9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9 Preview: Fighting Back

Harry’s efforts to complete the firefighting academy exam take a dangerous turn on 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, “Fighting Back.”

This season hasn’t shown much of Harry’s training experiences beyond his montage sequence with Buck on 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 6, “Family History.”

“Fighting Back” picks that up with Harry doing a “three-phase drill” where he must “climb the aerial and breach the fifth-floor window.” The promo video suggests that his swing to break the window knocks him off balance. Harry falls off the ladder, causing Chief Simpson to call for medics.

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- AISHA HINDS, BRENNAN R. ELLIOTT — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/Christopher Willard) AISHA HINDS, BRENNAN R. ELLIOTT

As if that’s not already tense enough, the promo video also shows Athena and May racing to the hospital, only to gasp at the sight of something there. The episode’s description reveals that he looks for “much-needed motivation,” so hopefully, Harry is okay, and there is a positive resolution here.

After all, 9-1-1 is still grappling with Hen’s medical symptoms. 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 8, “War,” saw a doctor diagnose Hen with dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune connective tissue disorder that she likely picked up while in space.

The description for “Fighting Back” suggests that Hen is still looking for a diagnosis, so maybe Hen is searching for a second opinion. The promo video shows that she’s doing the physical therapy that the doctor suggested, but that also takes a scary turn when Hen’s physical therapist becomes her patient.

Here’s everything you need to know about this episode, including the air date, cast, promo, and how to watch.

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9 Details

Title: “Fighting Back”
Air Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time: 8/7c
Network: ABC

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- OLIVER STARK, RYAN GUZMAN, ANIRUDH PISHARODY, KENNETH CHOI — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/Christopher Willard) OLIVER STARK, RYAN GUZMAN, ANIRUDH PISHARODY, KENNETH CHOI

How to Watch 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9

Live: ABC at 8/7c
Streaming: Available next day on Hulu

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9 Description

As Hen continues to seek out a diagnosis for her mysterious symptoms, her friends and family rally behind her. Meanwhile, Harry hits a wall in his attempts to complete the academy firefighting exam and looks for some much-needed motivation.

Guest Stars & Returning Characters

Cast: Angela Bassett, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Oliver Stark, Kenneth Choi, Aisha Hinds, Ryan Guzman, Corinne Massiah, Elijah M. Cooper, and Gavin McHugh
Guest Stars: Tracie Thoms and Anirudh Pisharody

Promo & Photos

Check out the photos from 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9:

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- BRENNAN R. ELLIOTT, AISHA HINDS — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/Christopher Willard) BRENNAN R. ELLIOTT, AISHA HINDS

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- TRACIE THOMS — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/John Fleenor) TRACIE THOMS

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- ANGELA BASSETT — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/John Fleenor) ANGELA BASSETT

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- RYAN GUZMAN, OLIVER STARK — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/Christopher Willard) RYAN GUZMAN, OLIVER STARK

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- OLIVER STARK — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/Christopher Willard) OLIVER STARK

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- KENNETH CHOI — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/Christopher Willard) KENNETH CHOI

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- KENNETH CHOI, RYAN GUZMAN, OLIVER STARK — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/Christopher Willard) KENNETH CHOI, RYAN GUZMAN, OLIVER STARK

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- RYAN GUZMAN — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/Christopher Willard) RYAN GUZMAN

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- ANGELA BASSETT, KENNETH CHOI — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/John Fleenor) ANGELA BASSETT, KENNETH CHOI

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- ELIJAH M. COOPER — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/Christopher Willard) ELIJAH M. COOPER

9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 9, "Fighting Back" -- JENN SANTOS, ELIJAH M. COOPER — 9-1-1: “Fighting Back” – (Disney/Christopher Willard) JENN SANTOS, ELIJAH M. COOPER

Promo Video:

What are your hopes for this episode of 9-1-1? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and be sure to catch up with our review of 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 8, “War,” right here.

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

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Shelby Elpers

Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.