S04.E11: First Responders

[jewel21]

Quote

The members of the 118 rush to the site of a hit-and-run that leaves a familiar face in critical condition. With Buck's help, Athena investigates the case of a missing woman last seen in a casino and Josh recalls an emergency in 2006 that led him to become a 9-1-1 operator.

Airdate: 05/03/2021

[fireice13]

Aww Sue is married to Jerry/Gerry/Terry/Larry!

I did like this episode and how the cases tied together, although Athena's point about how a 20 year old white woman missing wouldn't just be dismissed was disheartening to hear (and sadly true).

I loved seeing baby Josh and how he got started, plus how he was doubting being in Sue's place but ended up getting the suspect surrounded.

[anna0852]

Loved Athena rolling up on Buck and Taylor! 

[Irlandesa]

3 minutes ago, anna0852 said:

Loved Athena rolling up on Buck and Taylor! 

Such a great moment.

[shapeshifter]

This is the one episode I will recommend to my 9-1-1 daughter to watch. 
 

Kind of a mirror image of the following 9-1-1 Lone Star episode.

[tvgoddess]

That was enjoyable. A little fun, a little suspense, and a little bit of tears. Well done, and I liked the focus on the call center employees. 

God, Taylor is positively gorgeous.

 

[DearEvette]

I liked this one.

Great Josh centric episode.  I enjoyed seeing his mini-mini-begins flashback.

Again a nicely constructed ep the way the two big cases intersected.  A little convenienient and coincidental, but still well done.  Especially:

15 minutes ago, anna0852 said:

Loved Athena rolling up on Buck and Taylor! 

This moment!  Perfect moment of intersect between the two cases and a really nice reminder of the Athena/Buck dynamic. 

Also, Mama Bear Athena creating an entire terms and conditions for May to read and sign.  LOL

[jewel21]

1 hour ago, anna0852 said:

Loved Athena rolling up on Buck and Taylor! 

The best part was her using the radio/loudspeaker on him, haha. 

I enjoyed the focus on the call center and its employees. 

As someone who has no sense of direction, I could never do what Josh just did with envisioning everyone and the location of the perp. Heck, I'm pretty sure I would die of dehydration because I would never be able to get out of that maze, heh. 

[Lady Calypso]

This was a good episode to focus on the 9-1-1 call centre, especially Josh, who is a great character, as well as Sue. I love that we got to have a mini Josh Begins episode. Despite the fact that he's only a recurring character, I was interested in learning more about him, and we also got to learn a little more about Sue too!

I always love when Athena and Buck team up. It's a rare but fun treat to have. I even didn't mind seeing Taylor get more involved. They've certainly done a 180 on her character since earlier seasons, but I'm grateful for that. Now, I can actually stand her character. Also, of course I noted that Athena was right on the nose about the missing girl while Sasha Roiz's character just presumed she was drunk. Nice subtle touch that didn't need to be blatantly pointed out. 

Also good on Athena for letting May move out BUT also enforcing some conditions. It's a way to keep her safe while also not dictating her entire life.

[gonzosgirrl]

Were younger/older Sue played by the same actress?

ETA: Sasha Roiz seems a little... wasted? in this role. He's such a good actor to just be the recurring 'less-than' cop character.

Edited May 4, 2021 by gonzosgirrl

[DearEvette]

1 hour ago, gonzosgirrl said:

ETA: Sasha Roiz seems a little... wasted? in this role. He's such a good actor to just be the recurring 'less-than' cop character.

I agree.  And he is nice to look at to boot.  When he does appear I get surprised all over again and mentallyl say 'Hey, Boo, Hey!"

[tennisgurl]

12 hours ago, jewel21 said:

The best part was her using the radio/loudspeaker on him, haha. 

 

"Don't even think about it Buck." That was hilarious, I always love Athena and Buck interactions. 

That was a really good episode, I liked how the cases connected (even if it was a bit of a coincidence that Athena just happened to come upon the mom of the kidnapped girl Sue tried to save) and how everything came together, and then getting a mini Josh Begins plus more info about Sue. They need to save Sue, who else will shoot hostage tackers who try to take over the call center? We also find out that Sue is married to Jerry, and they are just too cute for words. 

