This week’s episode, “Family History,” serves as the mid-season finale of 9-1-1 Season 9. After kicking off the season with a space-themed emergency, the show has focused on storylines such as Harry (Elijah M. Cooper) deciding to pursue a career as a firefighter and Chimney (Kenneth Choi) stepping into the permanent role of Captain at Station 118. While these arcs have been stretched out over several episodes, they finally reach resolution in this installment.
In “Family History,” Athena (Angela Bassett) investigates a cyberbullying case that evokes memories of what May (Corinne Massiah) experienced in the first season. Meanwhile, Buck (Oliver Stark) mentors Harry as he prepares to apply for the firefighter academy, and Chimney contemplates officially taking the reins as Captain of Station 118. Additionally, Hen (Aisha Hinds) faces a concerning health scare, with the episode ending on a suspenseful cliffhanger before her condition is revealed.
In 9-1-1 Season 9, Episode 6, Chimney Finally Assumes Command of Station 118
After Chimney’s heartfelt conversation with Eddie (Ryan Guzman) in the Season 9 premiere, I had hoped he would step up as Captain of Station 118. Initially, this week’s episode suggested he was ready to pass the role to someone else. However, with some encouragement from Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Chimney ultimately decides to take the leap. He shares a dinner with Chief Simpson (Richard Brooks), and by the end of the episode, he is officially sworn in during a small but meaningful ceremony.
Strangely, the episode doesn’t actually depict Chimney making this decision on-screen. With four storylines running simultaneously, both Chimney’s and Hen’s arcs feel somewhat sidelined. After being teased all season, Chimney’s choice happens off-screen, and suddenly he becomes Captain. Much of the first half of this season has felt transitional, so now that Chimney is in command, hopefully 9-1-1 can explore new storylines that move beyond Bobby’s (Peter Krause) death.
‘9-1-1’ Season 9, Episode 6 Revisits the Grants’ Past
In this episode, Athena, May, and Harry are all forced to confront difficult moments from their pasts. Athena is deeply affected while helping a teenage girl who attempted suicide due to cyberbullying, and she works to uncover the identity of the perpetrator. The storyline felt somewhat predictable, echoing the twist from the Netflix documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish—the girl’s mother is revealed as the bully. After Athena confronts her, the mother overdoses but survives, and her daughter cuts ties with her. The storyline’s value lies in revisiting a major moment in Athena and May’s lives, sparking a heartfelt conversation that strengthens their bond.
Meanwhile, Harry enlists Buck’s help to train for the firefighting academy, leading to some genuinely funny moments, including a montage of Buck’s unconventional training exercises. Things go smoothly until Harry’s past troubles from Season 7 resurface. For context: in “Buck, Bothered, and Bewildered,” Harry was unjustly arrested while defending himself against a racist shop owner, ultimately moving in with Athena temporarily. When his record comes to light, Harry wants to quit, but Buck intervenes, speaking with Chief Simpson and giving Harry a chance to advocate for himself. This storyline stands out as the episode’s highlight, culminating in Harry officially being accepted into the firefighting academy.
In 9-1-1 Season 9, Episode 6, Hen Faces a Health Scare
In theory, Bobby’s death last season should have raised the stakes on 9-1-1, proving that no one is truly safe. However, it’s clear that the show isn’t ready to kill off another main character so soon, making this season’s life-or-death situations feel less urgent. We knew Athena and Hen would survive their space mission, and similarly, it’s evident Hen will make it through her latest health scare. Throughout the episode, Hen experiences a variety of troubling symptoms but keeps them secret to avoid worrying her colleagues and friends. By the end, she undergoes an MRI, though the results are left unrevealed.
Ultimately, this mid-season finale feels underwhelming. It’s possible the show’s four-episode opening emergency shifted the pacing, making this episode feel less like a true finale. Still, the first half of the season wraps up Harry and Chimney’s major storylines, leaving room for 9-1-1 to push forward when it returns in the spring. Hen’s health scare feels like an odd choice for a central storyline, especially following her near-death experience in space. That said, there’s hope the series will regain momentum after the hiatus, and hopefully move quickly past Hen’s mysterious illness.
