‘9-1-1’: Firefighter in Danger & More Burning Questions for Season 6’s Spring Return

Oliver Stark, Kenneth Choi, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Angela Bassett, and Peter Krause in '9-1-1'
Jack Zeman/ FOX; FOX; Jack Zeman /FOX

Thanks to the first promo for 9-1-1‘s spring return, we know it’s getting off to a shocking start.

In the March 6 premiere, a dry thunderstorm rolls over Los Angeles, bringing in a series of lightning strikes emergencies for the 118 all over the city. But the first responders will also be busy off the clock as well. Bobby (Peter Krause) sends Athena (Angela Bassett) and May (Corinne Massiah) undercover at the rehab facility he’s investigating following his AA sponsor’s death. Plus, Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) dreads her parents’ visit, while Chimney (Kenneth Choi) is surprised when Albert (John Harlan Kim) shows up.

With that in mind, as well as where the Fox drama left off for Buck (Oliver Stark), Hen (Aisha Hinds), and others, scroll down for a look at our burning questions for its return.

9-1-1, Midseason Return, Monday, March 6, 8/7c, Fox

Oliver Stark in '9-1-1' - 'Cursed'
Jack Zeman/ FOX

How seriously will Buck be injured?

The promo shows Buck in the lightning storm. “One of our people will get caught up in [the storm] and we’ll deal with the fallout and aftermath of that,” executive producer Kristen Reidel told TV Insider in November. Could we see him out of commission for a few episodes? And how might this affect what he wants in his personal life (more about that in a bit)?

Angela Bassett and Peter Krause in the 'Treasure Hunt' episode of '9-1-1'
Jack Zeman /FOX

Where will Bobby's investigation take him?

Before the midseason break, Bobby’s sponsor died, and the firefighter began looking into the rehab facility near where his body was found. We’re picking up with him “pretty deep into” his investigation, Reidel said, and his family has his back. “What they’re finding is it’s actually a very difficult place to take down: They’ve had complaints, they’ve had other deaths, and the place is still going.” We’ll also learn more about Wendell and his relationship with Bobby. But where might this investigation lead? Should we be worried about him, Athena, or May?

Oliver Stark in '9-1-1' - 'What’s Your Fantasy?'
Jack Zeman/ FOX

What are Buck's next steps when it comes to his personal life?

Before the break, Buck became a sperm donor for his friends and found out they’re now having a baby. There is now the question of the role he’ll have in the child’s life but also the matter of what that means for what he wants in his own life. “The question this season is how does Buck see Buck? Who does he want to be? [He’s] putting aside what everybody else thinks and getting into a place where he feels like ‘I know who I am and I’m good with that,'” according to Reidel.

Tracie Thoms and Aisha Hinds in the 'Breaking Point' episode of '9-1-1'
FOX

What will Denny seeking out his biological father mean for Hen and Karen's family?

In the winter finale, Denny (Declan Pratt) had questions about his biological mother, but what Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Karen (Tracie Thoms) don’t know is he went to see his biological father (Troy Winbush) at the end of it. It’s something that Karen has been expecting, meaning she’s better prepared, Reidel noted, adding, “it’s definitely going to be a difficult time, as part of Denny’s journey of wanting to know who he is and where he comes from, but the two of them can band together and help him on that journey.”

Kenneth Choi and Jennifer Love Hewitt in the 'Future Tense' episode of '9-1-1'
FOX

Is marriage in Maddie and Chimney's future?

It’s a step they could very well take, after moving in together, though we could also see them not wanting to tempt fate given their history. But it’s also that past that makes us think that having them get married would be the perfect setting for something to go horribly wrong (again) for the couple. “It’s definitely a question that is raised in the back half of the season. Where it ends up, you’ll have to tune in and find out. But it does certainly seem like they are gradually kind of settling into this life and it’s like, what is the next step?” the EP agreed, promising “some good stuff with them in the back half.”

Ryan Guzman in the 'Jinx' episode of '9-1-1'
Jack Zeman / FOX

Could there be a new romance for Buck or Eddie?

As part of Buck figuring himself out, it’s been good that he’s been single, but we can’t help but think of all the drama that a new relationship could bring just as he’s figuring out his role in the life of the child he’s helping his friends have. “He’s always been a person that sort of defines himself by how others see him,” Reidel pointed out.

As for the other single series regular, “the next logical step for Eddie [Ryan Guzman] is, is he ready to start looking for a new romantic relationship? Is it time for him to start dating? [That] is something that honestly, he didn’t really do after Shannon died,” she said. “Then he met Ana [Gabrielle Walsh] and then they kind of got very serious very fast. But I think it might be time for Eddie to dip his toe into the dating waters.”

Natacha Karam and Ryan Guzman in '9-1-1: Lone Star' - 'Hold The Line'
Jordin Althaus/FOX

Will there be a crossover with 9-1-1: Lone Star?

Nothing major has been set thus far, though Lone Star‘s Natacha Karam did tell us that the idea of Marjan possibly ending up in Los Angeles on her road trip of self-discovery did come up. And there’s still time for a crossover of any kind to happen.

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  1. P

    PurpleGlasses

    Kristen Reidel's comment about Buck knowing who he is and being good with that , and having that realization come through the donation ... makes no sense. Am I the only one who sees absolutely no connection between that statement and his story?? Makes me suspect, very strongly, that they'll just throwing stuff at the wall when it comes to his plot and seeing what sticks (and perhaps even writing and rewriting as they go...

  2. C

    CyanBus

    KR screws up yet another season. Just Cx the show because these inane emergencies and subplots are ridiculous. Get rid of Kristen’s all girls club writers and get real writers back like S 2-3. Buck is like a flitting bug with the same maturity level. And another trauma for Bobby/Athena. Chimney is going to watch Maddie cry some more and Eddie is going to get screwed up again with another fake Latino woman. Just let him and Chris enjoy family life. And keep Hen and Karen around for more than a couple scenes. They’re quality. Let Buck fall off the ladder and on out the door when you turn him into an idiot that says yes to anything. KR just wants to put her double in there so she can dream about him saying yes to her. Quality actors wasted because of a lousy show runner - pathetic.

  3. C

    CyanCoathanger

    I just want the sperm donor arc to be OVER and I'm still crossing fingers it ends up not being Buck's because a) I do not need a rando baby hanging over Buck's storyline forever, and b) every bit of important growth for Buck should have happend BEFORE he donated with him realizing it wasn't good for him. Kristen makes the comment that he did a GOOD and selfless thing, which makes no sense because his entire arc is about how his being selfless to ensure the happiness of others is DETRIMENTAL to him and he needs to learn to say "no" to putting himself and his own happiness last. This arc could have been good but they have treated it like a joke and drug it out FAR to long and haven't addressed any of the actual issues of self-worth that Buck has or medical reasons (family history of childhood canacer) he wouldn't be a good donor. No surprise from a showrunner who always makes things into jokes because she herself has admitted she can't fill out plots and it padding time on episode because she's out od ideas. Also, Eddie DID dip his toes back into dating. It was literally the whole reason he started dating Ana, and given he had panic attacks about her and hadn't even met her family I'd hardly call them "serious". More tired plots being recycled again. What I'd like to see isa better showrunner who respects the show and the characters and treats thems with dignity like how the show used to be before Kristen took over.

  4. O

    OliveTooth

    WILL BUDDIE BE HAPPENING?!?!?!?!