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.

Season 3 of FOX’s first responder drama 9-1-1: Lone Star is almost here! It’s been quite a while since we last saw the 126, so before Austin is overtaken by an ice storm, let’s recap the events of season 2!

Say Goodbye to Michelle and Hello to Tommy

Following Liv Tyler’s departure as Paramedic Captain Michelle Blake ahead of the second season, Gina Torres was cast as Tommy Vega, the 126’s newest Paramedic Captain. Thanks to the pandemic, Tommy’s husband, Charles, was out of a job as his restaurant went under. Needing to make money to support her family, Tommy decided to go back to work. And boy did she fit in perfectly. She already knew Judd, as the two of them worked together previously. And he mentioned to Owen more than a few times that Tommy actually introduced him to his wife (more on that later). Tommy proved how badass she can be, both in the field and at home, and I couldn’t think of a better fit.

Mama Strand

After hearing her mentioned throughout the first season, we finally got to meet Gwyneth Morgan in the flesh. Played by Lisa Edelstein, Gwyneth is Owen’s first wife and T.K.’s mother who came to Austin to be with her son following him getting shot and also to be there for Owen during his cancer treatments. Owen and Gwyn’s relationship definitely picked up after being divorced for 16 years, though there were times where they didn’t know what they were and it was getting on T.K.’s nerves. Gwyn becomes pregnant and although everyone is surprised and confused, they were all happy.

The two decided to keep the baby despite the risks, and T.K. was happy to become a big brother to his baby bro. However, it was soon found out that the baby is not Owen’s, but Gwyn’s ex Enzo. She went back to New York after finding out, but Owen and T.K. were as understanding as one can be.

A Volcano in Austin and the Death of Tim Rosewater

It’s not a 9-1-1 series without a big emergency opening up the season. And boy did Lone Star bring it for the second season. Things really heated up in Austin as the city was dealing with an active volcano. I’m still not completely sure how it even happened but it was intense. The team dealt with calls to a mini golf course and a pool party, where the inevitable happened. While helping a college student, paramedic Tim Rosewater gets hit with a fire ball? Lava ball? And it kills him. The team, and fans, were devastated and although a death in the 126 was teased in the previews for the season, it didn’t hurt any less. Later on in the season, the firefighters surprise Nancy with a dedication to Tim on the ambulance, with the date of his last call, and it was heartwarming.

The 118 Meet the 126

It was only just a matter of time. When a new spinoff for 9-1-1 was announced, fans were anxious for the teams to team up. While there was a mention of Chim’s accident from the first season towards the end of season 1 of Lone Star, we were blessed with the first crossover event during season 2. The crossover involved 9-1-1‘s Buck (Oliver Stark), Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Eddie (Ryan Guzman) heading to Texas to help with a massive wildfire. The episode paired Buck with T.K. and Mateo, Hen with Owen and Eddie with Judd, Marjan and Paul. There were some pretty great and iconic moments to come out of the episode, so make sure to check out the best moments here!

EMS 126 Are Held Hostage

The midseason finale of 9-1-1: Lone Star involved some pretty heavy stuff, including EMS 126 getting held hostage. It was an insane episode that involved explosions, the trio being held at gunpoint, T.K. trying to be a hero and a heartwarming Tarlos reunion. It also gave us some pretty great content between Owen and Carlos, who were trying to find the missing unit. While the situation wasn’t really talked about in the second part of the season, this still remains one of the bigger moments of the 14-episode season.

Jace Love Story

This season brought us the backstory of the best love story on 9-1-1: Lone Star, Judd and Grace Ryder. Following a car accident in the midseason finale, fans were taken back through their love story, beginning with Judd calling a prayer hotline that Grace was working, to Grace quitting the hotline and the two of them meeting in person by fate. That is when we see Tommy introduce her colleague to the love of his life, and it is complete swoon-worthy. The episode gave fans a glimpse into Jace, as Grace was fighting for her life, and her unborn baby’s.

Serial Arsonist

Close to the end of the season, there was a serial arsonist running around the city. Owen, on medical leave due to his cancer surgery, found himself in the middle of the whole thing. He tried solving who was behind it but it got him in trouble, and arrested by the Texas Rangers. Ironically, the arson investigator ended up being the arsonist. He revealed himself after he set fires at the firehouse and at T.K. and Carlos’ place. The latter got the worst of it, but luckily, Tarlos made it out, physically okay, thanks to Owen, Judd, Tommy, Billy and Grace. The firehouse, on the other hand, was only just the beginning of 126’s downfall …

The 126 Is Shut Down

As mentioned above, thanks to the serial arsonist, Firehouse 126 had a fire and was, at first, temporarily shut down. The crew were spread across the department, with Marjan, Judd and Paul getting assigned to the same firehouse and Mateo getting assigned to a different one. At the end of the season finale, they came together following the dust storm to clean the place up. It was then that they found out, from Billy, that due to budget cuts, the 126 will be shutting down, permanently.

Other Storylines

• Owen’s cancer is in remission and he got a surgery to remove the rest of the tumor.
• T.K. celebrated one year of sobriety.
• Marjan’s fiancé, yes, fiancé, showed up and she announces that she and Salim had been engaged since they were 12. However, the engagement doesn’t work out but the two of them still love each other.
• Paul reconnected with his estranged sister.
• T.K. becomes a paramedic.
• Carlos got suspended after making a bad call.
• Tommy’s husband, Charles, dies.
• Owen declares Mateo an official firefighter following the dust storm.

Be sure to catch up on 9-1-1: Lone Star on Hulu and watch the season 3 premiere 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.