wait so what would your ranking of the all the season be?
It is actually hard!!! My list fluctuates slightly depending on my mood. I had the hardest time ranking my bottom three (as my prev post detailed). Also, it is hard because some seasons are better structured than others, but then some seasons have better episodes...
This is so so long...sorry not sorry.
9th: SEASON SEVEN.
Like I said in the prev post, I really only enjoyed one episode...
The transition to ABC was odd...
The opening emergency was another bad case of being wayyyy too centred on Athena...the other characters felt so secondary. Also, I hate helicopters... you may think, Leah, that is because you hate a certain somebody... but nope, I just think they are BORING to watch.
But yeah...I hate T*mmy but that alone isn't the reason I hate the season. For instance, I think he played a much more compelling role in the narrative structure within s8. Holy Mother of God is objectively better because he is in it holding a light to the Buddie mess of it all.
But him and Buck have no chemistry. It is kind of torturous to watch (despite great effort from Ostark).
But yeah it is obvious that the relationship only happened because of Eddie (dare I say both Buck AND T*mmy wanted Eddie) but I think that only becomes more present and an interesting angle the next season.
Idk...I'm sure I would have felt differently watching bi Buck live...I'm sure that excitement alone would have propelled this season a lot higher for people. But like...the show never even have called him bisexual in canon (like oooooh big scary word but we can talk about ethical monogamy and sub/dom dynamics???) or given him a good mlm relationship that is a romance on par with the other relationships of the show...so like yeah go representation! So like...you haven't fully earned your brownie points yet ABC (although a character in their 30s+ discovering their sexuality in a positive light is great...especially because I'd argue Michael's coming out is more framed as an obstacle for Athena...)
So big yay for bi Buck! Big nay for being afraid of using the word and big nay for a certain helicopter pilot.
The finale is the worst part......Athena and Bobby's house burning down just feels terrible in retrospect. Like simply so depressing and meaningless.
The EddieKim thing COULD have been interesting going into s8, but omg it is terribly written. I think RG is actually great acting wise as Eddie. Especially as the show goes on. But easily his worst performance is here and I blame the script.
I feel like the creators just punished Eddie relentlessly for it and used it as an excuse to give Gavin less screen time. But it wasn't fleshed out at all. Maybe this is S8's fault for not following up, but the thing about S8 is that I actively enjoy every time Eddie is on my screen; the problem is he doesn't get the screen time he needs. Meanwhile, I actively had a horrible time watching this plot play out...like it was mortifying.
The only good part is Eddie calling Buck for help.
I still think the Eddie imagining it all theory could have been way more compelling.
The whole Mara custody plot was a bit too soapy for me and just not enjoyable to watch. Like it somehow dragged on but also didn't get enough time to feel developed. Like we barely know Mara yet because you have spent time on other shit.
Yeah the finale just made me so upset and was bad.
Going into Bobby's childhood was interesting, but like even that plot I feel was kind of boring. In a 10 episode season there just is not time to stray away from the other characters for so long. I love Bobby but I just wasn't as engaged. Also, like the whole cartel thing was just badly executed.
The season was just awkward. A strange tonal shift to the darker ABC seasons. I can't put my finger on it exactly. When I was watching it genuinely doubted that I would be able to enjoy the ABC era...and I could not shrug off that feeling. A lot of the issues S8 fails to resolve dynamically, but like... S8 is its own season. S7 starts these issues.
And even if S8 was messy it still had a better vibe about it (at least at the start).
Like the show is allowed to have bad things / stressful plots happen but s7 (especially the ending) is just torture tbh. Comparatively, other darker seasons or plots like s5 or s9 are ranked higher. It is about execution.
The shining light of the season is There Goes the Groom.
We all know my issue with There Goes the Groom is T*mmy's racist ass being all "I knew Chimney before he was Chimney" even though he called him the DELIVERY DRIVER racist ass...or him kinda crashing all sooty and gross and (I do feel like tbf it was accidental) getting soot over Buck...like why is Buck's coming out played for laughs....like I have issues.
