"Let Go"[2] is the second episode of the first season of 9-1-1. It was directed by Gwenyth Horder-Payton. It aired on January 10, 2018.
Synopsis[]
A night at an amusement park takes a deadly turn when a roller coaster malfunction leaves lives hanging in the balance. Abby is relieved after getting some help taking care of her mother and tentatively reaches out to Buck, who is struggling with the "life or death" nature of the being a firefighter. Meanwhile, Athena and Hen respond to an unusual home invasion and a couple's dispute leads to a dramatic rescue for Bobby.[3]
Full Synopsis[]
At a roller coaster ride, Devon notices people were screaming of terror, rather than joy, which his friend Chad somewhat disagrees with. Devon adds he doesn't wish to have a fearful experience and mentions another phobia of having pressure on his stomach. Chad claims Devon might be able to conquer two of them in one attempt. Chad stops Devon from quitting, claiming the two women in front of them will humiliate them on instagram, but Devon isn't fully convinced since it would happen on the ride anyway. Chad coaxes him as the women could be popular, and the two friends would subsequently go viral for a nasty reason. They board the ride, though the amusement park staff fail to notice the improperly secured metal bracings. As the vehicle moves, Devon panics and curses Chad, who laughs. However, as it goes through an inverted loop, the bracing fails and Chad falls out, to Devon's horror.
A caller dials 9-1-1 after witnessing the fall, and the 118 respond. Devon screams for help as the vehicle was stuck inverted on the rails and he is only held by his arms on the braces. Bobby discovers their engine inconveniently placed, ordering Buck to ascend the ride via their vehicle and secure Devon while he moves it for accessibility. Buck is eager to agree and scales immediately. The women on the ride panic, but Buck assures them with a rescue, advising them to stay still. Reaching the structure, Buck also tries to pacify Devon, who demands to learn Chad's condition. Buck forwards this to Bobby, who pings Chimney and Hen on the ground. The two find Chad deceased, and Bobby orders to avoid panic by concealing this information. Onlookers gather around as Buck progresses, claiming to Devon that Chad was not killed and is being rescued by the crew. The women panic when Bobby starts driving away, which Buck explains the vehicle is merely repositioning. Buck lowers down a strap, advising Devon to ignore the crowd and grab it, though Devon expresses negatively, and Chimney becomes nervous as well. Buck reiterates his instructions when Devon is further terrified by embarrassment in front of many strangers, and Buck promises he will have everything else sorted with once Devon is rescued before lowering his right hand. However, Devon repeats the same response, loses his grip and dies, much to the terror of everyone present, especially Buck.
Still traumatized, Buck was not in the mood for eating in the next day, puzzled by Devon's actions. Chimney advises him to eat, and clarifies people might actually behave as such at times. Both Bobby and Chimney advise Buck to move on, as incidents come and go quickly, with deaths being a common aspect that rescue teams must get over with. Hen brings Athena over to their meal as she wasn't comfortable with Michael outing himself earlier on. Bobby claims he will make an exception to police officers this time, which was appreciated. Though Athena retains some animosity to Buck for refusing Marika, his heroism saving her from gunfire convinced her otherwise and they shake hands, although she reminds him he wouldn't have more opportunities. They all laugh slightly and Bobby explains Buck struggling with Devon's death. Athena brings up the reason they have the uniforms - While she agrees on Buck of its contrasting properties, when they don't have it on, they forfeit all the calamities that came their way. The station's alarm rings immediately after she finishes, and the team assembles while Athena leaves.
At Abby's place, a news report mentions the state fair incident, with Marcy Henderson interviewing Buck after he rescues the remaining passengers successfully. As he explains his confusion regarding Devon, Abby recognizes Buck's appearance. Patricia calls out for help, but becomes inaccessible to Abby as the doors were locked by Patricia on accident. Carla Price, the housemaid, arrives before Abby could open it, so she brings up the current issue to her. Carla advises Abby she will have the door modified by her husband after they get Patricia outside, and talks Patricia into unlocking it. Patricia walks off, and Abby hugs Carla, offering her residence. Carla suggests Abby to head for work as she deals with Patricia at home.
