**Spoilers Ahead**

9-1-1 returned this week with an episode about luck (or lack thereof), appropriately called “Dumb Luck”. This episode featured…some character development, even more odd choices, and some bizarre recollections. Though there were some hints of the best parts of this series in the episode, this week was characterized by a return to the chaotic storytelling 9-1-1 is so often known for. 

From the beginning, it’s clear that Eddie (Ryan Guzman) needs to go. There’s just nowhere else for this character’s story to go. Honestly, outside of his relationship with his son Christopher (Gavin McHugh), this character has gotten progressively more flat. It seemed an odd choice to finally address this character’s PTSD. Obviously, trauma isn’t always processed in a linear fashion. It’s just strange from a writing perspective to pull this particular storyline out at this moment. Arguably the only redeeming moments of this story this week were Christopher who is always a gem, and getting to see Bobby (Peter Krause) in a father role again.

It was also unclear what the conflict was supposed to be between the two new additions to the 118. Jonah (Bryce Durfee) is off to a new team, so it’s unclear why his character is still around. Lucy (Arielle Kebbel) spent the episode having a strange existential crisis about the fact that she actually saved a woman. Especially when these two came together, it just seemed such an odd distraction from the main stories. With the end of the season in sight, it’s unclear where these new additions will go. 

Buck (Oliver Stark) and Tayor (Megan West) were back on their business again. This time, they’re again entangling their personal and professional lives with Taylor interviewing Lucy about her incredible save. Perhaps the show will learn one day that this is the least healthy dynamic for these two. Today is not that day.

Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Karen (Tracie Thoms) were given the briefest moments of domestic happiness, playing poker with Athena (Angela Basset) and Bobby. It’s so fun to learn that Hen’s mom has been teaching Karen poker. This is the dynamic that these two deserve. Relatedly, Hen also got to show off her medical prowess this episode, which has been sorely lacking this season. Hopefully, we’ll get to see more of this, since this character is among the show’s strongest. 

Chim (Kenneth Choi) and Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) reunited as parents during their baby’s health scare. While these certainly weren’t ideal conditions in which to be together, it was clear that these two are such incredible parents. The fact that they are always shown putting their baby’s needs first, regardless of what’s happening between the two of them, is commendable. As I said before, I would never count these two out as a couple after everything they’ve been through. Even if they’re not to re-unite, however, it’s sweet to see them take parenthood so seriously. 

Finally, viewers got to see Athena in somewhat of a return to form in this episode. It’s become something of a specialty for her character to zero in and give reality checks to kids doing stupid things. This episode was an Athena special. Sometimes, we all need an Athena call-in to set us straight. Clearly, her heart is always in it. It’s why her character is also one of the most endearing. 

This episode of 9-1-1 was so weirdly reflective, from beginning to end. The callbacks to earlier seasons were relentless. The season 1 roller coaster episode, Maddie and Buck’s brother, and storylines that happened earlier this season were all given prominent moments. Obviously, the season is heading to an end. The overall feel was so odd at times, and much of this episode would have felt more natural in an actual finale. 

9-1-1 airs Mondays 8/7c on Fox.