BUT KENNETH CHOI EMMY. The sister ep to my favourite begins. God, I love him!!! Fighting to get back to Maddie!! The Lees!!! The visions of Doug taunting him!!! Kevin :((((((( I cried so much. Bobby officiating!!!! I know a lot of people hate a ruined wedding but I just found it so powerful and some of Kenny's best work. I love Madney and I love Chimney. Him fighting to remember who he is!! It is kind of this beautiful metaphor for fighting through trauma and self-doubt to be with the person you want. I am going to cry thinking about it.
I will also say the most CODA I have probably read (outside of reading fics s8 onwards) is Buddie infidelity in that episode. BAHAHAHAHAH. I am not pro cheating, but if the show told us they fucked that night…I would believe it!!! Insane behaviour at the bachelor party...like hands all over each other...truly a time. BUCK RIPPING EDDIE'S SHIRT OFF! EDDIE POURING THE BOOZE DOWN BUCK'S THROAT. Insane.
Like the 2 minute bachelor party montage is literally worth every minute of hell that season put me through.
8th: SEASON ONE.
I HATE ABBY. Most annoying character in the world. But just because I don't enjoy watching her doesn't mean she isn't important. However, I had the urge to fast forward through so many of her scenes. SHE IS WEIRD! How she got in contact with Buck and used him and ghosted him....weirddddd.
I think my reasoning for this being above s1 is that watching it without the context of the rest of the show is pretty good! When you don't know what/ who you are missing it’s pretty fun! I started the show during s8 (I am relatively new around here), and whilst I was so impatient for Eddie and Maddie to rock up, I still enjoyed.
It is a pretty fun procedural, it feels a bit like a different show.
My main issues are Hen cheating, ABBY, and no 2ddie.
I almost wanted to put it last purely because the idea of a season with Eddie being last feels criminal but I had to think a bit critically.
Honestly season one is still really dynamic! It sets up so many important things!! It does feel like a different show in a lot of ways but you CANNOT skip it.
I feel like as a rule of thumb is:
If people enjoy season one, they probably will be able to enjoy the entire show (unless they are a ride or die Bobby stan). Like yes some of the more iconic and more investing character moments happen later but season one sets up the show as a procedural drama that also has some of the most interesting character arcs on TV.
Being a first responder is about second chances. These characters save people and are thus saved BY their job giving them purpose. The 118 is a family and whilst not fully developed in S1, it starts here! People who only watch the show for Buddie or a singular favourite character may not enjoy this season, but I did! For the most part....
However, seeing as Chimney (who really does go through a lobotomy as a character post rebar and is missing like half the season) is my favourite character and I love Buddie (and Eddie so so so much), I just fundamentally enjoy later seasons more.
Like Maddie at dispatch compared to Abby, the biggest improvement the show has ever made.
It is also only 10 episodes! They went very quickly! The pacing was good! Season 7....bro why was that snoozefest sooooo long. ISTG we spent a year on that boat...
It is probably actually better as a standalone season than season 6 but as I said....no Eddie and Maddie...no higher ranking.
7th: SEASON SIX
I feel like this is a lot of people's least fave. That is fair.
I think if I watched the show live, there is a good chance this season would be my least fave...the Buddie drought was reallllll. The Eddie drought was WORSE. Like off the top of my head I remember NOTHING he did this season except for get with Marisol. The show leaned so hard into queer/gay Eddie the previous two seasons just to put him through the same thing again....
The ending would have been terrible. I can't imagine how you guys felt when you thought the show was cancelled. Especially the rushed love interests for Buddie. However, I actually think the overpass emergency was pretty fun!!! Like the whole team being in danger. It was good!
Unpopular opinion but I did not enjoy the coma episode (like at all) but I also crave the show to be that weird again...like ABC let us have the odd episodes backkkk. The lightning strike I know for many people is iconic and I do enjoy it but...it just isn't as emotional as other NDEs. Like people frame that as the mirror for Buck saving Eddie from the shooting, but something like s9 Mother's Boy is a far more deserving comparison imo.
I also think that Eddie's lack of part in the coma episode can be argued as Buck's worst nightmare being Eddie being gone...but like to me it was just more Eddie sidelining.
