The 911 fall midseason finale episode came way too soon, but reminded us of just how incredible this show can be. From seeing Chimney Han make the final decision on whether he would be the permanent Captain of the 118 to Harry Grant preparing for the CPAT, there was so much to cover before a surprising ending before the fall break.
Chimney was in the midst of preparing to decide among three candidates who would take over the position of captain. His wife, Maddie, was supportive as always, encouraging him to consider himself in the equation. However, Chimney was nervous about how things would change with the rest of the 118.
He didn’t have to worry too much, with the team being supportive as usual. They worked well together during a call to a family reunion, where a rope tugging contest got so brutal that the rope cut everyone’s fingers off. When the call was over, Chimney told everyone he appreciated them for doing such a great job. However, not used to this kind of behavior from him, they all weren’t sure what to make of him saying this. Buck even worried if this meant he was retiring.
However, by the end of the episode, Chimney had decided to take the Captain’s position after all. He even got a sweet gift from the rest of the team, a gorgeous watch inscribed with “The 118 isn’t just a number. It’s us.” This was what Chimney told the team in the season 8 finale when it looked like everyone was going their separate ways. They wanted to show Chimney they were all in this together.
Buck helps Harry prepare for being a firefighter on 911
While Chimney prepared himself for taking over permanently as the Captain, Bobby’s stepson, Harry, came to Buck for help. He got the official letter informing him he could take the CPAT and interview to get into the Fire Academy. Harry decided to go to Buck for help so he could prepare.
In a fun montage, Buck prepared Harry well, helping him with drills and even having him knead some dough to help with his strength. Things were looking up, until Harry was asked in the interview round if he had a criminal record. Back when Harry came home in season 7, he had gotten in trouble, but didn’t realize it would be something mentioned since he was a minor at the time. Harry hadn’t brought this up to Buck to prepare, and he faltered, deciding to quit.
Buck, being the Buck that he is, did not want to give up on Harry. He took Harry to a restaurant where he somehow knew Chief Simpson would be. Harry brought up Bobby, mentioning that he understood why Bobby had a vein pop in his neck whenever he talked about Buck. However, Buck told Harry that even when things were rough, Bobby never gave up on him, and he wasn’t going to do that either. He told Harry he shouldn’t run away when things get hard.
Once Chief Simpson walked over to them, Harry appealed to try again. He told the Chief he understood the importance of the uniform and wanted to continue. Moved by his efforts, the Chief told Harry to be at the training center that Monday. Now Harry is officially on his way to becoming a firefighter!
This was such an incredible arc for Harry, as we have seen him grow from the pilot episode and come into his own. He was enamored with Bobby’s job when he was young, and with his mom being a first responder as well, it’s clear this is something he wants to do with his life. Plus, having Buck in his corner meant he had someone fighting for him who wouldn’t give up on him even when he doubted himself.
As for Buck, this episode truly showed just how amazing and competent he is as a coach. If he ever wanted to pursue teaching at the Academy one day, he would be perfect, as he showed just how tuned in he is to the person he is coaching. Bobby would be proud of him, seeing what a leader he is turning into as he continues his path.
Harry did eventually tell Athena he got accepted into the Academy, and she gave her support. She also had an important arc this episode, as she responded to a suicide attempt. An 18-year-old girl named Alicia had taken pills after getting text messages from a bully. It brought back memories for her of when May had her own attempt in season 1.
None of Alicia’s friends knew who sent the text, and her best friend Bailey revealed that Alicia had pulled away from all of them. As she mulled over the case, Athena invited May over for wine. When May accidentally spilled her drink, she noticed the papers from the case and saw what her mom was investigating.
They had a touching talk about what happened, neither of them truly speaking to each other about it. May revealed that when she woke up after her attempt, seeing her mom made her feel safe. The memories made Athena take pause, as she realized who was responsible for sending Alicia the messages.
Anyone who recently watched Netflix probably recognized the story, as it turned out Alicia’s mother was sending her the messages. When Athena confronted her, she tried to take her own life, but Athena prevented this. Alicia confronted her mom, who apparently wanted to prepare her for the dangers of the world. After hearing this, Alicia told her mother she was never going to see her again and left, with her friend Bailey coming to give her support.
This episode really took us back to past moments from different episodes, something that we loved to see. It felt balanced and brought the stories together, making the episode feel cohesive in a way that felt missing from season 8.
Hen is hiding something from her loved ones on 911
There was an additional storyline that revolved around Hen, as she dealt with a medical situation that she was hiding from everyone, including her family. While responding to a call at a spa, where a woman suffered an allergic reaction and didn’t get immediate help, Hen tried to save her along with the team, but they were too late. Angered by the doctor at the spa, she snapped at him, so Chimney said they would transport her so the doctors there could call it.
Despite having been negligent towards the patient who had passed, the doctor did notice Hen’s finger was trembling. However, Hen didn’t care to be diagnosed. She also had a mysterious rash she was hiding, and at one point, she even passed out for hours at her home. Hen had just gotten off the phone with her mother, asking about their medical history, before she collapsed. Since no one was home for hours, Hen did not get help, but she woke up slowly on her own.
At the ceremony for Chimney’s swearing in, Hen did have a dizzy spell, which Maddie noticed as she held her baby. Hen waved it off, before remembering Maddie used to be a nurse. She carefully asked her questions, making it sound like she was asking about the patient at the spa who died. Hen was actually trying to figure out her own diagnosis, unsure if it was Lyme Disease or anything else.
The end of the episode showed Hen going back to the spa, although we do have to wonder how the doctor still has a job, considering he neglected a patient who suffered a medical episode that led to her death. However, Hen had cash to spare, and she wanted to do a full body scan on herself without anyone knowing.
We’re pretty surprised Hen didn’t tell anyone what was happening, and we can only imagine how Karen will feel when she finds out her wife was ill and didn’t say anything. Plus, considering she works with other firefighters and medics, anyone would be willing to help her out.
Hopefully, Hen does not keep this from her friends and family for too long. They would all rally around her if they knew she needed them. Unfortunately, we do have to wait to find out what will happen and what her diagnosis is.
911 will return to ABC on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. In the meantime, you can watch previous episodes on Paramount+.
Make sure to keep up with Precinct TV for more 911 updates.