Station 19 Review: All I Want For Christmas Is You (Season 5 Episode 8)

Station 19 Season 5 Episode 8, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” has all the warm and fuzzy holiday vibes this firehouse family needs, but that doesn’t mean this mid-season finale is drama-free. 

This episode doesn’t create drama for the sake of it. Otherwise, Emmett’s painting would have caused an actual argument. Instead, it arises organically between the characters as the dominos continue to fall since Dean’s death.

Namely, this tactic works the best for Vic and Jack personally. However, it gets a little muddled when it ropes Theo into the mix.

That slight disconnect comes from the time jumps, weakening Theo and Vic’s relationship a bit. Like Travis and Emmett’s, their relationship still feels relatively new in the show’s context.

Theo’s motivations to do what’s best for himself (and theoretically Vic) aren’t hard to follow and make sense for his character.

However, the payoff for the couple’s scene on the roof would’ve felt even more earned had Station 19 given the pair a fraction more screentime. Regardless, Barrett Doss and Carlos Miranda do incredible work together.

Doss’s performance especially stands out when Vic has a panic attack on a Crisis One call. It’s one of the more realistic representations of a panic attack I’ve seen on TV in a while.

It also highlights the always relevant reminder that our mental health matters as much as our physical health. Vic’s body is more prepared to return to work, but she’s forgetting (possibly, on purpose) to check in with her mind. 

Understandably, Vic isn’t the only one this season who struggles with this. Andy has come a long way from the beginning of the season (and series), and “All I Want For Christmas Is You” shows some genuinely positive change for the character.

This change doesn’t mark the end of Andy’s journey unpacking her trauma, but it does denote the beginning of a new one. So it’s fitting that before that chapter begins, she needs to have an actual conversation with Robert.

The build-up to this conversation has been intense, but the payoff is so worth it. Jaina Lee Ortiz and Boris Kodjoe are such excellent scene partners, and their work in the PRT demonstrates that in spades.

It’s the most open and honest dialogue Surrera has shared all season long. It’s constructive and referential to their past as they look forward to their futures.

It’s two adults who care about each other having a hard but necessary conversation — one that Andy wouldn’t have been able to have earlier in the season. Andy’s growth has been gradual and sometimes frustratingly so, but that’s life.

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” suggests that Carina and Maya have been supportive figures in Andy’s life during all of this, and it would have been so much better had Station 19 showed us some of that.

More often than not, Andy feels so far removed from everyone at 19, including her best friend and roommate. However, this episode pulls the curtain back to let us know that she hasn’t been alone. 

Carina and Maya know about the divorce papers in the freezer, and apparently, Andy knows that Marina wants to have a baby. Andy’s reaction to that would have been priceless. It’s a shame we missed it.

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” may be missing those small details, but, ultimately, it delivers where it counts. Domestic Marina baking cookies is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s exciting to think of a fourth stocking hanging above their fireplace.

Then, Station 19 crosses the thing off the top of plenty of our wish lists by putting Dr. Carina DeLuca-Bishop in the field. Carina’s talents aren’t usually shown on screen in this procedural drama, so it is exhilarating to see her at work.

It’s even more rewarding because it marks Ben Warren’s return to practicing medicine, too. The PRT makes sense for Station 19 in many ways, but none more so than it gives Ben and Carina more active roles on the team.

It is an absolute blast to see nearly the entire Station 19 team work together on a case. It’s been so long that it feels like a Christmas miracle to see them lift each other up and speak on each other’s strengths.

Because of that teamwork, 19 ends up saving Terrence, but not before Jock McKissic and Stacie Greenwell can give stellar performances as guest stars. The direction of that montage is breathtaking. The way it cuts to silence other than Delilah’s voice as she sings is incredible.

Danielle Savre’s delivery of “That siren means life” will stick with so many Station 19 fans. It’s a tear-jerker moment, but in the best way, as is Jason George’s performance in the episode’s final minutes.

Additionally, this episode pulls off a small and seamless crossover by having Miranda join the holiday celebration. Station 19 and Grey’s Anatomy often struggle with crossovers, but this one is perfect.

When it comes down to it, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is one of this season’s strongest episodes because it course corrects some of the things that make this team feel underutilized in the field and out of it. This episode is a real gift for Station 19 fans.

Stray Thoughts

• Every Travis and Theo moment is pure gold.
• Yes, Theo’s story about Travis is included in those golden moments.
• Marina telling the team they’re planning to have a baby is such a sweet moment.
• So Marsha and Jack do still live together?
• Vic mentioning Teddy clearing her for work is a nice way to acknowledge the connection between the shows.
• Seattle Fire Department has a new female fire chief!
• “If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to let it go” is some advice I didn’t know I needed. Thanks, Carina!

What did you think of this episode of Station 19? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Station 19 airs Thursdays at 8/9c on ABC.

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