9-1-1 Review: Dumb Luck (Season 5 Episode 14)

Things are finally back in the groove for 9-1-1 Season 5 Episode 14, “Dumb Luck.” Between compelling stories about surviving or helping people survive and diving into the bonds of found family, this episode stands out amongst the Season 5B episodes we’ve gotten so far.

It helps that the focus is mostly on the firefighters and their relationships with each other rather than the emergencies. Some especially stand-out moments involve the 118’s fearless captain, Bobby Nash.

It’s something that truly makes this show what it is. By leaning into Bobby’s leadership the other character developments are made stronger.

Eddie’s Struggle Through Therapy

One of the strongest storylines for this half of the season has been Eddie’s struggles with his survivor’s guilt and PTSD. It’s fantastic to see Eddie work through all of this with his therapist and actually see the therapist give out the advice he needs.

Even if Eddie isn’t ready to hear any of it, the therapist walks him through why he feels the way he does about all the things that have happened to him. The great thing about Eddie is his strength and heart, which also means it’s his biggest setback as he struggles with PTSD.

9-1-1 does a great job of off-setting the more serious scenes with Eddie breaking down his struggles with Christopher just being a loving, supportive son. Their bond has always been a selling point for Eddie as a character, even more so as they both struggle through their own traumas. 

I will even concede that Buck taking Christopher and Eddie to an equestrian therapy ranch was a great idea. It allows Christopher to have a hands-on therapy outlet while Eddie gets to see that not everything he touches is doomed for disaster. 

Without Buck, Eddie wouldn’t have been able to see what his therapist has been telling him. Even Bobby has tried telling Eddie the same thing Buck took upon himself to just show.

That’s not to say Bobby’s presence during Eddie’s recovery isn’t significant, because oh my God it is. Out of everyone in his chosen family, Eddie only has Bobby who truly understands his level of survivor’s guilt. These two are going to be significant to each other’s stories moving forward.

Lucy’s Struggles

While I’m still not convinced the 118 really needs Lucy as an added character, “Dumb Luck” makes strides to increase her likability. By adding on layers to her already tough-as-nails character traits, 9-1-1 is ensuring that while she is on the team we will continue to grow to like her.

While it seems the show has dropped the Lucy and Buck kissed plotline — for now — it’s not all bad. Because we aren’t trudging that back up, Buck and Lucy have an opportunity to bond with one another as he steps in to help her after a rough save.

It’s hard to imagine that Lucy would struggle to simply accept her ability to save a woman from falling to her death. And yet, the show has decided that is the best way to give her depth — and I would have to agree.

Buck isn’t always the one people in the firehouse turn to for advice or comfort — it’s really only Eddie who does. So, it’s nice that Buck can reach out to Lucy and reassure her that while her save may have been sheer luck it’s still a win.

We never get to hear Buck talk about the call from early in his career where the person died. It was one that visibly rocked him for a long time, so for him to be able to casually bring it up in conversation now shows how much he has grown because of it.

Lucy seems to be around for the long haul so it’ll be interesting to see what other kinds of calls will rattle her a bit. This rescue shows that she’s not on top of things all the time, and that’s okay.

Chim and Maddie — Why Are They Broken Up?

The thing about 9-1-1 that still baffles us is Chim and Maddie not being together anymore. “Dumb Luck” does very little to clear that up for audiences.

When Jee-Yun has a medical emergency they are both there waiting out those agonizing moments before the doctor gives the all-clear together. They don’t appear to be upset with each other or even indifferent toward one another.

In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Chim is there to gently reassure Maddie that she isn’t to blame for what happens to Jee-Yun and that he too has made mistakes with her. 

It’s a scene right out of the most typical of domestic romances — only they aren’t together. Please make it make sense.

It’s very obvious that these two still love each other very much. What exactly is it that broke them up? They didn’t really clear that up in the previous episode or this one. 

Minor Emergencies

• It isn’t often that Athena becomes visibly shaken by a call. I’m so glad that Bobby was able to be there for her in the moment and the next morning when she was still struggling with it. 
• I am going to need more and more poker nights with the Nashs and the Wilsons. It’s so wholesome and warms our hearts right up.
• Chim is just back to work, no conversation, no transition. Just there…cool.

What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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9-1-1 airs Mondays at 8/7c on FOX.

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