9-1-1: Lone Star Review: Slow Burn (Season 2 Episode 11)

Losing someone on the job is never easy and Marjan learns that the hard way.

9-1-1: Lone Star Season 2 Episode 11, “Slow Burn,” dives right into the psychological and emotional damage that a death can have on someone.

When that truck falls and Marjan is unable to save the driver she starts to spiral all on her own. She blames herself for not being quick enough. The internet is never a fun place to be when something troubling happens to you, but Marjan lives for her followers and her social media presence.

“Slow Burn” does a fantastic job of demonstrating how the internet can make matters worse when something tragic happens. Marjan’s whole “Firefox” persona is what makes her loved by millions and recognizable when she is on the job.

People trust her because they’ve seen on her profile that she gets the job done. What happens when that social media presence comes back to haunt you?

Marjan finds out quickly just how fast things can fall when you publicly fail at something. She didn’t save the man’s life and then her “Firefox” persona gets used as a reason for why she couldn’t.

Grief is a very terrible thing and people lash out when they are grieving, but sometimes that makes things worse for the person they are lashing out at. In this case, it causes Marjan to really question everything she is as a firefighter.

It’s beautiful to see Paul step up and be there for Marjan during this time. He truly is the glue that holds this team together. 

Paul is always in the background but without him, this team would lose faith more times than I’ve been able to count. He has this unwavering optimism and realness to him that is inspiring to viewers, as well as his firehouse family.

9-1-1: Lone Star is finally leaning into the bonds of these “side” firefighters, which I have voiced concern about in the past. “Slow Burn” demonstrates that the show has the ability to make a meaningful story out of these firefighters. 

It doesn’t always have to be about Captain Strand and his struggles. And while I love T.K. and Carlos, it’s nice that their little love fest is relegated to the background. 

Paul, Marjan, and Mateo deserve their time to shine, especially as the show’s individuals of color. Marjan and Paul prove that they are compelling and complex members of the team just as much as their white counterparts.

I’d be interested to see if 9-1-1: Lone Star continues to give them their due or if they will be relegated back to the shadows now that they’ve had their “moment.” Unfortunately, my money is on the latter and that is a shame.

That’s because Captain Strand chasing this arsonist really seems to be a high priority for the show. Don’t get me wrong, it’s very compelling stuff, but I want to see more from Paul, Marjan, and Mateo as well.

I trust Captain Strand’s instincts, I just don’t trust Billy’s presence.

It’s a bit suspect that they’ve brought Billy back because he also has cancer, but was forced to retire. If Captain Strand can’t let go of the job then Billy definitely can’t. 

I’m just highly suspicious of him right now because he didn’t seem that interested in Captain Strand’s theory and wanted no part in the rogue investigation. For someone who listens to the scanner daily, he seems a bit too apathetic about the whole thing. 

Is he the arsonist? Or is he going to set Captain Strand up to take the fall for something he isn’t guilty of? Either way, we need to keep our eyes on him in the coming episodes.

What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1: Lone Star? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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9-1-1: Lone Star airs Mondays at 9/8c on FOX.

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