Since its premiere in 2018, 9-1-1 has consistently provided more high-quality episodes than other procedurals. There are multiple reasons for this, but a major one is the variety. While other shows of its kind tend to focus on first responders, paramedics, dispatchers, detectives, or firefighters, the ABC series presents them all in one amazing buffet.
Viewers thus get to understand a little bit of how each department works. Whenever these modern-day heroes aren’t doing their best to save lives, they remain intriguing through detailed friendship and relationship arcs. Among the show’s numerous captivating episodes, a few can be singled out for having better storylines, performances, and production values.
Updated on March 10, 2024 by Katie Doll:9-1-1, which moved from Fox to ABC, keeps the heart pumping every single episode with new thrills and disasters to fix. The close bond of the Station 118 members keeps the series on its toes. This article has been updated with more of the best episodes of 9-1-1 since there can’t be just 10.
“Jinxed” Runs the 118 in Circles
Season 4, Episode 6
“Jinxed” doesn’t have a tsunami or earthquake shaking the city of Los Angeles. It’s still a roaring ride thanks to the camaraderie and spirit between the actors of the 118. After probationary firefighter Ravi accidentally slips the Q-word (“quiet”) on shift, the 118 are thrown into back-to-back calls that make most of them believe they’re jinxed.
“Jinxed” remains at the bottom of this list due to a lack of grand-scale disasters, but is still higher than many other 9-1-1 episodes because of its ridiculous Groundhog Day nature. Rappers are taping themselves to billboards, the 118 sucks up helium, electric lines fall on the engine — what more chaos can unfold? Well, the 118 officially determined them as jinxed when a fake firefighter high-jacks the 118’s engine, just as Hen and Chimney were stuffing their faces with burgers on their obscene day.
“May Day” Opens Up a Paramedic Conspiracy
Season 5, Episode 16
- Disaster of the Episode: The Los Angeles 9-1-1 dispatch center is set on fire
There’s a saying among Los Angeles first responders: When you come for one of them, you come for all of them. While a bitter arsonist didn’t purposefully cause the fatal “May Day” disaster, the 9-1-1 dispatch center’s fire showcased the 118’s one-of-a-kind teamwork to save May Grant. It even brought Albert Han along on a career-changing journey.
As the fire puts the lives of the dispatchers at risk, May hits a crucial milestone as she puts her differences aside with her dispatcher bully, Claudette, to save their lives. Claudette breaks down her walls as she shows her petrifying fear of fire and, unfortunately, passes away from cardiac arrest. The cliffhanger between a fan-favorite ship makes it so delicious, as Hen realizes that Claudette’s death may not have been an out-of-the-blue accident.
“Survivors” Sees Sparks Fly Around Buck and Eddie
Season 4, Episode 14
- Disaster of the Episode: A sniper shoots Eddie Diaz and other firefighters
“Survivors” makes a grave point that rarely are firefighters targeted by malicious people. Although this has been proven wrong in the past seasons of 9-1-1 (remember the teenage bomber?), nothing was more shocking than Eddie Diaz being gunned down by a sniper. In the aftermath of the shooting, Athena and the 118 take precautionary measures to take down the mystery sniper.
When Eddie’s life puts his best friend Buck in an existential crisis, Athena follows the footprints that lead to the guy who has it out for Los Angeles firefighters. But the heart of the hour wasn’t the detective storyline — it was Buck coming to terms with the fact that he is important. Buck has always been a guy who acts first and thinks later, but it’s not until a stern talking down from Bobby and reassurance from Eddie that he realizes his life has value. 9-1-1 also doesn’t shy away from emotional trauma as Maddie struggles with post-partum depression and quits her job.
“Eddie Begins” Goes Back to Eddie’s Origins
Season 3, Episode 15
- Disaster of the Episode: A young boy falls down a well and Eddie’s helicopter is shot down in the middle of a war zone in Afghanistan
The “Begins” episodes spotlight the main characters’ backstories leading up to their position in their respective first responder fields. Eddie received his “Begins” episode late in Season 3 as the latecomer to the series, but it came at the perfect time for him. After losing his wife in the previous season, Eddie had been struggling to put the pieces of his life back together, resorting to illegal fighting to pave his way. “Eddie Begins” shows him he’s not alone in his battle.
In the present day, Eddie and the rest of the 118 fight against a heavy storm that puts a trapped child at risk. As Eddie finds himself in a claustrophobic situation, he reminisces about his days as a U.S. soldier under fire in Afghanistan. It’s a satisfying episode for both the fans and Eddie — fans finally learn the true reason why Eddie won a silver star and Eddie realizes the true potential of his life that he’s been so careless with.
“The Taking of Dispatch 9-1-1” Shows No One’s Safe
Season 3, Episode 14
- Disaster of the Episode: The 9-1-1 dispatchers are taken hostage by a gunman
The dispatchers of Los Angeles’ 9-1-1 center are almost always in good hands, sitting behind a desk as they guide people toward their own safety. But “The Taking of Dispatch 9-1-1” threw the dispatchers for a loop when supposed police officers showed their true colors and took the dispatch center hostage.
The firefighters took a backseat this episode, except for Chimney and Buck racing against time with Athena to decipher Maddie’s SOS clue. “The Taking of Dispatch 9-1-1” works well by emphasizing the supporting dispatchers who don’t get enough time in other episodes, like Josh Russo and Linda Bates. Wild, heart-pounding and emotionally riveting, this episode is one of the more crafty and intelligent episodes to reach its endpoint.
