9-1-1 Season 10 Episode 2 “Fire in the Hole” was the epitome of “I accidentally became important at work, and it’s ruining my life.” And Maddie is front and center, having to make the choices that could destroy lives in a way she’s never experienced before. But Maddie and the FireFam aren’t like us. They’re first responders, and if there’s anyone that’s going to do it, it’s going to be them. They’ll just also do it while also delivering some truly cheesy lines.
In the midst of all of this, Corinne Massiah and Elijah M. Cooper gave the best performances in their time on 9-1-1. And Cooper in particular had me devastated as his character Harry dealt with the first person he’s lost on the job, something that is going to stay with him forever. We’ve already seen May bounce back from her error at work. Now the question is, how will Harry bounce back from this loss? With so much family around him, here’s hoping that he’s ok. But first, let’s take care of that volcano!
MORE: Need a reminder of the last episode? Read our review for 9-1-1 Season 10 Episode 1 “That Sinking Feeling.”
Maddie Buckley-Han in Charge
JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT, ANGELA ALISE
One of my favorite story tropes is when someone accidentally becomes important at work. I loved it in Project Hail Mary and then in Resident Evil, most recently. And I’m loving it in “Fire in the Hole.” Because yes, Maddy is competent. And yes, she’ll get the job done. But she doesn’t want the responsibility of taking care of the city of LA during a volcano that is turning the streets into a real-life game of The Floor Is Lava, especially if they’re making her make grand and terrible mistakes like which neighborhood to let burn.
This just goes to show how far Maddie has come since her introduction in 9-1-1 Season 2 and how the show is going to continue investing in her. She fought back against Doug, found her spark again, succeeded in a new career despite the surprise promotions, and now she has a beautiful life and children to match. She didn’t know that would lead her to be dealing with lava destroying the streets of LA. Nevertheless, her story is dear to me because she keeps trying, getting it done, and then living her life.
I can’t talk about Maddie without talking about her partner Chimney either. Because what do you mean that the two people in charge right now are wife and husband?! This is what dreams are made of, especially when shows don’t think they can tell interesting stories about couples taking on the world together! And it goes back to what I mentioned in my review for the Season 10 premiere and my favorite type of first responder: the competent ones. Because yes, people make mistakes. But highlighting how competent Maddie and Chimney are in the face of such a crisis, it’s good TV.
MORE: We’ve been saying it’s time for Buddie for a while.
May and Harry Are Going Through It
CORINNE MASSIAH, TRE MCBRIDE
When it comes to the Grant siblings, they were having the hardest time on 9-1-1. Like, I know Athena is having her own issues underground. But she can handle it, and she’s been in this for decades. But right now May and Harry are entering a new phase of their lives where they’re no longer children. They’re the adults taking the reins to save lives. They’re the probies. And with that comes your first harrowing experiences, like the groom for May and the doctor for Harry.
For May, she’s been practicing over and over again for that moment where she can do an IV quickly and efficiently. But that practice sometimes doesn’t translate over to the practical elements of things. That’s especially true when there are people with burns and complications that you can’t account for when you’re practicing. But just like Athena is going to be okay, May is going to be okay.
Why? Because when they really think about it, this isn’t their first time. They’ve helped people out since the very start. Just those times they’ve had their parents guiding them. But they made it through then. And they’ll make it through now. And that’s true especially for Harry, who had me absolutely bawling as he was facing his first loss on the job. But this is the job. And it takes a special kind of person to do this job. Both of them just happen to be those special people that LA needs.
MORE: Remember when 9-1-1 killed Bobby Nash because “realism”? We’re still mad.
Additional notes about “Fire in the Hole”:
- That body bag. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t listen to Maddie…
- Maddie and Chimney first responder duoooooo about to save LA!
- I knew as soon as I saw that guy in the suit… he was going to die.
- Also, Chimney was scared for Buck when he jumped. Truly.
- “Let’s try not get Pompeii’d.” – Hen
- Maddie becoming accidentally important at work.
- Girl… this lava on the lady. She would’ve died.
- Hen and Josh interaction <3
- Not Eddie with a doggo baby-bjorned to his chest. lol.
- May and Harry going through it!
- This looks like Oliver playing floor is lava. So… this before he got injured?
- Or was it this stunt?
- Chimney is so worried about his brother-in-law.
- Also, Eddie Disney Prince era.
- But also super competent. And like action star. Disney Prince action star.
- While…
- Harry is killing me.
- I know that lava should’ve killed her. And that’s not realistic.
- But cryingggggg
- Also again, they say the most ridiculous things on this show. But it works.
- And now Maddie has me crying!
- ATHENA OMG ARE YOU ABOUT TO DIE!? AND WITH THAT GUY?!
- I don’t know how to deal with this. Or what to think about this.
- But Athena is going to save the day. I know it.
9-1-1 airs new episodes every Thursday at 8/7c on ABC.
