9-1-1: Nashville Season 1 Episode 9 “Pipe Dreams” is a unique episode of procedural TV where I wish terrible things on the lead.
I can’t stand Don. And I don’t know if it was the show’s intention to have me loathe him entirely, but they’re doing a good job. At this point I’m of the opinion that Blythe needs to leave this man and he needs to be disciplined for hiring a unqualified civilian to be a firefighter. But this episode completely fixed the whole unqualified firefighter thing by giving Blue a probie patch after he’s been out on the field for weeks like the most epic of nepo babies. Now all we have left is Don’s continued disrespect towards Blythe.
Don’s partner in “frustrating me as a viewer” is Dixie, who doesn’t care who she has to step on to get her way. Doesn’t matter if it’s her own son or the father of said son. 9-1-1: Nashville has created a cartoon villain that we want to be over and done with. And in turn, I actually kind of care for Blue. Because no one deserves to be treated the way he has been by his mother. So, good on you 9-1-1: Nashville. I never thought we would get here.
MORE: Need a reminder of last week’s episode? Read our review for 9-1-1: Nashville “All Hands.”
Blythe, Leave That Man
CHRIS O’DONNELL, JESSICA CAPSHAW
Don has some nerve on 9-1-1: Nashville “Pipe Dreams.” In the face of Dixie’s sickness, he didn’t think of Blythe for one second. He thought of what he could provide and what he could do for Dixie instead. And sure, he doesn’t want his son to suffer and worry about his mother. But he excluded Blythe on a major decision in front of the one woman who has actively plotted against both of them without hesitation. That stings and is all sorts of disrespectful.
So yes, Blythe absolutely was within her right to walk away from Don in the most “bless your heart” way and find her own way home. Because she doesn’t need someone in her life that excludes her, embarrasses her, and acts like she’s not even worth talking to when it comes to major decisions. And this isn’t the first time either. Remember when he first took on Blue and then turned the blame on her because Blythe should’ve known that Blue would be part of their lives after he contacted Don? Because I do!
Later on in “Pipe Dreams” Don comes to grovel. And Blythe being the woman she is, is going to pay for Dixie’s surgery. Not for Don. Not for Dixie or Blue. But because it’s the right thing to do. Also, Don’s little, “There’s no competition.” Obviously there is if you’re making big decisions again and again without your partner in life. But keep digging your own grave, Don. Sooner or later Blythe is going to leave you. And it’s going to be your fault.
The Most I’ve Cared About Blue
HUNTER MCVEY
I might not like Blue for his nepo baby journey. I also might not like Blue because he’s one dimensional and his story feels unbelievable even for a 9-1-1 spin-off. But Dixie is an abusive mother and he doesn’t deserve to be treated like that. He’s consistently going out of his way to help her, support her, and all he gets in return is being treated like an insolent child who needs to be “grateful” for everything she’s done for him.
Truly, and as much as I hate to say this, the best thing that happened to Blue was his mom starting this scheme. Before he was dealing with his mother all on his own. And seeing the way that Dixie treated him in this episode, well, it’s a window into how she treated him his entire life. Now Blue has a family and a support system that is helping him experience new things in life. And he’s waking up to the fact that his mother is a cartoon villain that will do whatever she needs to do to get her way.
As a viewer, my journey with Blue has been hard, me not liking him from the very pilot of 9-1-1: Nashville. And I think that the show is doing a marginally better job in “Pipe Dreams” at creating a villain, aka Dixie, that will make me want to protect Blue. Because that’s what’s happening. I don’t like Blue. But I will absolutely defend someone who has been abused and continues to be abused by someone who supposedly loves them.
So, pack your bags, Blue. You need to leave that house. Blythe will have room.
Sam and Ryan Compromising
Color me surprised that 9-1-1: Nashville “Pipe Dreams” had Sam and Ryan *gasp* compromising on something!? Too often when you’re watching procedural TV, the drama comes first, communication second. And these two had multiple moments throughout this episode that showed them being a unit. But it also showed how close they were to ending things… again.
Ryan getting Sam a dog and Sam returning the favor by getting Ryan a dog, is compromise. It’s listening to your partner, hearing what they have to say when it comes to their needs, and providing for them. The show is clearly signaling that they’re not ready for anything bigger. And they might still get a divorce. But right now they’re trying.
I will say… I was side-eyeing their apartment or house in “Pipe Dreams.” Is this what a doctor and firefighter household looks like? Because if so, I need to find me one of these ASAP. But it goes to show you, TV shows really don’t know how to decorate apartments that feel relatable to the everyday viewer. Just look at Buck over on 9-1-1 with his terrible credit score but somehow had a loft and now a lovely house. That’s TV magic for you. But with the way that reality is, I don’t mind a little magic and delusion.
9-1-1: Nashville airs new episodes Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.
