expectation for Tiffany is for her to end her statement to the police with a line reminiscent of, “I would’ve gotten away with it too if it weren’t for those meddling kids.” It’s a writing style that the show doesn’t approach nearly enough.

Now that 9-1-1 has been renewed for a Season 4, I want to see more focus on the police and dispatch side of things, because they don’t get enough on a normal day. After all, between the dispatchers fighting off their captors and Athena thinking on her toes and bringing everything down to a calm end, it manages to be the best episode so far this season.

With all this excitement, it’s hard to believe there is even a bit of heartbreak mixed in there. Well, there is, and 9-1-1 executes the extended moment as flawlessly as they always do with feeling heavy scenes.

It really starts when Josh is performing CPR on Greg and screaming that he doesn’t get to die and doesn’t end until Maddie is crying in Chim’s arms. The whole bit from start to finish is raw and cuts deep.

The use of diminished sound volume for the dialogue and the increased volume of music really adds to the already heartbreaking scenery. This is definitely an experience no one involved will soon forget — and I hope that the show chooses to really explore that over the remaining episodes.

If there is one flaw to be found on the episode, it is only a minor one; an annoyance at best. I know this show is a drama and the point of dramas is to really put the characters through the wringer, but can we stop pushing everything at Maddie?

The poor woman has dealt with escaping an abusive husband, that abusive husband coming back, Chim getting shot, and now this. Cut her a break, please. 

There are only two things I want to see from Maddie for the rest of the season — lovely couple moments with Chim and serious therapy for all her PTSD.

Finally, can we give a medal to Chim and Buck for not jumping in to play the hero in this situation? They are both the kind of guys who jump at the opportunity to do good, especially when those they love are involved, so it is nice to see them restrain and hold back this time. 

 

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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