Warning: this article mentions suicide, sexual assault, and death.
9-1-1 is infamously bizarre at times, but certain moments from season 1 are uncomfortable to look back on. From the start, a few winning elements set 9-1-1 up for success. The unique focus on multiple first-responder jobs, paired with big names like Angela Bassett (Athena Grant) and Peter Krause (Bobby Nash), helped get 9-1-1’s foot in the door at Fox.
Over the years, iconic aspects of the procedural have become tropes in and of themselves— like 9-1-1’s near-death experiences, often ironic needle-drops, and blend of easy humor and whiplash-inducing drama. While some 9-1-1 episodes are considered masterpieces, it’s widely believed season 1 is by far the weakest year in 9-1-1’s entire run— and upon a rewatch, it’s abundantly clear why.
8 The 118’s Starting Dynamic
After eight seasons, LAFD Station 118 has become far more than a firehouse. The found family element in 9-1-1 is what drew many viewers in, with the tight-knit relationships providing ample comfort in the face of earth-shattering emergencies. Yet, the core team of firefighters in 9-1-1 season 1 weren’t even on friendly terms until the final few episodes.
Bobby eventually became a father figure for everyone in the 118, but his early dynamics with Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark), Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi), and Hen Wilson (Aisha Hinds) were far from paternal. Between Buck’s behavior in the pilot episode and Chimney providing snark instead of comic relief, the LAFD dream team was originally filled with animosity.
As Bobby’s tragic past slowly came to light, there even came a moment where he shoved Buck against the wall after the young firefighter discovered the captain’s little black book. Thankfully, the 118 as we know it grew beyond their season 1 personas and became one of the best found families on modern television (until Bobby’s death, at least).
Most 9-1-1 fans have forgotten the procedural initially followed Connie Britton’s divisive protagonist, Abby Clark. Despite being positioned as the main character, Abby quits her job at the LA Dispatch Center and leaves to travel the world in the 9-1-1 season 1 finale. After her dramatic exit, Abby was never seen again aside from a brief appearance in season 3.
Nevertheless, Abby left a mark on the series and Buck in particular. While she may not be Buck’s worst romantic partner in 9-1-1, Abby was far from the best. Their short-lived relationship was controversial for many reasons, but beyond the age gap and palpable lack of chemistry, Abby broke the law to access Buck’s contact information.
Allegedly, Abby’s intentions were pure when she used her dispatch connections to discover Buck’s number— a call had gone horribly wrong and, after seeing him on the news, Abby wanted to comfort him. Nevertheless, it was a morally questionable decision that snowballed into an incredibly unhealthy relationship dynamic that only hurt them both in the end.
6 Hen Cheating On Karen
Only one relationship from 9-1-1’s first episode has survived eight seasons: Hen and her wife, Karen (Tracie Thoms). Sadly, that doesn’t mean season 1 didn’t aggressively test their marriage. In fact, one of the first things Hen does is cheat on Karen with her ex, Eva (Abby Brammell). The infidelity immediately sparked a short but intense custody battle over Denny.
In hindsight, Eva’s manipulation makes her feel more like a super villain than a side character, but her and Hen’s tryst has become increasingly improbable over the years. Hen and Karen’s relationship in 9-1-1 has been filled to the brim with trials and tribulations, but they always end up choosing each other and their family above all else.
As such, Hen cheating on Karen wasn’t just an uncharacteristic move; with time, it’s become downright unbelievable. Without question, Hen and Karen are one of the most reliable marriages in the entire 9-1-1 franchise, but season 1 threatened their entire family for the sake of needless drama.
5 Chimney’s First Relationship
Chimney may be the biggest comedic relief in 9-1-1, but his character has come a long way. “Chimney Begins” painted a tragic backstory that brought him to firefighting, but Chimney himself made a less-than-favorable first impression. Rather, season 1’s Chimney was insecure, defensive, and reckless. The strangest part of his initial character, however, was his horrible love interest.
Before he became half of 9-1-1’s best couple (married to Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Maddie), Chimney was dating Tatiana, a woman who pursued him simply because he was a uniformed firefighter. After a failed proposal and a freak accident left Chimney in a coma, Tatiana ghosted him— but from there, it felt like Chimney’s character was reborn (for the better).
4 Buck “Hooking Up” With His Therapist
Arguably the biggest 9-1-1 trademark is how it often traumatizes its main characters, be it with a tsunami, serial killer, or bee tornado. In 9-1-1 season 1, Buck was rattled after a simple rollercoaster rescue. Namely, he felt responsible for a civilian’s death, since the man was within arm’s reach before seemingly choosing to fall, prompting Bobby to suggest therapy.
Sadly, when Buck attends the session, the department therapist— Dr. Wells— covertly expresses her attraction to him, cutting off his vulnerable recount of a traumatic event to initiate physical contact. The two then have sex, but it has since been treated mostly as a joke rather than the uncomfortable truth: Dr. Wells took advantage of Buck during his lowest moment.
3 The Episode Titles
Some episodes of 9-1-1 have gone down in history with legendary titles to match. Similarly, avid fans have concocted full-blown theories based solely on upcoming episode titles. Whether a clever play on words (season 7’s “Buck, Bothered and Bewildered”) or a poignant reflection of the plot (season 6’s “The Devil You Know”), 9-1-1 can typically craft a fitting title.
Having such strong examples from later seasons only makes the odd titles in 9-1-1’s pilot season all the more cringe-worthy. One of the most action-packed episodes is simply called “Full Moon (Creepy AF)” (episode 7), and a hugely character-driven episode is oddly titled “Karma’s a Bitch” (episode 8).
9-1-1 still employs a silly title here or there, but even the most basic names are, for the most part, representative of the episode’s main purpose. Whether it aims to encompass the intense disasters in 9-1-1 or touch on an overarching story development, titles can be worth a thousand words.
2 Everything About Buck 1.0
Aside from his downplayed sexual assault and unpopular first relationship, Buck himself is unrecognizable as a character in 9-1-1 season 1. Buck was cocky, openly disrespectful towards Athena, and dismissive of his responsibilities as a probationary firefighter. Furthermore, he steals the engine for midday hookups, ignores Bobby’s warnings, and loses his job in the very first episode.
Buck earned his way back into Bobby’s good graces by the end of the pilot, but “Buck 1.0,” as we come to know him, was still somewhat insufferable. There’s no way of telling what version Buck is on now, but he’s by far one of the most popular characters in 9-1-1, due in part to his hard-earned self-improvement.
1 Athena’s Abuse Of Power (Against A Teenager)
The worst moment in 9-1-1 season 1 must be one of the wildest writing decisions in the entire series. Athena’s career in 9-1-1 has always been a major aspect of her character, but the police sergeant started the hit procedural by misusing her authority and threatening a group of high schoolers.
Athena blamed the teen bullies for May’s (Corinne Massiah) unsuccessful suicide attempt, but that doesn’t negate the fact that a trusted member of the LAPD was prepared to levy false accusations against young girls to have them arrested. The scene never sat well with many viewers, and it has left a stain on one of 9-1-1’s best characters ever since.
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