9-1-1 Review: Alone Together (Season 4 Episode 2)

We never thought we’d get to say this but Chimney is the true star of 9-1-1 Season 4 Episode 2, “Alone Together.” It has been four seasons and the man is finally given his due. 

Even when the story isn’t focused on him, he isn’t far from our minds because of what is going on with his team and Maddie. Chim is terrified of becoming a father, but to watch him shove that fear aside and help a young girl deliver her baby is like getting a taste of greatness. 

Chim is going to be a great father, he just needs to get out of his head a bit more. Moving back in with Maddie is the right choice for that path forward — it allows him to work through his fears with her.

It is about time 9-1-1 focuses on the more hero adjacent characters.

I’m not saying Chim isn’t important. It’s just that at the 118 it’s clear that Bobby, Buck, and Eddie tend to be the focus, while Hen and Chim get shoved to the side a bit.

Sure, Buck and Eddie are young and daring — to the point of recklessness at times — but Chim has the experience that should never be discounted. If Bobby is the point of reference, Chim should be revered more than anything.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the issue is with regards to how Chim and Hen are treated. It could be just a symptom of time and story space, but considering they are the characters of color in the house, it’s discouraging when their star isn’t allowed to shine as brightly as their white counterparts. 

This is why “Alone Together” is so important. It gives Chimney the spotlight and he subtly runs with it — as is his nature. 

9-1-1 will do well to remember that just because a character isn’t the flashy hero type doesn’t mean viewers don’t want to see them reign supreme. Hen’s faces alone are reason to love any particular episode of this show, case in point the roommate scene on “Alone Together.”

After 3 full seasons of Chimney risking his life many times over, he is only now getting his due. It’s much too late. However, I will accept it and hope that it means Season 4 is going to try to do better for both Chimney and Hen.

At least 9-1-1 seems to have a handle on how to tell Athena’s story. If only we could take a bit of the focus and development from her and shower her co-workers with it, maybe then we’d have a more balanced out show. 

She seems to have worked through some of her qualms about going back to work, but I’ll bet good money this mudslide experience will set her back slightly. Athena will still give the job her full focus, but she’ll be a bit more cautious than usual because of her recent trauma and her experience with Cheryl. 

Athena is such a strong character that exploring the option of therapy with her can show others that they are seen and respected for taking care of their mental health.

And, it can be a potential connection between her and Buck — one where they ground one another.

Other Emergencies:

• Aisha Hinds can say a thousand words with just her facial expressions alone — I love that for her.
• Once again Michael’s tumor seems to be a dropped storyline. Apart from May mentioning it in the past tense.
• I believe I’ve said this before but it bears repeating: Bobby and Athena are relationship goals!
• Buck has been faking a relationship to avoid revealing he is in therapy. Good for him! Great mental health solutions representation.
• Eddie and Christopher steal the episode by falling asleep together with Carla on Zoom. My heart.

—

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Where’s the Emergency? ‘9-1-1’ Has a Glaring Issue with Follow-Through