9-1-1 Season 10 Episode 3 Review: The Three-Part Volcano Event Comes to a Close

Nothing can stop the 118. Not even a volcano. 9-1-1 Season 10 Episode 3, “Streets of Fire,” wraps up the three-episode volcano event with happy endings and proof that the firefighters at the 118 will always go above and beyond when needed.

That starts with Chimney, who is now fully owning his role as captain. He makes a choice that Bobby Nash would have made if he were in the same situation — to go in alone to save one last civilian, unwilling to risk the rest of his team as they all focus on evacuating. 

Not long after that, it’s the 118 who are tasked with Maddie’s brilliant plan to divert the lava itself when evacuating the people in harm’s way isn’t feasible. With her direction, the team uses K-rails and one perfectly timed explosion to control the flow of the lava and send it toward the subway tunnels. 

As usual, they work together quickly and manage to pull off a feat that seems like a long shot. It’s even more rewarding to see Ravi and Harry have time to shine in the process. 

Unfortunately, the 118’s work isn’t done once the lava is diverted to the subway tunnels. Because diverting the lava to the tunnels means diverting it right toward Athena Grant.

It’s sheer luck that May encounters the jewelry store owner who knows Athena is underground while working at the hospital, and her call to Maddie about her mother occurs just moments before Athena is able to get through to 9-1-1 herself. 

Since there’s no chance of changing the lava flow, the 118 must race to save Athena and the two metro workers (including Sparks) before the lava gets there. It’s a close call, but they make it just in time. 

Matthew: How did they find us?

Athena: They always do.

There was a time when a rescue like this would have been centered on Bobby getting to his wife, but now there’s an entirely different connection. This time, it includes Harry getting to his mother, which makes the save that much more emotional.

It’s then brought to yet another level when we hear the phone call between Harry and May. There’s something really beautiful about all three of them being connected in this way, especially since they’re all now in new roles. 

Speaking of new roles, Maddie more than proves herself as a leader on this episode, even though it might not be the role she wants. She thinks quickly and uses her instincts to solve problems, and she manages to keep her cool throughout all of it.

It’s excellent character development, which is made even more interesting by her decision to turn down Sue when she’s offered a chance to co-lead with her.

That’s right, Sue is back. And while we might wonder if that’s disappointing to Maddie in some way, she actually sees it as a relief more than anything else. What Maddie wants is to return to her rightful spot, doing what she loves most. Honestly, that feels more fitting than any other option.

The episode ends with a few other notes of closure. May reconnects with Ravi, and Athena pays a visit to Matthew Sparks, who manages to survive his severe injuries. She also brings in Martha, the woman he accidentally shot when he was working with the LAPD, to offer him a chance to apologize. 

That particular storyline is a bit out of place, though, since Matthew Sparks wasn’t around for long before. Getting him that closure now, along with the reconnection with Athena, is perfectly fine, but it doesn’t feel necessary. 

Then, the ending of what is otherwise an emotional and suspenseful episode takes a tonal shift that doesn’t work with the rest of the hour. Rather than allowing the episode to stay focused on wrapping up the volcano storyline, it moves to a conflict between Buck and Eddie. 

Yes, this also kicked off the season, but this conflict would have been better suited to wait until the following episode. Having Buck and Eddie at odds with each other has the potential for great storytelling and character development. It just doesn’t fit here, even if the catalyst to their argument does start with a model volcano. 

Still, the third part of the volcano storyline works well overall. As I mentioned in my reviews of the first and second parts, as long as the audience can suspend their disbelief a little, it’s entertaining and makes for good TV.

The fact that the show spreads it out over three episodes works nicely as well, not only because a volcano couldn’t possibly be wrapped up quickly enough for one episode, but because it allows for situations that go beyond the actual lava. Details such as the fires and the “vog” make everything just a little more plausible and immersive. 

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

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