Station 19 season 7’s premiere reintroduced audiences straight back into the aftermath of the ballroom floor disaster with plenty of twists & drama.
Station 19 season 7 returned with a bang for its final season, with episode 1 including plenty of twists and life-altering developments for its firefighting protagonists. The episode picked up right after the events of the Station 19 season 6 finale’s ending, giving an update on the several characters affected by the ballroom floor collapse and answering many of the questions season 6’s cliffhanger ending had left alone. Station 19 season 7, episode 1 aptly introduced the main storylines that will take center stage in its last stretch, as the firefighting drama seeks a satisfying ending after its six-year run.
From finally revealing Jack’s fate after Station 19 season 6 ended with his mysterious collapse to Maya and Carina furthering their parenthood journey with an unexpected turn, Station 19 season 7, episode 1 was packed with stories inherited from the previous season and new interesting ones. The Station 19 season 7 premiere saw some couples finalizing their breakups and others rekindling old loves, in conjunction with action-packed calls putting more than one character in danger. All in all, the maiden episode of Station 19’s final season offered an exciting first glimpse of what to expect from the series’ conclusive chapter.
Jack hit his head multiple times in Station 19 season 6, and his collapse in the finale only came after a string of traumatic brain injuries that impacted him. Station 19 season 7’s premiere highlighted the gravity of his situation by leaving his fate hang in the balance, as he didn’t wake up until the episode’s end. While Jack waking up hinted at his being partly out of the woods, Amelia’s predictions hint at a future with CTE, a neurodegenerative disease that will make it impossible for Jack to continue being a firefighter.
Jack’s head injuries in Station 19 season 6 subtly hinted at a bigger story waiting to happen, especially considering how he always dismissed them. However, Station 19 season 6 already approached Jack’s departure from firefighting too, as it started with him trying to come to terms with his family history away from the firehouse, and only later he happily returned as a firefighter. His brain scarring in Station 19 season 7 nevertheless changes drastically his situation, separating him from his Station 19 family and a job he loves, making it difficult for Jack and his work family.
Maya and Carina had already agreed to start IVF in the Station 19 season 6 finale, but the firefighter ball waitress’s baby adoption application falling through was the perfect option for them to begin their parenthood journey. Nanette’s coworker adopting her baby was after all a spur-of-the-moment decision he had made out of love for Nanette, not because he wanted to be a parent, while Maya and Carina already knew what they wanted. While it might seem fast, adopting Liam isn’t an impromptu decision altogether for them, as it comes after three seasons of Maya and Carina debating having children.
Mayor Osman’s confirmation of Chief Ross sounded like a win because everyone seemed so sure that her affair had lost her the career she cherished and worked hard for so much. However, Osman explaining to Natasha that firing her wouldn’t be good for the optics after the firefighter ball puts her in danger of losing her job the next time she spearheads an ambitious initiative or protects her firefighters against the police. After all, the power imbalance between her and Osman and Natasha owing her job to him might make her choices as fire chief less independent in the future.
Andy seeing her mind’s version of Jack had less to do with her worry for him than her fear of not being up for the captaincy task. While she was undoubtedly worried for Jack, what gnawed at Andy was having been unable to protect him, and the most insecure part of her attributed Jack’s tragedy to her failing. Admitting to projection-of-her-mind Jack that it wasn’t her fault and that she deserved her spot as Station 19’s captain let Andy take ownership of her accomplishment, simultaneously letting her state her objectives to outdo all the previous Station 19 captains out loud.
Theo coming clean with Vic about hooking up with Kate after they broke up gave even more hope about his behavior improving after Station 19 season 6 saw him repeatedly not taking ownership of his mistakes. While Andy might have approached Theo to ask about his support, his answer showed a change in him, and his Crisis One call confirmed he respected her as a captain, trusted her, and was willing to work under her command. Throughout the episode, Theo behaved fairly and professionally, without thinking about politics even once, instead doing the right thing for those in his care.