9-1-1 Review: Suspicion (Season 4 Episode 13)

You know that feeling of satisfaction when a show finally seems to get it together enough to have a very cohesive, very impactful episode? Well, that is 9-1-1 Season 4 Episode 13, “Suspicion,” to a T.

From the moment it introduces the storyline about the mom and her child, viewers know they are in for a treat of an episode. This is solidified by the tension slowly mounting between Bobby and Athena with each passing scene. 

So, let’s break down each component that really makes this episode as fantastic and memorable as it is. 

First and foremost, we should look at the relationship between Bobby and Athena. These two have been together since the end of Season 1 and married since the end of Season 2. 

As wonderful as they are, it’s been a long time since they’ve had any sort of strain between them. Even then, everything has always been dismissed or patched up with a bandaid. 

Anyone who’s been in a successful relationship can tell you that bandaids don’t hold forever and the #Bathena one seems to have lost its stick. This works out perfectly for them, even if it makes us worry.

Sometimes the best thing for a happy, stable couple is a nice big argument to put all the feelings out on the table. Bobby and Athena have been skirting around their true thoughts and feelings on the big stuff for a while now.

So, it’s healthy that they have found it in them to let everything explode out in the open. Nobody wants to see their parents fight — and these two are definitely the parents of 9-1-1 — but like with anything in life, making up will be sweet.

Yes, Bobby’s statement that the marriage isn’t working doesn’t bode well for them. However, I think it puts them on the right track for where they need to be to actually move forward together.

Ever since Athena’s accident, they’ve been married but moving as two ships in the night — just passing each other by. They need to start working as a team, as Athena points out if they ever want to make this work. 

I think that with the looming threat of a sniper, the love that they share for one another deep in their hearts is going to come back to the surface. Now that they’ve laid out all their grievances they need to be reminded of why they got together in the first place — love.

Worrying about them breaking up doesn’t do us any good because it means we’ve given up on believing they still have love to share. It’s been said that the biggest fights come when you love a person more than yourself.

Clearly, Bobby and Athena still have more than enough love to spread between them.

The other big story of the episode is Eddie taking on the case of the sick child, but that sort of pales in comparison to the love he has for his own child. It’s been ages since we’ve had a genuine Diaz family moment and “Suspicion” thankfully, gives that to us. 

Even better is the return of Carla! This woman has been sorely missed due to the pandemic and having her back is a nice breath of fresh air. 

She is never afraid to tell it like it is and this episode is no different. She seems to see beneath the surface of Eddie’s relationship with Ana and nails him for that.

She reminds him that thinking only in terms of Christopher’s happiness isn’t the way to live his life. It seems as though Eddie is considering that with regards to his new girlfriend, but we can’t be sure because of the events that unfold almost immediately after.

9-1-1 has been baiting fans for years with the bond between Buck and Eddie — some believe they have feelings for each other beyond that of friendship. Naturally, the final moments of this episode, coupled with what Carla says to Eddie, seem to lean very heavily toward that belief.

Eddie is so happy to have saved the sick boy from his mom, who is poisoning him, that he’s left unaware of the danger that lurks. 

Those final heartbreaking seconds have us still screaming and clutching our chests.

Eddie has been shot and based on the slowed-down moments of Buck being frozen to his spot, shoved out of the way, and their eyes locking as Eddie bleeds out, things aren’t looking too good. 

This is the most intense 9-1-1 has ever left things in the history of the show. No other character’s life has been so precariously balanced at the end of an episode. 

It’s a fantastic plot device to lead us into what is sure to be an insane season finale. We are thinking of Eddie, but also Buck and Christopher — the two most important people in Eddie’s life.

Let’s just hope this isn’t the end for Eddie because Ryan Guzman has been such a great addition to the 9-1-1 team.

Minor Emergencies:

• I’m so glad that Hen’s Med School development isn’t a dropped storyline. Lately, it has seemed that way, so good on the writers for bringing it back.
• Hen showing that doctor how to be compassionate in the future is one heck of a moment. So powerful!
• I really hope someone notices Maddie drowning soon. It’s clear she has post-partum.
• That moment between Chim and Hen where they talk about the discrimination they experience with healthcare is so important. More of this moving forward, please. 

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

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The season finale of 9-1-1 airs Monday, May 24 at 8/7c on FOX.

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