‘9-1-1’: 8 Questions We Need Answered in March 2022 Return
9-1-1 wrapped up the first part of its fifth season with one of the 118 making a major decision that will shake things up when it returns in March and keeping us in the dark about what’s going on with an MIA former dispatcher and the firefighter tracking her down.
In the first 10 episodes, Maddie’s (Jennifer Love Hewitt) postpartum depression led to her leaving her boyfriend, Chimney (Kenneth Choi), and their daughter, Jee-Yun, thinking she wasn’t safe with her (due to a trip to the hospital). He eventually went after her.
Family is also taking Eddie (Ryan Guzman) away from the 118 — but possibly permanently. In the winter finale, after his son Christopher (Gavin McHugh) told him he wanted a perfect Christmas because he thought Eddie could be dead next year. The firefighter has decided to leave the 118.
So what do those major moves and more mean going forward? We take a look at the questions we need answered when the first responder drama returns in March. (The spinoff, Lone Star, is taking over the time slot beginning January 3, 2022.)
9-1-1, Returns, March 2022, Fox
What's Maddie been up to?
According to her brother Buck (Oliver Stark), Maddie likely went to Boston, the happiest place for her and her abusive ex Doug’s marriage. Why is she going back to her past? (Is she, or is Buck wrong?) And what will whatever she finds there (or wherever she is) mean for her future? Will she eventually return to the 9-1-1 call center, or could she be on a new path? And has she been talking to a therapist — the one she’d been seeing in Los Angeles or a different one — while she’s been away?
What's ahead for Maddie and Chimney's relationship?
Last we saw Chimney, he was trying to track down Maddie, but ran into Eli (Mac Brandt), who offered some advice. Rather than risk showing up and making Maddie blame herself for the state he’s in, take a moment. “You can pull yourself together so eventually when you do find her, you can be the Howie she needs,” he said. So assuming Chimney does that, what will this time apart — and the subsequent conversations they need to have — mean for their relationship? They have a lot more than Maddie taking off to discuss; as Chimney noted, he’d let himself believe she was OK in LA because it was easier for him to do so.
What's next for Eddie if he truly does leave the 118?
As Eddie told Buck and Hen (Aisha Hinds), with his son “worried about me, about the risk I take while I’m at work … I have to make a change. I’m leaving the 118.” So now it’s a matter of seeing what that means since Guzman isn’t leaving the show. Will we see a different part of the LAFD on-screen? Will he switch over to being a paramedic permanently? Will Bobby (Peter Krause) find some way to keep him around the house? Will he eventually return? (That seems likely.)
Will Buck and Taylor's relationship last?
As Buck struggled with what to get his girlfriend Taylor (Megan West) for Christmas, he admitted to Bobby and Hen this is his first holiday in a serious relationship. They made it past that milestone, but as we’ve seen, Buck hasn’t had the best luck in love. Will this relationship change that?
Will there be a time jump?
Will we come back to find a few months have passed, and Eddie’s settled in wherever he’s going to be, Maddie and Chimney are possibly back, and there’s a new normal for the 118?
Will there be a major crossover with 9-1-1: Lone Star?
There has been talk of a crossover between the two shows — perhaps bigger than just members of the 118 going down to Texas, as they did last season — when they’re airing back-to-back again in the spring. However, nothing is definite yet. Will it happen? Will we finally see Bobby and Owen (Rob Lowe) working together?
Will Albert return?
This likely simply depends on John Harlan Kim’s availability (he’s on Nancy Drew), but last we saw Albert in the fourth episode, he’d complained to Chimney about the lack of calls he was going on at his house. “All I do is roll hoses and make coffee and clean. This isn’t being a firefighter,” he’d said. Could he make the move over to the 118 at some point in the latter part of the season?
Will the 118 add a new member?
With Eddie leaving, even just temporarily, and Chimney still off looking for Maddie, will Bobby have to bring in a new, experienced firefighter? Ravi (Anirudh Pisharody) has stepped up this season, but he’s still a rookie, especially compared to the others.
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O
This show needs to stick with what brought them their success - first responders. I know it’s an ensemble show but too many of the mains were lost while the pushy nasty reporter got their time. I want the old Buck back- and that’s watching him walking away from Taylor - bring the fun guy back and send Ms Nasty to the cutting room floor! Please! Hen and Karen need some time too! Bobby, Athena and Eddie as well as Chim and Maddie need to be seen working out their issues and doing their jobs. Come on writers. Get back to the rescues and main characters! This season has been a disappointment so far. Win us back!
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G
Couldn't agree more, "K ADAMS." The show really seems to be losing direction, and while Taylor Kelly isn't the only reason, her increased presence and her boring, BORING relationship with Buck definitely makes the show worse. Really missing Maddie and Chimney and hope to see more of them, Eddie/Christopher, Hen and Karen, Bobby and Athena and May. You know, the people we know and actually like.
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G
The reporter needs to go…asap…she really sucks all the excitement out of this show. I still don’t get why Buck out of all people he could be with choose this horrible person. Bad, bad writing. Not to mention that the actress can‘t act. So to me she needs to go. I also want the focus back on my firefighters. Can we finally get Buck and Eddie to talk about the shooting? I feel like this is something that definetely needs to happen. Something is going on with this boys and i don‘t know what. I hope Eddie realises the 118 is where he needs to be. I don‘t want him to leave the team and i also don‘t want him to be a paramedic.
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B
I'm really not loving this season so far. The tone is completely different from past seasons and there's very little excitement. Taylor needs to go ASAP. She brings absolutely nothing to the show and the actress who plays her cannot act to save her life. Her relationship with Buck is so awkward and cringey, I hate all of their scenes together. Eddie really needs to work through his trauma. He survived being shot by a sniper, broke up with Ana because he wasn't in love with her, and was taken hostage. You can't just continually heap trauma on a character and never let them process it. Bobby needs an actual storyline. Just let Hen and Karen be happy for a little bit, please. Maddie and Chim need to figure their shit out. Let's hope 5B can turn it around!
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R
It's nice to see Buck in a relationship, so I actually hope his relationship with Taylor makes it. If only just to see the online fans complain about it even more. lol
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O
It’s not just online fans . I have older relatives /co-workers - definitely not the social media or “shipping” types - who can’t stand Taylor . Nor are they thrilled with many of this season’s events. I have to say, wishing to upset fans is a very dumb strategy for a successful TV show , so let’s hope the writers are smarter going forward!
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