9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6 Review: Confessions

Sometimes, the episode title is simply a tongue-in-cheek classification with little significance to the plot itself. However, 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6, “Confessions,” has a connection to each storyline from the large to the small.

Whether we are watching as people in the emergencies confess things to each other in the heat of the moment or waiting on the edge of our seats as our fire family reveals important life moments.

This episode doesn’t shy away from exploring the emotional heaviness in the Buckley siblings’ and Eddie’s lives. It is a lot to take in and process, but in the end, the viewers and the characters alike are better for it.

Madney Parents Again?

One of the less heavy confessions of the bunch comes from the beloved Maddie and Chim. From the start of the episode, Maddie brings up the thought that Jee might want a sibling. 

At first, it seems a bit out of nowhere, but as we think about it further, the timing makes sense. After all, Mara lived with Chim and Maddie for a few months and seemed to bond deeply with Jee. 

Not only that, it’s been a few years since Maddie went through all the struggles she faced post-partum. It makes sense that she’s much more confident as a mom now and would feel comfortable possibly falling into that mental headspace again, knowing she’s not alone.

So, naturally, by the time Chim comes around to the idea, he also realizes that Maddie hasn’t brought this idea up without causation. He tells her he knows she’s pregnant, and unlike the last time when things were so unsure, they get to bask in the pure joy of it.

It’s a major growth moment for them and a level of joy they’ve deserved for a long time. When we look back on their relationship, they’ve been through physical harm, mental health crises, and dangerous emergency situations. 

I just hope this pregnancy doesn’t have any issues come up because the drama isn’t needed.

Tommy’s Confession Leads to Another

For some time now, fans have been speculating if Tommy is, in fact, the Tommy that Abby mentioned on 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot.” So, to have that confirmed is a win for the fans like we haven’t had in a while.

Granted, the confession itself is jarring, especially for Buck, considering how important Abby was to him, its not the end all be all for the Buck/Tommy relationship. As Josh points out, Buck needs to look at it from the perspective that Tommy came up as a queer man in a less accepting time.

Or, more specifically, a pre-Glee world (love that Ryan Murphy callout). 

When Buck has a conversation with Tommy where he confesses that he is Abby’s ex as well, it looks as though things might’ve been smoothed over for the couple. That’s when the episode takes a sharp turn — and I’m not quite sure how I feel about it, no matter how valid Tommy’s comments are.

It’s a common TV trope that some writers fall into with gay characters, unfortunately. The older, more seasoned gay character tells the newly out character that while they care about them, they can’t see a future since the newer queer character needs to explore/grow more.

It’s not the greatest way to have two characters break up with each other. Despite this, you can’t deny that the writers did a decent job of wording Tommy’s comments correctly so that they don’t feel cheap and damaging for queer viewers. 

Buck’s devastation in the wake of Tommy’s breakup is something fans of the show won’t soon forget. That is the face of a character who isn’t used to being dumped very often, not to mention that the wind just got taken out of his new sails.

Eddie Hiding Behind a Mustache

Since 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 9, “Ashes, Ashes,” we’ve been concerned about Eddie’s mental health. He sets fire to a perfectly stable relationship in order to start an emotional affair with Shannon’s doppelganger. 

Then, at the start of this season, we see him sporting a mustache without any explanation. Now, we finally get him back in a church, facing his Catholic guilt head-on in the hopes of feeling better.

While we hoped Eddie would finally have a heart-to-heart about the mess between him and Christopher and the reasoning behind his mustache, we didn’t see it happening with a priest. Now that it has happened, though, we are satisfied to hear him talk it out regardless of his audience. 

It’s something that has been a long time coming and is clearly needed if Eddie’s decision to shave his mustache is anything to go on. He’s no longer wanting to hide behind his mistakes and his guilt.

Who knows, maybe this realization will lead to others bringing him and Christopher back together. Whatever happens next, please let it be another Risky Business-like dance, maybe this time with his chosen family.

Now that Eddie is willing to admit that what he did isn’t without forgiveness maybe he can finally force a conversation with his son. 

Stray Thoughts

• The couple getting a divorce is messy to a high degree. Also, his guts exploding out of him was not where I saw that emergency going.
• The man who’s more obsessed with his dead mom than his wife deserved to fall and have the urn break apart.
• Miles and Jack were so sweet, and I loved how their interaction included Chim changing his mind about having more kids.
• It’s such a crazy juxtaposition that Eddie is finally able to be happy, and Buck shows up completely heartbroken.

 

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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