The Season 9 premiere of 9-1-1 kicked off the show’s ambitious space storyline, sending Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Athena (Angela Bassett) on a mission that quickly spiraled out of control. Episode 2, “Spiraling,” picks up the momentum with a mockumentary-style opening, featuring interviews with the crew as they prepare for what’s meant to be a simple orbit. Of course, this is 9-1-1 — and nothing ever goes according to plan.
In ‘9-1-1’ Season 9, Episode 2, Hen and Athena Face a Space Hurricane
After a series of mockumentary-style interviews teasing the space mission, the episode jumps back eighteen hours to show the lead-up to the launch. Karen (Tracie Thoms) supports Hen’s (Aisha Hinds) big moment but struggles with being left behind, leaning on Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) for comfort. Just before takeoff, Tripp (Mark Consuelos) learns of a possible geomagnetic storm but chooses to ignore the warning — a selfish call that quickly proves disastrous.
As the shuttle launches, Karen discovers the storm risk too late. When Tripp’s company loses contact with several satellites, debris strikes the shuttle mid-flight, confirming the worst: a full-blown geomagnetic “space hurricane.” From the ground, Karen uses her expertise to guide the crew, even managing a tense call with Hen in orbit. Meanwhile, Hen and Athena (Angela Bassett) work to save an injured passenger (Rio Mangini) as the shuttle catches fire on its way back to Earth.
In ‘9-1-1’ Season 9, Episode 2, Tripp’s Tech Disaster Puts Everyone at Risk
Every crisis in “Spiraling” leads back to Tripp Houser, whose reckless decision to launch a shuttle during a geomagnetic storm sets off chaos both in space and on Earth. His faulty tech causes a self-driving car to spin out of control, heart-monitoring apps to fail, and even one of his robots to turn rogue.
While the over-the-top emergencies feel like classic 9-1-1 fun — complete with self-driving cars, killer robots, and a space disaster — the episode misses the smaller, heartfelt moments that make the show shine. Still, Tripp proves to be the perfect corporate villain, and Hen’s exasperated quip to Athena, “I really can’t take you anywhere,” delivers the best laugh of the hour.
‘9-1-1’ Season 9, Episode 2 Hints at Harry’s Future With the 118
Amid the chaos of the space mission, “Spiraling” shifts focus to Harry (Elijah M. Cooper) as he struggles with Athena’s (Angela Bassett) grief and her decision to risk her life again. Feeling lost and frustrated, Harry finds an unexpected mentor in Buck (Oliver Stark), who reassures him about his mother and even lets him tag along with the 118.
The episode clearly sets up Harry’s path toward joining the team — a move that feels both inevitable and emotional. His clever thinking helps during a crisis, and his dynamic with Buck mirrors a younger version of the firefighter himself. As 9-1-1 heads into the final part of its space arc, Harry’s budding connection to the 118 might just be the heart the team needs after Bobby’s death.
