Season 3 of 9-1-1: Lone Star is right around the corner! To celebrate, we are taking a look at what fans can expect and what might happen in the upcoming season. Following that shocking cliffhanger in the season 2 finale where the 126 was permanently shut down and ahead of the ice storm that will penetrate Austin, there is much to come in season 3. Keep reading to see our predictions!
The Ice Storm
The big season opener was first teased when star Ronen Rubinstein revealed the title of the premiere episode when production started. “The Big Chill” previewed that the spinoff series would mirror what Texas actually went through earlier this year, which was a big winter storm. And it was confirmed even further when FOX released the first teaser, which featured Rubinstein’s T.K. falling through ice while trying to save a little boy.
Texas experienced an IRL surprise winter storm earlier this year so it’s not surprising to see that this is what opens season 3. The emergency will happen over multiple episodes, so it’s definitely going to be a big one that Austin has never seen before.
So, just what could happen? Definitely some winter-themed emergencies, and obviously T.K. falling through the ice will likely play a big part in at least one of the episodes, given the fact it was the major point in multiple teasers and the first look. The official preview for the season hinted at some major emergencies, with the City of Austin completely covered in snow. And something else that happened in the preview was Grace unexpectedly going into labor. More on that below.
Double Pregnancies
Season 2 brought pregnancy surprise after pregnancy surprise. Gwyneth and Grace were both revealed to be pregnant and this upcoming season will surely document the babies’ arrivals! As mentioned above, the official preview for the season teased Grace’s labor during the record-breaking winter storm. It’s interesting to point out that it looks like Judd’s not with her, likely because of work. Fans have speculated that it could be Carlos who is with her to help her, but the first look also hinted at Billy possibly being the one to be with her through it. However, we probably won’t find out until it premieres.
Gwyneth, meanwhile, will also be getting ready to give birth to her baby boy. Even though she went back to New York after finding out her baby is Enzo’s and not Owen’s, Gwyn is still very much going to be in the picture. Thanks to recent posts from Lisa Edelstein herself, it seems like Gwyn will be coming down to Austin so they can still be a family, and so T.K. can still be in his baby brother’s life.
The 126
Season 2 of 9-1-1: Lone Star ended on the shocking cliffhanger that the 126 is being shut down permanently due to budget cuts. It wouldn’t be Lone Star without the 126, so it’s likely that it won’t last for very long. At the very least, it’ll be a big plot for the first half of the season, but it’s unlikely it’ll stay that way for the entire 18-episode season.
In case anyone had any doubts of the 126 getting back together, shortly after the season finale, creator and showrunner Tim Minear said in an interview with TV Insider that while the crew will be separated at the start of the season, “I don’t think I’m going to keep them separated for too long, though. I don’t think the audience wants that.” So hopefully they find some way to keep the 126 around, because the show would not be the same without them together.
The Crossover
Season 2 brought the 126 together with the 118 from 9-1-1 and fans loved it. It’s already known that we’re going to be getting another crossover next year between the two shows, with hopes that it’ll be two episodes instead of just one. And the possibilities are endless for what could happen.
Since the first crossover took place in Austin, it would only make sense for the next one to take place in Los Angeles. Similar to our predictions for season 5 of 9-1-1, if the next crossover were to take place in LA, it’s likely it would be under some big emergency that would have to bring the Austin crew to Cali. Just what is unsure. They’ve already battled a major wildfire so it would be harsh for them to have to deal with another one, but it’s hard to tell. Or perhaps the 126 simply want to take a vacation to the City of Angels and while there, a big emergency happens and they help out the 118. Whatever it is, it surely won’t be one to miss. I just hope that it involves more cast from both shows.
The Guest Stars
It was recently announced that Angel vets Julie Benz and Amy Acker will be appearing in the third season, separately. While Benz is portraying Sadie, Owen’s neighbor in the hill country, Acker will play Catherine, chief of staff to the governor of Texas. Benz will first appear in the premiere episode and Acker will be in the fifth. How big their storylines will be are unknown, but it will be interesting to see what they will bring to the table for season 3!
Meanwhile, another guest star coming back is Billy Burke as Billy Tyson. Following his promotion and him permanently shutting down the 126 in the season 2 finale, he is not on any of the crew’s good sides. In the first look that FOX posted, it looked like Billy is trying to make amends and may even help Grace when she goes into labor. He’s always been a bit sketchy and just when you think he’s a good guy, he’s not. So he’ll definitely be a character to look out for.
Other Storyline Hopefuls
- Any “Begins” storyline. We’re in season 3 now, I need more backstory!
- Big brother T.K.
- Firefighter Chavez. Though let’s be real, he’ll always be Probie.
- More Nancy. Now that Brianna Baker is a series regular, I expect to see her just as much as the rest of the 126.
- Tarlos, because obviously.
- Give. Me. Buttercup.
- Tommy balancing life between being a single mom and working.
- More of the 126 hangs.
- Baby Ryder.
Don’t miss the season 3 premiere of 9-1-1: Lone Star this Monday, January 3 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on FOX! Check out our other 9-1-1: Lone Star coverage here.
