9-1-1: Lone Star Review: Riddle of the Sphynx (Season 3 Episode 13)

With stories about grief, relationships, and sobriety 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 3 Episode 13, “Riddle of the Sphynx,” proves that balancing between characters goes a long way toward enjoying an episode. It also proves that Owen Strand doesn’t need to be the majority focus of an episode for it to be successful.

Giving time to Tommy and Grace’s friendship through grief and TK and Carlos’ relationship through sobriety enhances the show beyond what it has slowly been sinking into over the season. It just goes to show that opinions and reactions to a show overall can change from episode to episode.

Grief and Healing Through Friends

Tommy is probably the luckiest lady on the whole of 9-1-1: Lone Star. Not only is she a genius at her job, and compassionate to boot, she has the cutest daughters on the planet. That’s not all, she also has the greatest friends a lady could ask for. 

While Grace is obviously her ride or die, it’s nice to see Tommy interacting with one of her fellow grief therapy comrades, Blanca. Blanca and Grace may be two very different types of friends but they both have one thing on their minds, helping Tommy get back out there in the world. 

It’s been over a year since Charles passed away so naturally, Tommy should start to get her feet wet a little with regards to dating. Thankfully, the writers have decided that this whole experience for Tommy isn’t going to be love at first sight or even a good date in the slightest.

This adds a bit of humor to a very serious topic and allows the viewers to get a bit more of the Grace and Tommy bonding we all love. Having Grace get her ready and encourage her that Charles would be happy for her is only second to watching them share a glass of wine after and laugh about how terrible the date turned out to be. 

Tommy is stronger than she realizes and going on this date proves that. She still loves and misses her husband, but unlike Morris she can actually carry on a conversation with another human being without breaking down into hysterics. 

The show needs to give us more of these moments with Tommy and Grace. Their friendship is what stands as a cornerstone to the success of the show — all the fans love their connection and want to see it in every episode.

TK and Carlos: Could Be Cute But Marred By Jealousy

All I am asking for is one, just one storyline with TK and Carlos where Carlos doesn’t feel like the outsider looking in. It’s frustrating to see him suffer alongside TK and not get to ever talk about it.

While, yes it is well-known that people who struggle with addiction need people who understand those urges, it doesn’t mean Carlos needs to be chopped liver. Not even TK’s cute line about working to come home to Carlos tears away from the unnecessary jealousy written into the story.

Honestly, TK’s sobriety can stand on its own as Carlos does not fully understand, and TK talking it through with him so they reach the level of understanding needed. It’s exhausting to continue to believe this couple is “the best” when they have a serious communication issue.

We still haven’t gotten true closure on their break up and subsequent reunion — which should’ve happened before moving in together, but I digress. So, to add a jealous Carlos to the mix of bad storylines for this couple it’s no wonder queer viewers are left feeling like second fiddle.

All we ever get from storylines are drama and table scraps. It feels like the writers aren’t even trying to establish a strong relationship story between them, but it’s no wonder considering every romantic coupling on this show is stale, one-noted, and uninspired — except for Judd and Grace.

The whole, “I’m jealous of your sponsor” trope is old and disgusting. It truly needs to be retired. And to lower Carlos to that level is a huge disservice to his character — who doesn’t get much, to begin with.

Owen Strand — Intentional Comedic Relief

For the first time all season, 9-1-1: Lone Star creates a win with an Owen Strand storyline. Two big differences between this episode and others before it is that Owen isn’t the singular focus of the episode and he actually receives a consequence for his actions.

Watching him struggle with this hairless cat while also having an age crisis is top-tier comedy. It’s believable that someone as vain as Owen would take one look at the man he believes is Catherine’s ex and think she sees him as old and a “daddy” type. 

I’m gonna need the show to keep Owen pet sitting with the occasional emergency call for the rest of the season, it’s where he’s at his best. It’s out of the way, but still visible enough for a few laughs.

Even better than Owen catsitting is when he realizes that all the misogynistic things he threw at Catherine are misplaced. He deserves the verbal slap she gives him — too bad she didn’t give him an actual slap, that would’ve cemented the moment for me. 

For so long, Owen has been high and mighty about his views on men and women so it’s nice to see him knocked down quite a bit. Maybe now he will change his approach a bit. 

It’s doubtful, but you never know.

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9-1-1: Lone Star airs Mondays at 9/8c on FOX.

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