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An overview of the first episodes of 9-1-1's 8 season : An exciting agenda


Promotional poster for the series 9-1-1
Promotional poster | Credit abc

For fans of 9-1-1, October was undoubtedly one of the most anticipated months. Following multiple social media posts featuring behind-the-scenes footage, actors interactions, and new looks, fans were finally able to see the three pilot episodes of 9-1-1. The American television channel ABC, which promised amazing events for the new season, managed to gather nearly 10 million viewers across all platforms in just seven days.


A trilogy for the pilot episodes: a risky move ?


The end of season 7 left viewers facing the uncertain future of the heroes. The 118 was assigned a new captain, Hen and Karen were fighting for custody of Mara, and Christopher moved in with his grandparents in Texas.


It is clear that viewers of season 8 were hoping to get the answers to the numerous questions that the previous season had left them with. However, fans will not have the answers at the beginning of the season. Before that, ABC offers episodes that explore different aspects of the protagonists' daily lives, confronting them with difficult choices, crises, and moral dilemmas.


The American channel chooses to debut the new season with three consecutive episodes. A significant challenge, in which one must balance character development while maintaining logic in the plot and captivating the viewers. Challenge accomplished for ABC. The first episode of the trilogy "Buzz kill" gets 4.93 million viewers, the second "When the Boeing Gets Tough..." 4.92 million, and the last "Final Approach" gathers 5.52 million viewers.

The dilemma at the core of this new season


The term that best describes the beginning of this season is undoubtedly conundrum. Throughout these episodes, the heroes must make decisions that call into question their ideals, ethics, and previous actions. The first instance of it can be seen in "Buzz Kill."


The federal government and Denis Jenkins come to an arrangement. Jenkins may be eligible for early release if he discloses all of the information Maxwell Fulton disclosed to him, including details about people who engaged in illicit sexual acts under Fulton's supervision. Jenkins, however, is clear that he wants Athena to take him to Los Angeles so he may appear before the grand jury. Initially reluctant to accept this task because her fiancé Emett had been killed by Jenkins, Athena finally consented. Athena discovers during the process that Jenkins will only consent to an early release if she gives him permission. Thus, Athena must make a very difficult choice. She is confronting the man who killed her fiancé. The man who ruined her entire universe.


In "when the boeing gets through" and "The final Approach," Athena's dilemma is slightly more complex, as it involves several individuals. The plane she is on has a malfunction, which forces her to take control of the aircraft. With the help of Jem, an aviation enthusiast, she must do everything possible to ensure the plane lands in Los Angeles in the best possible conditions. The problem? As the minutes go by, the plane deteriorates and fuel becomes increasingly scarce. Landing on the runway is then impossible. If Athena cannot find an alternative, she will be forced to compromise either the lives of the passengers and residents of Los Angeles or only those of the occupants of the plane. The audience is kept on the edge of their seats by this tense drama.


Under Gerrard's supervision, Buck's disregard for standards and authority is clearly manifesting again. He does, however, make an effort to obey his superior's instructions in order to portray himself as a firefighter deserving of the 118 brigade. But when Gerrard is captain, it is hard not to criticize how he handles urgent situations, and Buck can't help but tell him.


The urgency manifests in every scene, just as the feeling of helplessness resonates in each character. No one knows how the situation will unfold. The viewer has no choice but to hold their breath while observing the multiplication of urgent situations and a decrease in hope. The series also focuses on the varied emotions displayed by its protagonists.


Beyond the emergencies, the messages


One of the series' outstanding features is that each scene consistently offers a unique message. This trilogy is no exception to the rule. As can be seen in previous seasons, the characters are presented as complex individuals who act and feel things in a specific way rather than another. For example, it can be observed in the relationship between Eddie and Christopher.


During previous seasons, it has been possible to see that Eddie's youth was not without difficulties, particularly due to his relationship with his father. Eddie was unable to openly express himself and display sensitivity because of the numerous prejudices he was exposed to growing up. As he noted in season 7, his rather "tough" childhood caused him to grow up believing he was performing a part and not feeling like he belonged. It seems that this character is constantly seeking love, affection, and a certain familiarity.Maybe that's why he decided to have a relationship with the lookalike of Christopher's deceased mother. To this day, this mistake on his part has not been forgiven by his son.


In the early scenes of season 8, we witness a father who is heartbroken by the distance he has to keep from his son in the opening scenes of season 8. He shows a slight vulnerability in the presence of Buck and Tommy, but he quickly hides his deep feelings. This section serves as a reminder to viewers that they are emotional beings. No matter their occupation, age, or gender, people can occasionally find themselves in situations that psychologically overwhelm them.


This also applies to Buck. Over the seasons, it has been possible to observe the tumultuous relationship Buck has with his parents. In Buck Begins (episode 4, season 5), we learn that he intentionally injures himself to attract his family's attention because he has never felt like he belonged or was enough. In any case, that's the feeling his parents gave him. Today, he seems to be seeking support from someone older than him in various aspects of his life. He wants to be a good student and enjoy the compliments that come with it. The criticisms from a senior completely destabilize him, which causes him to act impulsively.


In episode 3 of the season, we could precisely perceive how Buck felt. His thoughts are exclusively focused on the negative words spoken. His gaze is fixed on something , while his mind is overtaken by a plethora of emotions, . Many fans talk about rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD). This is relevant because it refers to an extreme reactivity to criticism or rejection, whether they are authentic or imaginary. This can manifest as excessive emotions, social distance, negative self-talk, lower self-confidence, as well as worry and social obstacles, along with the fear of failure. The last example seems to be the most relevant to Buck's situation.


By favoring shot changes, the screenwriters specifically highlighted this element: Gerrard's mouth evoking negative comments, Buck's expression illustrating the criticism he understands, and the background employees evoking a dull noise that overwhelms Buck at that exact moment.


Conclusion: A Promising Season


The first few episodes demonstrate that the series maintains its originality. Emergency circumstances continue to be unrelenting, stunning, and intriguing. The screenwriters do not hesitate to delve into the lives of the characters and offer viewers intensely engaging, complex, and entertaining stories that they can relate to. This season seems promising. It looks like a promising season. If you haven't already, get ready for an exciting, emotional, and surprising experience as you immerse yourself in this lively universe.

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