RECAP: ‘9-1-1’ Season 8 Episode 3 “Final Approach”

As a finale to this three-part opening disaster for this season, 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 3, titled “Final Approach,” gets the job done. Athena lands the plane with assistance from her young copilot, Jim and Bobby (Peter Krause). Athena (Angela Bassett) has a wonderfully heartfelt reunion that proves why they are the beating heart of this show. However, the issues from last week, namely the lack of establishing the passengers as people to care about, trickles into the important beats of this episode, keeping it from measuring up to previous disasters.

The plane landing happens quickly. The good folks up at ATC talk Athena through the landing while Bobby finally makes a connection with Athena, and together, they come up with the idea to land the plane on the 110 highway. Within 20 minutes of 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 3, Athena has landed the plane, giving us yet another iconic Bobby and Athena reunion.

While last season’s cruise ship arc built proper tension between the couple, leading to a Bobby/Athena reunion that felt earned, watching Bobby stand in front of that plane, trusting Athena’s ability to land safely, will not be iconic. Plus, Athena is going all in on this save while comforting and encouraging Jim through the landing. 9-1-1 truly does not get better than this.

The 118 finally got to see some action again in 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 3. Buck (Oliver Stark) was a particular highlight this episode. Bobby and Buck teaming up was great, especially in light of the Gerrard (Brian Thompson) situation. See how Buck thrives under a Captain who trusts him when he takes off on a motorcycle and runs out into traffic on a busy highway? Buck gets the job done, even when his eagerness makes him forget he’s working with a TV-set firetruck.

Bobby and Buck’s synchrony in the middle of this emergency was a thing to behold. They knew what the other was thinking, and they trusted each other to do what needed to be done. The 118 doesn’t just need Bobby back. Bobby needs the 118 back, too. He was in his element, and he looked happy there despite the fear for Athena.

Still, one issue remains. Ultimately, this disaster arc left a lot to be desired. The bee-nado emergency practically disappeared as soon as the mid-air collision happened. The plane emergency lacked proper set-up and included a lot of random passengers that there just wasn’t time to get to know properly in order to join in the cheering when they all realized they made it out alive. My cheers were exclusively for Bobby and Athena.

But that was just the first 20 minutes of 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 3. The rest of the episode was dedicated to closing out the Athena and Dennis (Glenn Plummer) storyline. It gets a … nice, tidy little bow on it concerning the logistics of the case Dennis was helping with. One of the FBI guys from 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1 was responsible for sending people after Dennis because his name was in Maxwell Fulton’s book of clients. As far as twists go, this one hardly seemed worth it.

However, the Athena and Dennis reconciliation moments are again the highlight of the episode. After Dennis saves Bobby and shanked the FBI guy, Athena grants Dennis her blessing for Dennis to take the deal. It’s a really powerful moment between two characters sharing a complicated, tragic past. Athena acknowledges that despite Dennis walking free for decades, he never denied what he did once he was arrested. Dennis acknowledged that his relief from being caught likely didn’t provide Athena any relief. He reiterates that he’s at peace with not taking the deal, but Athena grants it anyway.

Why? For the best reason this whole story came back for – to release Athena from the anger she still holds about Emmett’s death. And only Athena could allow that to happen. Watching Dennis reunite with his family, Bobby asks Athena how she’s doing. She replies, “I’m good,” and you can feel the decades-long tension release from her shoulders. A fantastic conclusion to this part of Athena’s life even if the premise to get here was a bit ridiculous, but that’s 9-1-1 for ya.

The episode ends on a weird yet exciting note. Gerrard’s back (ugh) and he’s still spouting off his displeasure with how the 118 has conducted itself in his absence. Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Chimney (Kenneth Choi) are still playing the “keep your head down” card, while Gerrard still seems to be giving Eddie a bit of leeway.

The biggest change happens when Gerrard makes it to Buck. Buck’s afraid, concerned he actually wanted to hurt Gerrard but in an uncomfortable twist of fate, Gerrard hugs Buck, thanks him for saving his life, and says he’s under Gerrard’s wing now. Buck and the rest of the 118 rightly look wary and disgusted. But this is such an interesting development. Considering that Buck and Tommy will have relationship hurdles, Buck’s newfound position as Gerrard’s right-hand man could spell some tension in the Buck and Tommy household. Hopefully, that means Tommy’s past with Gerrard will be brought up again, and I’m eager to see how this plays out for them both.

This bee-nado and plane emergency arc probably won’t rank as the best opening disaster arc, but it’s still a lot of fun. Definitely doing too much across three episodes but there was plenty to love about all three episodes.

9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 3 is streaming now on Hulu, with new episodes premiering every Thursday on ABC.