9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Hearts on the Line and Secrets Revealed

9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 Episode 3, “Let There Be Darkness,” is the weakest storyline so far. However, it redeems itself with notable ensemble moments.

The biblical plague arc shows no end in sight. Now spanning three episodes, the stakes rise as characters’ fates remain uncertain.

Meanwhile, Blythe and Don’s relationship has hardships, yet the endless push-and-pull between them is becoming redundant.

“Let There Be Darkness” tries to convince us things are semi-smooth sailing with Don and Blythe.

As Blythe slips into a vulnerable state, she communicates how Don regularly shows up for her. Nevertheless, the episode proves that’s only because her life is on the line.

Don shows Blythe he cares by sitting outside her bedroom door and staying with her as she fights this infection. These are only a few isolated moments where he attempts to get back in good graces, but they don’t eradicate his past mistakes.

Why does it take near-fatal experiences for Don to be there for his family?

Last season we learned Don missed out on Blue’s entire life even though he knew about him. Yet, we’re supposed to believe he always shows up for his family.

Blythe and Don need more than just sleeping in separate beds to fix their marriage. She still doubts whether she fully trusts Don, indicating there’s more to dissect in their dynamic. 

“Let There Be Darkness” features some tension between Blythe and Rogue when they bump into each other at the shooting range. Rogue bringing her to the hospital after the health scare during their shooting match is a noteworthy detail.

We wouldn’t mind Blythe possibly exploring something with Rogue; she deserves a break from Don’s antics. That said, as much as Don fantasizes about Dixie, why can’t Blythe have a new fling? 

Sam and Roxie step in to save the heart recipient, Taylor leads a prayer circle with the 113 for Blythe, and Cammie guides a woman losing her eyesight to the 113 to save her son from an asthma attack.

Each moment stands out, but these rare occurrences don’t make up for the lack of ensemble.

Rogue shakes things up by discovering the Pharaoh is behind tampering with the eye drops, causing sudden blindness. Nonetheless, his presence on 9-1-1: Nashville shouldn’t pull focus from the main characters.

These characters risk fading into the background when the priority should be on the firefighters. 

Sam and Ryan are receiving more focus now that Sam’s pregnancy is no longer a secret. The moment between the Hart family is touching, but quickly solemn once Sam reveals her ovarian cancer diagnosis.

The Harts are interesting when they set the drama aside and focus more on strengthening their family unit. The joyous scene of them coming together to support Blythe’s recovery and Sam’s complex journey to motherhood is lovely to see.

The last season of 9-1-1: Nashville ended with many avenues to explore the core four’s lives (Ryan, Blue, Taylor, and Roxie), but that’s becoming less of a reality.

Compared to Don, Blythe, and Dixie, the core four haven’t had nearly as many near-death experiences. These moments reveal how characters react when in grave danger and with their backs against the wall.

However, near-death experiences appear to be reserved for the Hart family to push their dynamic forward. We’re three episodes in and still have no clue about the other firefighters’ personal lives. 

How’s Blue adjusting to living alone after staying at Taylor’s place? What’s happening with Roxie and Elena’s relationship? What are Roxie and Taylor’s family relationships like?

These are questions left unanswered as the season progresses. 

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

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