9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Two Can Play at That Game

While Don and Blythe’s storyline feels tedious, 9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 Episode 5, “Ding-Dong-Ditch,” remains a solid episode and introduces the series’ most conniving villain yet.

Don and Blythe’s bedroom problems are undoubtedly the least interesting part of the episode. The writers’ decision to rush the bedroom divorce plot is the biggest misstep in trying to salvage their marriage.

The characters aren’t a perfect match because of their contrasting lifestyles, yet 9-1-1: Nashville confirms that their long history and undeniable love for each other are the only things that bring them closer.

The most bewildering aspect of this storyline is Blythe’s insecurities resurfacing. Dixie has no visible presence on “Ding-Dong-Ditch,” and still haunts the narrative.

Blythe questions whether Dixie is to blame for his inability to finish in bed because of their history, but Blythe’s other major concern is whether Don still finds her attractive.

For Don and Blythe’s marriage to work, both must meet each other’s needs. What can they do to be better spouses? Dixie can’t always be the scapegoat for their marital troubles.

Blythe’s reservations have been a recurring theme throughout this season — that is no coincidence. This episode feels too predictable to be a happy ending for Don and Blythe. Giving each other grace is one thing, but erasing the past isn’t an easy feat to repair their marriage.

Why rush over their bedroom divorce when Blythe clearly needs more time to heal? 

Outside of Don and Blythe’s storyline, “Ding-Dong-Ditch” pushes Cammie to her breaking point with her new boss. Marcia’s strict policy of not being overly emotional on calls turns out to be the worst possible decision.

Cammie’s conversation with Marcia about using AI is a significant moment because she’s not wrong.

Replacing dispatchers with AI would be ridiculous because they can’t replicate Marcia’s feelings on the 9-1-1 call to rescue the girl in the water. Even though the rescue is successful, Marcia’s approach is too intense for a person with barely any experience saving another person’s life.

There’s no harm in showing empathy. At least it shows dispatchers care about others’ well-being no matter how long they stay on a call.  

Cammie’s approach as a 9-1-1 dispatcher will always be superior. She is level-headed and trusts her gut, but what happens when her gut instincts get challenged?

“Ding-Dong-Ditch” takes the biggest risk: Marcia is behind the anonymous calls to Cammie.

The episode starts with Cammie’s initial gut instinct being right about Marcia’s psychotic behavior. However, she rules Marcia out at the end of the episode because of her not-so-strong alibi.

It’s no surprise that she is the one responsible. In her introduction on 9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 Episode 4, “In Cold Blood,” we had some suspicions regarding her character’s intentions. This episode has Camryn Manheim giving the most chilling performance as Dr. Marcia Zellner.

The close-up shots of her laughing after she tricks Cammie remind us of the most menacing movie villains. The moment that truly solidifies Marcia’s cruel personality is when she plays the 9-1-1 call where Cammie tries to save her husband.

Cammie spent all of last season forgiving herself and resuming her life after her husband’s death. Yet, Marcia forces her to relive the most traumatic moment of her life.

That said, Marcia may be doing this because she won’t allow herself to grieve her son. She’s only taking it out on Cammie because she sees her as an easy target.

Marcia isn’t the only person to worry about during the fall finale because viewers will finally learn the Pharaoh’s identity.

---

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!

Critic Rating:

Audience Rating:

 

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

Check out our latest TV recommendations, updated weekly!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!