9-1-1: Nashville Season 1 Episode 13 Review: Small Potatoes
Taylor receives an offer from an esteemed producer to help start her music career on 9-1-1: Nashville Season 1 Episode 13, “Small Potatoes.”
After an epic crossover with 9-1-1, “Small Potatoes” is a character-driven outing that provides ample time for some much-needed development for the women of 9-1-1: Nashville.
Roxie faces a dangerous scenario that could end her medical career after helping save a teenager’s life following a medical mishap.
Meanwhile, Taylor’s dreams of a music career take a real turn when she’s invited to chat with one of Nashville’s biggest producers.
Putting the Patient First
When responding to a call about a woman in pain, Roxie and Taylor find themselves in a tricky situation.
When the woman reveals to them that she inserted a potato into her vagina a month prior, they begin prepping to transport her to the hospital. However, when the pain becomes unbearable, Roxie decides to remove the foreign object, unknowingly performing a medical procedure on a minor without parental consent.
Despite saving their daughter’s life, we see Roxie defending herself in court for not following protocols. It’s an unfortunate situation, but one that also allows the audience to gain even deeper insight into her background.
Through the prosecution’s questioning, we learn that Roxie had a patient die on her watch in the past. When working in the Bronx, she misdiagnosed a woman and sent her home, only for the woman to die three hours later.
Losing that patient was a life-altering moment for Roxie. Not only was it one of her first losses, but it also opened her eyes to all the good she could do when not focused on paperwork.
Time and time again, Roxie proves how intellectual, dedicated, and passionate she is about saving lives. Rules and regulations or not, she will always put the patient’s needs first.
We see that on full display after the hearing, when she forgets her career is on the line and rushes to Celeste’s side. Yet again, without her, the consequences could have been more serious. Thankfully, Celeste’s parents realize that by the end of the episode.
9-1-1: Nashville has been upping the ante lately with their emergencies, but this outing is easily one of the top three of the season for sure.
Focusing on the Future
When Station 113 responds to a call for a car off the roadway, Taylor’s voice ultimately saves the day. As she and Ryan rappel down the side of a cliff to save a father and daughter, it’s her singing that earns the daughter’s trust.
Thankfully, she’s convincing enough, pulling the daughter out in time for Ryan to save the father with mere seconds to spare. The outcome of their save also comes with a private meeting with a well-known producer for Taylor.
However, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity quickly turns into a hairy situation, as the collaboration proposal involves selling energy drinks to kids.
When it comes to getting a foot in the door with the music industry, many people take the sliver of hope and do whatever they must, even if it goes against their values. Taylor, on the other hand, is not, and will never be, a sellout.
Yes, she has the voice of an angel, but she also already has a full-time career. One that she’s exceptional at. That’s why she turns the offer down in the end, parting ways with Victoria, and setting her sights on breaking out in the industry organically.
9-1-1: Nashville is always at its best when music is in the forefront and incorporated in some way, and “Small Potatoes” only further proves that.
Hailey Kilgore has an immensely soothing, melodic voice that could make anybody feel relaxed. It’s always a blessing when we’re privy to her mesmerizing sound. Hopefully, we’ll get more outings centered solely on her in the future.
Nothing pleases me more than when a series takes a moment to build up the characters who aren’t center stage at all times.
If I’m being honest, I’d much rather have whole episodes focused on Roxie and Taylor’s character progression over the insufferable situation that is Ryan’s marriage, or the off-and-on tension between Don, Blythe, and Dixie.
Oh, and we can’t forget the other big news in this outing: Blue and Taylor are officially public with their relationship. Naturally, though, we’re thrust right into the middle of it all, rather than getting the privilege of watching it all unfold from the beginning.
What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1: Nashville? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
Critic Rating:
Audience Rating:
9-1-1: Nashville airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.
Check out our latest TV recommendations, updated weekly!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Cade Taylor
Cade Taylor is a television and film critic living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. His love for television developed at a young age, with a concentration on queer stories, sitcoms, teen dramas, and science fiction thrillers. In addition, he works full-time as a news producer, telling the stories of Missourians and helming "Produced in the Bi-State," a segment spotlighting actors, musicians, and entertainers from the St. Louis area. He can be reached by email at cade@telltaletv.com.