The donor plot was and is messy...but I don't mind it nearly as much as other people. This is a strange season for Buck. It is kind of a strange season for everyone.
Like just random. Hen's doctor storyline comes to such an unsatisfying close (although I'm glad she is till with the 118).
I think my dislike of s6 adds to my overall dislike of s7. Together it was a ROUGH era...
But there are enjoyable moments and episodes. Madney proposal is so cute!!! I love Madney. I need more Madney in s10!!
I love the episode Performance Anxiety!! So underrated! Eddie's iconic "dating feels like I'm performing" line AND I think one of the most important Chim episodes. Him going to teach at the fire academy...working through his fear of leading. Him and Ravi!!! Makes me cry!!! You should all go revisit that episode (especially if you were anti Chimney being captain). The Karen NDE in 6x6 was also fun!!!
This season was the blimp season...no budget and a lot of nothingburger! Season One is probably better technically...but like no Abby makes this season win...
Everything from here on I would call good! Like the last 3 places....were rough....
6th: SEASON EIGHT
SEASON EIGHT IS GOOD! It actually would have been on its way to being like top 3 for me. And then it killed Bobby Nash...and forgot Eddie existed for like four episodes...
It kind of hurts me to put eight so low because I was genuinely enjoying it so much and I have a soft spot for it because it was my first live season.
Now I have come to terms with Bobby dying. I actually think it in a way revived the show! However, inarguably I would say the worst episode of the entire show is Bobby's funeral.
Honestly this season would be comfortably sitting at 5th place even despite its flaws purely if the funeral episode had HONOURED Bobby. Like an open casket and some beautiful eulogies would have fixed so much! That also would have been a great time to bring back some guest actors or past people Bobby had saved.
The leaks and that script that caused mass delusion (also in me) that suggested Bobby was buried alive made it all particularly hard to handle. The empty casket case Athena worked on was such a punch in the face. I feel like if I hadn't seen all the leaks and gone down the bobbyalive rabbit hole I would have had a much better time. For instance ik my dad, who is GA thought the funeral episode was good.
The finale isn't actually that bad when you look at it individually. It is rushed like most other finales...especially Eddie coming back to LA. I think a lot of Buddiemaxxer's were disappointed because we thought we would get that as a Band-Aid for Bobby dying. But looking back, that was unrealistic thinking.
I won't get into the disappointment of Eddie's Texas arc and what it could have been. Imma let that dead horse rest in peace. Eddie not being there when Bobby died is something I cannot forgive. They set up so much interesting things and then dropped them. The death was just poorly structured and threw off the whole season. Also if they knew they were killing Bobby off they (they didn't) shouldn't have wasted time having him off from being captain at the start of the season...like he comes back we are all thrilled only to die like less than 10 eps later...
I will say the actual episodes in the lab are actually pretty good. Peter Krause's performance!! Even in The Last Alarm when he says he will return to his kids one day to the lady who lost her son...omg incredible. I think I did deep down accept he was dead then during that beautiful moment, but my delusion won out.
Also naming the baby Bobby Nash still makes me mad...Thank god they just call him Nash (which I proposed way before the show established that, thank you).
There are some bangers this season though!!!!!!
CONFESSIONS!!!! Like that was gay Eddie canon to me. The last couple minutes of that episode are soooo buzzy!!!
The season had such a great fun opener. Beenado is in my top 3 opening emergencies for sure. It brought back a lot of the whimsy of old 9-1-1. The Halloween episode was also fun (idk why everyone hated on the Denny emergency like it was intense and a bit of a tonal shift but pretty short in the grand scheme of things. I was fine with it).
I will always be grateful for the middle of the season getting me invested in the show. The Buddie buzz of Eddie leaving + the Madney angst from her kidnapping was PEAK. I had to tune in. Jennifer was acting her ASSSS off. The Buddie goodbye hug in the rain...I will cry thinking about it.
After Bobby dies things are kind of a mess...but I do love Don't Drink the Water. The Buddie kitchen fight brought me back to the show when I was soooooo angry. I could talk about that fight and what it represented all day. The acting was insane, especially RG, like my heart broke for Eddie. The directing was fantastic. Buck at the kitchen table alone after the flashback!!! AND CHRIS COMING HOME!!!
