Fans of Fox's hit TV show 9-1-1 will be pleased to hear that the show is coming back for its 3rd season. Based on the lives of first responders, ranging from paramedics to police officers, it details the struggles that these individuals have to overcome in their personal and work lives on an everyday basis, making for an action-packed adventure that pays respect to real heroes in the line of duty.
Much of the star-studded cast bring their A-games to each episode but there are a few that could use a little less screen time and some side characters that could use more. Let's sort through the best and worst characters that make 9-1-1 one of the best shows on television.
More Time: Eddie Diaz
Eddie is just one of those characters fans can relate to. An accomplished vet who served three tours in Afghanistan, he's a single father caring for his son with cerebral palsy after the unexpected death of his wife. His struggles as a single parent along with the emotional baggage he carries after his wife asked for her divorce have left emotional scars that the series can build a great story around. Let's hope that Eddie's story gets more screen time in season 3 than it did in season 2.
Less Time: Taylor Kelly
Taylor Kelly is an ungrateful reporter, who pretends to be trying to bring to life the heroic acts of the first responders, only to flirt her way into a scandalous story that had the potential to be newsworthy. When she continued to film Captain Nash while he was under the influence, Buckley was finally able to see through her sham reporting. While shady characters like Kelly can make the plot a little juicier, Kelly is just an irredeemable character that needs to give her screen time to someone who advances the plot.
More Time: Maddie Buckley
Maddie, Evan Buckley's sister, has a story that needs to be expanded on. After leaving her abusive husband and fleeing to Los Angeles, she once again bonds with her protective brother Evan but her struggles are not over. Soon after arriving her ex kidnaps her, causing her to have to fight for survival.
Jennifer Love Hewitt has some serious acting chops and she brings them to her character, Maddie. The onscreen chemistry between her and Evan are some of the best scenes in the series.
Less Time: Evan Buckley
While his relationship with his sister Maddie is interesting, Evan is onscreen way too much. He always appears to be just another petulant kid who can't get his act together. In a serious show like 9-1-1 is, his sexual appetite is focused on too often in ways that distract from the storytelling in each episode. Creating drama is fine but being the drama becomes boring over time. With his progression as a character stagnating, maybe it is time to swap him for a more interesting side character.
More Time: Michael Grant
Michael Grant has been a great side character, who has the potential to be more. Yes, he has a brain tumor, which means he probably won't be on the show for much longer, but his strained relationship with his ex brought some heart-wrenching moments. The reveal that he is suffering from a brain tumor but doesn't want his ex-wife to find out until the holidays are over was a real tear-jerker. His struggles as a gay man, coming to terms with his impending death, is a tale people want to see more of.
Less Time: Karen Wilson
While Karen and Henrietta's broken marriage brings drama to fan's televisions across the globe, their story is just one of many broken relationships featured on 9-1-1.
The loss of her embryos and the cheating of Henrietta took a toll on her character and, while her story is compelling at times, it also feels like they get out of one problem just to find themselves in another. Maybe it is time for Karen to take on more of a side character role and give someone else's relationship problems a try.
More Time: Abigail Clark
Abigail's home life is difficult, to say the least, as she spent much of her time at home caring for her mother, who has Alzheimer's disease. The progression of her relationship and subsequent taming of Evan Buckley, a man who could have been considered a sex addict in denial, was captivating. Though there was a large age gap between the two, that didn't seem to stop their love. While Connie Britton, the actress who played Abigail Clark, left the show after season 1 it would be a pleasant surprise to see her back next season.
Less Time: Henrietta Wilson
Just like her significant other Karen, Henrietta is a lightning bolt for tension but it's all her character seems to be good for. Her inability to empathize with her wife's struggles, while at the same time expecting Karen to understand hers, was completely ridiculous. It's not that Henrietta is a bad character. She has been one of the more interesting characters on the show. However, her continuing struggles seem to always remain at their climax with no end in sight. Every time she overcomes one crisis, she spirals back down to earth with another one.
More Time: Howie Han
Initially not knowing what to do with his life, Howie tried many different professions, until fate intervened when the bar he was working at caught on fire causing him to jump into action, saving a woman who was on fire.
After becoming a firefighter, Howie soon found his true calling, becoming a paramedic for the fire department. Howie is a fun-loving guy whose star shines bright in every scene. His backstory episode was one of the best in the entire series, expanding his character profile and hopefully giving him more scenes in the upcoming season.
Less Time: Athena Grant
While Grant is one of the faces, if not the face of 9-1-1, her character is also plagued by constant family drama. So much so, that it impedes her likability since all fans ever get to see are the negative aspects of her life. Every time Athena has a moment that looks like it is one of those stand-up and cheer kind of scenes, she misses her mark entirely. Plus, it is hard to take a character who gives advice to everyone seriously when they, themselves, do not have their affairs in order.