9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 14 Review: D.I.Y.

The focus is back on the women for 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 14, “D.I.Y.” Sure, there are moments littered throughout of Buck and Eddie discussing what they went through, more on that later, but the main focus is in fact on May and Maddie going through big career decisions.

It is fantastic to see May get this focus for the first time in years. Not since her stint at the dispatch center have we seen May have those big life conversations; further proving that girl has some big shoes to fill up — whatever they may be.

Meanwhile, seeing Maddie face an unexpected promotion while also navigating her work husband’s bitterness about it is a fun change of pace. It isn’t often that we see Maddie unsure of herself, so it’s nice to get a chance to work through that with her.

May Be a Lawyer, May Not

One thing I have always loved about 9-1-1 is the attention it gives to Athena’s daughter, May, when the time is right. Sure, its been hit or miss throughout the years on how much attention that is, but we can’t deny she’s been given room to grow and evolve.

Much like with Harry earlier this season, now it is May’s turn to make career moves that might set her on her forever path. What’s interesting here is that she’s so focused on getting a position she’s lost sight of why she wants it in the first place.

May is a fiercely protective, caring, and independent person. While all of those attributes can be helpful in a career as a lawyer, they aren’t everything that is needed. Unfortunately, May has her mother’s impulsivity in the face of situations that enact an emotional response.

First and foremost, I need to mention that May dropping into this episode talking to her mom about some fellowship at a law office took me by surprise. I honestly don’t even remember when the character mentioned even being interested in the law.

Over the seasons, and years, we’ve gotten to know May Grant as someone who has a passion for caring for others. A passion that always felt more at home with being a first responder or someone in the medical field. So, to hear her mention having taken undergrad courses for law school is quite a shock.

Luckily, her conversation with her mom, Gabi, and Hen helps to set her on the right path, which is that it’s okay to not exactly know what you want out of life just yet. May is still young, she has time to work things out. And based on her coffee date with Ian I think she’s headed in the direction most viewers have always suspected.

Whatever May ultimately decides, we know that she is going to put her whole heart into it and she’ll have one of the strongest support systems, that anyone could ask for, behind her. Personally, becoming a nurse seems like the right direction for this passionate young woman.

Maddie, the New Sue?

If there is one character who isn’t a main character, but feels like she should be it is Sue. She has been the director of the Dispatch Center since the beginning. Her presence on 9-1-1 has only increased over the years. To the point she feels like a part of the 118 family.

So, when she has a stroke while working, we all hold our collective breathes. Imagining a Dispatch Center without Sue just seems sacrilegious, so it’s good to know she seems on the mend.

Of course, her asking Maddie to take over for her in the interim, perhaps more permanently, while Josh was standing right there causes a bit of side eye. But, at the end of the day, is there really anyone else who could’ve gotten that promotion?

It’s like Sue says to Maddie, Josh loves the job, but he’s not very good at delegating or letting others help. Which brings up a very valid point, some people might look like the obvious choice on paper, but fail to fit all the needs in practice. 

Josh isn’t bad at what he does, he’s just not leader material, and that is perfectly okay. That said, I do feel for Maddie as she takes on a new position while also trying to shoulder Josh’s disappointment.

She needs the support of her friend in this transition and at first he can’t show up for her. Which, again, is totally okay. His feelings are completely valid. I am just grateful that it is all extremely temporary and Josh returns to the job within a few days. 

Whether or not the bumps in their friendship and work relationship are smoothed out is still to be seen. However, I have high hopes that Maddie will do a fantastic job in the long run and Josh will be there for her as he has always been there for Sue.

Buck’s Avoidance

If there is one thing about 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 14, “D.I.Y.,” that leaves us wary it is the progression of Buck’s story in the aftermath of 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 13, “Mother’s Boy.” While a potential addiction is something plausible for his situation, the writers for the show haven’t given us much hope over the years for a proper exploration of such a topic.

In fact, most of the time they addressed Bobby’s issues with alcoholism it was one step forward and two steps back in terms of accurate representation. There is a fine line writers have to follow when it comes to addiction stories, and the track record for this show hasn’t been the greatest.

But, who knows, maybe they will surprise us and handle Buck’s inability to process his trauma in a thoughtful manner. If they can this could be one of the greatest character arcs for Buck in a very long time.

The groundwork is being set decently well with Buck spending the majority of this episode seemingly avoiding therapy and Eddie. It’s a natural response to someone who’s gone through a significant trauma that they just want to move forward from.

Eddie is a part of that trauma story, unfortunately, so avoiding him allows Buck to deny there’s anything wrong. But, he also knows how far to take that avoidance to keep Eddie from pushing further.

Therefore, allowing Eddie and Christopher to come over for a meal, acting as if he’s handling things, and baking for them gives him some room to hide the struggle he’s really under. That struggle comes out in full force at the end when he desperately grabs a bottle of pills and takes a few.

It looks like they are prescriptions, so it could be a positive move for Buck. Meaning, he’s actually speaking to a therapist and has been put on anxiety meds. Or it could be the opposite and he’s using medicine to avoid really processing his trauma.

Or it could be a mix of both, which is probably closer to the truth. Only time will tell what direction this show will take Buck in.

But, one thing is for sure, this isn’t something Buck is going to be recovered from any time soon. After all, we have to remember he hasn’t properly grieved Bobby and he’s never really talked with Eddie about his short sabbatical in Texas. All of which are effecting Buck’s mental health. 

Stray Thoughts:

• Chim and Maddie’s marriage is like a warm balm on my heart. I love their dynamic so much.
• We love seeing a group of Black women sitting around drinking wine and enjoying their lives together.
• May saying she is the daughter of a police officer and a firefighter. I know that’s right. She IS Bobby’s daughter.
• The couple trying to renovate that house were a nice transition device between moments with the main cast.

 

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

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