“And even though you want to
Just try to never grow up”
This week Han, Cil, and Rachel feel the growing pains as three different families experience the epic highs and lows of loving their children in Season 4 Episode 10 of 9-1-1, “Parenthood.” Hen, Karen, and Denny say goodbye to Nia, May fights with Athena over making nice with her high school bully, and Chimney and Maddie are ships passing in the night as they learn how to raise their newborn baby Jee-Yun… and Albert.
We dive into our thoughts on the episode ranging from, “oh my god can we get a break on the crying” to “is there a reason Buck and Eddie’s love interests are always so underdeveloped?” But underneath our many opinions, this episode delivers some incredible character work, starting with Hen and Karen.
Our girls have big hearts and love fully, which is why it’s so hard to watch them let go of Nia and struggle over potentially fostering again. We explore the way they both process this and communicate, highlighting what makes Hen and Karen so special as both partners and parents.
Find out why we’re on Athena’s side in this round of mother-daughter fighting, and how both she and May make huge strides towards understanding each other better, which only grows with time leading to one of our favorite moments in Season 9.
Chimney and Maddie are sleep deprived, just like us for real, but making the most of this special time with their daughter. Unfortunately, Chim sticks his foot directly in his mouth when he accidentally implies that Mrs. Lee is a stranger to Jee-Yun. We discuss the difference between “it takes a village” for Maddie and Dispatch and Chimney and the 118 and how Madney finally lean on their found family at the end.
Finally, we dissect what it means when two best dude bros co-parent so hard they accidentally start finishing each other's disciplinary sentences, and why their synchronized “NO!” to “can’t you both be good cop?” might be the most married thing either of them has said all season.
Episode title inspired by ‘Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift
📔 Articles & References From This Episode 📔
🫂 How Little Buck & Eddie’s Love Interests Are Developed – Check out this week’s Patreon-exclusive Best Buddies Mini-Segment here!
📰 '9-1-1' and 'Lone Star' Showrunner on What's Next for Bobby and Owen's Teams, by Jennifer Maas for The Wrap
We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:
TikTok
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and our live reactions to the most recent 9-1-1 episodes on YouTube!
Support us on Patreon for perks and extra content like access to our exclusive Discord, Early Access to Episode Live Reactions, Behind the Scenes Podcast Content, and more!
The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.
Music by DIV!NITY
Chapters
(00:00:00) Previously on 9-1-1… 🚨
(00:00:53) Welcome to Dispatch
(00:02:12) 4x10 “Parenthood” Review
(00:23:23) Jaws of Life – Production Deep Dive
(00:30:44) Narrative Echoes – Parallels, Callbacks, and Foreshadowing
(00:39:48) Flashover – Episode Themes
(00:48:06) Hen & Karen – Heartbroken But Still Openhearted
(01:03:10) Athena & May – Seeing the Person Behind the Parent
(01:16:23) May Hears Athena at Her Most Vulnerable
(01:25:47) Maddie & Chimney – Running On Empty and Everything! Is! Fine!
(01:33:30) Is Dispatch a Village?
(01:38:10) Madney Ask for Help, FINALLY 🙌🏻
(01:46:17) Slow Burn – Good Cop, Bad Cop: Buckley-Diaz Edition
(01:58:23) Take a Buddie with You & Outro
