911 season 10 episode 5 had some powerful storylines involving fathers and sons, including one that put Captain Howie “Chimney” Han in the spotlight. Plus, the storyline about Buck and Theo continued as his friend, Eddie, tried to understand what was going through his friend’s head as he made a huge decision. How did the episode fare for the members of the 118?
This episode was a doozy, and there are a lot of emotions to cover, especially with the running theme focusing on fathers and sons. Chimney’s plot was powerful in and of itself, with his pseudo-dad, John Lee, being hospitalized. He had gotten a cut on his hand a week earlier that became infected, and he was ill due to sepsis.
Chimney figures out his place in the life of his pseudo-parents, Anne and John Lee
Chimney still had a hard time seeing himself as John’s son, which made him feel like he couldn’t have a say in his car, despite John’s wife, Anne, calling him as soon as he was hospitalized. In a sweet scene with his wife Maddie, she reminded him of how much they care about him. The moment was so sweet, especially since we got to see Chimney cradle their son, Nash, in his arms, which likely is what he needed.
He also had a talk with Hen, revealing that he was actually afraid to find out whether or not John and Anne even saw him as family. But Hen reminded him that they were Jee and Nash’s grandparents, and John was there for him much more than his own father was.
At the end of the episode, Chimney went to see John and feared the worst when he saw his hospital bed empty. However, it was a fakeout, and John was coming back after being out of the room with Anne. The moment he told a nurse that Chimney was their son, Chimney broke down in his arms and professed his love for the both of them.
This was such an amazing episode for Chimney and showcased how a bond could form between a father and son who weren’t blood related. Kenny Choi really made this episode his own, and I loved every second of his scenes.
The next story involved Athena working on the case of a man who was found dead on a hiking trail. At first, it was believed a homeless man with schizophrenia had killed him. He was near the body and had evidence on him, but all he could admit to was seeing a gun floating away and being present, but not shooting the victim.
Athena is doing an amazing job as Detective
Athena suspected there was something more to the story, and her feelings were confirmed when they met with the man’s kids. They weren’t too brokenhearted about their dad’s death since he worked as a nature photographer and was barely in their lives. But they were pleased to find that he had left them millions in life insurance money.
However, Athena still didn’t believe their homeless man committed the murder, especially after she questioned him and included the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to see if he was involved. Then, the murder weapon was eventually found on a roof, with a balloon attached to it. Due to this, plus gunpowder residue being on the victim and the life insurance money, Athena determined it was actually a suicide, and he tried to disguise it so that his kids would get the money.
Athena did a great job working this case, and while I miss seeing her interact with the 118 on cases they stumble upon together, we’re glad to see her take charge in more cases like this. We hope to see more of Athena evolving as a Detective since she has the skill and knowledge to make sure she gets the right person in the end.
Buck's story arc somehow is no longer just about him
Now, this is the storyline that has left me scratching my head and wondering where they are going with this. After Buck made the decision to give Theo up, it seemed as though Eddie was now judging him for that decision. When he talked to Hen and Karen about it, they tried to show him that Buck was doing what he thought was best and even told Eddie about their own experience fostering. It was tough, but they got through it together.
Now, one would hope that this would show Eddie that he could try to be supportive of Buck and maybe convince him that giving Theo up was not the right call. He could be a good, supportive friend. However, he did not do that.
After seeing Chris writing a letter to Buck because he was upset with him, Eddie did tell him Buck was doing what he thought was best. However, Chris pointed out that Eddie came back and that Theo needed a dad who would come back. Somehow, Eddie made the decision that he should become an emergency foster placement and took Theo in.
Eddie has made many impulsive decisions over the years, but this one takes the cake. He didn’t even talk to Buck about it, and sure, Buck didn’t have legal ties to Theo, but he was still in his care for months. When Buck discovered Theo was in the house, he confronted Eddie, telling him it wasn’t his decision to make. Eddie threw it back in his face that he wasn’t Theo’s father, and Buck wondered if he was shaming him.
But then Buck accused Eddie of using his own shame at not being there for Chris and trying to make things right through Theo. It was definitely implied this is what he meant, and while harsh, it was what Eddie needed to hear.
He made such a huge decision without talking to Buck, and instead of encouraging Buck not to give up on Theo, he took him in for reasons that felt selfish. Eddie seems to be acting as though he is in the right, but he can’t fix everything. Plus, Theo is a child, not a fix for old hurts that he wasn’t even a part of.
The fight between Buck and Eddie is about to be explosive, and I am not sure where they go from here. The show loves to reunite the characters, but this might be the biggest betrayal that Buck has gone through with Eddie specifically. Instead of trying to be supportive while Buck went through fostering Theo, he made judgments and didn't try to hear him out or be there for him.
While things could have gone better and Buck could have asked for help, Eddie never offered help and instead gave judgment. And when Buck made a decision he thought was best, he made his own choice without talking to him or suggesting it as an idea until Buck was ready to see himself as the father Theo needed.
There is no telling where this storyline will go, but it is very intense, and honestly, I hope this is the wake-up call Buck needs to realize that if the right place for Theo is to be with him, then he steps up to be the father Theo needs. He needs someone in his corner too to show he can do this, and unfortunately, the show is not doing the best job of showing that. We want to see Buck get support and not be made to feel like someone can swoop in and do a better job. Especially someone who is supposed to be his friend.
911 airs Thursdays on ABC at 8/7c
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