Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 2, and 9-1-1: Nashville Episode 2.
The universe of 9-1-1 has now expanded into a third show with the recent debut 9-1-1: Nashville. After eight seasons of 9-1-1 (and five seasons of 9-1-1: Lone Star), viewers now know what to expect from this universe. Each 9-1-1 show centers on a firehouse and the dispatchers to whom these firefighters are connected, and every 9-1-1 show kicks off each one of its seasons with a big opening disaster.
9-1-1's big emergency for its Season 9 premiere, Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Athena (Angela Bassett) have gone to space for what was supposed to be a quick orbit, only to wind up in the middle of a geomagnetic storm. Meanwhile, in 9-1-1: Nashville, the first responders have been dealing with a different kind of storm, only for their fire captain, Don Hart (Chris O'Donnell), to get struck by lightning. Neither of these shows' big emergencies yet have the emotional impact that they should, though, ultimately lowering the overall stakes and suspense.
'9-1-1' and '9-1-1: Nashville's Latest Opening Disasters Prioritize Flashy Emergencies Over Characters
9-1-1 has perfected its season premiere formula by now. Every season opens with one episode that sets the tone for the season, then a two-part emergency, before then moving into the rest of the season. The show has had so many excellent opening emergencies, like the earthquake, the tsunami, the sinking cruise ship, and the bee-nado. Bobby Nash's (Peter Krause) death was a show-altering loss, though, so it feels too soon for 9-1-1 to try to recreate their old formula now. 9-1-1 has been full of non-stop emergencies since mid-Season 8, with "9-1-1: Contagion", the fire water, the building collapse, and now the geomagnetic storm. The show has not had time to really sit with its characters since Bobby's death, and as a result, the space emergency feels out of place right now. It's clear that 9-1-1 won't kill off another major character soon, so the stakes feel lower than usual, and emotion is mostly separated from the situation at hand.
As for 9-1-1: Nashville, the show may not be reeling from a major character death, but their emergencies are at odds with the series' additional soap opera twist. 9-1-1: Nashville has already set up some overarching storylines, including Blue's (Hunter McVey) ethical dilemma as he gets close with his new family for the wrong reasons, and Ryan's (Michael Provost) difficult divorce from his wife, Sam (MacKenzie Porter). It's hard to feel invested in any of these storylines this early on, though, when we haven't yet seen much of these characters outside of the emotional drama or the fast-paced calls. The most compelling and endearing scene in 9-1-1: Nashville so far saw Roxie (Juani Feliz) and Taylor (Hailey Kilgore) supporting Ryan and joking around with him after Sam served him the divorce papers. 9-1-1 shows are always at their strongest when the characters are just spending time together without being in immediate danger, and 9-1-1: Nashville should lean into this more, especially this early into the series.
'9-1-1: Nashville's Big Disaster Occurred Too Early Into Its First Season
Blue Bennings and Ryan Hart treating a patient in 9-1-1 Nashville Season 1 Episode 2
9-1-1 is now in its ninth season, and for good reason. Despite its recent rocky adjustment period, the show has done what it takes to go the distance. A major part of this is how 9-1-1 built its foundation in its first season, especially the fact that the show didn't have a big emergency until the plane crash in its fourth ever episode, "Worst Day Ever." This gave that emergency more of an emotional impact, because 9-1-1 had already taken the time to introduce its characters outside of the calls as well. The calls in 9-1-1: Nashville are more serious than silly at this point, but the intensity doesn't work without an established emotional connection.
As it stands, there's no reason for viewers to feel concerned about Don after watching him get struck by lightning. The show has only revealed the essential facts about Don's character, and it hasn't given viewers any specific details about him as a person outside of his job and his family. Don's obviously not going to die this early in the show anyways, but even if he did, 9-1-1: Nashville hasn't yet earned an emotional reaction to that sort of loss. Even with its additional soap opera elements, 9-1-1: Nashville is still a 9-1-1-universe show, and it should introduce the show by establishing some general silliness and an overall closeness among the group of firefighters. It should have taken some time to build up to the emergency like 9-1-1 did in its first season, instead of trying to use these emotional and intense situations to try to make viewers feel something without earning it.
'9-1-1' and '9-1-1: Nashville's Opening Emergencies Don't Feel High-Stakes Enough
Hen Wilson making a phone call from a space ship, surrounded by her fellow passengers, in 9-1-1 Season 9
9-1-1 had a strong Season 9 premiere before the whole space storyline, and after both shows' opening emergencies have concluded, 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville should both lean into that style of episode more. For 9-1-1: Nashville, some silly and more low-stakes storylines can help viewers get to know the characters and get attached to them. For 9-1-1, more goofy calls and more character-centered storylines can help the show further get back on track after Bobby's death. In general, 9-1-1's calls are definitely memorable, but the characters and their dynamics are the best part of the show. Bobby's death was so devastating precisely because 9-1-1 and Krause had made him feel so real, and 9-1-1: Nashville should definitely take notes from its parent show in this regard.
Both 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville are early into their new seasons, so they have time to course-correct after the opening emergencies. For 9-1-1, the show just needs to continue with the path that it was on at the start of the season before the space emergency. For 9-1-1: Nashville, the series needs to put the soap opera aspect and major emergencies on hold to properly introduce its characters, establish their relationships with each other, and give viewers time and space to get attached to them.
New episodes of 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville air back-to-back on ABC on Thursdays starting at 8:00 P.M. EST.
