9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 Episode 2 “Boys and Boils” somehow managed a mini-crossover with 9-1-1 that felt natural while also progressing the mystery at hand. But the craziest thing they did is… actually make me like the episode. Nashville is the show I watch for fun. No serious investment. But like… I found myself enjoying it, being disgusted, and then invested in this episode. Have I turned over a new leaf in the same way that Don has finally learned boundaries?!
That’s not to say everything is perfect. Because I noticed something.
When Nashville was starting out in Season 1, everything was very Blue, Blue, Blue. And looking at Season 2, Blue is more of a supporting character; the Dallas style of it all is gone, and they’re moving in the same manner as 9-1-1 is. So… did they ditch the previous show structure for good ol’ reliable 9-1-1 logic? If so, keep it up. Because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And I could never understand why Nashville was trying to stand out so hard.
MORE: Need a reminder of the last episode? Read our review for 9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 Episode 1 “Going Rogue.”
Don Being Jealous of Rogue
JESSICA CAPSHAW
Personally, I love that Don is jealous of Rogue. Most of it’s because I’m a certified Don hater, and anything that happens to him that is terrible, I find great joy in. But if I were to set aside my hating ways, it makes sense that he feels a little bit thrown off now that his son, who always looked up to him, is looking up to somebody else. It’s the most human Don has been in the entirety of this show when he isn’t being messy with life and Dixie.
Talking about Blythe, I love that she brought up that Don could be jealous. But she did it in a way that came from a place of love, despite the fact that they are in a very bad place right now when it comes to their marriage. And it just speaks to the kind of woman that Blythe is. She might be mad at Don, but she’s not going to change the kind of person she is because of whatever is going on between them. Also, Ryan is also her child and maybe she’s felt this way before. She probably just dealt with it better. Or learned from her own reaction.
As a couple, I do admire them continuing to try. Begrudgingly, I admire that. I could never do what Blythe is doing by trying to work it out with Don. But she’s a better person than me. And I will give him the tiniest of flowers for him sitting outside her room to keep guard with this crazy Pharaoh guy loose. I don’t like that he insisted on breaking their bed divorce. But when she said no, he backed down, and he pivoted.
Look at that. Don does know what boundaries are. Let’s just see if he can remember them. Because these two are about to go on a traumatic journey with Blythe losing her sight and apparently having organ failure in the next episode. But what’s going to happen when Dixie makes her return, or if she gets hurt? Is he going to be respectful? I’m just really hoping that a near-death experience doesn’t make everything okay between Blythe and Don. Because it isn’t. And they still have work to do.
A Surprise Crossover with 9-1-1
CHRIS O’DONNELL, HAILEY KILGORE, MICHAEL PROVOST
Now I know I’ve previously said that Nashville has reheated 9-1-1’s nachos when it comes to emergencies. And while before it felt disingenuous when they had similar emergencies, this time around it felt like they were more so honoring where they came from. And that call to Buck served as connecting the world in a way that felt super casual. Because what do you mean that Ryan has Buck’s number after the firefighter games and knows that the 118 is going through a volcano emergency?
But that 9-1-1 pilot episode with everything that happened with the pipe baby, it was an iconic moment. And the Buck that we had in that episode, he’s completely different from the firefighter we have now. It just goes to show you how far people can come and how much they can change. And Nashville can have an emergency like this while showcasing how this team has its own unique dynamics that will lead to growth and development in the same vein as Buck.
Within this little mini crossover, I did want to talk about how we had competent Taylor and Roxie. Because yes, they were dealing with double the pipe babies, but they were cool, calm, and collected and saved the baby and the mom. That’s not to discount everyone else’s work. But I just love any time we get more of Taylor and Roxie. And this time around it wasn’t about the relationship woes they’re in, as often happens to women on TV.
Additional Notes for “Boys and Boils”:
JUANI FELIZ, HAILEY KILGORE
- That throat boil is the nastiest thing that has happened on this show. I couldn’t look at the screen. Truly, horrifying.
- Man, I’mma throw up just from thinking about it.
- Are we going to get Ryan and Rogue edits? Because Don is jealous cuz Ryan is obsessed with different older men, and he thinks it’s paternal.
- TV watchers don’t see that. At all…
- But at the same time, let’s remember this show has always been queer. Roxie is right there. And I need more of her being a queer woman.
- Also Taylor and Blue crumbs. FINALLY!
- P.S. The way that Nashville made Blue such a central focus in the beginning of Season 1 and now it’s crickets…
- Yes, Blythe can protect herself.
- Also not this Rogue scene with him all sweaty and then Ryan coming over…
- But what if Ryan is scoping out Rogue…
- OMG I WAS SCARED FOR BLYTHE.
- She was that Kris Jenner meme with the gun…
- AND I SAW THAT TRAILER FOR NEXT WEEK. BLYTHE, YOU BETTER BE OK!
9-1-1: Nashville airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.
Facts! ✨ Team Baylor forever! 💖✨♾️