9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Soap Opera Meets True Crime

9-1-1 Nashville Season 2 Episode 1, “Going Rogue,” takes a darker and more grotesque leap from the usual chaos that looms over Nashville and shows just how killer these characters’ instincts can be.

The opening emergency is the 113 responding to an invasion of murder hornets at a museum, but they find them to be the least of their troubles.

Anyone else getting serious déjà vu with this emergency? This isn’t the 9-1-1 universe’s first emergency with these bugs, since 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1, “Buzzkill,” begins with a Bee-nado. However, this series premiere also features characters keeping secrets and questioning their lives, with Blythe and Dixie’s unresolved issues at the forefront.

9-1-1: NASHVILLE – “Going Rogue” – Disney/Connie Chornuk. MICHAEL PROVOST, HUNTER MCVEY, HAILEY KILGORE, JUANI FELIZ”

Going Rogue” continues right where 9-1-1: Nashville Season 1 Episode 18, “Intrusive Thoughts,” left off with the aftermath of Blythe and Dixie’s fight that lands them in anger management. Blythe and Dixie may not have the strongest relationship, but they agree Don is the root of all their problems. 

In a pivotal scene, Blythe finally puts her foot down and tells Don they should have a bedroom divorce. This change will help her heal some wounds and give the much-needed space to work out their marriage. Blythe’s decision is a step toward a stress-free life, and this drama is making her lose focus on what matters — her family.

Can Blythe really trust her husband, or will a divorce be in their future?

These are the questions audiences ask, especially when we know Blythe learns, years later, that Don is Blue’s father. Time heals all the wounds, but Blythe needs to prioritize her mental state and see that Don has no respect for her.

Don’s actions are inexcusable; sending the devil emoji to Dixie isn’t even the worst thing he’s done since we know he dreams about her. Even though Don and Blythe’s marriage is hanging by a thread, Blythe and Dixie can finally put their differences aside and not let this evil man come between them.

While “Going Rogue” focuses on the cracks in Don and Blythe’s marriage, the 113 faces a series of enigmatic biblical plagues that require more than their expertise to solve.

The episode marks the start of a new true-crime tone with the introduction of Det. Rogue Kelly, who isn’t afraid to stir up some trouble in Nashville. The sharp-eyed, smooth-talking detective with killer instincts brings some new energy to the series.

His ability to sense Don and Blythe’s fraudulent marriage shows how good he is at his job and at reading body language. While Rogue is a late addition to the series, his entrance lives up to his name, as he isn’t afraid to speak his mind.

Rogue’s bluntness is already wreaking havoc on Don’s life, and it won’t be easy for the new detective to win him over.

Don and Rogue are a powerful duo searching for clues at the butcher shop and cracking the code on the mysterious plague of blood. They’ll need each other more than they think. With Don’s competitive nature, Rogue’s presence will expose his jealousy in its truest form as Don grapples with these new changes in his personal and professional life.

Rogue is proving that his keen eyesight will be valuable in figuring out who’s behind these biblical plagues.

Having someone like Rogue around will bring out a nefarious and insecure side to Don who isn’t a big fan of Rogue or fond of everyone liking him, especially after Ryan invites Rogue to dinner without Don’s permission.

9-1-1: Nashville‘s season premiere is wildly entertaining, and it will be interesting to see what’s in store for the 113 as biblical plagues unleash across Nashville. This won’t be the last time we see Don and Rogue work together, and maybe they’ll put their differences aside for the greater good.

This season can go many directions. Hopefully the series will keep developing these characters, with more focus on Ryan, Blue, Taylor, and Roxie before it becomes the Don, Blythe, and Dixie show all over again.

Stray Thoughts

• Ryan and Blue’s conversation about the new detective’s name is hilarious. Blue is the last person who should question someone’s name.
• Blue and Taylor are so cute together; we need more scenes of them.
• Ryan, you meet a guy once and then invite him to dinner. Roxie should be at this table instead of Rogue.
• Rogue isn’t lying about Don and Blythe’s marriage and Don looks so scary when he’s watching him choke on the food. Rogue is partly responsible for saving his life. So much for being a firefighter; isn’t it your job to save lives?

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

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