9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1 Review: Buzzkill

In true 9-1-1 fashion,9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1, “Buzzkill,” starts the season with a catastrophic event that will dominate the first three episodes. Even though the 118 struggles with Gerrard while Bobby works as a film advisor, they save the day more than once.

The beginning of the season is sour. Gerrard mistreating everyone on the team makes viewers feel uncomfortable, too. It is a 180-degree change from the treatment we’re used to from Bobby.

However, the end of 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1, “Buzzkill,” tells us things are about to change again. As terrifying as it is to see Gerrard injured after Buck saved his life, knowing he might be out the door soon is thrilling. Could that imply Bobby’s return?

A bee-nado (thank you, Buck, for the name) is definitely an out-of-the-box catastrophe that we hadn’t seen done before. Kudos to all the actors involved, as their performances are perfect, considering no real bees were used during the process.

What 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1, “Buzzkill,” does great is that, as viewers, we feel uncomfortable, scared, and surrounded by the 22 million killer bees as well. Seeing so many bees and different attacks throughout the city helps put us in the headspace of what it would be like to have to run away from them.

While we wonder how the 118 will deal with all these bees, we also wonder: Is this truly how bees are transported? Yes, it is fiction, but it makes one wonder.

The only one who doesn’t seem too surprised about the bee-nado is Buck. Because he is so concerned with Gerrard, his mind doesn’t really have time to process what is happening. Nevertheless, his Buck-ttitude saves the day.

It is only because Buck knows so many facts about bees (a surprise to everyone) that they can find ways to conquer the bees and save the victims involved.

Even though Gerrard seems to dismiss this because he simply doesn’t like Buck, the audience can appreciate how far Buck has come. His old impulsive self is an educated, resourceful firefighter now, and we’re all very proud of him.

In addition to Buck’s ideas, the entire team needs to become resourceful and find unconventional ways to save the people they are rescuing. This helps show why the 118 are so good at their jobs.

Chimney and Hen’s idea of using duct tape to get the bee stingers out of the woman at the perfume party is just one example of the thinking outside the box this team has us used to.

The truth, however, is that they all work together so well, even in extreme distress, because they know and care for one another. They can predict what the other person will do, understand where the ideas are coming from, and work as a team.

Gerrard isn’t promoting this, but the team learned from Bobby. The only way they can survive in the field (and Gerrard’s regime) is by working together and being there for each other.

This is also seen outside of work. Chimney, Maddie, Hen, and Karen are having dinner together because they’re caring for one little girl until she can return home. Tommy and Buck show up to help Eddie celebrate Christopher through a video call.

They are a family, which is once again made very clear on 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1, “Buzzkill,”.

While the 118 is dealing with the bees, Athena must face the man who killed her fiance. It makes no sense, at first, that Jenkins wants Athena to be the one to take him to Los Angeles.

However, this becomes clear as the minutes go by. Jenkins is well aware that Athena is the only cop he can trust. Even though she hates him, she will do what is right and keep him alive.

But that task might get too complicated even for Athena.

Are we surprised that Athena finds herself in yet another life-threatening situation? This time, she changed the cruise for a plane, but the risk of not making it home remains.

It’ll be interesting to see how Bobby reacts to the news. He isn’t part of the 118, and his job is on a film set. However, we know he will drop everything to rescue Athena.

Could this jeopardize his return to the firehouse?

As uncomfortable as the bees make us feel watching the episode, it is thrilling to watch the action and never have a break. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the remaining 14.8 million bees they have yet to catch.

But it will also be interesting to see what happens with Buck. He does the right thing, pushing Gerrard out of the way to save his life, but this might also cost him his life. What will the repercussions be?

Will this open the way for Bobby to return and use the 118’s help to save Athena?

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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 Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.

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