"Under Pressure" is the first episode of the second season of 9-1-1, and the eleventh episode overall. It aired on September 23, 2018.
Synopsis[]
On one of the hottest days of the year, the first responders feel the pressure as harrowing incidents keep happening around the city, including a road rage accident involving a van full of tourists, an emergency at an auto-repair shop and a veteran with a live grenade embedded in his leg. Meanwhile, Buck gets a surprise visit from his sister, Maddie. Also, Athena questions her relationship with Bobby. Then, at the fire station, handsome new hire Eddie jeopardizes Buck's chances of being chosen for a fireman calendar.[2]
Full Synopsis[]
Los Angeles is struck by a heat wave, which the announcer speculates as forewarning on an impending earthquake.
Near Hollywood, a tour bus carrying passengers was involved in a road rage incident where they are pestered by a red supercar. Rage consumes the bus driver and he enters the opposite lane, causing the vehicle to plummet down when trying to avoid an oncoming pickup. An overstressed pressure cooker detonates after structural failure at Tomas' Tamales, sending fragments and guests everywhere while shattering the glass in the venue. A groom escapes from his wedding in a rental vehicle, and DWP employee Mikey had his arm blown off when he tries to open a sewer hatch, releasing an incendiary outburst that sends several of them flying. The arm lands in a swimming pool, causing mass panic.
The 118 first arrive at the bus' crash site and observe the casualties. Athena arrests the groom Andy, citing speeding and grand theft auto. Andy tells her the vehicle was actually a rental as the bride approaches and he begs the sergeant for immediate custody. The LAFD begin their work, with Bobby and Buck working on freeing trapped casualties, while Hen and Chimney attend to them, the latter even recieving questions from a tourist. Discovering the bride providing misinformation to authorities, Athena arrests her as well and drives away. Buck, Hen and Chimney then proceed to Tomas' Tamales and treat casualties there, who were either burned or had objects stuck in them. Buck later fishes out Mikey's arm, with the tool still in its grip, to the applause of bystanders. The firefighters proceed to eliminate any exposed flames and cart off Mikey in the ambulance, and Bobby encounters Athena, who informs him the DWP's information on the matter - Cables overheated and ignited flammable substances. When the manwhole cover was pulled open by Mikey. Bobby adds that the sudden surge of oxygen accenuated the flames which emerge after all the continual buildup of pressure, and they kiss.
Back at the station, Bobby starts complimenting some firefighters, which Hen finds annoying somewhat. Buck busts in, explaining to them he lost a little more fat, ahd Chimney jokes it might be part of Buck's brain. Buck retorts with a reminder on the LAFD calendar photo, as he needs to get in shape for the matter. Hen disparages the event's misogynist theme and long title, though her version of the latter doesn't turn out any shorter. Bobby implies he's in as well and it's a charity event anyway, much to Hen's surprise, as she disagrees with his notion of men's improving body image in the 50s. Chimney then subtly hints his involvement. Buck approves of them, but Bobby reminds them they don't stand a chance. Buck interprets this as in each firehouse only having one candidate. Suddenly, everyone had their attention over Edmundo Diaz changing into his uniform when Chimney comments. Buck doesn't understand why do they need anymore hands, so Bobby brings out a few facts - Eddie is a combat medic formerly deployed to Afghanistan and was awarded a silver star for his valor. He recently graduated from training and Bobby persuaded him to join 118 instead of 6. They all go over to meet their new team member, though Buck, who stays back, fears competition when Chimney brings that up to him.
At Hector's Rim and Tire Shop, the titular owner was trying to persuade a client on the phone from slandering his bussiness on Yelp due to delays, as he is currently running short on staff and eventually concedes. As he ends the call, agitated over the order, he slips on an exhaust component and is impaled in the buttocks by an air compressor nozzle, forcing his employees to dial for emergency services.
On their way to the scene, Eddie plays off Chimney's speculation on his silver star, claiming he obtained it for protecting a convoy rather than a whole platoon. Hen brings up the calender event and Bobby laughs, while Buck grows nervous and uneasy. He tries to play confuse Eddie with some nonsese regarding aliases until Chimney informs Eddie that Buck's comments shouldn't be taken literally, much to Bobby's amusement.
