Just when you think 9-1-1 couldn’t get any more absurd, it sends two characters to space, but the out-of-this-world trip might cause some unnecessary relationship drama for one of them. The ABC procedural drama is returning with its ninth season, and the series has a big disaster planned. Based on teasers, it appears as though it’ll result in a journey to outer space.

When 9-1-1 season 9 premieres, Station 118 will still be dealing with the unexpected loss of Bobby. Maddie and Chimney will also be raising a new baby (named Robert, after Peter Krause’s character). Meanwhile, Eddie is back in Los Angeles with Christopher, and the 118 gets a new captain. The first responders will also be dealing with an astronomical crisis.

Hen & Athena Go To Space In 9-1-1 Season 9

The 9-1-1 Season 9 Trailer Spoils The Outrageous Plot

In one of the trailers for 9-1-1 season 9, the teaser reveals that Athena and Hen are headed for outer space in the upcoming episodes. As for why they’re taking this unexpected journey, fans must wait until the premiere to learn more. All that we know is that Athena and Hen are strapping in for a trip to space in season 9.

In the video, fans can see all the memorable emergencies the 9-1-1 squad has faced over the course of its nine-season run. From season 3’s tsunami to the bee-nado in 9-1-1 season 8, the ABC procedural drama has covered it all. Well, until now. As the narrator in the season 9 trailer says, “They will go where no first responders have gone before.”

The 9-1-1 characters have never gone to space before, and no one ever expected them to. They had no reason to be among the stars, after all, given that the majority of them are first responders (i.e., firefighters, paramedics, police officers, 911 dispatchers, etc.), not astronauts. As such, one can’t help but notice how ridiculous this entire situation is.

A previous 9-1-1 season 9 trailer teased that Station 118 would take on a meteor shower that rains down on Los Angeles in the premiere, which is expected to have three parts. Athena and Hen’s journey to outer space could be connected to the falling meteors. At least, that’s what most people assume they are — some speculate they might be satellites.

Nevertheless, Athena and Hen being the ones chosen for this mission is perhaps the most unbelievable decision 9-1-1 has ever made. One is a police officer, while the other is a firefighter/paramedic. Maybe the 9-1-1 season 9 three-part premiere will have a perfectly reasonable explanation for this madness, but it’s difficult to imagine anything making sense.

Karen’s Lifelong Dream Is To Be An Astronaut (Now She Has To Watch Hen Live It)

Karen Might Resent Hen

Aside from it being unrealistic, Athena and Hen’s outer space trip in 9-1-1 season 9 could lead to another problem. As some may recall, Hen’s wife, Karen, dreamed of being an astronaut. Since she was a child and witnessed Sally Ride become the first American woman in space, Karen was obsessed. Unfortunately, her goals never came to fruition.

As an open lesbian (and a woman of color), Karen could never attain her dream of becoming an astronaut. Instead, Tracie Thoms’ 9-1-1 character got her PhD and pursued a career as an aerospace engineer. Essentially, she’s a rocket scientist, which is an amazing accomplishment. Still, Karen must feel a bit of heartbreak from not getting the chance to go to space.

Consequently, seeing her wife living out her unfulfilled dream in 9-1-1 season 9 would surely bother Karen. Yes, Hen and Karen love each other and have gone through so much together. Despite everything they’ve survived together, though, no one would blame Karen for feeling even a little bit of resentment towards Hen.

Becoming an astronaut is Karen’s lifelong dream. And if any 9-1-1 character is qualified to go to space, it’s Karen. Meanwhile, Hen isn’t, but she is still getting the chance of a lifetime. Hopefully, this won’t cause too much tension between Hen and Karen. However, the writers could easily use this as an excuse to inject some (unnecessary) drama into their marriage.

The Last Thing 9-1-1 Season 9 Needs Now Is Ridiculous Drama

9-1-1 Is Under Hot Water After Season 8

9-1-1 season 8’s ending wasn’t exactly warmly received by the audience, and it was all because of Bobby’s controversial death. So, heading into season 9, the ABC procedural drama series is in hot water, with many fans still upset about Bobby’s fate. Given this, the show certainly doesn’t need any other frustrating drama, especially if it involves Hen and Karen’s relationship.

It would make sense for Hen and Karen to have a serious discussion about how the latter feels about her wife going to space. However, it doesn’t have to result in a huge falling out between them. Only time will tell what 9-1-1 season 9 has in store for Hen and Karen, but the hope is that they easily overcome this latest obstacle.

9-1-1 season 9 premieres on Thursday, October 9, at 8 pm ET on ABC, followed by the debut of 9-1-1: Nashville at 9 pm ET.

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Release Date

January 3, 2018

Showrunner

Tim Minear

Directors

Bradley Buecker, David Grossman, Brenna Malloy, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Jann Turner, Jennifer Lynch, Marita Grabiak, Sarah Boyd, John J. Gray, Barbara Brown, Robert M. Williams Jr., Kristen Reidel, Marcus Stokes, Tasha Smith, Millicent Shelton, Juan Carlos Coto, John Gray, Greg Sirota, Alonso Alvarez, James Wong, Kevin Hooks, Varda Bar-Kar, Shauna Duggins, Sharat Raju

Writers

Tim Minear, Andrew Meyers, Brad Falchuk, David Fury, Ryan Murphy, Christopher Monfette, Nadia Abass-Madden, Nicole Barraza Keim, Erica L. Anderson, Matthew Hodgson, Stacey R. Rose, Taylor Wong, Tonya Kong, Adam Penn

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  Angela Bassett

  Athena Grant

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  Peter Krause

  Robert ‘Bobby’ Nash