9-1-1: Nashville Season 1 Episode 3 “Forces of Nature” proved that Jessica Capshaw is this show’s saving grace. In fact, I think the show is infinitely more interesting every time she’s on my screen. Forget Chris O’Donnell’s Don Hart or the whole mess with Blue. It’s all about Blythe Hart for me. Don with Blythe. Ryan with Blythe. Dixie with Blythe. Even Blue was tolerable when Blythe was around.
So what is it about Blythe? Because O’Donnell is a great actor from what I heard from his NCIS: LA days. But he’s not bringing it in 9-1-1: Nashville. If anything, I’m annoyed every single time his Don pops up on screen. When Blythe comes around I know that she’s going to take care of business, speak her mind, and still take into consideration the feelings of a young man who just entered her life. I’m talking about you Blue.
MORE: Are you also watching 9-1-1? Read our review for 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 3!
When it comes to Blythe, I feel like she is the audience. But she’s also a fully formed person with concerns of her own and things that she’s willing to fight for. She doesn’t feel one dimensional like Blue does or Hallmark like Don does. And it’s worse for Don because I don’t like how he calls out Blythe for not being “very Christian” when he has known Dixie for 20+ years. Either Don is ignorant of what is really happening or he likes the attention from Blythe. Whatever it is, I’m annoyed by him.
But let’s continue talking about my girl Blythe.
I haven’t been able to stand Blue because he feels like a caricature. There’s also the fact that Hunter McVey isn’t that great of an actor. But I was able to stand him when he was in a scene with Blythe. She could have acted like Dixie, toyed with Blue or just treated him like trash. But she didn’t. She was kind and welcoming while also not going fully Hallmark like Don did after meeting Blue for 2.5 seconds.
Then there’s Dixie.
I don’t know why 9-1-1: Nashville Season 1 Episode 3 “Forces of Nature” has Blythe and Dixie fighting over Don when they clearly have more chemistry between them in one scene. If anything, forget Don and just kiss. There is electricity between them. And it’s kind of basic to create this narrative where the two women are fighting for a man who doesn’t even care that he got struck by lightning. He’s going to be out there cuz reasons and heroism? But whatever. Don needs to step up and be Blythe’s partner. Or Blythe and Dixie need to realize they don’t need Don. They’ve got each other.
And on the final bit of Blythe Hart’s influence and saving grace on 9-1-1: Nashville Season 1 Episode 3.
I’ve made it clear in my review for 9-1-1: Nashville Season 1 Episode 2 that I was pleasantly surprised by Ryan and wanted to know more about him. He feels real. And a part of that is due to Michael Provost’s acting. But I also think that whatever magic when it comes to the writing that they’re doing with Blythe, they’re doing with Ryan. Because those good things that I see in Blythe, where she takes care of business but she’s still kind and considerate, I see those in Ryan.
Now what I need 9-1-1: Nashville to do is bring my girls Roxie and Taylor into this. Because I know it’s only episode 3, but the POC characters have still gotten nothing more than helping during emergencies. Is Blythe also going to be the connection that opens the door into giving us more about Taylor and Roxie? I don’t want it to be that way, to be clear. But I’m getting impatient. And this episode showed me that Blythe and her connections are really the only ones that are getting something on 9-1-1: Nashville.
Ultimately, the only reason why I haven’t stopped watching 9-1-1: Nashville after “Forces of Nature” is that these are growing pains.
We are only three episodes in and there is potential. But that potential is minuscule in comparison to other new shows I’ve watched recently. And I’m not even talking about 9-1-1 or 9-1-1: Lone Star. Nowadays people have so many options that they don’t have to wait until Episode 3 or 5 to see if a show really gets into the swing of things. (Three or five episodes is my sweet spot for a new show.) They watch one and they’re done. And if 9-1-1: Nashville can’t find its spark besides the baddie known as Blythe, they’re going to lose more people week after week.
Guarantee it.
911: Nashville airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.
