9-1-1 (TV Series) Wrapped in Red (2021) User Reviews

such missed opportunities

[itisiabanana · 7/10 · 7 December 2021]

With many cast members gone, there should be ample time to focus on main characters and give them well fleshed out storylines. Instead, even the characters that are left are barely talking to each other. There is no flow this season. Storylines are fractured or forgotten.

Eddie and Christopher were wonderful in this episode (despite the sad storyline). We need more of them, consistently through the season. We need to see Buck with them, as those relationships are definitely one of the highlights of the show.

Instead, the writers have thrown away some of the best relationships in favor of what? Scene after awkward unpleasant scene of Buck & Taylor in his apartment or displaying over and over why they don't work together. It's too much and at this point is unbearable.

I sincerely hope the writer's and showrunner consider all of the ample negative feedback they've been getting from fans and fix this. It's just sad and exhausting at this point. People can only take so much.

Decent But Depressing

[gaslight-12611 · 6/10 · 7 December 2021]

Most of this episode was good despite being depressing for a Christmas episode. We got multiple calls for the 118 (something that's becoming rare). Athena giving excellent advice to the two women wronged by the same man, to focus on the real enemy (him not each other). Some funny discussion around Buck and Taylor getting each other gifts and being clueless. And my favorite, Christopher bossing Eddie around while decorating. That was very cute and amusing even though things escalated and we later realized Chris was really going through something. We even finally got Eddie beginning to recognize that he's been through a lot and sort of admit that he isn't over it.

That said, the cliffhanger was terrible. And I don't mean in the normal "I can't believe I have to wait to find out what happens" way. But rather, "This makes me sad and I hope they don't ruin the show" way.

I could tell it was going in that direction, and I know cliffhangers are supposed to be shocking and maybe make you worry, but this was too much. In a season where lots of fans have been frustrated by main characters being gone, acting out of character, being paired with people they have no chemistry with, having no scenes with characters who they're supposedly close with, having another fan favorite decide to leave felt like a knockout blow. The one positive, is it does offer a chance for more development for Eddie and I am always here for that. I just don't really trust I'm gonna like where it's going.

I'm still hopeful that the off-ness of this season is intentional and that the second half of the season will show everyone coming back together in the ways we love but it would've been nice for the cliffhanger to be a little more exciting and little less depressing.

Final thought: How did we go from Eddie making Buck Chris' legal guardian if he dies to Buck and Chris sharing 0.5 mins of screen time this season and Buck's level of concern for Chris being that of a casual acquaintance?

Bleak end to a bleak half season

[tangostargirl-161-180833 · 7/10 · 8 December 2021]

Overall, the episode itself was just fine honestly. The three main emergencies felt very classic 9-1-1 and that was nice to see! The domestic scenes with Eddie and Chris were excellently done (seriously, props to that kid because he's a great actor).

But in a season that's already been marked entirely by absences, having the "cliffhanger" be that Eddie's leaving the 118 (even though we know Ryan Guzman isn't leaving the show) just felt like kicking us when we're down. Although I understand the character motivations behind it and wouldn't necessarily have altered the storyline or the conclusion he came to, I think the episode would've been stronger if it had ended on a positive anticipatory note. Tell us Eddie's leaving, sure, but give us some spark of hope to keep going. Like even the slightest hint about Maddie and Chimney's return?

Literally any glimmer of hope would've been nice instead of just...more bleak on top of bleak.

Saddest Christmas episode I have ever watched.

[stillnotyourbusiness · 7 December 2021]

I'll start with the good things, Gavin and Ryan this episode were outstanding. I really felt their struggles and it was beautifully done.

The emergencies were ok and related to the plot, missing some action this season, but I have seen worse.

Athena and Bobby trying to help people was just the best.

And now for the cons. We keep seeing that everything is just split. We didn't see any of the families together, Hen's wife was not there (please we need more of her) neither was her mom, no mention of Michael and the Grant-Nash don't get to celebrate together, Eddie and Chris didn't even have a scene after they argued, they didn't even mention Maddie and Chimney.

We know Maddie can't be there because of Jennifer being on leave, but they could have showed us Chimney or a postcard or anything.

Buck and Taylor continue to have no chemistry and be wrong for each other. They don't even know what to get as a gift, and after Buck makes an effort to get her something cute she just got him a sweater. It's sad that he's once again giving it all in a relationship and not getting anything in return.