Chimney's guilt post Bobby was so real!! Athena's misguided anger was so realistic. Always an acting masterclass with them two.
This season is just emotional whiplash. The quality control is all over the place. Straight after it aired, I would have said it was the worst...
5th: SEASON FIVE
Now we are getting into great seasons territory!
I feel like S5 has less INSANE moments to me. It is in this neutral middle spot because I can't remember anything pissing me off that much or anything that was really iconic compared to other moments. For instance, the blackout is pretty forgettable for an opener.
Maddy and Chimney's story is beautiful. It was so real and raw. One of the only times I have seen postpartum depression where it isn't villainised. THE ACTING! When they reunite!!! I just think it is a spectacular performance. Although I miss them in the episodes they are gone!!!
I also love that Madney don't get back together straight away...they are given time to heal. I love when the show remembered it doesn't have to rush everything!
May Day! The best!!! The highlight for sure!! Easily the best season May has had. Bobby and May's relationship!!! Eddie's diva offs with Josh! Brawl in Cellblock Tango is also an exciting ep!
Yes, S5 was a bit of a Buddie drought compared to some other seasons but I do think it is one of the most interesting Eddie seasons!
Eddie's panic attacks and PTSD were really interesting to explore. I love that they really picked up from the season 4 finale.
If any season solidified my belief that Eddie was gay it was this one. And that his queerness was totally not reliant on Buddie (like I watched this season knowing bi buck was canon and Eddie was still "straight" and I still had to go and google Eddie's sexuality...his queercoding was and is crazy). His break up with Ana is devastating and one of the most haunting looks into Eddie's psyche. How much he sacrifices his own joy. The shakiness of the camera in that scene...oh I'm sick.
However, we still get Buddie! Buck breaking down Eddie's wall, ohhhh the metaphors!!! Yeah poor Eddie goes through the wringer. Also I live for Eddie and Bobby this season! Their fight! Eddie coming over to Bobby's and being the reason he doesn't relapse (my dad said Eddie saved Bobby then and I will always be sad that Eddie doesn't know that when he credits Bobby saving HIS life). As May says Bobby brought a kid into his relationship, and that is true...but my god does his son's situationship function as a mirror to Bobby.
Buck cheating era...yeah not so great....messy boots. I know a lot of people hate Taylor but I felt bad. Also congrats for being the most likeable Buck LI (the bar was on the literal floor).
It is crazy that we are heading into five seasons from season 5...like wdym that we've had so many seasons since. Madness.
Also a pretty good season ending!
Henren renewing their vows was so sweet! Bobby's almost relapsing is dark but realistic, Eddie coming back! The Jonah plot was also pretty crazy.
I forgot a lot of this, though I had to like sift through Wikipedia. I love the season but I get a bit lost remembering it. Hence the middle spot in the ranking.
4th: SEASON NINE
Recency bias might be the difference between it being here or 5th...nah I stand by it being here.
I definitely think that there were pacing issues!!! Buck specifically is a character that had some insane pacing issues. Like they really had him doing nothing early on, and then he has the craziest part b ever. Like kidnapping, drug dependency, child acquisition in the span of like what five episodes. Insane. I have to say that I think these are all compelling plots but just so rushed! Especially his drug dependency. I feel like that was a two episode arc that got resolved just in time for Theo. Yes the donor plot is messy but I am so excited to see what Theo brings to the show...but that is a discussion for s10.
Maddie...where are you girl...no seriously where are you?
But objectively some of the best episodes in the show's latter half happened this season.
Season nine was great!! The opener is controversial but I was fine with it. It was just a bit long but I think necessary for Athena to face her grief. Hiram Lodge being the billionaire was a pretty fun villain.
The Buddie buzz from the middle of the season was insane!!!! Mother's Boy is one of the best episodes the show has put out. Although I will say that the show is getting to a strange point with them. They do not feel like friends anymore (not really since their 8x17 kitchen fight) their tension and chemistry is INSANE but I really need something to happen. The fun of Buddie has eroded into a more tension filled desire if you get what I mean. They are fighting more than laughing. I feel like this is good if they actually commit to the bit soon before it goes stale.
