From the very start, 9-1-1: Nashville didn’t feel like a drama about first responders. It felt like a mockery of first responders where there were no consequences for their actions or rash decisions. And I think Blue crashing out in Season 1 Episode 5 “Lost Children,” is the best thing to happen to this show. But it should’ve lasted longer.
Also Roxie and Taylor have finally gotten some storylines besides being background characters. Roxie in particular got time to explore some of her past traumas when they find an unconscious girl in a river. Also the show makes it very clear that Roxie and Taylor are very close. Now it’s time to give us more of them.
Don and His Consequences
Like I mentioned in my review for last week’s episode, you know there’s something wrong with your show if the best part of it is when the lead actually has to face consequences for his actions and you delight in that. And I know that Don is going to get away with it and still be on the show because he’s the lead. But I think consequences are exactly what Don needs. It grounds him a little bit more in reality and makes him and those around him more relatable.
At the end of the day, the people that are watching 9-1-1: Nashville aren’t going to connect with fire tornadoes or some crazy incident like a trailer being stuck on a bridge. What they’re going to connect with are the people in the show. And right now, these characters have felt like they are not from our world and playing fast and loose with the lives of the people they’re saving. So give me all the consequences and room for depth.
And maybe slow it down and let things breathe while you’re at it. Because I think that having Blue crash out was a really good decision to push the story forward and allow some of these hidden emotions to brew up and be expressed. But I do think that they solved everything way too fast in one episode. And then I’m left wondering what 9-1-1: Nashville is really about. Because it’s not about the emergencies. It’s not about consequences. But it’s also not about quality storytelling about first responders. So what is it about?
Ryan Calling Out Blue
Besides Ryan saying that Blue could have jeopardized Don’s job with walking out, I agreed with everything he said during that diner meetup.
Ryan and Blue might have had two completely different upbringings, but they have ended up at the same place. And it’s about time that Blue stops with this “poor little ol’ me who is a loser and loves to struggle” attitude that he uses as a shield as to why he can’t move forward or why he’s like this. Even though I hate the nepotism storyline that led Blue to be at the firehouse, these brothers are both at the firehouse. And Ryan has taken this notable step to accept his brother for who he is and not for who he thinks he is.
That’s got to count for something right?
Seeing Ryan like this with Blue does feel a little bit night and day from how Ryan acted in the beginning of 9-1-1: Nashville. And who wouldn’t be mad? Hiding a whole brother is a huge betrayal. But I think Ryan is maybe feeling a little bit more optimistic, especially after him and his wife are giving it another chance when it comes to their marriage. But there’s still resentment there that Blue is closer to Don than he is to Ryan because of their upbringings. I just wish Blue wasn’t so one dimensional as a character and that the acting was a little bit better.
But back to what I mentioned earlier about Ryan. There’s only one person responsible for bringing an inexperienced firefighter on the team. And that person is Don. Let’s not lay this on Blue’s shoulders and then tie it to privilege. Because boo hoo. You grew up rich, Ryan. Be sad about it somewhere else because now you’re sounding like Blue with his “I’m poor and love to struggle” one dimensional character building blocks. Let’s also not make it that I have to defend Blue when he remains the weakest part of the show.
Finally Some Roxie and Taylor
For weeks on end, we’ve wanted to see more of Roxie and Taylor on 9-1-1: Nashville. Because I know this is an ensemble cast. But this show prided itself with taking place in one of the most diverse cities in the United States. And it took until “Lost Children” to actually give them a story besides being backdrop fillers to develop the story of Blue and Hart family drama. Now they just need to take it a little bit further and chip away at some of the things that we learned about Roxie and Taylor.
Roxie in particular took what happened with the girl that they found in the river really really hard. Before this we knew that she was a surgeon, but it was really great to see her in action with Taylor and no one else around. And it was also really great to learn a little bit about her backstory growing up or running away to NYC. Even better, it was great to see her and Taylor just being with each other. And by being I mean bringing each other coffee or going to $25,000 procedures together to support one another.
Nevertheless, I do think that some of the revelations that were made about Roxie fell a little flat. The show took what could’ve been an exploration of Roxie’s past trauma and painted a picture that kind of felt like when your parents are trying to scare you from the “big bad city” and the consequences of leaving your family. What I’m saying is that this show is giving more and more virtue signaling while hand waving away consequences or actual heartbreak.
This doesn’t sit well for 9-1-1: Nashville. And it leaves me feeling like I don’t know what the message or point of this show is. And we’re in Episode 5, people. I should know by now.
Additional thoughts:
- I don’t want to accuse the show of copy and pasting beats. But everything that happened with Blue messing up with the fire station and then getting into an accident that leads him being accepted back at the fire station reminds me of Buck getting fired on 9-1-1 and then getting rehired after helping with the truck during the home invasion.
- Just saying.
- I can’t help but wonder if Blue’s storyline would hit better if the actor was simply a better actor. Everything that comes out of his mouth feels stilted. Well except him being a little bit angry. That felt a little bit more honest.
- Talking about honesty, I’m glad that Blue wasn’t ready to forgive and forget.
- But apparently the Fire Chief is willing to forgive. Does that mean that Blue is officially a firefighter?
- I need to have more audacity, which might be what I’m learning from this show.
- Cuz I struggle on what to do with my life sometimes. And here this man is walking into a new career, a rich family, and a beautiful firehouse that I would easily live in.
- Someone adopt me or reveal that you are my long lost rich relative.
- Please.
911: Nashville airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.
