**Spoilers Ahead**

This week’s 9-1-1 entry focused on regret and the fear of missing out on life in “FOMO”. These deep questions were handled with surprising sensitivity and poignancy. Ultimately, the entire package resulted in one of the strongest episodes of the series’ fifth season to date. This episode continued episode 14’s theme of letting the characters get self-reflective. It mostly worked well. 

A TikTok influencer provided the perfect venue to reflect on the fact that not everything people put online is the full story. Obviously, everyone only wants to put the best version of their lives online. This can lead to both dangerous situations and dangerous mentalities for everyone. This led to a tragic, ultimately bittersweet call for the members of the 118, that definitely got everyone thinking.

May (Corinne Massiah) is finally back, and promptly reminded everyone why she is among the best of the best this franchise has to offer. It was odd at first to have her paired with Eddie (Ryan Guzman), who of course immediately dismissed what May was saying. This pairing did turn out surprisingly poignant by the end, however. May’s deferral from USC is now over, and she has a decision to make to set the course for her life. 

Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Chim (Kenneth Choi) are back, still as parents to Jee-Yun. It’s really great to see that this season is still talking about the ramifications of Maddie’s post-partum struggles. This could have easily been a storyline “resolved” in one or two episodes. Instead, the series has decided to take an honest look at this struggle, and the feeling of missing out on life. Maddie and Chim being parents to Jee-Yun continues to be one of the most heart-touching stories to follow. 

Viewers haven’t seen nearly enough of Buck (Oliver Stark) and Maddie as siblings this season. That changed this episode. These two have such a strong dynamic that’s always fascinating to explore. This episode featured such poignant moments between the two of them. It was further proof that this show is stronger for both of these characters. The relationships between siblings don’t always get prioritized in these types of shows, but when it’s done right it looks like this. 

Athena (Angela Bassett) had a chance to reflect on her own backstory. This reflection on the past and what could have been only emphasized how much she’s succeeded, and what a good place the character is in now. These look-backs still make this writer slightly nervous, however. Is it a sign that the series is coming to an end? Regardless, Bassett having the spotlight is never a wrong choice in this show. We love an opportunity to celebrate good character development.

 Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Karen (Tracie Thoms) finally got a chance to be happy. Between partying at an ice bar and an art gallery, this was a great choice to combat Karen’s early mid-life crisis. Of course, they had their car broken into. But even then, they were able to turn the whole situation into something good. This episode is proof of what this couple deserves but rarely gets in this series – domestic happiness, and two people who love and support one another.

New paramedic Lucy (Arielle Kebbel) still doesn’t seem to have much of a direction yet. In the past, this series has answered this problem by having a “…Begins” episode. Whether or not that would help here remains to be seen. Hopefully, as the season approaches the finale, the show can find a way to integrate this character in a meaningful way. 

This whole episode was the best of what 9-1-1 has to offer. Terrifying, heartbreaking emergencies partnered with lovable characters. This episode was an example of what can make this show so endearing. While always far from perfect, this was a perfectly comforting episode that is sure to remind viewers why we tune in every week. 

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