9-1-1: Lone Star Review: Thin Ice (Season 3 Episode 2)

Please note this review contains spoilers for 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 3 Episode 2.

The usually vibrant state of Texas continues to be under a major winter storm. This plays really well for character focus on 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 3 Episode 2, “Thin Ice.”

As we said in our review of 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 3 Episode 1, “The Big Chill,” choosing to focus on two major stories involving one specific character is the best way to write this show. For “Thin Ice” the focus shifts from Marjan and Carlos to Paul and TK. 

It keeps things lively and varied enough that our attention never falters, while also keeping us wondering what will come next. Generally, the 9-1-1 universe falls into the trap of wrapping stories up nicely and creating a path that borders on predictable. 

However, this season the show is stepping up it’s game to show that even an old dog can learn new tricks. 

Paul the Protector

The great thing about Paul getting trapped in the church is we get to see him isolated from the noise of his co-workers/fire family. This really lets the truest version of Paul shine through.

One of the great things about Paul is that he’s a character that doesn’t tred too far from who his actor, Brian Michael Smith, is in his core. They are both kind, gentle, highly motivational beings which comes out in the best moments onscreen.

For 9-1-1: Lone Star, that moment is “Thin Ice.” Paul is stuck with Lindsey and they are both quickly freezing to death. Smith’s scenes during this episode make him the standout performer.

Instead of letting her wallow in her own self-pity, Paul immediately shuts down her negative talk and peps her up. He even encourages her to find her own inner fire to keep her body warm. 

It’s a beautifully, heartwarming scene that I don’t believe we’d ever get to see if Paul hadn’t been in the exact situation he’s in. What’s even better is we get to see Lindsey turn around and fire Paul up just as the rescuers break through the wall and save them.

Honestly, the whole episode their troubles seemed to get better and then worse and then back to better. Only to fall back into dangerous territory a few moments later. It’s easily the most on the edge of our seat this show has ever made us feel.

The fear in Paul’s eyes are evident, but despite this he never once loses hope or lets Lindsey believe they are going to be anything less than fine. This shows exactly why Captain Strand sought out Paul to join the 126. 

He has a fire within him that keeps burning even when all hope seems lost. He’s angry that his house is falling apart but, he doesn’t let that taint the way he views the members of his family.

“Thin Ice” serves to show Paul as the true core of the 126. Without him the firehouse wouldn’t have the passion and drive they are famous for. 

Owen Strand Mountain Man?

Before we dive into that emergency, you know the one, we need to take a breather and discuss the enigma that is Owen Strand. 

Since “The Big Chill” (which timeline wise happens just hours before “Thin Ice”) Captain Strand has been throwing his hands up and shifting responsibility for the safety of Austin’s citizens. Which, is a totally un-Owen Strand thing to do, but we figured he just needed a push. 

So, tell me why a random female neighbor and migrant stranger in the woods is the push he needed, but Marjan isn’t? It’s probably the weakest part of the storyline as whole, and has most of us begging for the scene to change.

While it is kind of cool to see him kick it old school with the ham radio and the makeshift medicine, it’s a bit out of place. Especially, once we find out he saved the life of the coyote hunting the group of migrants who are holed up in a barn. 

It’s setting Owen up to be this grand saviour and while that’s nice and all, it’s a bit over played. I’ve said this many times before. I’m tired of 9-1-1: Lone Star being the Owen Strand show. 

Hopefully, TK’s condition will push this out of place migrant rescuer storyline to the side and focus on Strand being the fantastic father that he is.

TK’s Icy Trip

Speaking of TK’s condition, 9-1-1: Lone Star, we need to have words. It’s hard enough watching Paul struggle with hypothermia trapped in the church, but to slam TK with it at the exact same time? 

That is just not fair on anyone’s nerves. Which is why these two concurrently running storylines about team members with hypothermia is the best writing of the whole series. 

It knocks us around from moment to moment and doesn’t allow any of us to breathe for almost the whole hour. Heck, I’m not even sure I’m breathing yet.

It’s very TK of him to comindeer the rescue mission with a statement about similar cases in Central Park NYC. However, he’s also the only one that could’ve done that rescue mission.

While I love Nancy and Tommy and find them to be phenomenal paramedics, neither of them have actually been a full-time firefighter first — TK has. So, naturally he is the best man for the job.

Logic tells me that TK is going to be just fine becuase he is a backbone of the show, 9-1-1: Lone Star has already proven that no one is indespensible. 

TK fighting for his life there at the end is heartbreaking enough, but to watch Carlos go from frustrated that of course TK would only want to talk to him after an emergency to heartbreak at Tommy’s words that TK’s not doing well.

It did clue us in to a bit more about their break up timeline becuase Carlos references they haven’t spoken for some time. Either way, this break-up isn’t going anywhere any time soon and while I hate it I am glad the writers aren’t immediately throwing them back together in the face of tragedy. 

Stray Emergencies:

• Best Line of the night goes to Mateo when he said “The 129 is my house, but Paul is my family!”
• Give Rafael Silva an Emmy for his performance in that short hospital scene…my god!
• The next two weeks of waiting is going to be torture. Just saying.
• Can someone PLEASE find Marjan?

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 8/7c on FOX.

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