9-1-1: Lone Star Review: Red vs. Blue (Season 3 Episode 7)

Fire vs. Police is a rivalry that has been going on since the beginning of time — or so it seems. 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 3 Episode 7, “Red vs. Blue,” is advertised as a huge sausage fest between Owen Strand and a Police Sergeant, but ends up as so much more than that.

While Owen Strand is definitely not known for backing down from a fight, this episode proves to be a lesson in him taking the high road — eventually. This is definitely a good lesson for him, but we could do without all the extra-ness of this episode in the meantime. 

O’Brien vs. Strand

Who doesn’t love the idea of just ripping up a police citation at the scene? There is a reason Owen goes viral at the accident scene and it has everything to do with how relatable his actions are.

While only a fire captain would be able to get away with what Owen does, that doesn’t mean it’s not something we’ve all wanted to do at one time or another. It doesn’t hurt either that Sgt. O’Brien is being played by Neal McDonough, an actor well known for playing characters that get under our skin.

The role is perfectly cast which allows us to be less annoyed with Owen’s childish, obnoxious behavior. McDonough has this way about him that makes us really despise the character he’s playing — case in point Sgt. O’Brien.

O’Brien proves once and for all that some cops have earned the bad rap people give them. He’s egotistical and creates a situation where there doesn’t need to be one. 

After all, this whole thing starts because he rolls up to an accident scene and insists the firefighters of the 126 are creating a problem by having their rig parked at the scene where it is needed most. He cites some obscure rule that no one abides by anymore just to make his case.

Red vs. Blue; Fire vs. Police

The madness could’ve stopped there and the two parties could’ve taken things to a lesser, more civilized level. Unfortunately, O’Brien’s ego has been bruised and like any cop who’s on a power trip, he insists on making things fester. 

Taking things to the softball field is a genius idea on Owen and Judd’s part. It allows these two groups to continue their rivalry with one another, but in a manner that doesn’t interfere with either of their jobs. 

In all honesty, 9-1-1: Lone Star could’ve had this rivalry take place here from the beginning and the show would’ve still been entertaining. As everyone knows, multiple towns have sanctioned sporting events to beef up that rivalry between the two teams without it being a detriment to the job.

By having it fester and allowing O’Brien to throw his weight around as a cop on the job, this episode really puts a bad taste in our mouth. The taste doesn’t go away until long after the fight on the field blows over. 

While the move to have Owen’s team rescue O’Brien from a burning grow house is heartwarming and shows that “brothers and sisters” fight, it does little to stop these clichés about fire and police from continuing.

This could’ve been a bigger moment for the show to point to both sides of the feud and show their best selves. Instead, it perpetuates the stereotypes put in place for each group. 

Grace vs. Dave

The other big rivalry within this episode comes from the dispatch center. Honestly, going into this whole story there is an air of borrowed storylines. 

As any fan of the whole 9-1-1 universe will know, the original series just did this exact type of story with May at her dispatch center. So, to have Grace deal with an extremely similar story comes across as tired and dated before the story even begins.

Dave turns out to be a big help during Grace’s emergency and she gets to return the favor during his, but the animosity that is there seems very contrite and out of nowhere. Grace is not the kind of character to be short-tempered or annoyed in simple ways like this story makes her out to be.

I personally feel like it is a step backward for her character. When the original series did this with May it made sense because she was new and overly confident, but with Grace, she is seasoned and doesn’t allow anyone to get under her skin.

The annoyances she has with him are very minuscule and, again, not something that normally would rattle Grace. If this situation is created just to give Grace a storyline the writers are losing their touch. 

Minor Emergencies:

• Don’t touch me. I’m still processing my very mixed feelings about that final moment reveal. 
• The moment when the whole team gathers at TK and Carlos’ to congratulate Nancy is the family vibe we’ve been missing. The 126 are back baby!
• Carlos was the spectator of the century at the softball game. The way he was rooting for his firehouse family while also trying to remain invisible to the police team. 

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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