Athena and Michael urge their children to prepare as they are going to work, and Harry responds. He claims May was sick, and while Athena assumes she was just nervous, Michael offers to stay behind so Athena can drive Harry to school.
Responding to an emergency of a canine attack in progress, Athena forces other vehicles in a drive-thru so she can acquire some bait, being burgers, fries and some root beer. Hen and Chimney arrive, with the former advising the caller animal control units are on the way, and he needs to to stop dousing the Doberman Pischers as it only agitates the dogs further even if they are stuck. To Hen's dismay, Chimney absconds, claiming he's searching for the owner while Athena arrives. Discovering the dogs herself, Athena laments at how all the burgers are going to waste. Hen takes a fire extinguisher and Athena lures the dogs with burgers into an enclosure, where Hen locks them inside, casing everyone to laugh. The dogs are taken away by animal control with Chimney assisting and Hen treats the injured caller before meeting up with Athena. She mentions the caller finding Athena attractive, which she dismisses, and also reveals Michael's outing was already public. Athena claims she can't divorce just yet, and Hen advises Athena to try everything if it keeps the family together. Athena asks Hen if the doors were open before they were there and receives a negative response as the real homeowner arrives. She comes to the conclusion that the caller was in fact a burglar - If an innocent person or the homeowner was attacked and pursued by hostile dogs, the doors would be left open for the dogs to chase inside, unless they actually belong to the homeowner and are aggressively defending, in which case the doors would remain closed. Hen and Athena break the news to the homeowner as he finds his pets missing.
After Patricia goes to sleep, Abby and Carla discuss on how Abby tried to keep Patricia company and offers Carla wine. Carla mentions her husband isn't happy with her at the moment so she needs to wait until his wrath dies down. They amuse each other, and Carla brings up about Patricia mentioning Tommy, which Abby claims as an archaic relationship that ended terribly because he can't stand Patricia taking Abby away from him. Another interview of Buck pops up, and when he's made aware of a shower of Twitter questions from females, he claims they might be just attracted to what he does for his job, and Abby turns off the TV. Carla gets Abby to admit she has feelings for Buck, as Buck was the first person to commend her for lifesaving. Abby is bugged into calling Buck as she explains Buck isn't feeling good after Devon's death. She hides in her bedroom to dial Buck, who turns out to be on a firefighting mission that's drawing to a close, and begins comforting him. He reveals he is under severe pressure by himself as he can't get over his failure to save Devon, which Abby commiserates, but also brings up that sometimes people don't desire rescue and just killed themselves when they had the chance. After some more discussion they agree to call back when avaliable, and Abby collapses on the bed.
Buck attends Devon's funeral along many others and attempts to apologize to Devon's sister, Liz. However, Liz accuses Buck for his failure to save Devon who very much wanted to be alive, as she is unaware of Devon's refusal to actually grab Buck before leaving, adding to Buck's confusion.
In a high-rise building, Stephanie notices a suspicious window washer staring at her and a female coworker. They try to ignore him until his harness breaks, causing her to dial 9-1-1 in panic. The 118 arrived after police units, where Bobby orders Buck to ascend the ladder truck, while he secures the cable from the roof. Buck volunteers to take Bobby's task, claiming he is faster, and Bobby agrees. As Bobby ascends, Buck and another firefighter enter the building.
Back at the station, Buck was despondent due to his presumed failure at the rescue, revealing to the Bobby his nerves qualified for the navy SEALs but wasn't great at obeying orders and quit, citing the navy only wanted mundane people who would simply follow whatever that was said. He became a firefighter both for the force and to help others. He gets Bobby to bring out the first person he lost, namely Katherine Vance, who was injured by a drunk driver and Bobby couldn't rescue her in time from the wreckage. He doesn't think just obeying orders would make Buck better at the job, also mentioning that anyone they lose can and will have a profound impact on first responders. Bobby then gives Buck a business card for a trauma counselor that might help before leaving.
