Ought to 9-1-1’s Subsequent Catastrophe Be Extra Grounded in Actuality?

One other 9-1-1 multi-episode catastrophe is correct across the nook, this time involving a contagion enveloping part of Los Angeles.

9-1-1: Contagion joins a protracted checklist of emergencies the veteran procedural drama has tackled in its eight seasons and counting, and it doubtless received’t be the final.

However contemplating what number of larger-than-life, high-stakes emergencies the present has produced, I questioned if perhaps it was time to scale issues again a bit and discover some disasters that weren’t so fantastical. Would that basically be such a nasty concept?

Many individuals will let you know that the tsunami arc of 9-1-1 Season 2 was among the finest hours of the complete season, and I’d agree with them.

The massive-scale, epic catastrophe journey was a tv feat, and nothing on broadcast tv has ever topped it and possibly by no means will.

The sequence has been chasing that top for some time now, and so they’ve by no means been capable of absolutely seize the magic.

At this level, the massive emergencies that start the season have turn out to be campier over time, just like the one which began 9-1-1 Season 8, for instance.

The bee-nado journey was only a automobile to get to the airplane crash, which led to Athena inexplicably flying a airplane that she and a younger baby would efficiently information onto an LA freeway.

And look, it was time.

9-1-1 has all the time excelled at motion items combined with emotional beats, however these days, the massive, sweeping adventures have began to really feel extra gimmicky than anything.

After they solely have eighteen hours to work with each season, it could behoove them to return to emergencies which are nonetheless grand (in the event that they so select) however maybe a bit extra lifelike.

These emergencies based mostly on actual occasions had been among the strangest circumstances, however figuring out that they actually occurred lent them an additional layer of emotional weight that has turn out to be 9-1-1’s bread and butter.

The extra lifelike the emergency, the extra invested the viewers is; thus, the stakes really feel extra actual. There’s a stage of buy-in that you just received’t obtain by throwing the silliest issues on the wall and seeing what sticks.

However on the flip aspect of the realism rainbow, Ryan Murphy’s reveals are infamous for pushing the envelope and considering exterior the field, making them among the hottest reveals on tv.

There’s all the time one thing to be mentioned for weird and outrageous emergencies that don’t make all of the sense on the planet however are enjoyable sufficient that you just don’t significantly care whether or not or not each little element is sensible.

9-1-1 was simply renewed for a ninth season, so it’s clearly doing one thing proper.

Plus, at this level in tv historical past, loads of procedurals are on the market to scratch that itch should you’re on the lookout for emergencies which are extra run-of-the-mill, much less about shock issue, and extra about realism.

These are rather more the norm than what 9-1-1 does, which once more, makes it stand out amongst a crowded panorama.

It’s not an simply answered query as a result of each arguments have professionals and cons, and it might be extra a matter of private desire than anything.

What do you guys take into consideration the state of 9-1-1 emergencies?

Ought to they maintain going greater and bolder?

Or is it time to scale issues again?

Let me know within the feedback the way you’re feeling about this buzzy subject so we are able to focus on it!

You’ll be able to watch 9-1-1 on ABC at 8/7c on Thursdays.

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