Station 19 Review: In My Tree (Season 5 Episode 12)

Station 19 Season 5 Episode 12, “In My Tree,” is all about new beginnings, tough conversations, and big cliffhangers. Some are more successful than others, but all create significant changes for the characters.

New beginnings come with the Dean Miller Memorial Clinic opening at the firehouse. It expectedly hits a few bumps throughout the day, but it’s ultimately a rewarding first shift that lets Jack Gibson shine.

Station 19 touchingly frames Jack’s perspective of what he believes the day needs to be through his dedication to get the word out to Seattle’s homeless community and a quick catch-up with Dean at his memorial in the firehouse.

Tamika Miller’s direction captures a beautiful silhouette of Jack in the reflection of the glass that holds Dean’s photo. The symbolism is excellent as it encapsulates Jack’s wishes to uphold Dean’s legacy of giving back to the community.

Jack’s interactions with Hank are yet another shining example of why it’s emotionally and narratively effective for Station 19 to branch out beyond fires.

Sometimes seeing someone for the first time in six years is as life-saving as rescuing them from a fire.

Reasonably enough, the show never holds itself to mainly putting out fires. “In My Tree” proves that’s a good thing because we would miss out on stories like this.

Hank’s story is important, and Jack’s involvement in it is equally so. This clinic is a physical extension of Jack’s story helping him heal others and himself along the way. Because of that, this episode feels like it’s the beginning of something really great.

Alternatively, “In My Tree” captures the end of something that could’ve been really great with Tremmett. 

Station 19 holds Travis’s feet to the fire as he sidesteps every opportunity to be honest with Emmett. Regardless of Vic’s persistence to hold a mirror up to Travis and his behavior, he refuses to be transparent.

This culminates in a claustrophobic scene where Emmett confronts Travis in the firehouse. Emmett visibly wants to say his peace and leave on his accord, yet Travis can’t help but want to maintain something that isn’t working.

It’s complicated, some level of selfish, and heartbreaking to watch. It’s simple to want the best for Emmett and Travis, making it all the more painful to see Travis’s resistance to believe such is possible through their separation.

Hopefully, “In My Tree” isn’t the last time we see Emmett for a while because there will be Crisis One calls in the future. But, more importantly, his perspective on the fallout of this relationship could send his character in a new direction.

Lachlan Buchanan is so great in his only scene that it’s almost compulsory to want to know what happens with Emmett next as he maintains his respect for himself without Travis in his life.

This episode fascinatingly juxtaposes Travis and Emmett’s communicational turmoil with seemingly the opposite for Maya and Carina as their discussions around sperm donors evolve.

Station 19 seems acutely aware that “seemingly” is the operative word.

In reality, Maya and Carina aren’t communicating in a stellar way that eclipses Travis and Emmett. Maya and Carina are more transparent as they find the quickest beats to check in with each other. Nevertheless, there’s still a lot left unsaid.

In comparison with Travis and Emmett, Maya and Carina communicate more, but it doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily better.

Station 19 feels like it’s still building to a more conclusive conversation for the couple. 

For example, Maya’s comments at the end of “In My Tree” suggest she (understandably) opposes Jack being the sperm donor. Yet, the setting of Carina and Maya’s conversation doesn’t allow much room for elaboration.

Of course, nothing is set in stone yet, and it shouldn’t be until Maya and Carina can discuss their options more freely.

Ideally, that conversation is in Station 19‘s very near future.

Also, in Station 19‘s very near future is Chief Ross shutting down Station 23.

This twist escalates like a figurative fire, and it’s only going to grow before anyone can put it out.

Andy’s intentions to be back at Station 19 are good and fair, but now multiple people’s jobs hang in the balance. It’s a serious cliffhanger to let Andy (and us) sit with this information, anticipating how Theo or Deja will take the news.

In a perfect world, the collapse of 23 would mean Andy, Theo, and Deja could come to 19. Only time will tell how possible that is, but it’s probably unlikely.

No matter, this big cliffhanger brings on a new beginning after a tough conversation. The way Station 19 threads those three storytelling elements together in one jaw-dropping moment is quite impressive. 

Stray Thoughts

• Did anyone else lean forward when Ben mentioned he was a cancer survivor? Great callback to a character’s history!
• Jack calling Andy for a pep talk is very sweet.
• Ben is wise to say, “If Carina asks, I know nothing.”
• It is very cool to see Travis and Chief Ross team-up.
• Jack and Pru are too cute for words.
• I really like how Robert wants to help Beckett.

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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Station 19 Renewed for Season 6 by ABC