Employees lead the crew to Hector, who is still stuck and inflated with the gas shut off. They first remove him from the pump, and soon realize the air pressure is preventing them from doing anything else such as injections or even serving oxygen since there are 100 pounds of air per square inch within his body. As his vital signs drop, Bobby declares they will have to make a puncture and remove the gasses. Buck is handed for the task and turns down Eddie's assistance, but when the latter mentions a better location due to his experiences, Bobby authorizes Eddie to take over. Eddie gets Buck to loosen Hector's clothes before he goes in for the stab, and successfully vents out the air, restoring Hector's consciousness. Hector is loaded into the ambulance, as Bobby and Chimney commend Eddie, though Buck does so scarcastically.
Buck returns to Abby's apartment and notices some anomalies. Someone touched the alcohol there, and women lingerie are littered on the bed. He dismisses these, disrobes and attempts to take a shower, only to terrify his sister Maddie who was actually inside, claiming to be looking for him. After she gets out of the shower they have a discussion, ranging from Maddie giving baths to a 2-year old Buck, as well as how she managed to find and access the building. Buck is surprised at how easily did the building manager believed her and his Christmas cards arriving on-time. She apologizes for her three-year silence and seems to have left her abusive ex-husband Doug Kendall for good, before advising him not to tell anyone else. Maddie finds the place unusually tidy and Buck cooking food, which he attributes to it being Abby's place and Bobby respectively. Maddie teases with Buck on how Abby might be cheating on him, much to his annoyance, which she claims as protective measures. Though she declines his invitation to see around Los Angeles, he claims he would need some company anyway, and they have a toast.
At Athena's place, Bobby is confused since Athena tweeted four times in a row, commenting on the TV episode to her friends. When he inquires further on the intricate viewership engagement, Athena mentions Crenshaw Plaza having some good films. She declines Bobby's invitation to visit there as a couple, citing their heavy burden at work and they need a private break. After that, they resume cuddling.
Buck was weightlifting when Eddie comes around and homes on his skills with a training sandbag. Going off to grab some more weights, Buck passes Chimney and tries to take a selfie on a stick. Eddie mentions a lighting issue, which Buck ignores though Chimney is piqued. Explaining lighting could affect a person's metaphorical stance, Eddie demonstrates some of the images to Chimney. Buck deems this work of a professional and therefore unfair, which Eddie corrects as his 12 year old niece. Chimney is interested in having his pictures taken as well, though Buck criticizes Eddie for trying to encourage Chimney, who doesn't seem to mind Buck's statement. As he walks away, Eddie comes over, sensing animosity, and Buck expresses how he should obey the experienced crew, which Chimney dismisses. Eddie attempts to comfort Buck, aware that Abby left him and is coping. Buck denies and becomes aware of the leak, which Eddie responds there's no need for hostility as they are on a united front, and shouldn't vent his wrath on someone. Eddie walks off, with Buck reiterating the security of his relationship as Bobby looks on, amusing Chimney.
The 118 respond to a call where Charlie, an avid collector of military antiques, was injured by an M203 grenade. Bobby assess his injuries and decide he must be transported due to the shrapnels embedded in his body severing arteries. He orders Buck to accompany the ambulance and drop his differences with Eddie. As the vehicles drive to the hospital, Eddie claims to Buck these were common fare to him, though he ignores Buck's mention of Chimney being impaled by a rebar. Eddie gets Buck to fetch some more gauze as their existing ones have been drenched and he tries to convince Eddie about their work in LA, though they are interrupted when Charlie tries to remove it. Eddie discovers the gold cap of the fragmentation grenade and explains that practice rounds should have blue caps before ordering the ambulance to stop.
The bomb squad perform an X-ray scan and reveal to the crew there is indeed a live grenade stuck there in his thigh. Eddie clarifies to Buck that the grenade has a proxmity fuse, and Charlie likely triggered the launch component, but the distance didn't make enough rotations for it to explode. Bobby tells them they will have to improvise as the explosive cannot be brought inside a hospital, while the bomb squad informs them reinforcements from the military will arrive in one hour to handle this, as they alone cannot pull it out from Charlie. Both Buck and Eddie agree on its urgency, so Eddie volunteers. Though Bobby isn't convinced, Eddie assures him with his experience, and Buck offers assistance.