The 118 seems broken up and it's just sad to see how much their dynamics are changing. We know Eddie won't be leaving, but it's sad to see how everyone is just doing their thing.

Eddie moves on .

[mrmarckline · 7/10 · 9 December 2021]

A typical day in the lives of the 118 , doing their job , saving people .

For some reason this whole season seems like everyone is in neutral , the energy of the show is tanking , the glare , the story lines are like seconds , the energy needs Duracell or even the bunny's Energizer to booster some positive input.

Then after heavy consideration Eddie is convinced to walk away , cause his son Christopher says you could be dead next year , you look back when the sniper shot him , the man was superman , but listen to the kid , he is dead right , lost his mom , misses the girl friend teacher , that was terrible of Eddie dumping her , so in the best interest move on.

unashamedly bad? self destructive?

[garnetthd · 1/10 · 7 December 2021]

PLEASE listen to your audience. What's the value of full creative control if you aren't using it to provide what your viewers tune in for?

Admittedly my rating reflects my view of 5a as a whole more than it does this episode (though this was hardly a home run) but I'm just struggling to fathom the decision making here. The pacing, characterisation and general story telling is just so poor and not at all reminiscent of seasons past.

This episode in particular had the important task of keeping us interested and engaged over the hiatus. With the lacklustre run of episodes we've had prior, Eddie's leaving, Taylor's presence and the criminal exclusion of characters like Karen; I'm less intrigued and more exhausted.

I really hope for the sake of this shows longevity that we see a shift toward the thematic elements of yesteryear in 5b, or else I anticipate the cascading viewership figures to continue.

P. S. Eddie & Chris need more screen time, not less.

Depression episode

[sarine_info · 4/10 · 7 December 2021]

What used to be a solid family, feel like some lose characters playing a part this season.

Even the episodes feel unrelated to each other.

I can understand not having Maddie and Chimney there, but that should leave more time for the other members of the team.

Pleas get rid of Taylor ASAP, she does not belong.

Completely unfit for Buck, he seems to be regressing to Buck season 1, and all the growing he has done in previous season is completely gone.

The positives for me this episode are Bobby and Athena, always great to watch the solid relationship they have grown into.

Also Eddie and Chris are a pleasure to watch again. One minor for them, is we did not see the follow-up conversation they would have had.

Is this 9-1-1?

[brittybear-03351 · 2/10 · 7 December 2021]

I don't even recognize this show anymore and it's a darn shame! First off, Ryan and Gavin's performance - out of the park! They are so powerful, I don't believe for a second they or Eddie and Chris are going anywhere! And that's where the good ends.

That aside, where was Karen? Where was everyone's family? The emergencies were lame, the firefam is non-existent, Maddie, Chim, and Albert are still gone - now our cliffhanger is what - Eddie is leaving and taking Chris to live in a bubble? Shannon died crossing a street, just saying.

Also - for the love of god why is Taylor Kelly still here? You expect us to believe she and Buck are some great love story, but she bought him a sweater for Christmas. Come on!

I want my favorite show back - this isn't it!

Why?

[charlotted-59767 · 1/10 · 7 December 2021]

Why hint at taking away a character we love while letting a character we hate stay around?

Eddie can't leave! It's not an option.

They are going to lose so many viewers if they go through with this.

Most disappointing Christmas episode of any show I've ever seen.

What's happened this season.

[I-hate-it-here · 2/10 · 7 December 2021]

The two stars are for Gavin and Ryan who as usual killed their scenes. Those two together are just insanely good.

This just didn't feel like a 118 Christmas. Where is the big loving family they chose. This season it just seems to have completely disappeared. I know Chim and Maddie are gone but what about the others.

My biggest gripe is how Buck was more interested in getting Taylor a Christmas present than he was about Christopher. In what world does Buck care about anything more than Christopher.

It's like you are ruining the core of who Buck is for a relationship that is disliked by 90% of the shows fans.

I really hope you can give Buck back his character growth and bring back the family to what it was in 5b or I am certain you will lose a lot of viewers.

Where is Christmas spirit?

[stephCpi · 1/10 · 7 December 2021]

1 star for Gavin!

But first of all NOT Christmas spirit at all!! So weird and sad, the vibes were just off.

