**Spoilers Ahead**
With one more episode in Season 3, 9-1-1: Lone Star returns for a penultimate episode, “Spring Cleaning”. In what was emblematic of this entire season, the episode was wildly uneven, punctuated with moments of the best of what this show has to offer. With one more episode left to go, lives are in the balance, and stories need resolutions.
The relationships in this episode, which were the main focus, were honestly giving off some questionable vibes. The Tommy (Gina Torres) and Julius (Nathan Owens) situation is getting messier. Although on one level it’s great to see Tommy moving on with her life after seeing her put in the work to process her grief, these two just still seem very awkward. Dating your deceased husband’s brother can’t be easy. This is just such a complicated situation to navigate.
Mateo (Julian Works) was finally given his chance to shine in this episode and ended up coming in with the save of the year. His unplugging a trash compactor while his colleagues tried pretty much everything else was a stroke of genius. Mateo has been one of the 126’s unsung heroes, and he deserves far more screen-time than he gets.
Speaking of Mateo, I still think the relationship between him and Nancy (Brianna Baker) came out of nowhere. It’s nothing against either of these characters or actors, all of whom are incredibly charming. It’s just a testament to the fact that 9-1-1: Lone Star spends so little time developing anyone outide of Owen (Rob Lowe) and the inner circle. I love both of these characters, and I hope that they can be happy. They deserve to be able to develop within the show.
Speaking of Owen, this episode finally did figure out what to do with this character in the most spectacular way. Transforming his anger and the need to get into fights into a force for good was incredibly satisfying. Aside from this, the focus was off of him this episode, and the rest of the cast was able to be the lovable ensemble that they are capable of being.
Speaking of Owen, this episode finally did figure out what to do with this character in the most spectacular way. Transforming his anger and the need to get into fights into a force for good was incredibly satisfying. Aside from this, the focus was off of him this episode, and the rest of the cast was able to be the lovable ensemble that they are capable of being.
Finally, the star of this episode, for the second one in a row, was Judd (Jim Parrack) and his family. The fact that Judd, Grace (Sierra McClain), Marlene (Robyn Lively), and her come together to support Wyatt (Jackson Pace) continues to be aspirational. It’s such a superb choice, showing healthy co-parenting that involves putting the needs of the child first. Even while they’re imperfect, Wyatt is better for having so many loving parents looking out for him.
Unfortunately, this being the last episode before the finale, 9-1-1: Lone Star had to leave everything on a cliffhanger. The members of the 126 are clearly in for the fight of their lives. If anything happens to a certain beloved member (who should really be the Captain), I may know someone personally who will need to have words with a certain network. The stakes have been set. The finale rapidly approaches.
9-1-1: Lone Star airs Mondays at 9/8c on Fox.