9-1-1: Lone Star Season 4 Episode 3, “Cry Wolf,” is more of the same of the series so far. The good news is, we finally, finally have a brief look at the rest of the cast beyond Owen (Rob Lowe). Even if it’s all too brief, it’s something. There’s also more of the racist biker gang storyline, which, let’s be honest, no one really needed.
The Owen Show Continues
This show just can’t get enough of Owen. At a minimum, he at least kind of participates in a rescue. Viewers are still to believe that Owen is being tapped as a super secret FBI…helper? He’s just so blatantly terrible at lying. In this case, it’s a character flaw that precludes the suspension of disbelief.
9-1-1: Lone Star Season 4 Episode 3, “Cry Wolf,” is really trying to make us by into O’Brien being the good guy in all of this. A far more powerful story would be to explore how police in particular do have an affinity for such racist groups. Alas, the bait and switch is what the show has decided to go with.
Comedy Night at Lone Star
The sex doll storyline is actually comedy gold. This silly, wild story is perfect for the 9-1-1 universe. This is what the franchise is all about. Wild rescues, humour, and a lot of fun makes this show what it is. Whenever the show takes itself too seriously, it never ends well for anyone.
9-1-1: Lone Star Season 4 Episode 3, “Cry Wolf,” shows that at least someone knows how to play to the strengths of this ensemble. It’s poetic that Marjan (Natacha Karam) and Paul (Brian Michael Smith), the comedy duo on the team, are the primary responders to this call. Their reactions are perfect.
Let Tarlos Live
This show cannot let Tarlos catch a break. Seriously, T.K. (Ronen Rubinstein) and Carlos (Rafael Silva) have been through way too much for this nonsense. This manufactured crisis to delay their wedding is getting very old very fast.
There is exactly one upside to the Iris storyline. This very easily could have devolved into discrediting a mentally ill character. Instead, the cliffhanger compels everyone to realize that Iris was telling the truth. If another coma doesn’t come out of it, this could become a worthwhile story.
9-1-1: Lone Star is certainly not reinventing the wheel. If anything, at the beginning of the season, it’s falling back into old habits. The focus on Owen and failure to do anything good with Tarlos is all classic Lone Star. The season is still just starting out. The show can either continue down this road, or try literally anything new.
9-1-1: Lone Star airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Fox.