No Maddie and Chimney, nothing, not even un postcard, a phon call!

No Buck and Chris scene together, even though Chris is unhappy and upset.

No Hen and Karen.

Emotions are off, Buck who can heat an entire room with his smile, is now extinct, off. All the traumas (the shooting, the will, hostage situation..) are still not treated!

The cliffhanger is not a really cliffhanger, we ALL know he will comme back in the 118 in 3 or 4 episodes!

No proper storyline for main characters, the absolute lake of continuity.

Taylor with Bobby like noting happened in S2 (memory problems for the writers???).

We lose the 911 spirit : Family, Fire and Fun.

Will i watch 5B, i really don't know. I'm disappointed, sad and honestly with everything that has been going on for almost 2 years, i was hoping this Christmas episode would make me smile, and it FAILED.

Two stars because of my beloved Diaz boys

[maggiemargaret123 · 2/10 · 8 December 2021]

Sadly this episode was a big disappointment for me again. No sign or mention of Chimney. No Buck and Christopher moments. What is going on with this show? I didn't want to give yet another one star rating, but sigh this episode wasn't delivering at all for me. Buck has turned into this weird character who now worries more about christmas gifts for his annoying girlfriend than about Chris struggling? Am i suppose to actually believe that? Because i don't. The cliffhanger fell flat to me as well, because the moment Chris told Eddie about having dreamt of his mum i was like ugh they are going for the Eddie leaving his job plot. Turns out i was right. While i do love it when they focus with the story on Eddie and the potential of finally letting Buck and Eddie address the shooting and the will, i just don't trust the writing this season. And please don't take away Hen from Buck. The poor guy has already suffered enough. I want to end this on a positive note the first montage of Eddie getting ordered around by Chris was so sweet and why we love the Diaz boys so much. Hopefully the second half of the season is going to deliver again. I am thankful for a break, because the first half was exhausting.

It's no longer our beloved 911

[idontbelieveinmagic · 3/10 · 7 December 2021]

I was hoping in a classic 911 Christmas episode, with family feeling, with some happyness after the angst of this season, I believed that for once the writers could deliver a solid episode like the ones in season 3... yeah i was hoping in some kind of miracle and instead we get the nightmare before Christmas.

What was once a big beautiful family, their "choosen family", now is broken to the core, they no longer interact, they are like separated entities unable to speak, to share emotions, to confronts each others. It's painful to watch, all the feelings that made 911 a great show are vanished, the emergencies are less and less and usually boring, and the focus on sideline characters takes away space from the main ones.

I get that Maddie leaved because of JLH maternity, but what happened to Chimney? The concept of a road trip without destination with a newborn baby it's stupid, he could have took a paternity leave staying at home, showing the others helping him with Jee.

But the biggest issue is with what is described one of the key relationship of the show, the friendship??? Between Buck and Eddie.

I enjoyed the moment between Eddie and Chris in this episode, that they finally dealt with their trauma, proving once again that Eddie only thinks of his son, that every decision he makes is life is for him, leaving El Paso, try to make things work with Shannon, dating Ana and now leaving the 118... just... normally he would have talked about it with Buck but now he seems to confiding only in Carla. How did we go from "You can have my back any day" and "you are stuck with us" to "I'm leaving the 118" without Buck and Eddie talking? It's sad and heartbreaking, the distance keep growing between this two since 4x14 and the more the fans ask for Buddie, the less they let them interact. Eddie nearly died in front of Buck then he threw the will bomb, but they didn't once talk about what happened. Buck is stuck in a relationship with one of the worst character that could return to the show, she suck the life from him, every smile he share with her is forced, they don't know and trust each other and every time they spent together is a waste of time for the viewers.

They really wasted four years of development on Buck's character for what? Caring and sweed Buck is gone, welcome to sad and introverted Buck, but hey he got the pretty girlfriend so everything is perfect now right?

Too much for the worst Christmas episode in the worst season, no Buddie moments, no Buck/Christopher moments, a predictable cliffhanger... they may have gold with Buddie, but they chose ash with the reporter.

