9-1-1 Season 9, Episode 15 ‘Pick Your Poison‘ is the kind of episode that reminds you that procedural television, even on shows that sometimes are borderline absurd, isn’t just a place for repetitive storylines and no character development. I’d argue it never really was, but especially in the last decade or so, procedural television has become a great medium for high-caliber actors and sometimes wild storytelling swings.
‘Pick Your Poison’ doesn’t throw a twist our way, but the episode is still grounded in an amazing performance by Oliver Stark, who gets to do much more with Buck in this hour than he normally gets to do. This isn’t just Buck’s usual level of anxiety; this is a Buck that has reached a point where he cannot continue patching together all the things that have been broken inside him. We all have our breaking points. This is Buck’s.
As we celebrate Oliver Stark’s performance today, though, it’s important to note that he isn’t the only one who has delivered outstanding work in this show. Or even this season. Aisha Hinds absolutely killed a Hen storyline that similarly gave her a chance to showcase more range than we typically get. And earlier in the season, Angela Bassett was as amazing as she always is while dealing with the kind of grief that settles into your skin and changes you.
Sure, this is a silly show sometimes. A lot of the time. That doesn’t mean you can or should dismiss these actors.
MORE: Remember when 9-1-1 killed Bobby Nash because “realism”? We’re still mad.
ADDICTION
Addiction is a very tricky thing, and ‘Pick Your Poison’ does a pretty good job at showcasing the highs and the lows of struggling with it. Like with Hen’s storyline before, I think the show fails a bit in actually building up to the decisions, partly because of the time jumps, partly because the show would rather be in the middle of it than spend time setting up things, to its detriment.
But the show still manages to treat addiction with nuance and respect, which is a particular relief for someone like me, who has had family members struggle with addiction. There’s so little understanding out there of what addiction is, what it means, and how we can help. And there’s also not enough empathy given to the people grappling with addiction, or their family and friends. This hour sees Buck struggle, yes. Try to reach out to his best friend, yes. Fail to do so, yes. Almost cross the line at work, yes. And it also sees him stop himself, even when it feels impossibly hard.
It sees him ask for help.
The circumstances of addiction change from person to person. One person’s addiction isn’t the same as someone else’s. And yet, no matter what the circumstances are, it’s important we understand a person is not their struggles. And what they need when they’re down is not judgment or anger. Instead, what they need is support and a helping hand. They need someone to see them and not judge them.
People don’t choose to be addicts. You fall. Sometimes you don’t know how to get up. You try something, and it’s working. It’s dulling the pain. It’s making you feel in control. Except you’re not in control, not really. But once you’ve fallen, it’s so, so hard to get up. Especially if you’re trying to do it alone. Buck, thankfully, didn’t have to do it alone. No one at the 118 ever has to.
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MAYRAVI CRUMBS
For a moment there, I was afraid the May and Ravi storyline was just going to stay a one-night stand that was never mentioned again. But the fact that the show actually makes a big deal about Ravi taking Harry seriously and not calling May is a very good sign for the future of this couple. And hey, it does feel like they might be a couple after that little convo at the end. Or, at least, it looks like we’re going in the right direction.
Ian, however, is a fun little wrinkle. Not a romantic one, more in the sense that we have spent more time at the hospital than we probably ever have in the last few episodes. Does this mean the show is looking to expand? Will May truly end up as a nurse? And if she does, will we get to see the hospital more often? 9-1-1: Nashville has shown it can be done this season, so I’m not willing to discount the possibility.
But overall, most of what the show does in this episode is set up the dynamic between Ravi and Harry, and walk us through how the dynamic of the team works with Harry added to the mix, and a little more Ravi. Considering how much we’ve gotten of Ravi this season, and the fact that the show has now given him a romance, I’m still scratching my head at the fact that he hasn’t been upped to series regular. But hey, maybe we can fix that for Season 10.
MORE: Is Eddie Diaz gay? The question is valid. And we might even need to update the article at this point.
Things I think I think:
- Look, okay, “I’m here about a murder. Mine” is kinda a cool way to start the episode.
- The visual and auditory way they’re showing Buck’s withdrawal is great.
- Ravi and Harry make good friends, I like it.
- OMG that was so awkward for Ravi, May and Harry and Ian and US.
- “Who the hell was that?”
- He blew it?! He blew it? Harry, at least a little of the blame is yours.
- “That’s not what happened.”
- Everyone judging Ravi was kind of hilarious.
- “You’re not an air traffic controller, and you’re not God.”
- I mean, you should have called her, Ravi. But I also kinda get why you didn’t.
- Did he really just run there?
- That was a surprisingly good call.
- Eddie, look at the man! Eddie, look at him!
- Buck was about to tell you. Or at least he was about to say enough that you probably would have figured it out.
- “That’s not fine.”
- Exactly. Was no one looking at Buck before? He looks horrible!
- Buck, baby. The strength it takes to go up to your Captain and tell him to fire you.
- “I don’t know if I trust myself to do that again.” You don’t have to do it alone!
- “Your sister, Eddie.” That’s the order, lol. Even Chim knows that’s the order. But sometimes it’s harder to tell the people you love the most.
- “I’m not gonna let you off that easy.”
- Oh, the anniversary of Bobby’s death is coming up. I wish I had words for how much anniversaries hurt.
- Honestly, I appreciate that Buck went to Chim. It makes sense. Chim is the Captain now. And I think Chim did exactly what he would have done in Hen’s case if she hadn’t been working while she was sick. Buck came to him earlier, so I don’t think there’s a double standard here.
- I don’t think justice is worth dying for, Athena. But hey, the son. That one kinda hurts.
- “I knew something was wrong.” Yeah, you did, Eddie. You did.
- Chris, baby. You’re almost an adult.
- Look, I really loved that Chris was there too.
- “It’s the thing that ties us all together. It’s that no one person has to carry the weight alone.”
- It’s so nice to see everyone helping.
- AND THE SONG.
- “I will rescue you.”
- This episode truly does a better job at showcasing the 9-1-1 as a family than any episode has in a while.
- Lol, Ravi. I think the girl is still interested in you! Call her back this time.
- “He got us through.”
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of 9-1-1 Season 9, Episode 15 ‘Pick Your Poison’? Share with us in the comments below! Check out our Tales From the 118 podcast if you also want to listen to our reviews. On Apple Podcasts and Spotify! Plus, if you want to leave your own rating/comment about the show, you can do so in our 9-1-1 hub!
9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) 24/7.