Buck meets with Dr. Wells and doesn't seem to be actually concerned with his trauma, as he actually arrived late at times due to circumstances, but Devon keeps puzzling him. Wells tells him she can't really figure out what's Devon's up to, and Buck discovers she friended him on Facebook. After having sex, Wells kicks Buck out, and he leaves. Meanwhile, Athena and Michael try to sort out their troubles with marriage counselor Glass. She expresses her frustrations at Michael's outing which has brought her unease, and Michael admits these but adds they have more important matters for their family to fragment. Nevertheless, Athena still considers the prospect of a divorce. Michael follows up with his lover again, much to Athena's chagrin.
Still agitated with Michael, Athena could not bear to see his photograph and stows it. Using the number she obtained, she lures out the burglar. When the police patrol vehicle's presence became obvious, he tries to flee, but Athena stops and cuffs him, filled with rage induced by Michael. Other officers arrive in a second vehicle and take him away as she pants and leaves.
It takes Abby a dozen seconds to get an address from the distracted caller, who observes Leonard trying to commit suicide by jumping from an apartment building after believing his girlfriend cheated on him. The 118 arrives after police, with Buck expressing his dismay, as a gun would have been an easier way for them to handle, which Hen agrees. The police report they can't access Leonardo's location in the bathroom balcony, whereas his girlfriend is accessible. Bobby orders Buck to abseil and perform the rescue. Though he is reluctant and Chimney volunteers, Bobby maintains his choice. Bobby arrives as they are arguing and explains sarcastically telling Leonardo to jump isn't going to save him. She denies cheating on him, and Bobby tries to get an apology even if it isn't genuine. Unsurprisingly, she fails again, and Bobby takes over. As Buck rappels down, the other units set up an inflatable cushion and Bobby fabricates his story on the spot, claiming that he met a girl and imagined their future, then brought a ring and proposed to her on the Eiffel Tower. Buck gets into position, and Bobby gives the order on radio. He swings in and kicks Leonard inside. After revealing he made up the story to the girl, Bobby leaves.
Returning to the station, Buck thanks Bobby for supporting him, and Bobby congratulates Buck for saving a life. Chimney barges in and jokes Leonard would actually have sex again later on. Hen disagrees since he just attempted suicide, though Chimney argues it might be as well as possible for guilt, then directs at Buck to back his point. The crew notice Liz outside, and Buck walks away from the group. Soon, Liz revealed she was here for an apology. Buck assumes she was still in grief, but she reveals Devon was suicidal 7 years ago before he was sent to therapy. They assumed he was fully cured of his symptoms afterwards. When they relapsed two months prior, Liz was terrified and dialed Chad, begging him to take Devon out of the house. She perceived Devon's acceptance that he was healing, and only after his death did she realize Devon used the opportunity to commit suicide, meaning effectively, Liz got them both killed. Buck comforts her, as nothing could be done to prevent Devon's death, and they must accept that people sometimes don't desire to be saved.
At a dinner outside with Carla and Abby, she was bugged into calling Buck again, who was exercising with pull-ups. Buck is worried about having a relationship with Abby, as he kept seeking out random women for meaningless sex, though Abby isn't interested in that. Buck admits Abby was special and he enjoys talking to her. They again promise to talk in the future, and Abby fails to conceal this fact against Carla, despite claiming the opposite.
Athena returns home to find Michael missing and Harry busy. When May isn't responding, she enters the room and is horrified by the sight of her dental prescription drugs being used to commit suicide. In a panic, Athena dials 9-1-1.
Cast[]
Starring[]
Guest Starring[]
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Co-Starring[]
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Trivia[]
- Like the first episode, actor Rockmond Dunbar isn’t credited, nor mentioned in the second episode’s press release.[3]
- However, as revealed by the photos that were released along with press release, Rockmond Dunbar is in fact in the episode.
- The roller coaster scene was filmed in Ontario, California.[4]
- Buck sleeping with his therapist in this episode is later referenced again in the Season Three episode "Fallout".
- The roller coaster call was Buck's first call loss.
- Buck was in training for the Navy, before the 118.
- Buck has been with the LAFD for under 6 months.
Soundtrack[]
| Song | Artist | Timestamp* | Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Mess Around" | Cage The Elephant | Devon and Chad get on the roller coaster. | |
| "No Scrubs" | TLC | 10:50 | Athena responds to a call and stops at a fast food restaurant to grab bait. |
*Timestamps are rounded to the minute.
Multimedia[]
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