I'll find you in the morning sun and when the night is new I'll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss the super uplifting contents of Season 3 Episode 7 of 9-1-1, “Athena Begins.” We dive into Athena's past as she confronts the resurfacing of a cold case linked to the tragic loss of her fiancé, Emmett.

Have you rewatched this episode since 8x15? No? Well, strap in folks, because that bittersweet ending is not so sweet anymore. We explore the not inconsequential number of parallels between her quest for closure with Emmett and the emotional aftermath of Bobby’s death in Season 8. As she navigates the deluge of memories and unresolved feelings, we see her grappling with the desire for justice and her career, her relationship with her mother and extended family, and the expectations everyone places on her.

Through flashbacks, we see young Athena, vibrant and full of hope as she embarks on her journey in law school, contrasting sharply with the heavy burden she carries as an adult (2 dead loves of her life and 1 gay ex-husband later). We examine the road Athena takes from law school to the police academy, inspired after her meet-cute with Emmett on her college campus. Their story would almost pass for a rom-com if we didn’t know about the tragic ending going into it. We dissect the scene where Beatrice tries to control Athena’s life and how this juxtaposes with the mother we saw depicted in the rest of the flashbacks prior to Emmett’s death. Ah, there’s the Beatrice we know and barely tolerate.

In the present we follow Athena’s search for closure, not just for herself but for Emmett's mother. When she finds Dennis Jenkins, she is forced to face her assumptions about the “monster” who killed her fiancé. At the end of the journey, we see Athena finally break down and let Bobby support her, physically and emotionally.

Here’s a fun idea, listen to this episode, then watch 8x01, 8x02, 8x03, and then 8x16. Let us know if you can breathe through the tears!

📔 Articles Mentioned

📰 ‘9-1-1’s Angela Bassett Teases Athena’s Origin Story Episode, TV Insider

📰 9-1-1‘s Angela Bassett Talks Athena’s ‘Surprising’ Origin Story, Including How She Helped Cast Her Younger Self, TV Line

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Star Angela Bassett on Athena’s ‘Messy’ Romantic Backstory, Future With Bobby, The Wrap

Episode Title inspired by “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Billie Holiday

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Music by DIV!NITY 

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:52) Welcome to Dispatch

(00:01:29) General Thoughts

(00:08:54) Jaws of Life - Deep Dive

(00:13:03) Needle Drop - Song Analysis

(00:16:03) Red String Corner

(00:17:53) Historical Context of 1992 Los Angeles Riots

(00:22:27) Parallels & Foreshadowing

(00:25:16) Season 8 Parallels 

(00:30:18) Flashover - Themes

(00:34:04) Who’s Cookin’? - Character Arcs

(00:35:24) Bobby & Michael

(00:44:19) Athena

(00:48:53) Meeting Emmett & Rookie Athena

(00:56:55) Athena Has a Type (Good Men™️)

(01:06:25) Athena & Maddie Go Old School

(01:09:45) Athena Throws Herself into Her Work

(01:12:04) Opening Pandora’s Box About Emmett

(01:16:20) Past & Present Closure Montage

(01:19:42) Where’s The Fire? - Scene Dissection (Athena & Bea After Emmett’s Death)

(01:33:06) Athena & Mom Bea’s Relationship Now

(01:37:030 Slow Burn - Bi Buck & Buddie Watch

(01:41:14) Buddie & Bathena Parallels

(01:50:35) Take a Buddie With You & Outro