The bomb squad provide Eddie and Buck with equipment, including kevlar vests, a box and a mechanical arm. Bobby tries to dissuade Buck from personal heroism, though Buck claims he doesn't want Eddie to take all the objectives and they might make a good team anyway. Charlie mentions that he'd be embarrassed if his deceased wife would witness it, and Buck assures him they will not leave him for dead. While they start the procedures, they learn that Charlie wished to became a marine during the Vietnam war, which never occurred as he was actually unfit for military service. He then became a 7th grade schoolteacher for 40 years. Eddie doesn't think that makes him any less of a hero, to Charlie's comfort. Buck notices Charlie's massive blood loss and Eddie has him place limited pressure while going for the grenade, and the extraction is smoothly completed as Eddie avoids further rotation. Both men are relieved as the munition is loaded into a box, and subsequently take Charlie to reinforcements waiting outside while the bomb squad prepares to dispatch a defusal robot, having locked down the area. Eddie commends on Buck maintaining his composure during the extraction, and they agree to have support each other, eliminating their hostility for good as they bot laugh. Bobby is also satisfied with the outcome, and as Buck praises Eddie's skills, the grenade explodes in the ambulance, prompting the bomb squad to remove their robot. Eddie then asks if the crew would like something to eat.
Chimney and Hen are going over the former's images as he doesn't want to cloud the fire department with too many of them. Hen doesn't find the dog embracing image a good choice and Chimney corrects as in her reluctance to believe in his chances. She admits she was never interested in men and so doesn't actually have an opinion, while Chimney claims he wished for a hero with an Asian appearance that was desperately needed in his desirable realm, while also reminding they are minorities in fields dominated by white men. When Hen voices her disapproval, Chimney goes along and leaves, declaring he might have a shot if he'd be ten years younger, when his colleagues are only 12.
Athena brings some takeouts to an apartment where Bobby hands her some flowers. He suggests heading to her house and getting a change, so they could have something else but she declines. Athena declines Bobby's attempt for another date per usual, as they have done that twice already. Bobby is confused as to why they have to keep it subtle for 4 months. Eventually, she explains their romance doesn't play out similarly to both of them - Bobby has it easy as his family was killed in a fire, but she could be pressured by her whole family as nobody else had a divorce, and she cannot simply have a proper date with Bobby, seemingly ignoring her fracturing relationship with Michael. Bobby tries to convince Athena out of her exaggerated concerns, and also adds that he doesn't feel like keeping it from everyone else. Athena reminds Bobby he concealed his history from others too, which prompts Bobby to leave. He cites being always ashamed of his role in the incident, but doesn't agree with how Athena is. This causes her to snap and express her disagreement of their relationship putting her life in jeopardy, and Bobby soon asks her to leave.
In an effort to gain more youtube followers, Shay and Mitch have immersed their friend Jessie in a concrete-filled microwave oven, protected only by a plastic bag and a tube for breathing. When the concrete solidifies, they are forced to dial emergency services as they can't get him out. Chimney correctly assumes it as a youtube antic, but Mitch justifies followers bringing them profit. Bobby realized Jessie is sealed inside and couldn't hear him, so he orders for the microwave to be dismantled. Eddie does so while Hen checks his vitals. The crew believe he is panicking and beginning to suffocate when saliva congested the breathing tube. Suddenly, Jesse gets spooked and falls into the pool, prompting Eddie and Buck to rescue him. Informed of the plastic bag on Jesse's head, Bobby urges the crew to accentuate the rescue as they have much less time than expected due to dropping vital signs. Chimney begins compressions, while Bobby orders Buck to grab a hammer and chisel. With Eddie opening the microwave, Buck asks Bobby to have the hammer instead, and they destroy the brick in three swings, after which the crew remove the plastic bag and supply oxygen, reviving Jesse. When Shay begins to nonchalantly film the crew and themselves, both Bobby and Buck express their disapproval, as a life was held at stake for the sake of entertainment. Furious on how the incident played out, an angry Bobby snatches Shay's cell phone and throws it into the pool.
