9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 6 Review: Family History

For a fall finale, 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 6, “Family History,” doesn’t mess around. In fact, it is one of the few times this show has decided to go with a cliffhanger ending right before an extensive break. 

The underlying issues with Hen are definitely cause for concern. If something happens to her that has a significant impact on her or her loved ones, we will riot. It is too soon after Bobby.

On the other side of things, the Grant family is definitely going through it. Between Athena being reminded of May’s past and Harry trying to find somewhere to belong, they all have quite a bit on their minds.

All this to say, the stories of this episode make for some very entertaining moments. It might not be as exciting as the previous episodes have been, but this one still packs an emotional punch.

Harry Trains for the LAFD

Harry going to Buck for help with his LAFD training is so special. It shows the bond between them, but also their mutual connection to Bobby. 

There is an air of defiance around Harry as he talks to Buck about wanting to be part of the LAFD but wanting to do it without any input from his mom. It’s a bit out there, but if we take the time to reflect on everything that Harry has been through, both throughout the show and just the past year, it’s completely understandable.

Harry just wants to be seen as his own person, to make his mom proud. However, he knows that her first reaction isn’t going to be a rational one considering her grief and her feelings about the profession due to that grief.

What he doesn’t bank on is Buck understanding and being there to support him in all the ways he learned from Bobby. It’s a moment for Buck to take Bobby’s words from his final moments to heart.

Buck is morphing into the brother May and Harry really need in their time of loss, but also showing that he’s always been a part of the Grant-Nash family dynamic. After all, May did famously tell Bobby that he brought Buck into the relationship while Athena brought May and Harry.

Sure, by episode 6, 9-1-1 is really pushing the honoring Bobby narrative, but it still hasn’t reached a point where we are tired of it. Seeing his stepson step up and take on the challenge of joining the LAFD is like watching the best of Bobby come back to life.

And we may not get our favorite captain in the flesh anymore, but we do get to see how his leadership and his love effected everyone around him. 

Athena Revisits May’s Suicide

After 9 seasons, 9-1-1 has finally decided that it is time for Athena and May to actually talk about her suicide attempt in Season 1. That moment was so defining for Athena so soon after learning of Michael’s lies.

In fact, her reaction to May’s attempt informed all her decisions during that initial season. She became a very attentive mom and focused entirely on her kids, as best she could.

So, for May to now be a grown woman and drinking wine with her mother it seems perfect for them to talk it through. Especially because it goes hand-in-hand with what Athena is experiencing as a new widow. 

The grief that has always been there, just under the surface, is now being forced into the open. Alicia’s case just makes it that much easier for Athena to talk about it and approach her daughter about it.

To see May reassure her mom that she got through it all because of Athena is a hopeful feeling. Ever since Bobby’s death, Athena’s connections with her children have been jilted and awkward. 

Now, May takes the time to tell her mom that she survived her suicide attempt not just because of doctor intervention but because the most important person in her life was the first person she saw when she woke up. It’s a step in the right direction, allowing Athena to absolve herself of any guilt she still had about May’s attempt.

With May and Athena able to truly talk out what happened back then, they can now move forward without any residual baggage. I can foresee a stronger, closer mother/daughter bond in the future for them.

What is Wrong with Hen?

The biggest mystery of this episode isn’t why the woman died while getting a CT scan, but that is still pretty intriguing. No, it hits much closer to home with Hen.

She’s starting to have symptoms that she’s trying to make sense of, but won’t see a doctor about. That is that part that probably frustrates me the most.

Hen is a very gifted paramedic. Why isn’t she asking a doctor to look into her symptoms? Sure, she’s worried about her job, but that’s not really stopped her before.

Honestly, I wonder if this refusal to let anyone know she is feeling a bit off has anything to do with her own guilt and grief about Bobby. Like, perhaps she feels she can’t burden the team with anything else after all they’ve been through.

Either way, not having any clear answers as we head into this hiatus is nail biting and gut wrenching. Especially after she collapsed at home and passed out for some time. 

There are any number of things that could be wrong with Hen, but it doesn’t seem like we are likely to get any clear answers right away. Even when we come back from hiatus it feels as though it’s going to take some time before she reveals anything is amiss.

After all, she went to the wellness spa instead of a hospital to get her tests conducted. Hen, my dear, what are you doing? I need her to be okay.

Stray Thoughts:

• Eddie putting protein powder in his soda? No thanks. That sounds awful, but it’s funny that Buck immediately is down to clown with him.
• Chim officially taking the Captain’s spot is what this house deserves
• I love the message on the back of his watch “The 118. It’s not just a number. It’s us.”
• Alicia’s mom being the cyber bully seems less shocking now that we’ve recently had a real life story like this.
• Tug of War ripping people’s fingers off? Didn’t need that nightmare, thanks guys.

 

 

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

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