Why 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5, Episode 8’s Murderous Twist Is Likely A Red Herring
All season long, Carlos Reyes has been trying to find his father’s killer, and while 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, episode 8 suggests his search is over, the more likely option is that the latest suspect is merely a distraction from the true murderer. The Fox procedural drama TV series follows the work and personal lives of first responders in Austin, Texas, which includes Carlos, a police officer turned Texas Ranger. Carlos has been a main character in 9-1-1: Lone Star since the beginning, and his final story as the show comes to an end revolves around his father’s death.
The 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 fall finale airs on Monday, December 2, at 8 pm ET on Fox. Then, only two episodes remain in the season until the series finale of 9-1-1: Lone Star drops on February 3, 2025.
Carlos’ father, Gabriel Reyes, died towards the end of 9-1-1: Lone Star season 4, right before his son’s wedding. An unknown assailant rang Gabriel’s doorbell, and when he answered it, the person shot and killed him. They ran away before anyone could identify who they were, and Carlos has been looking for them ever since. Carlos even becomes a Texas Ranger, like his father, after learning that Gabriel was searching for a mole within the law enforcement agency right before his death. In 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, episode 8, Carlos receives information that completely alters his investigation.
9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5, Episode 8 Suggests Campbell Killed Carlos’ Father
Campbell Is Carlos’ Partner
Carlos continues investigating his father’s death in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, episode 8, which leads him to an informant who Gabriel knew, Nestor Grimes. Carlos and his partner, Ranger Campbell, rescue Nestor from a trap house. However, the doctors can’t do anything for him at the hospital. So, Nestor asks to see Gabriel, completely shocking Carlos, who then visits the dying man in his room. With his dying breath, Nestor tells Gabriel there were five CIs from different Ranger cases sold out by a mole. Then, the real kicker comes — Nestor reveals that Gabriel told him to “be careful” and wary of Campbell.
When Carlos returns to the hospital’s waiting room, he tells Campbell and Chief Ranger Bridges that Nestor is dead. He also lies and says that Nestor gave him no information. “The Quiet Ones” ends on that note, leaving viewers to believe that Campbell had something to do with Gabriel’s death. However, it’s unlikely that Campbell killed Carlos’ father, and Nestor’s mention of his name is just a red herring in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5.
Why Campbell Killing Gabriel Is Unbelievable
Campbell Has Been A Loyal Partner
Up until 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, episode 8, no one had any reason to believe that Campbell killed Gabriel, which is why the hour’s reveal is so surprising. Despite Nestor’s last words, it’s hard to believe that Campbell was involved in Gabriel’s murder. No other evidence (as of the writing of this article) points towards Campbell being nefarious, making episode 8’s ending feel more like a red herring than a shocking truth. Plus, a lot of time remains before 9-1-1: Lone Star ends after season 5, and a reveal like this should be saved until the show gets closer to the finale.
Whatever the case, Carlos needs to solve his father’s murder before 9-1-1: Lone Star ends, and if his instincts serve him right, he’ll figure out that Campbell likely isn’t the killer.
Following the airing of 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, episode 8, Parker Young, who plays Campbell, spoke with TV Insider. The actor discussed the cliffhanger and teased that Carlos probably shouldn’t trust Nestor’s information. Young said:
“I’m [Carlos’] partner. I’ve proven to him that I’m a solid dude. I make good recommendations when it comes to how he might handle situations with his husband and when it comes to anniversary gifts and things like that. So yeah, I think that I’ve proven myself to be a trustworthy gentleman, and I think that you should take my side, give me the benefit of the doubt over some dying criminal.”
If Campbell Didn’t Murder Gabriel In 9-1-1: Lone Star, Who Did?
Carlos Should Be Looking At Chief Ranger Bridges
If Campbell is a red herring in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, then Gabriel’s killer is still out there and hasn’t been identified. However, the most likely suspect is Chief Ranger Bridges. His reactions and mannerisms during the hour seem suspicious, and it appears as if the writers are dropping clues that Chief Ranger Bridges is the true culprit.
| 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5 Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Rob Lowe | Owen Marshal Strand |
| Ronen Rubinstein | Tyler Kennedy “TK” Strand |
| Jim Parrack | Judson “Judd” Ryder |
| Natacha Karam | Marjan Marwani |
| Brian Michael Smith | Paul Strickland |
| Rafael L. Silva | Carlos Tomas Reyes |
| Julian Works | Mateo Chavez |
| Gina Torres | Tommy Vega |
| Brianna Baker | Nancy Gillian |
| Kelsey Yates | Isabella “Izzy” Vega |
| Skyler Yates | Evie Vega |
| Jackson Pace | Wyatt Harris |
| Robyn Lively | Marlene Harris |
| Parker Young | Ranger Campbell |
| Alan Autry | Chief Ranger Bridges |
The 9-1-1: Lone Star character who murdered Carlos’ father has to be a part of the Texas Rangers, given the fact that Gabriel was investigating a mole before someone killed him. Episode 9’s preview also features Chief Ranger Bridges a lot. He’s seemingly pressuring Carlos to take down Campbell, which the person who actually killed Gabriel would certainly do to push the blame onto someone else. Whatever the case, Carlos needs to solve his father’s murder before 9-1-1: Lone Star ends, and if his instincts serve him right, he’ll figure out that Campbell likely isn’t the killer.