I do miss Buddie being silly!! I feel like we haven't gotten that since 8a.
Season 9 is darker. Still funny! But darker. Which I think is tonally appropriate for the show right now. I really hope that s10 builds on the complex ideas of the show whilst incorporating some of the goofiness earlier seasons had and I think s8a returned to. If it does this I think s10 absolutely has the potential to become a top-tier season.
Going Once, Going Twice for instance was really fun! Aisha did an incredible job. Harry is a spectacular addition to the main cast. Elijah brings so much life to the team. Mayravi!!!!! I love Mayravi!!
Chimney as captain has been spectacular to me. Like Kenny has always felt like the heart of the 118 to me and I loved seeing him struggle to step into Bobby's shoes.
A low point of the season would be Hen for me...I hated her fighting with Chimney. I think the show tries to do something interesting discussing chronic illness but it just feels a bit rushed to me.
I think this was a really good season for Eddie!! The Eddie gay agenda has never been stronger but god I'm worried to see what they put him through next season...idk where his storyline is going. They have circled the same core wound too many times. Like we need to address the elephant. I loved seeing him take so much action, especially fighting for what he believes.
The ending was so rushed, but I do respect the show for talking out against ICE even in a PG-13 censored way,
Yeah, S9 was definitely a positive. I know a lot of people were dooming. Yes s8 took a nose dive in the later episodes but I don't think that was the end of the show at all. Crazy that the show is capable of improvement this late into the game. I am particularly excited about Athena's career change.
3rd: SEASON THREE
Maybe I seem criminally low. This season is great. We all know the tsunami is the best opener.
Athena Begins is great and Eddie Begins is great (even though I am not a fan of the military plot), Buck trying to dig Eddie out of the mud!!! Somebody pull up a Hozier edit right now.
HOWEVER, I do think this season is the source of soooo much mischaracterisation in Buddie...like some of you need
Characterising Eddie through the lens of FightClubEddie is the same thing is Buck1.0...like they are both self-harming. I JUST HATE that so many people really fixate on Eddie through a violent, angry lens...like 1. let's think about the microaggressiveness and 2. Eddie is such a multifaceted, lovely character. He has so much character development later on. Like yes this guy was in the army but he was also a ballroom dancer. Like yeah he was in fight club, but he also goes on to become a paramedic. I just think people freeze Eddie's development in s3 sometimes and it just is not the most interesting place we see him!
ALSO I never want to hear any discourse about Buddiedivorcearc / the lawsuit again.... So many people infantilise and baby Buck so much. Like we are talking about a 6'2 GROWN man. Like everyone hating on Bobby and then hating on Eddie...like this is all water under the bridge. Also is that plot not about Buck wanting autonomy???
As I said, these aren't bad plots. They just aren't my favourites and I'm tired.
Anyways...it is a great season!
The Taking of Dispatch is great. Athena vs the r*pist is badass.
It's exciting and action packed and shows the show's commitment to really explore the characters' traumas. That is what I love about 9-1-1: everything is important and things aren't brushed off.
Also Eddie's beef with Abby at the end is so funny. I save every meme video.
2nd: SEASON TWO!
Season two just is a hoot! A lot of the conventions that define the show start here. Such as a really great opening emergency!! The guy who gets stuck on his house...the show needs to remember how powerful losing people during calls was.
Eddie Diaz has the best character introduction of all time. The first ep is genuinely hilarious. The calendar competition is so good, and Chim winning in the end!! So funny!!
Speaking of Chimney...
CHIMNEY BEGINS IS THE BEST BEGINS ARGUE WITH THE WALL!! It is so good and the Radiohead needle drop is spectacular. Maddie and Chim's relationship works so well. God bless JLH for proposing that. FIGHT OR FLIGHT! Such a great episode.
The Merry Ex-Mas to Fight or Flight run is generational!
The season balanced humour and drama so well. Like Dosed is so funny (high Eddie is such a great insight into his goofiness) but also has a more serious stake for Bobby and his sobriety.
Ocean's 118 would be a great episode to get somebody in the show...it is so so funny.
