#sullivan beckett n kate being outsiders at some point

[metabolizemotions]

I thought this was a very well-rounded episode with the writing, directing and editing. This felt like a true ensemble episode that gave both excellent group and individual scenes.

The pacing was great. It gave necessary space to each character to tell their story. Yet nothing felt dragged or rushed. It allowed the actors to showcase their acting chops, including their voice acting - in a clever way to show the intensity with the budget they have. (Which I personally prefer to the unrealistic disaster scenes.)

To me, those who made it happen, really know and love the characters. They respected the audience, esp. with the visual storytelling. The shots were creative and the close-up really showed the characters' POVs. Whatever convoluted and shoehorned plot points that brought them here, the scenarios felt true to characters.

For the team, it was a sort of a mid-season check-in and "day in the lives of", as they adjust to the new captain and new mayor. I love the structure that began with the flash forward of the climax (Andy's crisis) and ended with the resolution (Andy feeling she failed Pruitt's legacy). The episode fully captured the physical and emotional toll on the firefighters. Even with all the fighting, 19 felt like a team.

I love that the music was used to complement the aftermath of the climatic scene, to reflect on the mental states of the team members. Not during, and not to do the heavy lifting in an action montage.

Everyone else also had their moment of reflection or challenge, when they are forced to face the truth and make a difficult decision or remain in denial and fall back on their usual coping mechanisms.

The Marina scenes felt so them. They are so very married. How they fight and communicate evolved, showing their growth. I love how Stefania captured both the idiosyncrasies b/w Danielle n her, and Carina n Maya. The humor was on point.

Even with the darker scenes, this episode felt like a love letter, to the show, to the characters and to the fans. It exuded a warmth, like Stefania.

#station 19 #station 19 comments #maybe there's a metaphor #in the use of mirrors #to show how vic n kate cope with trauma #vic seems to be suffering from #emotional burnout #compassion fatigue #she's great at helping others but not herself #maybe kate lost someone #she's keeping people at a distance #n avoiding attachment #my issues with sullivan n beckett #were never the addiction #but the double standards n plot armor #it's interesting how they pointed out #the compassion of 19 #was crucial to their healing #sullivan beckett n kate being outsiders at some point #19 rubbing off on them #sth I always rmb #gabor mate #said #don't ask why the addiction ask why the pain