9-1-1: Lone Star Review: A Bright and Cloudless Morning (Season 3 Episode 18)

It should come as no surprise that 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 3 Episode 18, “A Bright and Cloudless Morning” ends up being heavily centered on Owen at the detriment of everyone else. After all, that seems to be the theme for Season 3, so why not continue to stick with it.

Unlike it’s 9-1-1 counterpart, this episode can’t even be saved by the prospect of marital bliss. “A Bright and Cloudless Morning” is a wash all around, which is kind of disappointing considering it’s potential to be great.

The Explosion

First and foremost, this explosion could have had even higher stakes than it ended up with. Yes, Judd rebroke his leg and Owen was knocked out by a second blast.

However, in the end it’s kind of confusing what actually happened and what didn’t because the writers decided to intersperse reality with Owen’s flashbacks to 9/11. While, it is a nice way to handle talking about 9/11, was it actually necessary?

No. It is not. Mainly because Owen references 9/11 every chance he gets. To the point that the awe and beauty of it has lost its luster.

Adding in Owen’s flashbacks are understandable because he is mentally compromised during this emergency. However, it takes away from the dramatic nature of what this explosion could have been.

Not that I want Judd to be in more danger, but it’s always Owen or TK who’s lives are at stake to the point that we don’t actually believe anything is at stake anymore. The show really needs to learn how to create actual stakes with these first responders — it came so close with the season opener and then nothing.

In hindsight, the explosion is completely overshadowed by Owen thinking his cancer is back and having flashbacks of his 9/11 days. Too bad he doesn’t actually have cancer, that would’ve been something at least. 

Owen Stepping Down?

We are as confused as anyone about the vibe of the whole second half of the episode. First, there is the finality feel of Owen’s conversations with his dead friend Manny and his dead ex-wife. 

Then there is the whole vibe of Owen making arrangements to finally step away from the 126 or even for him to die. When he is talking with TK in the hospital it feels like he is preparing his son for the reality of his demise. 

Then later on he talks to Judd about how he is putting his full support behind naming Judd as his successor “when the time comes.” It truly feels as though he is going to pack it all up and retire or even pass away because his cancer is back.

And then — nothing. It’s so frustrating to have him make this big grand gesture with TK, and Judd, and then Tommy only for him to joke and laugh that he simply has a fungal infection in his lung. The opportunity to create real drama and high stakes with Owen’s life/career is sitting right there and the show refuses to take it.

It’s frustrating because at this point it feels like the show is toying with us just to get us to tune in every week. 9-1-1: Lone Star creates this drama feel and rarely follows through on it — which makes the viewers then feel cheated. 

Tarlos Engagement

I am going to preface this by saying I’m not upset at TK/Carlos getting engaged. I am all for it, when the timing is right. Unfortunately, I don’t feel this finale is the time for it.

First and foremost, they have barely just gotten back together for like the second or third time. Secondly, they still struggle tremendously with communication and understanding each other.

This is another prime example of 9-1-1: Lone Star trying to cover up a lack of character growth and development by throwing fans a bone they know we want. I know that probably 98% of the fans are satisfied with this bone, but I am part of the 2% that isn’t.

TK and Carlos deserve better. They deserve actual relationship growth that matters in the big ways. 

It is so satisfying when the proposal starts that Carlos tells TK he thinks its his grief and messed up feelings about his dad that’s doing all the talking. Carlos isn’t wrong. The reason this proposal really doesn’t sit well with me is the timing of it. 

TK has been through some really big changes this season with his near death, his mom’s actual death, and him falling off the sobriety wagon. He shouldn’t be making big decisions like asking his boyfriend to marry him when he’s only just gotten sober again and is still dealing with residual grief/trauma. 

If the show had waited for them to get engaged early next season, maybe I’d be happier about it. But, as it is I simply see it as a cover up to the glaring character development issues the show really has. 

 

 

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9-1-1: Lone Star will be back in the fall on FOX.

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