I think Eddie's relationship with Shannon is really complex (and yes, S3 develops this)...although it does feel like a bad case of fridging.
The firetruck crushing Buck! Such an intense finale. All the civilians helping is such a gorgeous, human moment. Eddie graduating from being a probie :((((( I love him so much. THE BATHENA PROPOSAL! It is a great season finale.
Overall, I think the show had a great structure with this season. I actually would argue that s2 is the best season from a quality standpoint. This season really cemented the show being about found family. It is such a beautiful season.
1st: SEASON FOUR!
If you can look past the COVID of it all, you will be rewarded with a beautiful season!
I think season four is pretty quintessential. I also think that being the last season with a Begins episode we get a pretty good look into the characters at that point. Like you feel super familiar with the characters at this point. Ravi comes to the show!! All the main characters are there. It is a hoot!
Shirtless Chimney!!!!!! Jee Yun is born (what a good ass episode). THE WILL. How could it not be my favourite?
The opening emergency is low-key my preferred kind. The mudslide is intense and requires good production but it doesn't overstay its welcome. It is in the middle of the pack if I was ranking openings.
Jinx is such a fun episode. Probably my favourite of the filler eps. Like it is just a great series of unfortunate events. The helium scene!! Buck getting in trouble for laughing but it's Eddie!! A really fun intro for Ravi too!
PARENTHOOD is soooo underrated, and I love seeing the Lees. I miss when the show would name the episode after a theme. Genuinely the Lees appearing always makes me cry!!!
Technophobe Eddie in Future Tense. Treasure Hunt! There are so many fun episodes. There Goes the Neighbourhood!!! The ep where Bobby, Michael, and David team up!!! My dad has never laughed more. So funny and ridiculous.
Buck Begins gagged me. Definitely the best younger casting across the show (also the best familial casting is him and his parents, like he genuinely looks like their kid).
I just love s4!!! I think it is a mix of the old seasons fun whilst still being deeper into the development of the characters. S4 feels like a really quintessential season of the show. I also feel like being 14 episodes it actually really worked despite having so many characters. I feel like it was really well balanced.
What makes it win is that my favourite season finale and my favourite emergency is the shooting. (It is probably my fav episode)
The chemistry between Buddie!! The eye contact. The most aura Buck has ever had...like he DID that. Eddie asking if Buck is ok!!! The blood all spattered on Buck!!! Buck telling Christopher. THE WILL. THE WILL. THE WILL. It wins. Only buddiecanon will be able to top it. I shipped Buddie before this. I had seen some s8 spoilers and stuff. But I shipped it in a way that was more for fun. Watching that moment, weeping, I knew I would go down with this ship. Watching the show was never the same...
I think s4 just wins over s2 a bit for me because it feels like a lot of the dynamics are super established. For instance I will not read fics set before like s4/5 because I feel like I am regressing from some of the character development...not that those fics are bad! I am just fond of where the characters go (although I usually read within the canon compliant timeline).
Genuinely looking through all the episodes I can say season 4 is all hits! And a lot of them are really fun hits! A great run of episodes, which is so impressive to have done during Covid.
I know some people would hate the Ana plot or Buck and Taylor but they are probably my favourites of the Buddie exes. Like I find them interesting as supposedly "perfect" fits for Buddie but they still don't work out. Maybe it is the power of foresight and knowing they don't stick around that makes it less annoying to me. I'm sure some people watching live through were in the trenches. (I have never actually watched the show live during either of Buddie being in a relationship seeing as I joined mid S8...like I don't know if I'd survive it...)
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Yeah so those are my thoughts! Ofc I feel like I've skimmed some plots completely...you can tell as much as I love Angie B, I am just not invested in her cop plots...they all blur in my head so much I can barely distinguish the seasons...excited for detective Athena though!!!
I'm curious what other people's rankings are!!! Tell me!!! I love to chat about silly opinions like fav emergencies and episodes!! Also if there are things I got wrong / mixed up about the seasons...or a plot I didn't focus on that you want my opinion on let me knowww. So please share your rankings (even if they are totally different)!!!!
Me if u got this far:
