9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 2 Review: Rock the Boat

Athena’s biggest nightmare becomes a reality on 9-1-1 Season 7, Episode 2, “Rock the Boat,” as she risks her life trying to save the rest of the passengers before a giant wave turns over the cruise.

Her therapy session on 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 1, “Abandon Ships,” gave us a clue of what would happen, but we never could have imagined her Poseidon fears would become true. Now, she and Bobby are trapped in an upside-down cruise.

And, of course, it all happens because Athena and Bobby will always do what it takes to save those around them. It’s in their nature, and they will do it even if it means drowning.

Bobby and Athena Take the Lead

When the cruise and its passengers are in danger, Athena’s sergeant side kicks into action, and she takes the lead. This is closely followed by Bobby’s first responder experience, taking care of Norman after being shot and making sure everyone makes it off the ship.

If Julian and Lola’s behavior on 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 1, “Abandon Ships,” was a sign that something would happen, Athena confirms it on “Rock the Boat.” She quickly discovers the two are having an affair, and he has the dongle the pirates are looking for.

After the pirates leave the boat and the bomb goes off, cutting all communications, it is she who goes where the captain tells her to get the lifeboats ready for everyone else. Despite her fears, she does this because she will always put the safety of others first.

The urgency and desperation that the characters feel are transmitted through the screen more than once. We can feel it as the red lights flash on and off while Athena navigates the halls of the ship, trying to get to the lifeboat system.

This happens again when Bobby is running around outside in the rain, pushing by other passengers, and saying he isn’t asking for permission to look for his wife. His fear of losing Athena is palpable throughout the entire episode.

Besides the fear, trauma, and near-death experiences, 9-1-1 Season 7, Episode 2, “Rock the Boat,” is a celebration of who Athena and Bobby are, both as a couple and as individuals.

As individuals, they shine because of their selflessness and their motivation to help others, keep them safe, and guarantee everyone else is okay, even when this means facing their biggest fears.

But the episode highlights extremely well who they are as a couple. The moment in which they believe they are drowning and they begin to talk about their feelings is the perfect depiction of the love they have for one another.

They are each other’s second chance at life, love, and marriage. Even though Bobby feels undeserving of Athena for his past, she recognizes he saved her, too. 

These words, their “I love you,” and their fear make us feel a possible ending is near. If that is the end for both of them, they have at least laid it all out in the open.

As viewers, we’re holding our breaths, hoping this isn’t the end. Luckily, Julian breaks in, acting as if nothing had happened, and that allows us (and Athena and Bobby) to breathe again.

Captain Henrietta

For a while now, Henrietta has stepped up as captain whenever Bobby has to be out. She has always done a great job knowing how firefighters and paramedics work and what is needed at every scene.

9-1-1 Season 7, Episode 2, “Rock the Boat,” has her team and even herself doubting if she has made the right call.

The moment Chimney says they should check the man out after he has been cuffed, we know something will go terribly wrong. Lo and behold, a few minutes later, the driver is unconscious on the floor and later pronounced dead.

Internal Affairs doesn’t hesitate to start questioning the firefighters present at the scene, and the chief tells Hen to go home until the investigation is over. The pressure of the driver being the son of a councilwoman is on them, and all eyes will be on Hen’s decision.

If Bobby and Athena’s cruise being stuck in a storm isn’t enough drama to keep us captivated, the situation with Hen throws us over the edge. What would happen if the driver wasn’t drunk like Hen believed?

Luckily, it is proven that the driver was drunk at the time of the accident, and Hen is free to go back to work. But just like Athena and Bobby risk their lives to help the passengers on the ship, Hen is willing to risk her job to find out what has happened to the cruise.

When Karen mentions the hurricane and the couple’s phones go straight to voicemail, Hen’s radar goes off, and she turns to Maddie for help.

This is one of the very few times in which we have seen Maddie and Hen interact beyond their connection to Chimney. Instead of shutting down Hen’s fears, Maddie works with her and does everything in her power to get some answers.

Hopefully, we will see more of these two women working together.

By the end of “Rock the Boat,” it is obvious that the storyline will continue on the next episode. So far, the season has been off to a great start.

If there is something to criticize about 9-1-1 Season 7, Episode 2, “Rock the Boat,” it is that the doctor onboard cannot deal with the sight of blood and is only capable of providing care for passengers who are seasick. 

We would also have to question how ethical it is for Bobby and Athena to see the same therapist. Besides that, we’re only wondering how our favorite couple will return home.

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9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.

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