9-1-1: Lone Star Review: In the Unlikely Event of an Emergency (Season 3 Episode 8)

Like I’ve stated many times, 9-1-1: Lone Star is at it’s best when it focuses on one particular character and their growth. Going into this episode, it seems as though Owen might carry some of the focus, but instead, the episode is all TK.

9-1-1: Lone Star Season 3 Episode 8, “In the Unlikely Event of an Emergency” thrives because it focuses on not only how TK’s mom dying affects him overall, but also his sobriety. 

Grief vs. Sobriety

Losing a loved one, especially a parent isn’t easy on anyone. Especially, for those of us who struggle with sobriety. 

One of the things I worried about going into this episode is whether or not the show would acknowledge TK’s well-documented sobriety. He’s had a real struggle with it in the past year so to not mention it would be a travesty. 

Luckily, we get a moment where he almost slips up in the present juxtaposed with him in the past being forced into rehab. The story of both moments flows out over time in the simplest and most realistic of ways.

Having this memory to go along with TK’s struggle to comprehend his mother’s passing is the best way for 9-1-1: Lone Star to explore the grief of it all. 

Losing a Parent

Like we said before, losing a parent is never an easy thing to cope with, but it’s even harder when you have to travel to attend their funeral. It gives you more time to stew on how it makes you feel, all while on a public stage.

Honestly, no one would’ve blamed TK if he had slipped up in some way. I was expecting it to happen, and when it doesn’t the episode becomes even more powerful.

Instead of it being about how TK’s grief leads to him spiraling off the wagon, it’s about how he held his ground and didn’t slip. He leaned on his father and Carlos to get him through those really tough moments. 

By focusing his attention on how he can help the injured woman, TK shows all of us, that our loved ones can live even in death. All Gwyn ever wanted is for TK is to find happiness and pride in the work that he does.

“In the Unlikely Event of an Emergency” shows that to us loud and clear. It sets TK up for failure, and instead he rises to the challenge and thrives.

Owen Strand, Background Support

For the first time this season, Owen gladly takes a backseat to his son’s grief journey. As the plane falls into a midair emergency, I half expected Owen to jump in and take charge. 

He doesn’t, instead, he steps back and lets TK figure it all out. He is only there to help TK accomplish a miraculous life saving manevour. 

Even when telling a seat companion about why they are traveling, he doesn’t make it about himself. Instead, he states “my son’s mother” because he knows TK is more important.

In fact, there is a moment when TK leaves to go to the bathroom that Owen worries he’s not okay. It’s written all over his face, and yet he stays quiet — he allows his son to come to him.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this emergency doesn’t help their bond in positive ways. 

Minor Emergencies

• We love that Nancy is looking out for TK even though she thinks it’ll harm their friendship. 
• Carlos, freaking out on the tarmack is all of us. We love their love
• Now I want some dim sum and a good cry (not that this episode didn’t already take all my tears)

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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