9-1-1
This article contains spoilers for 9-1-1 season 8, episode 16, “The Last Alarm.
“Episodes like “The Last Alarm” are a staple of television.
But, save for a few scenes, it’s fairly standard9-1-1that’s just a little sadder than usual.
For the most part, itdoesn’t rise to the level of what it’s actually depicting.
A baby dies as a result, leaving the mother distraught.
If there’s no funeral, then she won’t be expected to move through the stages of grief.
A custom image created by César García
They agree to release it, which speeds up the funeral proceedings.
Instead, Athena puts her energy into the massive fire from eight years ago.
The mother ended up behind bars after confronting the young boy in public.
9-1-1 is a television series that explores the intense experiences of police officers, paramedics, and firefighters. Premiered in 2018, it follows these emergency responders as they navigate high-pressure situations and attempt to balance their demanding work with personal challenges in their own lives.
But she’s convinced that it’s actually her son, asking Athena to look into it.
9-1-1 brought its biggest ever death in eight years, and it was a huge risk to take.
Tim Minear knew this, but also knew it was important.
It takes a DNA test to prove to the mother that the boy isn’t hers.
That’s more than I can say for what the rest of the 118 get.
It is astonishing how little the 118 are factored into “The Last Alarm.”
It is another weird example of where9-1-1puts its focus during what should be a monumental episode.
I don’t care.Now, more than ever, characters like Eddie should be prioritized.
It is astonishing how little the 118 are factored into “The Last Alarm.”
There’s no indication about how she feels about any of it.
It might have been forgivable if Howard’s storyline had been at least as decent as Athena’s.
It is pretty lazy overall and downright hard to believe at one point.
Howard is angry that Bobby is dead while he gets to live.
He lashes out at the teary Gerrard.
He distances himself from Maddie.
It’s all fine, if unremarkable.
It would be acceptable enough if this were Howard from seven seasons ago.
But the Howard that says this is a married father with another baby on the way.
It’s especially galling after everything Maddie has been through this season alone.
It is a solid encapsulation of “The Last Alarm”, though.
It is not even a good episode of9-1-1.
If anything, it might be among the most disappointing.
9-1-1season 8 airs Thursdays at 8 PM ET on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
