‘9-1-1’: What to Expect and What Might Happen for Season 5

Megan
7 Min Read
Jack Zeman/FOX

Season 5 of FOX’s first responder drama 9-1-1 is right around the corner! The series will kick off the new season with a citywide blackout in Los Angeles and some unwanted zoo animals running through Downtown LA. Though besides the blackout, not much is known about what the 118 will be getting themselves into. What will happen when our favorite firefighters, paramedics, and officers return? Here’s what to expect and what might happen in season 5 of 9-1-1.

The Season-Opener Disaster

9-1-1 is known for starting off the season with a big disaster. Season 2 was an earthquake, season 3 was a tsunami, and season 4 was a mudslide thanks to the Hollywood Dam breaking. The only question is, how does one top it? A sophisticated hacking that takes Los Angeles, and apparently other cities, hostage. This will evidently create chaos across LA, and the 118 will be in for the ride of their lives. Not only that, but zoo animals will run rampant across Hollywood Boulevard.

Following the hacking, LA will also experience a citywide blackout. Considering how massive the city is, it will not be easy for the 118 and the other fire departments, but it’s going to be a season-opener to not forget. Depending on how big it ends up being, the aftermath could linger throughout the season as well.

Maddie’s Postpartum Depression

FOX

In the back half of season 4, Maddie and Chimney welcomed baby girl Jee-Yun into the family, named after Chimney’s mother. However, with a new baby came some difficulties for Maddie, as she gradually tried to cope with her postpartum depression while at the same time taking care of a newborn. Maddie wasn’t happy. She was tired. She even quit being a dispatcher because it got too much for her. She finally opened up to Chimney and asked for help in the season 4 finale. In season 5, fans will definitely see Maddie deal with it even more. Hopefully, they’ll focus more on her story this season, as it’s not really shown much on television in general. It’s not known what the timeline will be when 9-1-1 returns, but from the looks of the synopsis that was released for the season 5 premiere, Maddie will be dealing with a lot when they return.

Athena’s Still-Lingering PTSD

Jack Zeman /FOX

Towards the end of season 3, Athena went through something traumatic, something even she’s been having a hard time getting through. She got attacked by a serial rapist she was investigating. She took time off work, she saw a therapist, but then she went back and Bobby thought it was too soon. Athena was doing well, though it seems like that won’t last very long. According to the season 5 premiere synopsis, Athena will “revisit her traumatic attack when the case of the realtor serial rapist goes to trial.”

There’s no telling how the trial will affect Athena moving forward. It was a very traumatizing event that she went through, and a heartbreaking one for Bobby having to hear it over the radio. Hopefully, we’ll see more of that aftermath and see Athena working through it and accepting help when she needs it.

The Next Crossover

Courtesy of Jordin Althaus/FOX.

The beginning of 2021 saw Buck, Hen and Eddie from the 118 head to Texas to help 9-1-1: Lone Star‘s 126 and other firefighters battle a massive wildfire. The episode, which was part of Lone Star‘s second season, paired Hen with Owen, Buck with T.K. and Mateo, and Eddie with Marjan, Paul and Judd. It’s been reported that for the upcoming seasons, the crossover will likely be a massive two-parter that will hopefully involve more of the 118 and the 126, as well as other characters, like Carlos, Grace, Athena, and Maddie.

The question is what would bring the LA and Austin crews back together? Perhaps the latter can take a vacation to California, and a disaster just waiting to happen arises while out there. Whatever the case, we need more of these two families working together.

Hen and Karen’s Growing Foster Family

FOX

In season 4, Hen and Karen continued their foster family with adorable little foster Nia. She quickly grew close to Mama Hen and Mama Karen, even wanting to be a doctor just like her mother. However, soon, Nia’s birth mother was ready for her again and Hen and Karen said a tearful goodbye. In the finale, they ran into them at the park and it looked like things could go well for them in season 5.

Seeing the good side of the foster system is rare. It’s not all bad and the parent giving up the child is not always a bad thing. Hopefully, Hen and Karen will continue to be part of Nia’s life, and their foster family will only grow. Maybe they’ll see an adoption out of it in the next season because God knows they deserve it.

Other Storyline Hopefuls

  • Albert Han’s new firefighter life
  • May taking over at the call center
  • UNCLE BUCK
  • More Josh because Josh deserves all the screen time
  • More platonic relationships
  • Never gonna happen but how did Chimney get named Chimney?

Catch the season 5 premiere of 9-1-1 this Monday, September 20 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on FOX! Stay tuned to Nerds and Beyond for all things 9-1-1.

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By Megan
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Megan has been passionate about writing since she was little and has been passionate about all things pop culture and nerdy since almost as long. Joining Nerds and Beyond in 2019, she also graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Journalism. Megan is constantly binge-watching shows and finding new things to obsess over. 9-1-1 and Marvel currently reign as the top obsessions. You can find her on Twitter @marvels911s if you ever want to discuss some certain firefighters.
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