9-1-1: Lone Star actor Jim Parrack has explained Judd’s reaction to Grace’s departure in season 5, revealing new dynamics in his perspective in future episodes. Judd (Parrack) is left to raise his child on his own after Grace (Sierra McClain) leaves to volunteer for Mercy Ships following the 9-1-1: Lone Star season 4 finale. The decision to write the script came after contract negotiations for McClain’s return in the final season fell through. However, Judd is said to be taking the change in stride, happy that his wife volunteered to save lives.
However, speaking to TVLine, Parrack teased that Judd’s reaction to Grace’s departure won’t be the same throughout 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5. The actor hinted at the anger his character will feel over her decision to leave her family, which will come to a head in future episodes. He teased that this could put a strain on his close relationships with others, but didn’t specify who it might affect. Check out what Parrack had to say below: [If] we don’t actively work to get rid of it, we don’t have to do much to develop [resentment] within ourselves. And it seems like it does the most damage to the people we love. Stay tuned, because Judd could be facing some of that coming up.
Since 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 will be the spinoff’s final season, Judd’s storyline surrounding Grace’s absence will be a big part of the show going forward. So far, he’s managed to cope, helping his son, Wyatt (Jackson Pace), by making his home ADA compliant, after he was paralyzed last season. However, since the two are so close, it’s possible that Parrack’s statement is hinting at a rift between the two, given the amount of stress his character is under.
While the cast of 9-1-1: Lone Star has been supporting Judd since Grace left, the former firefighter has had to deal with the challenges of his new family situation on his own. With Wyatt now a 9-1-1 dispatcher like his stepmother once was, this could help ease the burden on his father. However, when he reaches a boiling point because of his wife’s decision, it’s one that’s responsible for impacting everyone around him. Since it’s still unknown what he’ll do, details likely won’t emerge for a while.
Without Grace there to support him and the kids, Judd will likely react negatively to some of the challenges his new situation brings. While he clearly doesn’t want to blame her for her decision to leave, it’s a feeling deep inside him that’s sure to come out – in what seems like the worst possible way, based on Parrack’s statement. While we don’t know what’s next for him, the final episodes of 9-1-1: Lone Star look like they’ll make his emotional state worse as new difficulties arise.
