9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 1 Review: Eat the Rich

When 9-1-1 killed Bobby Nash at the tail end of Season 8, it lost something crucial in its formula: the silly joy that makes up the vibe at the 118. Well, thankfully, 9-1-1 Season 9 Epis0de 1, “Eat the Rich,” brings us back to that with an energy we haven’t seen in a few seasons.

That’s not to say the show doesn’t also mourn the still fresh loss of our beloved captain. It just means that we get a whole lot of humor and joy amongst the bittersweet, heartfelt moments.

From a tech billionaire being swallowed by a humpback whale to the 118 treating a busload of kids with antifreeze poisoning by dosing them with alcohol, this show tells us that we can’t give up on it just yet. Even with Bobby gone, the reasons we fell in love with this show are starting to trickle back to us.

Jealous Buck and Put-Out Ravi

Out of all the events of 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 1, “Eat the Rich,” the most humorous ones are centered on Buck’s jealousy. It’s something we’ve seen crop up from time to time throughout the show.

Who can forget the way he got super green-eyed when Eddie first joined the 118 back during 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 1, “Under Pressure?” Or when Eddie became friends with Tommy and abandoned Buck during 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 4, “Buck Bothered and Bewildered?”

Are you sensing the trend here? Any time Eddie seems to have his attention focused on someone other than Buck or if Eddie is getting the spotlight, Buck turns into a jealous animal. 

Throughout this episode he makes snide remarks about how Eddie and Hen shouldn’t have bonded so quickly or that he wanted to do something that Eddie gets credit for. And poor Ravi, his new partner, is having to be dragged through it all.

If I were Ravi I would be hating my job right about now. In fact, I bet he’s probably cursing Buck’s name at the end of every shift. 

The point being, Buck is back to being an envious mess while Ravi is trying his hardest not to punch Buck silly for his behavior. This new partnership is going to be so much fun to observe over the course of this season, especially if Buck finally realizes he acts this way because he has a crush on Eddie.

The New Dynamic Duo: Hen and Eddie

Meanwhile, Buck’s comments aside, the new partnership of Eddie and Hen is so much fun to see. We haven’t gotten to see paramedic Eddie in a long time. 

Even Chim is feeling a bit of FOMO now that he’s the interim Captain instead of helping out his best friend. But, at the end of the day, everyone at the 118 can’t deny that this match up is great for team morale.

If Eddie and Hen weren’t so tuned into each other as paramedics the kids on the bus would’ve all probably died before being transported to the hospital. But, because their brains work at similar speeds they were able to improvise the perfect solution and save so many lives.

Of course, 9-1-1 wouldn’t be 9-1-1 if it didn’t put a bit a humor in there to lighten the mood a little. Having Hen and Eddie read off treatment and stats to the physicians with giggles as they state what alcoholic beverage they gave each kid reminds us this show never, and I mean never, takes itself too seriously.

It’s because of this emergency that the team, read Buck and Chim, finally come around to the benefit having them together brings to the firehouse. Which is made all the more amusing when Hen has to decide which of her friends she is taking as a plus one into space.  

Chim’s New Role Comes with Guilt

In the past, Chim has taken the mantle as interim Captain in Bobby’s stead. Each time he’s done it there were issues with Chim relishing in the power of it too much.

Now, he’s so hesitant about being the voice of authority in the house he can’t even write Eddie up for a dangerous, unsanctioned move during the rescue of Tripp Hauser, the tech billionaire. 

His insecurity is obvious from the start of the episode clear up to the end when he’s having a beer with Eddie. First, he requires reassurance from his wife that he’s doing the right thing.

Then, with Eddie he voices how disrespectful he feels stepping into Bobby’s shoes. Luckily, Eddie is there to remind him that having an outsider come in would be even worse. 

It’s clear that Chim isn’t done worrying about his qualifications for this role, but with his team and his family on his side things are bound to turn a corner soon. 

Let’s just hope he doesn’t decide to step down. That would be completely disastrous for the team and the peace and unity they seem to have finally found.

Athena is Missing Her Fire

Finally, we need to talk about Athena Grant. She’s grieving in the very way we’d expect, but that doesn’t make it any easier to watch.

Here is a woman who loved her husband so fully and deeply that his absence has kept her from being able to live her life. She’s shut her children, friends, and colleagues off from seeing her or her emotions.

Burying herself in her work seems to have been her answer for weeks now, but her boss isn’t letting her do that anymore. And thank goodness for that.

It’s also refreshing to see her finally clue back into her kids’ lives, try to criticize them, only for both of them to tell it to her straight. She needs this wake-up call to remind her that Bobby may be gone, but she isn’t and with that comes responsibilities.

Does it sting to hear Harry say that they lost their mom the day Bobby died? Absolutely, but it needed to be said regardless.

On another note, let’s also look at Athena’s friends, more specifically her friendship with Hen. From day one, 9-1-1 established that Athena and Hen’s friendship would be central to who they are as characters.

Unfortunately, over the years we’ve kind of lost touch with their frequent girl chats. Luckily, “Eat the Rich,” brings them back in the most heartwarming way. Hen sits down with Athena and reminds her that she won’t ever be forgotten and that no matter how long it takes, Hen will always still invite her to dinner.

It’s a wonderful way to wrap up this episode about change and life shifts. 

 

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9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.

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