10 Best 9-1-1 Storylines (So Far), Ranked

ABC’s 9-1-1, which is now airing its 8th season, is known for big disasters, complex relationships between characters, and heartbreaking storylines. Since the show began airing in 2018, the first responders on 9-1-1 have solved murders and missing person cases, dealt with a tsunami and a bee-nado, and had their fair share of wild animal encounters. For 9-1-1 fans, it’s almost hard to pick the storylines they love the most.

Set in Los Angeles, CA, 9-1-1 follows the members of Fire Station 118, led by Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), as they serve the citizens of the Southland. Captain Nash’s team consists of firefighters Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark) and Eddie Diaz (Ryan Guzman), and firefighter/paramedics Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi) and Henrietta “Hen” Wilson (Aisha Hinds). Athena Grant-Nash (Angela Bassett), an LAPD Field Sergeant, and Maddie Buckley Han (Jennifer Love Hewitt), a 9-1-1 dispatcher, also serve the people of LA. With such a compelling cast of characters, 9-1-1 has given fans many incredible storylines.

10. Athena Grant Solves a Murder from Her Childhood

In Season 2, Episode 7, “Haunted,” the 118 find human remains on a hiking trail. Athena then puts herself on the case of figuring out who the deceased hiker left behind. While Athena and Hen are talking about the hiker over glasses of wine, Athena shares that the reason she wanted to get into law enforcement is because a neighbor went missing when Athena was 9 years old, and she watched the toll it took on the girl’s family to never know what happened to her. It comes up again when Athena helps save two boys who have been kidnapped in Season 2, Episode 11, “New Beginnings.” 9-1-1 laid the groundwork for the case from Athena’s past to come back, and when it showed up in Season 6, 9-1-1‘s last season on Fox, it was impeccably well-written.

Though Athena and Bobby go to Florida at the beginning of Season 6, Episode 2, “Crash & Learn,” because Athena’s father has a stroke, their trip turns into a murder investigation when Bobby and Athena’s family friend begin work on the Florida room, which Samuel, Athena’s father, drove into when he had his stroke. As Bobby and Junior Franklin (Kevyn Morrow) begin tearing up the foundation, they find a body, which Athena immediately knows is the girl from her childhood: Tanya Kingston. Athena’s father is initially a suspect, but Bobby and Athena work with Tanya’s sister and the local police to finally solve the case, which means that, as usual, Athena gets her man. For many fans, this tense storyline had a perfect ending.

9. The 118 Hosts Christmas for Displaced Families

Athena is struggling to get into the Christmas spirit in Season 5, Episode 10, “Wrapped in Red,” given that Michael and David have recently moved to Florida and May is working at the dispatch center. Plus, everyone keeps canceling the Grant-Nash Christmas Day extravaganza, even after Bobby has brought home all the groceries. Though Bobby reminds her that a small Christmas with the two of them and Harry Grant (Marcanthonee Reis), Athena’s youngest child, will be just as nice, it’s no surprise that Athena and Bobby decide to do something even bigger and better with their Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, Bobby and the 118 arrive at an apartment complex after it collapses when an SUV runs into the frame of the covered garage. The team is able to get the driver out of his vehicle safely, but Bobby has to tell the entire complex some of the worst news they’ll ever get on Christmas Eve: their building, which wasn’t reinforced after the most recent earthquake, isn’t safe. The Red Cross will help them find temporary housing, but they can’t go back inside. It’s a devastating moment that turns celebratory when Bobby, Athena, and the 118 turn up at the residents’ temporary accommodation and turn the courtyard into a Christmas extravaganza. 9-1-1 always does Christmas pretty well — after all, Bobby and Athena were engaged on Christmas Eve — but “Wrapped in Red” gives fans one of the best and most wholesome holiday storylines.

8. The Men of the 118 Get Competitive Over the LAFD Wall Calendar

9-1-1‘s Season 2, Episode 1, “Under Pressure,” is one of the show’s best season premieres. The episode confirms that Bobby and Athena are together, and it brings Eddie Diaz to the show. It also has Buck, Eddie, Chimney, and Bobby discussing wanting to be in the “Hot Days, Smoldering Nights: Men of the LAFD Wall Calendar,” which turns into a competition — though Buck seems to mostly be competing with himself. Chimney asks Eddie’s niece to take his pictures for him because she did such a good job with Eddie’s, and tells Hen that it’s important to him because he never saw a “big damn hero” that looked like him when he was a kid.

When Bobby announced who was selected from the 118 to the team, it was a surprise for everyone, but it was especially shocking for the recipient. Chimney, who decided not to submit his pictures out of fear that he wouldn’t be able to compete with Buck and Eddie, has been selected as Mr. April, and the moment is incredibly joyous. When Hen finally tells him what photo she submitted, it’s the perfect photo to do exactly what he wanted. The storyline is incredible for Chimney, who was often the underdog in Season 1, and reminds viewers that anyone can be a “big damn hero.”