I liked seeing the Josh backstory and him overcoming his doubts in himself to save the day. I liked the focus on the call center, they really do deserve more props. They are vital to emergency services and work a really hard job with very little kudos so I am glad that the show has done a good job showing how important what they do is. 

I wish they would give Sasha Roiz a little bit more to do. He's such a good actor and he feels wasted as just Athena's frequent partner. 

Edited May 4, 2021 by tennisgurl

[iMonrey]

What was that foot pedal Josh kept pushing while he was orchestrating the whole police operation? There's a foot pedal? And would a 911 operator actually be in charge of telling all the cops where to go like that? Seems doubtful.

Quote

ETA: Sasha Roiz seems a little... wasted? in this role. He's such a good actor to just be the recurring 'less-than' cop character.

Agreed, I forgot he was on the show, and still don't remember what role he's playing. He was so great on Grimm, although he was really too good for that show too.

[Aliconehead]

Tonight’s episodes of both 9-1-1 franchises highlight why I prefer this one.  This one seems more ensemble.  Yes Peter Krause and Angela Bassett are the leads, but they do a better job giving others storylines.  We know other cops and other 9-1-1 operators.  Lone Star seems more of a Rob Lowe vehicle with supporting casts.  We haven’t met any other 9-1-1 operators or cops.  He always has a storyline and is the focus.  

[iMonrey]

The one thing that bugged me about this episode is that it seemed really stupid for Sue to go running towards that car. Unless I'm mistaken, there had not yet been any 911 call about the missing girl, so she actually had no way of knowing she'd been kidnapped. She saw a girl seemingly passed out, she could have just been really tired for all she knew. She had no way of knowing she was actually in trouble, and even if her spidey senses were telling her something was wrong, the most she should have done was taken down the license plate. Or called 911. Not get out of the car and go running towards them.

[anna0852]

3 hours ago, iMonrey said:

What was that foot pedal Josh kept pushing while he was orchestrating the whole police operation? There's a foot pedal? 

He was switching radio channels 

[lorbeer]

19 hours ago, fireice13 said:

Aww Sue is married to Jerry/Gerry/Terry/Larry!

I did like this episode and how the cases tied together, although Athena's point about how a 20 year old white woman missing wouldn't just be dismissed was disheartening to hear (and sadly true).

In my country there are a lot of missing cases of both men and women that go unheard. I don't know why some cases are all over the media and some don't and that is sad, because for the well known cases there are a lot of forces and energy put to find those missing people and for the cases that are not in the media there is severly less effort. So Buck was right to involve the media.

19 hours ago, anna0852 said:

Loved Athena rolling up on Buck and Taylor! 

Me too! And the 'jail' timer as well!

4 hours ago, iMonrey said:

The one thing that bugged me about this episode is that it seemed really stupid for Sue to go running towards that car. Unless I'm mistaken, there had not yet been any 911 call about the missing girl, so she actually had no way of knowing she'd been kidnapped. She saw a girl seemingly passed out, she could have just been really tired for all she knew. She had no way of knowing she was actually in trouble, and even if her spidey senses were telling her something was wrong, the most she should have done was taken down the license plate. Or called 911. Not get out of the car and go running towards them.

I partially agree, but in the flashback we can ser that Sue saw the kidnapper to dump the girl's purse and/or Walker in the dumpster and I believe that allarmed her the most.

Edited May 4, 2021 by lorbeer

[DearEvette]

4 hours ago, Aliconehead said:

Tonight’s episodes of both 9-1-1 franchises highlight why I prefer this one.  This one seems more ensemble.  Yes Peter Krause and Angela Bassett are the leads, but they do a better job giving others storylines.  We know other cops and other 9-1-1 operators.  Lone Star seems more of a Rob Lowe vehicle with supporting casts.  We haven’t met any other 9-1-1 operators or cops.  He always has a storyline and is the focus.  

I didn't like this original recipe 9-1-1 in the beginning at all really truth to tell.  I thought it went hard on Buck's crazy wild ways and Connie Britton being sad about her mother.  I don;t think this one got into its groove until S2 honestly.  And now it does have the advantage of having 59 episodes and four seasons so it has had the time to flex out a little.  Josh didn't even appear until season 2.  Sue was briefly in a couple of episodes in Season 1.  And I think the newest addition with a name, Linda. didn't really get any speaking lines until the art thieves took over the 911 center and she had the very crucial Epipen. 

