911 season 9, episode 15 felt like a classic episode from earlier seasons in a way that reminded viewers of the connection between the members of the 118. When Buck struggled under the weight of an addiction, he came close to ruining his career. But was he able to ask for help?
Buck was attempting to get more prescription medication, and it was obvious he was now addicted to opioids. However, his name was flagged in a database that kept track of who would often search for different doctors to get pills. When the doctor told him he needed to seek help, Buck refused and left, trying to deal with the issue himself.
However, it was clear Buck was flailing and going through withdrawals at work. It got so bad that at one point, he nearly stole fentanyl after Eddie restocked the ambulance. However, a call stopped him from taking them, and he realized he needed to talk to someone.
He immediately went to Chimney, telling him he needed to be fired. When Chimney discovered the truth, he was shocked and knew he had a difficult task ahead of him. He had to report Buck for what he did, but at the same time, he didn’t want the city to lose a valuable firefighter. So he suggested they could keep it in the House while he talked with the chief to see what they could do.
Buck did have to wait for the disciplinary committee to determine his status, but self-reporting could help his case. In the meantime, his family came to his aid when he needed it most. Not just his coworkers, but Maddie, Harry, May, Athena, and Christopher all came to support Buck and never left him alone.
What was even more powerful about this was that it all happened on the anniversary of Bobby’s death. When Bobby died, none of them could do anything to save him or even touch him. But in Buck’s case when he needed them most, they were all at his side. From restocking his fridge to sitting at his bedside as he went through symptoms, everyone took their turn caring for their friend and brother.
In a touching scene with Athena, Buck told her that he now understood Bobby a little more after experiencing a similar battle with addiction. While Athena knew Bobby would not have wished for Buck to ever go through that, she told him how much Bobby loved him.
At the end, the entire team gathered in Buck’s backyard and toasted to Bobby, remembering their lost captain a year after they lost him.
This was what fans have been missing and wanting to see for so long. It felt like the team was there for each other in a way that had been missing since they all have been grieving. While we still have to wait to find out what will happen with Buck’s job, we hope that like Bobby, he gets the chance to continue his career as a firefighter.
It would be an interesting call back to an earlier season 9 episode when Buck met an addict in need of help, who was living in his attic. Buck decided to attend an AA meeting with him and maybe we will see Buck take that step for himself if, and when, he’s ready.
911 also updated us on the May and Ravi front
Elsewhere in the episode, we also got an update on the romance situation with May and Ravi. It turns out Ravi took Harry a little too seriously when he said not to date May and ghosted her. Now, he thought he was too late and May was dating the capable and very hot nurse Ian. However, by the end, he learned that May was only seeing Ian in a professional capacity, as she was looking into nursing.
The way Ravi looked at May and moved closer to her, we have a feeling he is going to make things right with her. They make such a cute couple, and it was great to see that they at least worked through some conflicts and misunderstandings to make a relationship work.
Athena also had a case during the episode, in which a high-profile journalist was poisoned with a powerful drug called polonium-210, something that is usually used by Russian assassins. At first, it did look like he was actually killed by a real estate mogul who would have reasons to harm him for a story he wrote about an unfinished project.
However, Athena was able to get the results back from the crime lab about the polonium-210 used in the murder, and the manufacturer came from a surprising source. His own estranged son plotted his murder, using small amounts of radioactive ingredients he ordered for his science lab to make the product once he had enough.
It was a surprising twist in a case that otherwise felt a little out of place in such a heavy episode. But one of the key things it showed was that other people thought Athena should be a detective. While she has mentioned before that she likes where she is, it would be great to see her move up the career ladder.
Overall, this episode was deeply moving and showed how quickly addiction can take over someone. But one of the most important steps taken was when Buck told someone, and he was surrounded by his family when he needed them. Oliver Stark did an incredible job in this episode, showing Buck's evolution in dealing with the withdrawals to allowing his family to care for him.
This episode showed the importance of relying on others and that you don’t have to be alone when going through something so difficult such as addiction. Hopefully, now that they have all come together, the team can be there for each other, especially since the promo for the next episode will find the team facing a lawsuit.
911 airs Thursdays on ABC at 8/7c. Episodes are available the next day on Hulu.