When it was revealed that the fifth season of 9-1-1: Lone Star would conclude the series, speculation ran rampant regarding the fates of the characters. With cast member Sierra McClain departing before Season 5 commenced, fans anticipated at least one shocking death amidst the life-or-death scenarios typical of the show. However, the series finale aired this week on FOX, and remarkably, the entire team at the 126 Firehouse emerged unscathed. While this may sound like a happy ending, it raises concerns about the impact of such a decision on the show’s narrative integrity.
The Thrilling Stakes of the ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ Finale Put Everyone at Risk
In the gripping final episode, an asteroid is on a collision course with Austin, creating pandemonium and a race against time for the 126 Firehouse team. Following the impact, it?s astonishing that not a single crew member suffered injuries during such a catastrophic event. Yet, the tension escalates as the team is dispatched to a nuclear reactor site, where the stakes are even higher. They must shut down the reactor before it detonates, potentially obliterating everything within a considerable radius. Once inside, chaos ensues as Marjan (Natacha Karam), Judd (Jim Parrack), Paul (Brian Michael Smith), and Mateo (Julian Works) are severely injured by debris. It’s then up to Owen (Rob Lowe), who is also hurt, to make a desperate move to hit the shutdown button just seconds before the countdown expires. In a classic dramatic twist, he collapses, leaving viewers questioning his fate. A time jump reveals the crew mourning Owen, but without a funeral, I suspected he had simply moved on to a new chapter in New York City as a fire captain. Ultimately, the series concludes with the revelation that Owen is alive and well but has left the 126 behind in Texas.
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The Unbelievability of Owen’s Survival in ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’
Several factors contribute to my belief that the series finale fell short of expectations. Most notably, it?s astonishing that none of the primary characters faced death during a cataclysmic asteroid impact and an imminent nuclear disaster. Every member of the team survives, including Tommy (Gina Torres), who was previously battling terminal cancer. The finale reveals that Tommy’s cancer is now in remission, ensuring her well-being. Furthermore, Owen’s inexplicable survival diminishes the perceived danger of the various life-threatening scenarios faced by the crew. This ultimately lessens the significance of the disaster storyline, which could have served as a powerful concluding arc for the series.
Owen’s survival also suggests a shift towards a more formulaic and sentimental tone rather than a genuine representation of the gravity of the situation. A more impactful finale could have emerged from real moments of heartache, contrasting with the tidy, happy resolution presented. This sentiment echoes criticisms surrounding the Judd and Grace narrative, where serious issues like addiction and depression were hurriedly resolved to reach a conclusion. Additionally, Owen has survived numerous crises?9/11, cancer, and various injuries?without lasting repercussions. While it would have been tragic, Owen’s death could have added a layer of realism to the story, allowing the characters to genuinely grapple with the loss of their leader, instead of merely having him a FaceTime call away.
The finale missed an opportunity to spotlight the intense realities faced by first responders in high-stakes situations. Instead, every character remains unharmed, which feels increasingly implausible. Showrunner Rashad Raisani indicated that the decision not to kill off any major characters was influenced by a desire to leave the door open for future appearances in the franchise, including the flagship 9-1-1 and an upcoming spin-off. This choice ultimately sacrifices the impactful conclusion that 9-1-1: Lone Star deserved. While it’s impossible for series finales to satisfy every viewer, this particular misstep lingers long after the credits have rolled.
Fans can catch all five seasons of 9-1-1: Lone Star available for streaming on Hulu in the US.