I think Lonestar is following the footsteps and has gotten better this season with expanding out.  They stumbled really hard out the gate with focusing on Liv Tyler's sister storyline.  But we've gotten to see Tommy (Gina Torres) and Nancy do their jobs a lot more and Nancy's character has really blossomed. 

I do think the writing is brighter and smarter in this show.  Lonestar needs to snap out of its tendency toward melodrama and yes, stop it with focusing on Rob Lowe so much.  Hopefully with time it will get there.

[auntiemel]

19 hours ago, anna0852 said:

Loved Athena rolling up on Buck and Taylor! 

That was my favorite part!

6 hours ago, DearEvette said:

I agree.  And he is nice to look at to boot.  When he does appear I get surprised all over again and mentallyl say 'Hey, Boo, Hey!"

Yeah, he's completely wasted here.

[Irlandesa]

44 minutes ago, DearEvette said:

stop it with focusing on Rob Lowe so much. 

If he's THE LEAD.  It's by [his] design.  The one way to make him up and quit a show is by making it a true ensemble.

[possibilities]

31 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

If he's THE LEAD.  It's by [his] design.  The one way to make him up and quit a show is by making it a true ensemble.

Have at it! I don't know why people keep hiring him, since he inevitably quits anyway and is a drag on the rest of the characters on any show he's on.

[Snazzy Daisy]

I really really love this episode because Josh is one of my favourite character. It’s good to see how Josh begins and how fate brought him & Sue together. OK writers, now let’s have some scenes of Josh & Buck babysitting baby Jee Yun! 😄

[ribboninthesky1]

Agree with all on Sasha Roiz.  I looked him up in IMDB, thinking maybe he's cast in something else and not wholly available for this show.  That doesn't appear to be the case.  Roiz eye candy is always welcome!        

23 hours ago, DearEvette said:

Also, Mama Bear Athena creating an entire terms and conditions for May to read and sign.  LOL

May's reaction to all that paperwork had me rolling. No 1st floor apartments seem reasonable.  No balconies - hope that one is negotiable.  May can't even sit outside, Athena? 😄

23 hours ago, anna0852 said:

Loved Athena rolling up on Buck and Taylor! 

 Never change, Athena! 

Karen Malina White as the kidnapped woman's mother was a pleasant surprise. Of course Charmaine as mom would block in and hold her daughter's ex hostage with a bat!

 

[Bulldog]

As others have said, I enjoyed Athena rolling up on Buck and Taylor.  What I didn't understand was the next scene that had Buck and Taylor in interrogation rooms as if they were suspects.  What was the purpose of that?  They even had them separated as if they didn't want them to coordinate their stories.  Did they do anything even remotely wrong or illegal? 

While I did enjoy the Josh origins story, I do hope that there is more to the 911 dispatcher job description than just being able to listen to people and type. 

[shapeshifter]

20 minutes ago, Bulldog said:

As others have said, I enjoyed Athena rolling up on Buck and Taylor.  What I didn't understand was the next scene that had Buck and Taylor in interrogation rooms as if they were suspects.  What was the purpose of that?  They even had them separated as if they didn't want them to coordinate their stories.  Did they do anything even remotely wrong or illegal? 

Having watched a lot of L&O-type shows, I think the detectives just wanted to get information to help them find the perp. Separating witnesses is a valid method to get information because if some of it doesn't match, one or both of them might be remembering it wrong, even when the witnesses are not suspects or even "persons of interest."

 

23 minutes ago, Bulldog said:

While I did enjoy the Josh origins story, I do hope that there is more to the 911 dispatcher job description than just being able to listen to people and type.

They almost demonstrated how important it is for 9-1-1 operators to have memorized all of the streets in their area, except I guess they had to use the box car numbers as a metaphor for streets. 

 

 

2 hours ago, SnazzyDaisy said:

I really really love this episode because Josh is one of my favourite character. It’s good to see how Josh begins and how fate brought him & Sue together. OK writers, now let’s have some scenes of Josh & Buck babysitting baby Jee Yun! 😄

Yo! Producers! Y'all listening? Ratings, baby!

