9-1-1 season 3, episode 18 recap: What’s Next?

Well, that’s one way to end the third season of 9-1-1.

9-1-1 fans were incredibly eager to get to this week’s conclusion of the two-part finale. Why is that? I have two words to explain that excitement–Connie Britton. The highly anticipated return of Abby had everyone on the edge of their seats, and questioning if she and Buck will reunite, and more importantly, if Britton would be returning to the series.

A massive train crash brings out the 118 and basically any form of first responders to the scene after Abby makes the 9-1-1 call. Luckily for her, she’s been on the other side before and knows exactly what to ask of Maddie. If only Maddie knew she was talking to the love of her brother’s life.

It doesn’t take much time for Buck and Abby to come face-to-face. Unfortunately, it’s under horrible circumstances which are made worse by Abby’s reveal that she is engaged, and her fiance is somewhere in the train car.

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Buck’s not given much time to process, but the look on his face says it all. Nonetheless, he promises Abby to save her fiance, Sam, and gets right to it. What follows is a harrowing rescue so uncomfortable that I didn’t see Buck, Eddie, or Captain Nash getting out of it alive. I mean, this was a train car positioned vertically with two passengers trapped inside–Sam and a girl played by Rumer Willis.

At first, it seems only one of the two can be saved, but Buck made a promise to Abby, and despite, however, he is feeling at the moment, he intends to keep that promise.

Oh, Buck, you deserve better. The guy lives up to his promise, and delivers ten-fold, which is something I’ve come to expect from Buck over the last three seasons. He’s turned out to be a stand-up guy and is his best when he does things for the ones he loves.

It doesn’t seem like Abby is sticking around though, which means this is a one-time Connie Britton-shaped treat. For any Buck and Abby shippers, the episode ends with her very much still engaged. But she doesn’t leave before sitting down and talking with Buck about what transpired between them. It’s safe to say she sort of just disappeared and Buck felt that he was still living up to his promise of “waiting for her”.

Abby did do him a little dirty, but we get it, and bygones are bygones. And if she’s happy, we (and Buck) are happy too.

9-1-1 doesn’t spend a ton of time on the rest of the characters for the season 3 finale, but there are some developments nonetheless. Eddie grapples with whether or not to send Christoper to a sleepaway camp but eventually decides for it. I’m glad he did because it shows his strength and development as a father. I think we owe a large part of this progression to Buck, who is always there for Christopher and Eddie.

In last week’s penultimate episode, Athena dealt with a very traumatic experience and was nearly beaten to death by a serial rapist. She’s alive and well (thankfully) but it’s still a huge thing to deal with. She’s reluctant to talk about it and instead focuses on the other survivors. Is Athena quite possibly the strongest character to have ever lived? I think so.

Remember the guy Michael got stuck in an elevator with during the blackout? Well, he makes a brief comeback in the season 3 finale, right after Michael learns that his tumor has reduced by 30%. Yay for Michael finding a boo thing–we are here for it! Congratulations are also in order for Hen, who, with the help of her family, prepares for the MCATS. She’s going to medical school, folks!

Perhaps the most exciting thing to come out of the 9-1-1 season 3 finale is the news that Maddie and Chimney are having a baby! Yes, she’s pregnant! I am so excited about this development in their relationship because I truly do love them together. They make so much sense and bring out the best in one another, and I’m excited to see where season 4 leads them, and their family.

And just like that, we’ve reached the end of the road for the show’s third installment. It was a strong season on many fronts, but most noticeably, character development. We’ve seen a lot of these guys go through the wringer over the last three seasons, but I believe it’s season 3 that has really shown strong progression and story development. I’m hyped for what comes next–in 2021.

Until next season, folks. May it be here before we know it!