At home, Athena is annoyed when Michael emerges from a painstaking search for an item. Though initially reluctant, with some encouragement from Michael she brings out the fact she is dating Bobby and doesn't want to make the relationship public, not even informing people like Hen. Michael agrees with Athena's dissent, but doesn't find anything wrong with what Bobby is proposing either. When she mentions embarassment and doesn't care to be alone, Michael tells him the same thing kept himself from admitting he was gay. He does not consider the divorce a failure, as they are still a family, and encourages Athena to pursue her happiness before walking away.
Eddie plays pinball at the station while Buck rambles to him and Hen comments randomly, with Chimney eating peanut butter on celery. Bobby enters and starts giving hints to the event's winner. Buck claims he no longer has a grudge, and Bobby informs him neither Buck nor Eddie were chosen, instead eyeing Chimney, who ends up surprised. The crew all celebrate Chimney's victory just as Athena arrives and kisses Bobby, having made up her mind. Hen reveals she was actually aware all along and regrets on how she didn't attempt to matchmake them already. Athena and Bobby walk off for dinner, while Chimney walks over to Hen, wondering why he was chosen as there were no submissions from him. Hen reveals she used an archive image taken by an Associated Press photographer during a school bus incident where Chimney was carrying a victim away, where he was actually heroic rather than pretending to be, before leaving Chimney enlightened with their consensus.
Meanwhile, at Abby's apartment, Maddie is searching for locations in San Francisco for her to hide in. Doug, who had attacked her past employer Laurie off-screen, angrily threatens her over the phone that he will find her. Maddie panics and smashes her phone on the wall. Buck soon comes in and discovers Maddie about to leave, before correctly determining the cause, and expresses his desire to stop whatever that comes to her. He encourages Maddie to continue, but not when Doug is hot on her trail, mentioning he could easily set Doug up with officers he knew. Maddie declines and decides to stay in Los Angeles, but doesn't want to have a job helping people directly, and Buck comes up with the idea of a 9-1-1 dispatcher.
As Maddie narrates an epilogue, she attends the dispatcher training led by Sue Belvins with numerous recruits, among them Linda Bates. Driving on the Los Angeles freeways, Athena was about to have a mint when her patrol car was struck by a massive earthquake as the bridge section before her collapses, though the vehicle stops in time. As she leaves the dust-covered patrol car, a city-wide disaster alert is broadcasted and she looks on the ruined freeway.
Cast[]
Starring[]
Guest Starring[]
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Co-Starring[]
Uncredited[]
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Trivia[]
- This episode currently has the highest number of live viewers in the series (9.83 million). No other episode in the series has more than 7.46 million live viewers.
- As of this episode, Angela Bassett has been promoted from co-executive producer to executive producer.
- Jennifer Love Hewitt (Maddie Buckley) and Ryan Guzman (Eddie Diaz) join the main cast starting with this episode. Hewitt also replaces Connie Britton (Abigail Clark) as the show's main 9-1-1 operator.
- This is also the first episode in the series where Corinne Massiah (May Grant) and Marcanthonee Jon Reis (Harry Grant) are credited as main cast members. However, May and Harry do not appear in this episode.
- Shay (Josh Duvendeck) and Mitch (Amos Blackmon) would later reappear in the Season Three episode "Fools" where they are both involved in a prank similar to the one shown in this episode.
- The episode is titled "Under Pressure", in the final moments of "Pilot" it plays the song Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie.
- Mark Elias, who portrays the Groom, would later guest star in 9-1-1's spinoff series, 9-1-1: Lone Star as the recurring paramedic Tim Rosewater.
- Buck hasn't heard from Maddie for 3 years.
Soundtrack[]
| Song | Artist | Timestamp* | Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure | Billy Joel | 0:00 | The opening sequence of the episode as it cuts to various locations across LA suffering from the heat. |
| Whatta Man | Salt-N-Pepa | 5:40 | First appearance of Eddie Diaz. |
| Blood in The Water | Layup | 15:00 | Buck and Eddie working out in the gym at the 118. |
| Sugar, We're Goin Down | Fall Out Boy | 28:50 | The three men are putting their friend's head in a microwave full of concrete. |
| Rock Steady | Aretha Franklin | 42:30 | End of the episode as the earthquake hits. |
Multimedia[]
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