If you would like to read my review of last episode of Station 19, click here.
Synopsis: In the aftermath of the windstorm, Andy and Sullivan’s fates remain unknown while trapped in the overturned aid car. Meanwhile, back at the station, the team confronts Jack about his well-being; and when it’s safe enough to venture out, they search for their fellow firefighters in a race against time. (TVGuide)
Writer: Tia Napolitano
Director: Paris Barclay
Rating: TV-14
Running Time: 43mins
Airs: Thursdays at 9pm on CTV (Canada)/ABC (United States)
“Crash and Burn”starts off with Andy and Sullivan awaking in the aid car after they crashed in a ravine. With Sullivan pinned and no radio, they are on their own for the time being. Back at the station, the team celebrates Maya’s promotion. They start to tease Vic about her relationship with one of the crewmembers which causes Ripley to give her a glance. And Pruitt pulls Dean aside and shows some concern about Jack’s current condition.
Ben comes to Dean to discuss the call he got about Miranda. Turns out she’s trapped in an elevator at work and despite their separate he is worried sick. Dean tells him not to worry and that groaning helps. Ripley tries to bring up Victoria’s past with her before Pruitt comes by bringing the crew together. Victoria goes to find Montgomery, who is just finishing up some fun with Grant, and brings him along for the meeting. Pruitt brings everyone together to voice his concerns about Jack. He is infuriated that his team aren’t there for one of their own.
Ryan talks with his father about their past as he is unsure the next time they might see each other. With the storm settling down, Greg knows his fate and tells Ryan it’s time. Ryan decides to give his dad a way out and he takes it. Dean brings Jack into the mess hall where everyone is waiting to talk with him. He gets aggressive and defensive about his irritability. He starts to berate everyone about their own messed up lives. Before he can reveal Victoria’s secret, Ripley interrupts to say communications are back up. The problem is that their aid car never made it to the shelter.
With Sullivan missing, Ripley puts Pruitt in charge and he immediately benches Jack and promotes Bishop. He puts Montgomery on babysitting duty while the remaining crew rush out in search of their team. Montgomery searches the locker room, but Jack has left the station. Grant decides he wants to leave too, but Montgomery wants to talk about the elephant in the room. He wants marriage and Grant isn’t too fond of the idea. Their conversation gets heated causing Montgomery to slip and call him Michael. He believes that something isn’t right and it just isn’t working.
In the aid car, they manage to unpin Sullivan, but he can’t move his legs. She places him in the back with Shannon and monitors them both, but notices some smoke from the engine. She uses an extinguisher to put it out, but the conditions around them are worsening. Shannon’s heart rate starts to become erratic making Andy change her plan of action. She has to stay put until both her patients are stable.
Shannon starts to talk about who comes to identify bodies in the woods, but Sullivan is adamant they will make it. Sullivan is concerned that Andy may have a concussion and forces her to stay awake through the night. With nothing to talk about, Andy brings up Sullivan’s wife and he opens up about his life. Suddenly things get worse when Shannon goes into cardiac arrest. They manage to bring her back, but Andy can’t wait for another crash.
Andy takes a flare and braces the elements to find help. During her climb, she stumbles and hits her head on a rock. However, she gets back up and continues her climb. Andy makes it to the top and sets off the flare before heading back down to the car. Problem is that Shannon starts to code again and Andy isn’t there. Sullivan breaks protocol and overexerts himself to try to shock her. He can’t reach the defibrillators and decides the next best option is to punch her chest. Andy returns to a grunting Sullivan as she takes over, but his condition has worsened. She frantically performs CPR on Shannon, but Sullivan tells her to save her strength. They sit in silence as a light beams down on them. Station 19 has arrived.
Four months later, the department awards Andy a medal for her courageous efforts. She prepares to give a speech, but is hit by some PTSD and abruptly leaves. At therapy, Jack tries to get the counselor to sign off, but she wants to make sure he is actually well. She will not restore him to active duty until he makes amends with his support group. Maya comes by to pick him up to go to Andy’s celebration, but he isn’t feeling it. Ripley and Victoria talk about their relationship while they go out on a public date together. They head to the car to get frisky and get immediately caught by the restaurant staff.
At Andy’s apartment, the events of the last four months are highlighted. Ben and Miranda made up, but he’s debating quitting the station for a less stressful job. Andy is not okay with her father wanting to sell her childhood home. She confides in Ryan about this which turns into their own frisky situation. Maya congratulates her for the quickie, but suddenly the door rings. It’s Sullivan who convinced his physio doctors to let him out for a few hours. He pours a glass of champagne and shares a drink with Andy.
Captain’s Log
- Will Sullivan be able to return to the station?
- What will Dean do about his family troubles?
- Will Maya leave Station 19?
- How long will Victoria and Ripley last?
- How long will Andy and Ryan last this time?
- Will Ben quit?
Overall, Crash and Burn was a good episode. From the claustrophobic situation in the aid car to the tension at the station, this team’s morale is stretching thin. The long wait for this return made things a little anticlimactic, especially with its sister show returning before. Thankfully this show keeps itself grounded with its ability to look at the real PTSD that this intense profession can cause.
Score: 8.5/10
What did you think of “Crash and Burn”? Was it a satisfying return? Let me know in the comments below!
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