 

2 hours ago, ribboninthesky1 said:

No balconies - hope that one is negotiable.  May can't even sit outside, Athena? 😄

Actually, my friend's 23-year-old daughter took an apartment in Chicago so she could be near the school where she was working on an occupational therapy degree, and someone broke in through the balcony window. After that she kept it locked 24-7, but it would still be hella scary to have someone out there even trying to break in.

[Kel Varnsen]

On 5/3/2021 at 9:09 PM, fireice13 said:

Aww Sue is married to Jerry/Gerry/Terry/Larry!

I liked this episode, but every time they showed Sue getting hit I kept thinking "damn it Jerry!".

I also liked the story line with Athena and her daughter. The conditions seemed pretty reasonable, especially with the kind of things that an LAPD patrol sergeant has probably seen over the course of their career. Plus I would hope that a lot of it would be like safety tips that Athena has passed along to her kids over the years. I hope they show the apartment hunting, and I hope Bobby is involved since having a fire department captain would also be an asset when looking for somewhere safe.

 

[AheadofStraight]

I thought they were going to surprise us and have the kidnapper be Sue's son, specifically because she said in a recent episode that she didn't have kids. Thought that was why she was running up to the car. D'oh, I was totally wrong! Damn it, Jerry!

 

[bilgistic]

We were laughing at the over-the-top DRAH-MA despite that definitely not being the intention.

This was what I was reminded of when Josh was envisioning the container yard:

[ribboninthesky1]

10 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Actually, my friend's 23-year-old daughter took an apartment in Chicago so she could be near the school where she was working on an occupational therapy degree, and someone broke in through the balcony window. After that she kept it locked 24-7, but it would still be hella scary to have someone out there even trying to break in.

I don't think that is a reason to avoid (non-1st floor) balconies altogether.  These days, it's reasonably simple to add additional security measures to deter crime (camera, high railings if the apartment doesn't provide it, etc).    

I've lived in mostly first floor apartments as a young single woman living alone.  I've never had a break-in, but I also followed one of Athena's recommendations - finding places in low crime neighborhoods. Still, I totally get why some prefer to live on higher floors.  Nothing is full-proof.  I will always only be as safe as the inherent decency in the people around me. 

We didn't hear if Athena recommended roommates, either, which to me is more reasonable than no balconies.  More cost-efficient, too. As long as it's not Layla!  😬

1 hour ago, AheadofStraight said:

I thought they were going to surprise us and have the kidnapper be Sue's son, specifically because she said in a recent episode that she didn't have kids. Thought that was why she was running up to the car. D'oh, I was totally wrong! Damn it, Jerry!

 That would have been quite the twist!  

[jabRI]

I love the Hen/Athena chats.  So few shows actually portray people just talking with friends.  It's good to see the quieter moments.

[mojoween]

On 5/4/2021 at 12:50 PM, iMonrey said:

The one thing that bugged me about this episode is that it seemed really stupid for Sue to go running towards that car. Unless I'm mistaken, there had not yet been any 911 call about the missing girl, so she actually had no way of knowing she'd been kidnapped. She saw a girl seemingly passed out, she could have just been really tired for all she knew. She had no way of knowing she was actually in trouble, and even if her spidey senses were telling her something was wrong, the most she should have done was taken down the license plate. Or called 911. Not get out of the car and go running towards them.

I mean, she was ON THE PHONE with 911 because she was talking to Josh about the tour.  Wouldn’t it have been better for her to say something like “hey Josh something squirrelly is up, stand by.”

[iMonrey]

Quote

I mean, she was ON THE PHONE with 911 because she was talking to Josh about the tour.  Wouldn’t it have been better for her to say something like “hey Josh something squirrelly is up, stand by.”

Yeah, I don't want to belabor the issue but Sue is supposed to be an expert at keeping cool in an emergency situation. That would not include running towards a car you think is being driven by a criminal. Of course he's going to run you down.

[tvgoddess]

On 5/5/2021 at 11:25 AM, ribboninthesky1 said:

I've lived in mostly first floor apartments as a young single woman living alone.  I've never had a break-in, but I also followed one of Athena's recommendations - finding places in low crime neighborhoods. Still, I totally get why some prefer to live on higher floors.  Nothing is full-proof.  I will always only be as safe as the inherent decency in the people around me. 