7. The 118 Accidentally Gets High

After they save news reporter Taylor Kelly (Megan West) when her traffic helicopter nearly crashes in Season 2, Episode 6, “Dosed,” the 118 becomes the subject of Taylor’s next story — much to Bobby’s chagrin. Taylor even gets in the way on a few calls, which only furthers Bobby’s frustration that she’s there. She manages to get interviews with most of the firefighters, but when she finally has the time to try to talk to Bobby, something is very wrong. What Taylor and her cameraman quickly discover is that Bobby — and the rest of his house — are high.

In a different part of town, Chimney, Hen, Buck, and Eddie are at a beauty pageant on a medical call. While Chimney looks over the injured woman, who has a heel embedded in her cheek, the rest of the team begins to behave oddly. Athena, who was called to the scene because of the initial fight, is the first to notice that something is wrong. Together, she and Chimney determine that it was probably some brownies — and Chimney was the only one who didn’t get one. Though the 9-1-1 episode has some tough points, like when Athena finds Bobby on the roof of the firehouse and when he later tells her how difficult it is to stay sober, it also brings a lot of laughter. The “Dosed” storyline is fantastic because it gives viewers a much-needed opportunity to laugh and moves Bobby and Athena’s relationship forward.

6. The 118 Gets Jinxed

Every good procedural has a couple of good bottle episodes in each season, and Season 4, Episode 6, “Jinx,” is one of 9-1-1‘s best. After probie Ravi Panikkar (Anirudh Pisharody) accidentally jinxes the 118 by using the word “quiet,” the team sees bizarre call after bizarre call — so many that they can’t even take the time to eat dinner or drink coffee. Just as they think things might be calming down, an electricity transmitter falls onto the top of their engine, live power lines and all, leaving the 118 stranded in a parking lot.

One of the most fun parts of “Jinx” is the discussion between Eddie Diaz and the rest of the 118. Eddie insists that there is no such thing as a curse or a jinx, and not even their long day of ridiculous calls can make him believe. However, Buck, Hen, and especially Chimney are certain that they’ve been jinxed and even try to figure out how to undo it. 9-1-1 leans into the comedy chops of its cast in “Jinx,” and it absolutely pays off.

5. Lola and Norman Hilariously Ruin Bobby and Athena’s Honeymoon

Athena and Bobby first meet Lola (Romy Rosemont) and Norman Peterson (Daniel Roebuck) in Season 2, Episode 8, “Buck, Actually,” when Lola, clad only in her robe, stands on a freeway sign trying to get Norman’s attention. Buck, still reeling from finally giving up on waiting for Abby (Connie Britton) to return, climbs onto the sign with her and is able to connect with Lola just in time for Norman to show up. Norman successfully gets her to come down after playing Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” over the speaker in Athena’s cruiser, a la John Cusack in Say Anything, and though their reunion is sweet, it is short. Athena arrests Lola for multiple infractions, making their reunion 5 years later all the more hilarious.

On their belated honeymoon cruise in Season 7, Episode 1, “Abandon Ships,”Athena and Bobby learn that they will be sharing their dinner table every night with none other than Norman and Lola, who also have a cabin near the Grant-Nash’s. Though Athena isn’t particularly pleased to see them — and is especially peeved that Lola had only gotten 60 days for her crimes on Interstate 5 that day — she is willing to use them to prevent her and Bobby from having to spend too much time alone together, since she’s afraid they won’t have anything to talk about. The next day, Lola is taken hostage by pirates who wanted a dongle they thought Norman had, and when the pirates board the cruise ship to get what they’re looking for, it sets off the series of events that leads to the Uno sinking into the Pacific Ocean. Lola, who had been having an affair and smuggling artifacts with the cruise director, heads back to jail at the end of Season 7, Episode 3, “Capsized.” Who knows, though, maybe Bobby and Athena will cross paths with the Peterson’s again one day.

4. A World Without Buck Changes Everything

The 118 spends most of Season 6, Episode 10, “In a Flash,” dealing with the repercussions of a dry thunderstorm, but the rain is coming down in full force when Buck heads to the top of the ladder on their truck with a rope tied around his waist. Moments later, the firefighter is struck by lightning and topples off the end of the ladder, with his team scrambling to get him onto a gurney. Buck dies for several minutes and then spends Season 6, Episode 11, “In Another Life,” in a coma dream that has him trying to decide between the real world and the family he has always wanted. Ultimately, it is learning that neither Eddie nor Bobby will be in his so-called “dream world” that pushes Buck to figure out what it will take to get back.

