Since her first appearance in Station 19 season 5, Chief Natasha Ross has been an integral part of the series, and losing her character at the end of season 6 would be a devastating blow. In Station 19 season 6, episode 15, Ross revealed her relationship with Sullivan to the fire union after Dixon threatened to blackmail them. While Ross gave a convincing argument to keep her job, the promo video for season 6, episode 16, showed Ross planning to leave her position. With Station 19 season 6 coming to a close, it would be a great loss not to have Ross return as chief.
Station 19 was recently renewed for season 7, and Ross should remain as chief when it premieres. Station 19 has just two episodes left in season 6, and Ross potentially leaving the Seattle Fire Department will likely be a significant storyline in both, but the finale should include Ross staying and keeping her job. Before Ross joining Station 19 in season 5, there were three other fire chiefs on the show. Compared to the chiefs that succeeded Ripley after his death in season 2, Ross is clearly one of the best chiefs Station 19 has seen.
Ross Provides Important Representation To Station 19
Beyond being a great fire chief, Natasha Ross was also the first female chief in Station 19, as well as the first chief of color. Ross’s actress, Merle Dandridge, is Japanese, Korean, and African American. This has provided important representation to Station 19, which has always been a diverse show. However, having a woman of color like Ross in the highest possible rank in the fire department was a welcome change in the series. Ross’s identity also has played a part in her support of Crisis One and calling out the police department, which led to a rivalry with Dixon that might eventually cost Ross her job.
Ross hasn’t been perfect, and her relationship with Sullivan is inappropriate, but the representation she provides to Station 19 is necessary. This has been exemplified in many scenes, including one where she translated for a clinic patient who only spoke Korean. She has also become a mentor to women, especially women of color, in the fire department. For example, Ross encouraged Vic in Station 19 season 6 to take over the Crisis One program so that she can finally reach her full potential in the department, and she has also supported Andy, who is shown in the promo trying to get Ross to stay and fight for her job.
Ross Keeping Her Job Would Finally Break Station 19’s Double Standard
As Ross pointed out in her meeting with the union in Station 19, season 6, episode 15, there is a sexist double standard in the fire department. Despite Dixon being exposed as corrupt, he was still able to get a job with the police department and is currently running for mayor. On the other hand, Maya was demoted from captain after going against protocol to save a life, and her replacement, Beckett, has been allowed to keep his job despite his substance abuse putting lives in danger. Ross keeping her job in Station 19 would finally break the department’s misogynistic double standard.
