9-1-1 is going to outer space in season 9, but its new spinoff, 9-11: Nashville, perhaps has a more far-fetched premiere twist. The original ABC procedural drama has featured many outlandish emergencies over the course of its nine seasons. Consequently, a trip to the stars isn’t all that surprising. Still, one can’t help but comment on how unrealistic the situation is.
As seen in the 9-1-1 season 9 trailer, Athena and Hen go to space. It’s unclear why a Los Angeles police officer and a firefighter would be the ones picked to help with whatever disaster they’re facing. However, it most likely has something to do with the previously teased meteor shower. Whatever the case, it’s outlandish, but 9-1-1: Nashville might have 9-1-1 beat.
The 9-1-1: Nashville Premiere Reveals That Blue Is Don’s Son
The 9-1-1 Spinoff Has A Secret Son Twist
In the 9-1-1: Nashville trailer, viewers learn that Hunter McVey’s Blue is actually the son of Colin O’Donnell’s Don, Station 113’s captain. They come face-to-face at the scene of an accident, which is where Don tells his other son, Ryan (portrayed by Michael Provost), that Blue is his brother. Ryan is also a firefighter and is shocked to learn about his long-lost sibling.
As the video reveals, Blue is working at a strip club when the aforementioned accident happens in the 9-1-1: Nashville premiere. A bachelorette party bike crashes, leaving many passengers injured. Blue evidently doesn’t think twice and immediately runs to help. So, in his firefighter costume, Blue plays the role of a hero, attending to the injured and impressing Station 113 when they arrive.
Ryan praises Blue for his assistance at the scene and says that he has talent. As such, the firefighter tells Blue that he should make a career switch. But that was before Don informed Ryan that Blue was his half-brother. Still, Station 113 offers Blue a job, which he accepts (possibly for nefarious reasons that his mother, LeAnn Rimes’ Dixie, talked him into).
Blue can then be seen working alongside the other 9-1-1: Nashville characters, including his father and brother, in the second half of the trailer. He goes from stripping to firefighting in the blink of an eye. So, while a secret son twist is pretty outrageous on its own, what comes next in the upcoming ABC procedural drama after the reveal is much more absurd.
Blue Seemingly Becomes A Firefighter Without Undergoing The Proper Training
Blue Gets The Position With Unrealistic Ease
Even if he has medical experience, Blue would still have to go through training before he can become an official firefighter in 9-1-1: Nashville. It’s possible that he previously got certified, but that’s still unlikely. If Blue had already attended the fire academy, he probably would have been attached to a firehouse before the premiere instead of working as a stripper.
Nevertheless, despite seemingly not being qualified, Blue is immediately alongside Station 113, fighting fires, after they offer him a position in the squad. Maybe the 9-1-1 spinoff features a time jump between the premiere and its second episode, skipping past Blue’s training at the fire academy and fast-forwarding to him becoming a full-fledged firefighter. However, that also feels like a long shot.
With Blue joining Station 113 right after meeting the crew, the 9-1-1: Nashville premiere’s twist surpasses 9-1-1 season 9’s journey to space for being the most absurd. It’s just unthinkable that Blue would be able to work as a firefighter so quickly after quitting his other job. Yes, Athena and Hen going to space is baffling, but Blue’s arc is even more so.
9-1-1: Nashville’s Soap Opera Elements Separate It From 9-1-1
The Spinoff Is Leaning More Into Its Dramatic Characteristics
Even though 9-1-1: Nashville immediately throws viewers into the deep end with its twist revolving around Blue, the story development makes sense for the ABC show. Given what the writers are aiming for concerning the 9-1-1 spinoff’s tone, a secret son who immediately takes advantage of his status as a nepo baby is understandable. It’s also a work of fiction, after all.
9-1-1: Nashville is reportedly amplifying its soap opera characteristics to separate itself from its parent TV series. Of course, 9-1-1 has felt like a soap opera multiple times throughout its run. However, its ridiculous plotlines typically involve unrealistic disasters. Meanwhile, the upcoming offshoot is fully embracing what it means to be an absurd drama via the characters’ personal stories (like Don’s secret son).
Ryan Murphy might be taking inspiration from Doctor Odyssey for 9-1-1: Nashville. The former show was a soap opera through and through; there is no arguing when it comes to that. With Doctor Odyssey off the air (but still not technically canceled), Murphy could be using the 9-1-1 spinoff as his soap opera outlet.
Whatever the case, 9-1-1: Nashville leaning into its overly dramatic traits accounts for its unrealistic storylines. The audience just has to sit back and enjoy the ride. Yes, Blue’s accelerated career as a firefighter is unfeasible, but 9-1-1: Nashville certainly isn’t aiming to be the most accurate show on network TV.
9-1-1 season 9 premieres on Thursday, October 9, at 8 pm ET on ABC, directly followed by the series debut of 9-1-1: Nashville at 9 pm ET.
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