Jeri Jacquin
Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuck and Tim Minear have created a
series for FOX that follows Los
Angeles
The series begins with an introduction to Abby (Connie
Britton), a 9-1-1 operator who has been caring for her mother. Patricia
(Mariette Hartley) suffers from dementia which puts Abby’s life on hold being a
working caretaker. Athena Grant (Angela Bassett) is a police officer whose
home life is another kind of stress. When her husband breaks unexpected news,
Athena must find a way to make it work with her two children.
Buck (Oliver Stark) is a firefighter who witnesses a tragic
event and isn’t sure how to deal with it. During a call with Abby, the two seem
to find solace in speaking to one another. Athena and partner Hen (Aisha Hinds)
are called to a home where a dog has kept the homeowner at bay but it’s at home
where Athena almost loses her daughter.
LAFD Captain Nash (Peter Krause) is not a personally
outgoing person but as a captain he knows what needs to be done. When Chimney
(Kenneth Choi) is on his way to work, he is involved in an accident and relies
on his Captain to keep him calm. Athena is dealing with the consequences of her
daughter’s serious actions trying to figure out how to make the family heal
itself.
Not even a plane crash can slow down what is going on in the
lives of these first responders as it becomes clear that Bobby has a drinking
problem and it’s not the first time. Abby realizes that she might not be able
to care for her mother without serious help when a situation arises. As much as
the rest of the family wants to place Patricia in a facility, Abby can not
bring herself to do that. Athena believes that the only way she can help her
daughter is, reluctantly, to confine herself to desk duty.
Hen is devastated when her Eve, an ex-girlfriend, makes a
request in helping her get out of prison. The problem is that Hen is married
now to Karen (Tracie Thoms) and hides the information about Eve until she can
figure out how to make it all work. Buck and Abby grow closer when they work
together about Patricia. It finally becomes clear why Bobby remains aloof from his
team when coming clean about what happened to his family and how he is
involved.
Buck and Abby want to celebrate Valentine’s Day together so
Bobby and Chimney take over duty. It doesn’t exactly go as planned and Abby
ends up performing a tracheotomy! Athena isn’t doing much better when she meets
a woman who is having a difficult time with Valentines Day. Trying to help, she
discovers that there is more lurking on this day than she could have imagined.
As if Abby didn’t have enough to deal with, a 9-1-1 call she
took has her believing that there is something missing. She isn’t about to give
up until she has a chance to go back to the calls and listen carefully for
clues. Hen is about to put her marriage in jeopardy as Eve becomes a problem.
The team tries to stay one step ahead of a flood of calls
when Bobby discovers that he has blood that can save lives. He must decide if
he wants to be a part of something that could bring a change in his life. Athena’s
husband Grant (Rockmond Dunbar) must finally come clean with his children about
the reason for their divorce.
Buck begins to question his relationship with Abby after
they’ve already taken it one step further than just talking on the phone. All
of Eve’s intentions become clear when Hen must now take on a custody battle
hoping that Karen is going to be a part of it.
If the life of the first responders isn’t difficult enough,
a death at the local psychiatric hospital brings a raising from the grave, per
se. Abby is about to make a major life change as she finally does something for
both her mother and herself. Karen isn’t happy when she discovers what Hen has
been doing feeling that she sacrificed their family for someone who only plays
games.
In the biggest twist of all – Bobby and Athena go on a date and
discover they not only enjoy each other’s company but understand the struggles
of each one’s job.
Britton as Abby takes on the role of a 9-1-1 operator who
has the calmness it takes to handle situations from people who are struggling
for help. At the same time she is also struggling herself taking care of a
mother with Alzheimer’s and realizing that she has cut herself off from a
personal life. Britton is so very good in this role and I am hoping she returns
soon.
Krause as Nash is the Captain of his firefighting team and
leads them with a manner that is a little off putting to some of the crew. He
has a story to tell that explains his demeanor and it is one of sadness and
guilt. Trying to find a way to live with his past, it is the team he works with
that show compassion and care that can change everything. Krause is a strong
character with human frailties and I am betting season two will be when he
grows past his demons.
Bassett as Athena is a police officer that can claim to
almost seeing it all in human nature. She is quick and doesn’t let much get
past her – professional that it. At home there are changes happening that she
avoids until it can’t be avoided any longer. She sees the family as falling
apart instead of seeing that it is just changing. Bassett has always been a
strong actress and having a television role gives us a chance to see more of
her chops.
Stark as Buck is the cocky firefighter that believes his
charm will get him everywhere. That is until he learns that being cute doesn’t
do a darn thing for the job that he has to perform. Wanting to make different
choices, he finds himself drawn to Abby wanting to help make things easier for
her. Sometimes people change to fast and in Buck’s case it means questioning
everything. Stark has the good looks and attitude to get my attention but when
the story line moves forward, we should see Buck go through it the hard way.
Hinds as Henrietta ‘Hen’ also takes her police job serious
and is happy at home with wife Karen and family. In one instant she puts that
all in jeopardy and knows that getting it all back is going to take every
emotion she has to set things right. Thoms as Karen is a strong woman who deals
with the long nights away from Hen but once a line is crossed, she must decide
what she will and will not tolerate in her life.
Choi as Chimney is a bit of comic relief in a strange way.
He enjoys his job and those he works with but one accident puts things in
perspective. Hartley as Patricia is a
Mother who is being looked after by her daughter. That’s difficult enough but
when things start getting tougher, Hartley’s character is heart wrenching to
watch. Amazing performance.
Other cast include Connie Massiah as May Grant,
Marcanthonnee Reis as Harry Grant, Cocoa Brown as Carla Price, JC Gonzalez as
Kyle, Todd Williams as Aaron Brooks, Rachel Breitag as Tatiana and Brielle
Barbusca as Cooper and Josephine Lawrence as Georgina.
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings
award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital
HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own
home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have
please visit www.fox.com.
The three-disc DVD includes the episodes Pilot, Let Go, Next of Kin, Worst Day Ever,
Point of Origin, Heartbreaker, Full Moon (Creepy AF), Karma’s a Bitch, Trapped and A Whole New You.
9-1-1 explores the intensity of being a firefighter, police
officer, paramedic and operator. On any given day these jobs call on people to
go in where other people run out. From helping injured and sick people to
accident victims to rescues, each of these jobs is one that calls for
dedication and stamina – both emotional and physical.
The first season of 9-1-1 introduces us to these characters
that are dedicated to what they do even in the midst of their own personal
problems. There are stories that unfold in this first season that are going to
be continued on 9-1-1’s Second Season which begins next week.
9-1-1’s first season didn’t mince storylines and kept each
episode moving and I enjoyed that most of all. First seasons are for getting to
know the players and in the cast of this series there is a duality of
professional life and home life which brings an intensity and a lot of emotion
that works perfectly.
In the end – they are on the line every day!
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