Duck and cover, because this week’s episode is explosive!

Han, Cil, and Rachel hit the ground running, leaving no stone or fire engine unturned in Season 2 Episode 18, of 9-1-1 “This Life We Choose.”

The dirt hasn’t even settled in Shannon’s grave when Eddie’s parents try to stage the world’s most inappropriate intervention. We tear into the astoundingly bad parenting and its effects on Eddie and how the life and family he chooses is his real support system. 

Bobby and Athena put their detective hats on at the beginning of the episode and exchange rings at the end! At least someone at the 118 is having a happy ending. Meanwhile, Maddie and Chimney choose to finally enter the next act of their rom-com as Hen and Karen decide to expand their family.

Buck is having the first of many no good, very bad days when the crushing weight of reality and a fire engine leaves him out of a job and a girlfriend. Who needs any of that when he can have his best friend’s back despite his doctor’s recommendations. Some things are more important than your health, like hugging your (work) partner.

We talk closet space, because you can never have too much, right Buck and Eddie? There’s a lot of symbolism, metaphors, and parallels to unpack, but don’t worry, we took a lot of notes and came prepared to share with the class.

This episode is layered like a lasagna of feels from the camaraderie at the station to the heart-stopping moments with Buck’s near-death experience, we explore how the life that the 118 chooses shapes them as individuals and a family.

The next time you’re having a bad day, just think about Buck in this episode. What’s more crushed, his leg, or his heart?

📔 Articles Mentioned

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Chief on That Crushing Finale, Bobby’s Big Decision and Maddie and Chimney’s Future, The Wrap

📰 9-1-1 EP Tackles Those Romantic Finale Twists, Teases Buck’s Season 3 ‘Crisis’, TV Line

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Boss on Bobby & Athena’s Big Moment & Buck’s ‘Perilous’ Position in the Season 2 Finale, TV Insider

📰 Charisma Carpenter’s ‘Naughty’ 9-1-1 Visit Postponed by Network Censors, TV Line

📔 Fanworks Mentioned:

📚 Those Two Firefighters, by DarkFairytale on Archive of Our Own

📚 The Bunkroom Fic, by exvichan on Archive of Our Own

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Music by DIV!NITY 

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro - Welcome to Dispatch

(00:03:03) General Thoughts

(00:12:43) Jaws of Life - Deep Dive

(00:27:08) Needle Drop - Music Analysis

(00:30:37) Red String Corner

(00:40:23) Flashover - Themes

(00:45:43) Who’s Cookin’? - Character Arcs

(01:10:48) Eddie

(01:30:20) Buck

(02:01:10) Where’s the Fire - Scene Dissection (Buck & Ali Breakup)

(02:23:52) Slow Burn - Bi Buck & Buddie Watch

(02:41:35) Buddie Begins

(02:48:49) The First Buddie Hug

(02:56:19) Outro & Take a Buddie With You