Another thing to drop in season 3 is storylines that don’t add anything to the overall plot and that, quite frankly, we don’t really care about. Season 2 made this mistake with the introduction of the Gina Picket storyline. With all due respect to the actor, there just wasn’t a lot of chemistry between Floriana Lima’s Camille Picket and Colter, nor was there a whole lot of interest to sink one’s teeth into in the unresolved plot of her missing sister.
The entire storyline felt oddly forced, and even when it was resolved halfway through season 2, it still hadn’t earned its inclusion in the season. In the end, I’m not sure what purpose it served, save, perhaps, for being an excuse to extend the Ashton Shaw mystery a little longer and get more mileage out of it in season 3. Unfortunately, with it deepening neither the season’s overall story nor Colter’s character, that wasn’t enough of a reason to shoehorn it into Tracker season 2. I have to hope season 3 doesn’t have another wasted, weightless storyline.
Let’s be real—“9-1-1” has given us some jaw-dropping rescues, heart-wrenching character arcs, and pulse-pounding drama. But lately? It’s been weighed down by storylines that don’t go anywhere, characters we forget by next week, and moments that feel like… filler. If you’re watching a show about high-stakes emergency responders, shouldn’t every second count?
In this article, we’re diving deep into why “9-1-1” needs a storytelling makeover—and how cutting the fluff could make it even more addictive.
The Heart of “9-1-1” – What Keeps Fans Coming Back
Powerful Characters With Real Emotion
Whether it’s Bobby Nash’s quiet strength, Buck’s impulsive courage, or Hen’s rock-solid wisdom, the core characters are magnetic. Viewers don’t just tune in for emergencies—they show up for emotional growth, relationships, and raw human struggle.
Adrenaline-Fueled Rescues That Feel Real
The show has always excelled at making your heart race—earthquakes, plane crashes, and fires that leap off the screen. But when emotional depth matches the chaos, that’s where the magic happens.
Where “9-1-1” Starts to Lose Its Grip
Pointless Subplots That Go Nowhere
We’ve all seen them: minor characters introduced for one episode only to vanish. A side story that eats up screen time and adds zero payoff. You know the ones—awkward dates, mysterious neighbors, or sudden flashbacks that never get explained.
Example? The Chimney Family Drama That Fizzled
Remember when Chim’s long-lost brother showed up? That plot felt promising at first—then it just… stopped. No resolution, no emotional payoff. Just dropped.
Buck’s Many Love Interests – But No Real Arc
Buck’s love life has become a revolving door. Instead of evolving him, many relationships serve as emotional pit stops with no forward motion.
The Problem With Unresolved Storylines
Confusing the Audience
When plotlines begin but don’t end, viewers feel cheated. It’s like reading a book with missing chapters—you’re invested, and then suddenly, it’s gone.
Emotional Disconnect Grows
People don’t cry during “9-1-1” just because of sad music. They care about the characters. Dropped storylines create emotional whiplash and undercut the impact of big moments.
Pacing Problems Make It Hard to Stay Hooked
Too Many B-Stories, Not Enough Focus
Each episode tries to do too much. You’ve got the rescue of the week, a new character subplot, a relationship crisis, a flashback—and it’s only 42 minutes long.
Quality Over Quantity, Always
Let’s be blunt: one great, fully developed subplot beats five half-baked ones. It’s not about stuffing in more drama. It’s about telling better stories.
What “9-1-1” Needs to Do Differently
Trim the Fat, Elevate the Core
We need to get back to basics. Let the strong characters shine. Keep the emergencies intense. Make every minute count.
Focus on Long-Term Arcs That Matter
The best stories are the slow burns—the arcs that evolve over seasons. Think of Maddie’s postpartum depression, Bobby’s addiction recovery. These plots mattered. They stuck with us.
Fans Are Noticing – And They’re Speaking Out
Social Media Is Flooded With Criticism
Twitter, Reddit, and fan forums are lighting up with feedback: “Why is this storyline even here?” “Can we get back to real emergencies?” Fans want substance, not fluff.
The Ratings Tell a Story Too
While “9-1-1” remains popular, viewership dips when fans feel the emotional connection is fading.
Top 5 Most Pointless “9-1-1” Subplots (That Should Be Dropped)
1. Eddie’s Mysterious Coworker Romance
It had no build-up, no chemistry, and no closure. Just… why?
2. Karen’s Lab Fire Conspiracy
Great setup, then no follow-through. Missed opportunity.
3. Chimney’s Half-Sibling Introduction
A strong start with major emotional potential—then completely forgotten.
4. Buck’s Lawsuit Against the LAFD
A bold direction for his character—but resolved too quickly and with little impact.
5. That Random Psychic Episode
You remember it. We all wish we didn’t.
Streamline the Show Without Losing the Soul
Develop Fewer Characters—But Do It Better
It’s okay to say goodbye to side characters that don’t serve the story. Use that screen time to deepen the journeys of the main cast.
Show, Don’t Tell
Let actions speak louder than dramatic monologues. Character growth is more powerful when it’s felt, not announced.
Examples of Great Storytelling in “9-1-1”
Maddie’s Struggle With Postpartum Depression
Handled with nuance, empathy, and raw honesty. This storyline wasn’t just good TV—it helped real people.
Bobby’s Guilt and Redemption Arc
From haunted past to heroic present, Bobby’s arc is a masterclass in long-term storytelling.
Writers, Here’s Your Fix-It Toolkit
Ask: Does This Storyline Matter in 3 Episodes?
If not, it probably doesn’t belong.
Make Every B-Plot Serve an A-Plot
Tension, theme, character growth—if the subplot isn’t advancing one of these, it’s just noise.
Close Your Loops
Don’t introduce emotional stakes and drop them like hot potatoes. Follow through. Viewers notice.
The Power of Simplicity
Sometimes the most powerful episodes aren’t packed with plot twists. They’re the quiet ones. The human ones. The ones that breathe.
Conclusion: Drop the Filler, Keep the Fire
“9-1-1” has something special—a mix of heart-pounding action and heartwarming humanity. But it risks losing that spark by packing in too much clutter. Viewers want more than spectacle. They want stories that matter. It’s time for the show to cut the noise, focus on its strengths, and give us back the emotional, character-driven storytelling that made it great.