The weakest christmas episode ever

[hoppitywoppity · 3/10 · 7 December 2021]

I dont know, this felt like the most depressing christmas ep following one of the worst first half of a season so far. It isnt fun anymore. Bucks character development has flown out of the window for nothing, the fire fam feels completely off, annoying characters that arent main cast get more screentime. I hope that Eddie now has to confront his trauma head on in what comes but i do not trust it will happen. The family dynamic and teams i fell in love with are gone. I am glad we are on a break now, im not sure ill have the energy to continue watching coming march.

this whole season so far is unfortunate

[vatrica · 3/10 · 7 December 2021]

Please don't bother continuing this season unless it's gonna be the exact opposite of whatever tf this was so far. The bar is on the ground, I'd say try not to dig under it, but 10 episodes in and i have yet to feel something other than utter boredom and cringe so I'm not holding out hope anymore.

This season is just not getting better...

[TIN-370-918327 · 7 December 2021]

Oh this episode. The only reason I rated it as high as I did is because of Eddie and Christopher.

This whole season has been a mess of inconsistencies, a weird mix of storylines and overall sloppy set up.

There's nothing engaging happening here. When have guest actors have more screen time than mains, where was Chimney? Did the writers decide they just don't know what to do with him without Maddie?

The lack of chemistry highlighted even further in this episode with Buck and Taylor? I'm not sure if we're still supposed to take this relationship seriously after this episode or not. Their scene was shot (as most seem to be) like a Disney prince and princess (and not even a good one), the music is always strange and the general uncomfortableness is really something. The episode would have probably been better without the gift debacle and Taylor Kelly in general.

911 always did really well at balancing emergencies and storylines outside of those, but this season has been very topsy turvy. This episode featured less main cast and more emergencies, which seems to be kind of the theme. Or less mains and more guest actors.

Highlighting Christopher struggle is great! I love Gavin! He's phenomenal, but seeing Chris more this season might have made this emotional buildup even more powerful. I would say I'm excited for more Eddie stuff the next half of the season but, the way the first half went. It's hard to care that much.

Where was Karen? A Christmas episode and no Karen? Where were the family vibes? The last few minutes were used pointlessly and then Eddie's bombshell, which also seemed to come out of nowhere because the majority of the season was spent acting like Eddie's trauma never happened.

I don't know if it's the new co show runner making all the decisions, but this episode didn't do anything to make me excited to come back.

New viewers, turn back now :D

[allthingsao · 1/10 · 7 December 2021]

What on earth was that midseason finale episode?

Maddie and Chim? Not actually mentioned aside from a vague hint at family being gone. Where's Karen? Abuela? Pepa? We have Taylor Kelly all smiley and laughing with Bobby who she would have happily watched throw himself off a building all to further her career, no apology or discussion about that. No mention of Eddie's will regarding Buck. And while we're on the subject of Eddie - and Buck - and every character who has been through stuff - what is it with this show and its lack of continuity when it comes to trauma? Am I supposed to believe this is how Eddie's trauma comes out, in a 'shock' quitting the 118? Unbelievable. It's frankly insulting to any of us with PTSD and other issues to watch this unfold - as in, not followed through at all. And to think this is a first responder show, one that at its core is about the family we choose, our found families :D

Are you going to tell me I should follow the narrative, and it's all about the found family being broken, the symbolism in the episode of Eddie breaking both the gingerbread house and the firehouse family? Am I supposed to have that much faith in this show after the appalling writing for a good chunk of season 4 and 5? Sorry, but the writers haven't earned my trust. Gavin and Ryan were spectacular in their scenes but everything else was just so mediocre.

Oh and while it's fresh in my mind, if we're talking about unresolved trauma, what kind of boyfriend gives his girlfriend a Christmas gift that is basically a safety device to protect her if she gets into trouble? What kind of boyfriend? A boyfriend with his own severe trauma/fear of losing people and so on! Your precious white lead that the show is obsessed with? You don't even want to address his trauma/forgot he was in therapy himself? Okay then. Tells us everything we need to know. People who have trauma/PTSD/anxiety just need to get one with it then. Got it. Great message for your mid-season finale just coming up to one of the most stressful times of the year for many.

If your hope with that cliffhanger was to hook people into coming back for 5b then, well, this episode just proved who your target audience is/isn't. I wish the cast well, as well as the crew who help make the show happen, but the time for me to stop watching is well past gone.

Eddie Diaz is still in coma and Season 5A was just a bad dream right?