Once Buck returns to the land of the living, he spends Season 6, Episode 12, “Recovery,” trying to move forward and heal. 9-1-1 does a great job at showing how Buck has grown since the last time he was injured in Season 2, Episode 18, “This Life We Choose.” Buck handled his recovery poorly in early Season 3, ultimately suing the LAFD — and even Bobby — because they weren’t letting him come back as quickly as he would have liked. However, in Season 6, Buck understands the necessity of his recovery. He also acquires some new math skills, which he and Eddie take to a poker game in Season 6, Episode 13, “Mixed Feelings.” Buck being struck by lightning changes his perspective on a lot of things, and is certainly one of the strongest storylines in Season 6.

3. Athena’s Greatest Loss is 9-1-1’s Saddest Storyline

Athena became a police officer in 1989 after Emmett Washington helped her remember why she wanted to be a police officer in the first place: to solve cases like the Tanya Kingston case from her hometown. Athena and Emmett also fell in love, but their future together was cut short when Emmett was murdered in a robbery gone wrong in 1991. In Season 3, Episode 7, “Athena Begins,” the gun that killed Emmett is found in a routine traffic stop, and Athena takes it upon herself to find the man who killed Emmett. Dennis Jenkins (Glenn Plummer) rehabilitated himself but always expected the LAPD to show up, and he went willingly with Athena when she came for him. After she takes him to the police station, and then goes home to collapse in Bobby’s arms, viewers are led to believe that the story of Athena, Emmett, and Dennis has been resolved.

In Season 8, Episode 1, “Buzzkill,” audiences learn that Dennis Jenkins is being offered early release for delivering information he got from his cellmate — but only if Athena flies to Phoenix and transports him back to Los Angeles. In what became one of the best opening disasters in 9-1-1‘s history, Athena and Dennis end up on a plane that experiences a midair collision in Season 8, Episode 2, “When the Boeing Gets Tough…” After Athena lands the plane on the freeway, they must escape from a crooked AUSA who wants Dennis dead in Season 8, Episode 3, “Final Approach.” In the end, Athena realizes she has seen enough from Dennis to believe that he is different from the man who murdered Emmett, and lets him take his early release with her blessing. The wrap-up of Emmett’s storyline is one of 9-1-1‘s most powerful storyline conclusions.

2. Buck’s Bisexuality Took 9-1-1 to a New Audience

From the beginning of Season 7, Episode 4, “Buck, Bothered and Bewildered,” it is obvious that there is something going on with Buck. His jealousy about Eddie’s new relationship with Tommy Kinard (Lou Ferrigno, Jr.) leads him to behave poorly around his friends, and he even injures Eddie during a pick-up basketball game. Eventually, Tommy comes over to talk to Buck, and they kiss. Though the final moments of the episode surprised some viewers, many fans felt that Buck being part of the LGBTQIA+ community had been a long time coming. Fans had shipped him with Eddie Diaz for years, and seeing Buck kiss another man was one step closer to that relationship coming to fruition. Plus, when the kiss went viral on Twitter (X), a whole new set of fans showed up to watch 9-1-1.

In Season 7, Episode 5, “You Don’t Know Me,” Buck and Tommy go on their first date, which ends poorly due to Buck’s response when they run into Eddie at dinner. Once Buck tells both his sister, Maddie, and Eddie about his date with Tommy, he tries again by inviting Tommy to join him at Maddie and Chimney’s wedding in Season 7, Episode 6, “There Goes the Groom.” Though Buck and Tommy dating only comes up in passing after that — at least until Tommy makes a quick appearance in Season 8, Episode 1, “Buzzkill” — it’s clear that Buck dealing with his new understanding of his sexuality will be something that comes up in future episodes. Buddie fans can only hope that it leads to a revelation for Eddie, too.

1. Bobby Saves May in One of 9-1-1’s Best Episodes

Before Bobby Nash lost his wife, son, and daughter in 2013, he tried to save them before being dragged out of the building by firefighters. His wife, Marcy, had asked him to sleep somewhere else that night after discovering that he had relapsed, and he had fallen asleep on the roof, drunk and high, and woke to the sirens. He had just kicked open their apartment door when the floor collapsed beneath him, preventing him from getting to his family. His role in the fire and his inability to get to his wife and children haunted him for a long time, so when Bobby learned that his step-daughter, May Grant, was still inside a burning building, his response was no surprise.

Season 5, Episode 16, “May Day,” is considered one of 9-1-1‘s best episodes by many of the show’s fans. The episode is well-written and beautifully acted, but more than that, it’s a redemption storyline for Bobby. He is able to do what he couldn’t do for his first family when he saves May, not simply from the fire, but from the roof that collapses on top of them on their way out of the building. It brings Bobby and May closer — she even calls him her Dad in the episode — and shows how much he has grown. Bobby often struggles to believe that he deserves the life he has, and “May Day” helps show Bobby just how much his family loves him. Perhaps this storyline even helped him begin to see that if he can’t get himself to believe he deserves his life, he can at least believe he earned it.