9-1-1: Lone Star Season 4 Episode 2, “Hot Mess,” continues the series’ chaotic start to the season. Hot Mess is certainly the operative word to describe this episode. The is hell-bent on putting Owen (Rob Lowe) in increasingly bizarre situations and having him stay as far away from any fires as possible. This is certainly a choice, and will no doubt have implications as the season continues.
The Owen Show remains the most frustrating aspect of this series. He’s so laughably incompetent at being an undercover FBI “operative.” The show is stretching believability to almost ludicrous levels, asking us to believe that Owen wouldn’t get himself killed within moments of this situation playing out. Who knows what the cop is up to, but it’s probably going to be a mostly silly reveal when all is said and done. It’s also infuriating that the show takes such a joking approach to this infiltration since white supremacists represent a real-life existential threat every day.
As always, The Owen Show comes at the expense of the rest of the ensemble. Sure, the season is just getting started. However, we’ve scarcely seen anyone other than Owen and a couple of other characters get any meaningful storylines. This has always been such an incredibly talented group. It’s too bad other characters’ stories have to suffer in order to give Owen more of the spotlight.
9-1-1: Lone Star Season 4 Episode 2, “Hot Mess,” continues to focus on T.K. (Ronen Rubinstein) and Carlos (Rafael Silva) and their upcoming marriage. The way the show is going about it is incredibly bizarre. Why is the focus still on Iris, and now the fact that she’s missing? And why the runaround with having us believe for a second that she doesn’t want to make her divorce with Carlos official? Iris as a character actually has a lot of potential. It’s a shame the show doesn’t seem to recognize this. The only redeeming part of this storyline is the fact that the show is comfortable enough to mock the number of times T.K. has been in a coma.
Arguably the one aspect of this episode that works well is Tommy (Gina Torres) and her new romance. The sex dreams are hilarious and poignant at the same time. This is Tommy at the height of her powers, coming into her own. This story is also the perfect venue to showcase what a phenomenal friendship Tommy and Grace (Sierra McClain) have. It’s frankly a crime that these two don’t get more screentime together to bask in each other’s glory.
9-1-1: Lone Star is up to its old tricks, very much right out of the gate. Sure, it’s still early days. However, choices need to be made fast. These stories could either lead to a fun and heartwarming good time. At worst, this season could amplify what this series has always been when its at its worst.
9-1-1: Lone Star airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Fox.