9-1-1: Lone Star Review: Difficult Conversations (Season 2 Episode 5)

With 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 2 Episode 5, “Difficult Conversations,” love serves to make necessary conversations that much more difficult. Thanks to a good balance of seriousness and humor, the show navigates its way through multiple stories at once.

There are many shows that flounder when presented with too many stories during one episode. However, what makes 9-1-1: Lone Star so different is it connects all these stories in ways that aren’t initially clear.

For example, Owen is already thinking about what Gwyneth’s pregnancy means for her, as well as the baby when they get called to an accident with a father and daughter. It’s evident in Owen’s eyes as he takes in this father’s final words to his daughter that he is thinking of his own children — born and unborn. 

The situation Owen is in isn’t exactly common so it’s not like he can easily talk to the team and find the solace he needs. Lucky for him Captain Vega has young children and is currently of a particular age, which is so nice to see.

Characters bonding is always an element to a show that everyone takes note of. Previously, I talked about how the bond between Judd and Owen is great but the show needs to do a better job of exploring Judd’s relationship with others. 

However, with Vega and Owen that bonding comes naturally given their life experiences. Since Owen is choosing not to tell anyone yet and they’ve decided to keep the baby, he is going to need someone he can lean on that isn’t his ex-wife.

Eventually, it’s going to come out and that is going to be yet another difficult conversation Owen and Gwyneth are going to have to have with TK. Hopefully, 9-1-1: Lone Star creates an organic conversation for this father and son duo that has taken over our hearts and minds — it’s what they deserve.

It’s fantastic to see that both Gwyneth and Owen didn’t come by their final decision lightly. By having them explore the option of termination, we are given an insight into how their minds work and where they stand, both together and apart.

The renewed love and respect between Owen and Gwyn gives us hope that they could end up on as solid a foundation as Judd and Grace. 

While a surprising revelation about Grace’s father could’ve caused a rift between this husband and wife, instead it makes them stronger. Judd knows everything but he can’t tell his wife because he doesn’t want her to get hurt and when Grace finds out anyway she finds she can’t tell her own mother for the same reason. 

Love protects us from all the hard times, but it can also give us a hard time when we need to talk about the tough stuff. Grace is confident enough in her love of her husband to understand that he didn’t keep this from her out of spite, but out of love. 

It’s beautiful to see a relationship like theirs portrayed so simply. Often, shows fall into the trap of thinking every relationship needs drama to survive. 

The wonder and grace that is Judd and Grace as they face the drama coming their way together. They are the ideal couple that is in it through anything just like their vows stated. 

If Judd and Owen’s difficult relationship conversations were serious then the one between Mateo and his teammates is definitely far from it. Through all the jokes and the humor, it still stands that love makes difficult conversations that much harder.

TK and Paul may poke fun at Mateo’s tattoo mishap behind his back, but it’s not out of malice it’s out of love. Fortunately for Mateo, Marjan is actually strong enough to face that fall-out with a brave face and guiding hand.

Mateo is truly the baby of the firehouse and his teammates all want to protect him, even if this time it’s from himself.

No one ever said love had to be serious, sometimes you have to laugh about it to stop yourself from feeling bad about it.

Minor Emergencies:

• Grace and Carlos for the epic save of the episode. These two are dynamite as a team.
• This episode is proof that the “order a pizza” domestic abuse call actually saves lives.
• Killer laugh moment: “Judd, kale?” “No, I’m trying to quit.”

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

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

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