9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 Episode 2 Review: All Eyes Are on Rogue

Did someone say, pipe baby and boils?

9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 Episode 2, “Boys and Boils,” features brief cameos by Buck and Chimney from the 118, while Ryan’s obsession with Rogue signals a new calling.

Drawing from 9-1-1’s emergencies, expectations are high for the 113 when they respond to a baby stuck in a pipe. As stakes rise, they must do whatever it takes to rescue the baby.

“Boys and Boils” opens with the baby trapped in a pipe, and, surprisingly, the scene lacks urgency for the team. 9-1-1: Nashville doesn’t allow the 113 to take initiative during the emergency.

Ryan’s first instinct is to call Buck for help. During a life-and-death emergency, first responders are trained to act. However, delaying action until he calls Buck feels strange and out of character for the 113.

Don is the captain. In his many years as a firefighter, his hardest rescue is removing a baby from a pipe?

This character regression affects Don, Ryan, Taylor, and Roxie. They are qualified firefighters, yet this episode makes them incompetent once the 118 appears.

Blue’s behavior is somewhat excusable given his limited experience as a firefighter.

Then again, he also has questionable moments. We can’t forget the infamous scene on 9-1-1: Nashville Season 1 Episode 12, “The Spirit of the Games,” where Blue couldn’t break a car windshield — a horrific moment.

Nonetheless, the biggest issue isn’t the emergency being a carbon copy of 9-1-1.

The characters act more like probies rather than seasoned firefighters. This emergency only serves as a callback to the flagship series, making the 113 take the backseat in their own show.

This emergency could’ve been a learning opportunity for the characters, but the crossover won’t let the 113 outshine their beloved 118. Instead, they stand around in disbelief while Buck saves the day on FaceTime.

Meanwhile, Ryan seizes the opportunity to work with Rogue on the Maxx House murders and uncovers a link to the Pharaoh’s biblical plagues.

“Boys and Boils” heightens Ryan’s obsession with Rogue and his interest in true crime. At the Maxx House, Ryan’s good instincts are the key to the connection between the product’s name and the Book of Exodus. Ryan’s becoming the ultimate sleuth in these investigations.

Has Ryan found a new calling in true crime? Is he ready to hang up his firefighter gear and become a police officer?

The episode shows that Ryan’s heart isn’t in firefighting; he’s only doing it to impress his family. He followed in his father’s footsteps as a firefighter, but his father forced him into it.

Don’s actions have put Blythe, Blue, and Ryan through so much that a career switch can be a fresh start.

Rogue’s arrival as a new male figure in Ryan’s life sparks Don’s jealousy. Now Ryan can learn new things about himself without his father casting a shadow over him.

While Ryan and Don share the same career and a competitive spirit, Ryan decides to distance himself from his old life and explore a new career path without his father’s influence.

Ryan may be unsure of his desires in life, but 9-1-1: Nashville can use his new interest to reveal a different side of Ryan outside of firefighting as he prepares to step into his hardest role — a father.

9-1-1: Nashville’s commitment to the horror genre takes the series in a whole new direction.

“Boys and Boils” features Cammie on a disturbing phone call with the killer, carrying a similar feel to Ghostface. The threat makes first responders a clear target.

This storyline is more sinister than anything we’ve seen before. The upcoming episode will have enough suspense, cool prosthetic makeup, and gore — the perfect vibe for Halloween. 

Nashville will need all hands on deck to catch this killer, and from the looks of it, no one is safe.

Stray Thoughts:

• Lava is engulfing Los Angeles, and Buck is on FaceTime with the 113; this is so unserious. Is he forgetting that he has a job to do because Chimney sure isn’t?
• We didn’t expect to hear “looksmaxxing” on network television. Yet these are the same writers who got Angela Bassett to say “no cap” on 9-1-1.
• Everyone obsessing over Rogue except Don makes so much sense for his character.

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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!

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

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