I specifically look for walk-in level first floor apartments, mainly because I'm lazy and don't want to have move stuff in and have to walk up a flight or flights of stairs. And then just every day. I lived alone for about 16 years and never had anything happen. I've slightly upgraded as I went along, but I still don't own anything of significant value. Even my car is over 15 years old lol. But I guess they've all been in relatively safe areas. Definitely agree with your last line here though. 

It was nice that although Chim was the one who recognized her (that's Maddie's boss), the episode focused on Josh instead of her. She had just had a pretty big one with Jee-Yun being born, but still.

I have no clue who Sasha Roiz is. Shows you how much tv I watch anymore. Maybe I should change my name?

 

[shapeshifter]

49 minutes ago, tvgoddess said:

I have no clue who Sasha Roiz is.

10 years ago, Sasha Roiz in Caprica: https://www.out.com/entertainment/2010/03/25/need-know-sasha-roiz

[gonzosgirrl]

25 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

10 years ago, Sasha Roiz in Caprica: https://www.out.com/entertainment/2010/03/25/need-know-sasha-roiz

And six seasons as Sean Renard on Grimm.

[tvgoddess]

Yeah, I know what he's done. I looked him up on IMDb. I just haven't watched anything that he's been in.

[rove4]

On 5/4/2021 at 8:48 PM, ribboninthesky1 said:

Karen Malina White as the kidnapped woman's mother was a pleasant surprise. Of course Charmaine as mom would block in and hold her daughter's ex hostage with a bat!

THAT'S who that was!  Thank you!  

[JH Lipton]

On 5/4/2021 at 9:38 AM, iMonrey said:

[W]ould a 911 operator actually be in charge of telling all the cops where to go like that? Seems doubtful.

This is an example of [our group] does all the functions of [larger group].  You see this with the CSI and SWAT groups interrogating suspects, and the like.  It's equivalent to [our group] is always first on the scene.

[KeithJ]

On 5/4/2021 at 11:38 AM, iMonrey said:

And would a 911 operator actually be in charge of telling all the cops where to go like that? Seems doubtful.

This is what really bugged me about the episode.  It was nice they decided to do a Josh-centric episode but this was not the way to go about it.  A 911 operator would never be running a scene like that.

[possibilities]

They tried to get the helicopter to give them directions, but it was unavailable. I don't think the 911 operators usually do this, but no one else was available, is how I took it.

[Diana Berry]

Am I supposed to know who jerry ( sue’s hubby) is ? Pls adv

I also noticed they did use the military abbreviations when saying the license tag... a alpha, b bravo, s Sierra.  I think that was a mistake.

[Ailianna]

Actually, they used the phonetic alphabet used by law enforcement. The plate was read several times as 9-1-William Adam Lincoln Todd Nora.

Edited May 12, 2021 by Ailianna

[Diana Berry]

3 hours ago, Ailianna said:

Actually, they used the phonetic alphabet cooking used by law enforcement. The plate was read several times as 9-1-William Adam Lincoln Todd Nora.

I didnt know law enforcement had a different alphabet thought they used military .  Learn something every day. 

[Moose135]

2 hours ago, Diana Berry said:

I didnt know law enforcement had a different alphabet thought they used military .

It varies. The code LAPD uses is an earlier standard, the APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International) phonetic alphabet first established in the 1940s.  Many other departments adopted the same standard. In the 1970s, APCO stopped using the alphabet, in favor of the ICAO/NATO standard used by the military, civil aviation, and others, however LAPD chose to retain their code.

[jabRI]

On 5/10/2021 at 4:22 AM, Diana Berry said:

Am I supposed to know who jerry ( sue’s hubby) is ? Pls adv

Parks and Recreation

[kwnyc]

On 5/4/2021 at 9:48 PM, ribboninthesky1 said:

Also, Mama Bear Athena creating an entire terms and conditions for May to read and sign.  LOL

Since May was in the call center during the final chase of the kidnapper and finding of the victim, I can see where she'd be willing to consider Mama Bear's terms with a respectful eye.

Don't scare me by messing with Call Center Mama Bear Sue! And Josh carried an unconscious woman up five flights? He IS a hero.

And as mentioned above, this show is leagues better than the spinoff because it continues to be an ensemble; the overall quality of the actors is higher than in Austin (though there are a few real standouts on that one.)