9-1-1: Lone Star has ended for the season, and the ending is certainly an episode of television. This season has been a roller coaster, and the finale is ultimately much the same. What works, works incredibly well. Unfortunately, this season finale encapsulates so much of what has made the season fall flat. It seems too much to hope that this finale will represent a possible new start for this series that has always had so much potential.
It’s probably best to start with the positives. T.K. (Ronen Rubinstein) and Carlos (Rafael Silva) are officially married. After having these two kept apart for the most convoluted reasons, they’re finally married. Considering what else this season finale has to offer, perhaps this has to be enough. It’s telling that this is such a huge deal for these characters, who have been kept apart by the most convoluted events in the course of the series.
Unfortunately, the Tarlos marriage is about the only thing about these episodes that work. Carlos’ relationship with his father has always had a lot of potential for further development. The storyline on the season finale completely falls apart. It makes no sense that only now Carlos would voice his objections to his father’s career as a Texas Ranger. This conversation would have realistically happened years ago.
There’s a lot about this story that could have worked. Watching Carlos process his grief could have been an effective way to delve deeper into this character’s emotional vulnerability. This is a character who gets precious little screen time, and any opportunity to give him the spotlight should be taken. Clearly, the powers that be have learned almost nothing about what makes this character so endearing. Instead, the fact that he continues to be traumatized for no reason makes it less possible to emotionally relate to this character.
9-1-1: Lone Star Season 4 Episodes 17 and 18 also features more of The Owen Show. While it’s always nice to see Chad Lowe playing his actual brother’s brother, this episode sets up a troubling future for the Strands. Medical Assistance in Dying, or MAiD, is a complex issue that requires a lot of nuance. This series is in no way equipped to lead such discussions. Instead, this comes across as just another way to advance Owen as a character when it doesn’t add anything to the story.
The worst part about Owen’s story is that it’s sure to have repercussions, at least into next season. The series will no doubt continue to maintain focus on Owen when there are plenty of other characters to shine the spotlight on. Clearly, the 126 is going to have to band together to support Owen yet again. In a worst-case scenario, he’ll have to go through a lawsuit of some kind and will have to defend his actions. If this is the case, there won’t be any firefighting any time soon.
Like the rest of the season, the season finale of 9-1-1: Lone Star is a mixed bag overall. Many of these characters are at a crossroads, with uncertain futures ahead. In a best-case scenario, this ensemble with so much potential will be allowed to shine. Hopefully, this finale will serve as a launchpad for more compelling character-driven stories. Unfortunately, given this series’ history, there may be little reason to carry this torch.
9-1-1: Lone Star Season 4 is available to be streamed on the CTV app.