When Andy, Maya and Dean respond to a call, they find an injured woman with amnesia; but soon into the treatment process, they realize there is much more to her story. Captain Sullivan takes Ben and Jack on a house call that quickly becomes a close call for the patient they're treating. Ryan may not have seen the last of his father, Greg.
In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows airing amongst the linear channels and streaming services. The way people are consuming content now is so different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, there is less necessity to provide ample coverage of each specific episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site is making the move to shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of ABC's Station 19.
"I Fought the Law" was written by Barbara Kaye Friend and directed by Sydney Freeland
Station 19 has inflicted some serious traumas on its main characters over the course of its run. And now, it's trying to show how that can dull their senses as firefighters while also making them come alive during the heat of the moment. This is such a complicated job. It asks for people to always be on their toes and aware of their surroundings. As such, it's significant that Vic and Ripley can't keep their romance hidden any longer. It would be incredulous if no one noticed that they were sneaking around at the same time that Pruitt is preaching that these people need to be looking out for one another. The show loves making the analogy that Station 19 is a makeshift family. The people here have to love each other and care about the other. That's the only way that they can trust each other completely on the job. This profession can be so dangerous at times. But it can also be joyous as well. These people have the chance to really make a difference in someone's life. Andy comes into this shift absolutely dreading the day because she doesn't feel she deserves the honor for her actions taken during the wind storm. She doesn't want to talk with a reporter from the mayor's office. She just wants to do the job. But she's no longer excited or passionate about it. That too could pose its own problem. However, she becomes personally invested in the story of this woman who seemingly has amnesia following an unknown accident only to learn that much more is going on. This woman is actually a fugitive who stole money from her workplace to pay for her son's medical treatments. She is just trying to see him one last time before his big surgery that may kill him. Andy and Ryan both have immense sympathy for the situation. They have the understanding that adherence to one's job shouldn't overtake one's sense of compassion for another human being. This is the story of one woman who made some mistakes and will be punished for them. She isn't trying to run from the law. She's not like Ryan's own father who keeps inserting himself into Ryan's life even though he thought he had vanished for good because of his legal troubles. She is willing to take responsibility for her actions. She just wants one more moment of peace with her son. All of this has such a happy ending even though it's tense as more officers descend onto the scene looking for this woman. But her son survives the surgery. That is the hopeful message at the end of all of this. Moreover, Pruitt is stepping up to challenge the way that Sullivan ran this station. He did so as an authoritarian. One who ruled over everyone as their superior officer. He wanted distance to ensure that that respect was maintained at all times. However, he wasn't noticing what was going on in his officers during their times of need. He almost lost his ability to do this job. That was a huge wake-up call for him. He can no longer sleepwalk through his life after his wife's death. This position is challenging and changing him. He is becoming a part of the family. Sure, he once again takes over as captain. Pruitt is relieved of his command once more. But he is actually honored here instead of living in the ambiguity of his own health issues. Plus, he is willing to pass along some lessons to Sullivan to ensure that a man's life is saved without him needing to call 911. The firefighters at this station can be proactive about their community and ensure they get the treatment they need before the danger hits. That too is very inspiring.