[e_fischer · 1/10 · 8 December 2021]

I'm sorry for the rude words, but what happened to this once so amazing show? Everything is all over the place. I admit i stopped watching once i knew the reporter is going to take over the female part of the show and after watching the winter finale i'm glad i just did, because what was that? Not the 911 you shou expect in its fifth Season. I was going to blame Tim Minior for ruining (killing) my beloved show, but then i read someone got promoted to act as co showrunner, because Tim had been busy. That co showrunner isn't doing a great job. And whenever Nadia Abass-Madden is involved in the writing of an episode, the episode sucks. I'm sorry, but it's true. She still doesn't get the 118. But ranting doesn't make it better, it is what it is and the more we cry about certain things and the more we ask for certain things to happen the showrunners and writes are doing the opposite of the fandom's wishes and continue to crush their hopes and dreams because they think they are so smart and woken. I'm leaving with Eddie's words for now.

I'm leaving the 118!

Everything this season is just so disappointing and unsatisfying

[Jocelyn72 · 1/10 · 8 December 2021]

I came back for the winter finale but i really don't know what to think about the episode itself. It has amazing Eddie and Christopher scenes, but the rest of the episode didn't make me feel like tuning in again this March. That's my current mood, which may still change, but the writing really went from wow to oh my god how terrible was that. Before Season 5 i was so excited about a lot of things. Right now i kinda feel empty and sad about the writing and storytelling of the show.

I really was looking forward to how the show would handle the Maddie and Chimney story. Then i got nothing, even worse Chimney left as well.

I was really looking forward to how the show would handle Eddie's story from surviving the shooting and following his heart and i got almost nothing. At least he said goodbye to Ana.

I was really looking forward to how the show would handle Buck storyline this season, but instead of being there for his Diaz boys he was chasing for the perfect christmas gift? That was insulting to his character and i realized that whenever Nadia Abass is writing an episodes, the characters become somehow unrecognizable.

I was really looking forward to how the show would handle Buck and Eddie addressing the shooting and the will, but i got nothing. I wasn't looking forward to see more of Taylor Kelly at all instead she is everywhere and literally sucking the life out of the show for whatever reasons.

Overall a pretty disappointing winter finale and first half of the season. The cliffhanger with Eddie leaving the 118, yeah i know the actor isn't leaving the show, made me furious like that's all they could come up with? I admit there are certain opportunities that come with it, but i learnt my lesson after the season 4 finale, so i'm not looking forward to the second part of this season.

Valentine's Day or Christmas?

[NothingGoodToWatch · 3/10 · 12 December 2021]

Since 911 has officially switched genres and gone from being a Emergency procedural to being a soap opera, I guess it only makes sense that their Christmas episode would look more like a Valentine's Day special. And a super cringey one at that.

Yikes

[sfier-54431 · 1/10 · 7 December 2021]

I don't know what happened to this show It's genuinely garbage now it use to be high octane and fun but now it's just a soap opera show Taylor has more of a storyline than Hen but that's not surprising they hate queer people on this show I feel bad for the buddie fans that's a storyline that would actually make sense genuinely terrible now and corny terrible and corny yikes.

Erasing 5A from my memory

[sarabjarmstrong · 1/10 · 7 December 2021]

Just watched this ep and I didn't care about a single thing happening on screen because the focus it's still on the wrong side. Buck so desperate to make things work, Hen's scenes all focused on Buck's problems and all we've got from Karen are lines from her.

Buck still NOT sure about his relationship and pushing it further just not to feel alone when, HEY, he had a best friend and Christipher might have needed him since... you know, BUCK WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE. Where's the continuity?

WRAPPED IN RED DEDICATED TO TWO (very cute) STRANGERS WITH THE STORYLINE WE WANT FOR BUDDIE?

What's gonna do Eddie? Not working because work is dangerous? Even just stay in your own house can make things dangerous. This makes sense to his mind that thinks he's NOT GOOD ENOUGH and could make sense but when THE real talk with the person who knows him best? TALKING, right, Eddie? Going in circles for 12 episodes is exhausting.

But Buck it's too 'engaged' in a meaningless relationship because (too gay, right) that's what he should do to not feel alone, who cares about his bestie.

(gifting the rescue bracelet to her and not to Chris is telling, I'm writing that down now.)

This is boring and tiring. Who, exactly, asked for a Christmas like this?

Do producers/showrunner forgot that the audience went through a real pandemic and just wants to see some joys on screen?