When it comes to being lucky, she’s cursed! When it comes to loving her, Doug’s the worst.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel wade into the shark infested waters of 9-1-1’s Season 2 Episode 11, “New Beginnings.” Athena and Maddie are following their instincts in critical situations, proving they can trust their gut feelings, unlike Chimney who now has a lot of them—the stabby stabby variety.

We discuss how Maddie's storyline illustrates the journey to reclaim her narrative in order to overcome past trauma and embrace new beginnings. In other words, she’s thirty, flirty, and thriving!

Digging deep into Athena and her mom Beatrice’s relationship and their big confrontation where they ultimately cannot see eye-to-eye, we broach what will become the perpetual “9-1-1 Bio-Parents Have No Rights” conversation in which none of them deserve redemption. Meanwhile Bobby flexes his gentle-parenting muscles with Harry and steps up as ring-master to try and tame Beatrice’s tiger mom ways.

We bemoan Chimney’s inability to see through the smoke-screen of his misguided friendship to Doug’s flashing neon red flags. His trusting nature and desire to see everyone as friend-shaped really puts a hamper in his survival instincts.

Last, but not least, we have Buckaroo hypocritically throwing punches (advice) he won’t take himself. We’re still waiting for the “at least when I date someone I date them” to be in the room with us. Find out how we create the “Have Your Back-O-Meter” and why it’s always used in a romantic context.

Follow your gut and join us as we explore the eye of Hurricane Doug before the storm hits the shore of Maddie and Chimney’s new beginning.

📔 Articles Mentioned:

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Chief on Why That Gutting Maddie-Chimney-Doug Cliffhanger Won’t Be Resolved Right Away, The Wrap

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Showrunner Tim Minear Teases Spring Return, Origin Stories & More Season 2 Details, TV Line

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Dispatch (Intro)

(00:02:15) Comparing Seasons 2 & 8 Mid-Season Finale & Premiere

(00:06:25) Overall Episode Thoughts

(00:12:13) Jaws of Life (Deep Dive)

(00:15:37) Red String Corner

(00:19:15) Season 2 “Grew the Beard”

(00:20:49) 9-1-1 “Jumped the Shark” from Day 1

(00:25:27) Flashover (Themes)

(00:29:43) Who’s Cookin’ (Character Arcs)

(00:30:39) Athena

(00:38:37) Where’s the Fire (Scene Dissection: Athena & Mom Confrontations)

(00:51:09) Athena & the Kidnapping

(00:53:48) Maddie

(01:00:06) Madney Pre-Date Disaster

(01:02:14) Chimney

(01:13:20) Slow Burn (Bi-Buck and Buddie Watch)

(01:18:36) Having Their Backs: Analyzing Romantic Partnerships

(01:21:51) What’s Coming Up Next (Outro)

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Music by DIV!NITY

The First Cut is the Deepest (2x11: New Beginnings)