Hour-long dramas about first responders are some of the most popular shows on TV today. They are exciting, heart-pounding, and challenging shows, and emotions always run high for the characters where their lives are on the line. 9-1-1, currently airing on FOX, is no exception to this excitement. The show follows the high-pressure experiences of police officers, firefighters, and dispatchers as they save those who are most vulnerable. It stars Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, and Aisha Hinds. The show is generally pretty highly rated, but here are the ten highest rated episodes on IMDb.
“Broken” 8.5/10
While many other shows focus on a single job, one of the highlights of 9-1-1 is watching first responders from different lines of work come together to solve a problem as a team. In the season 2 episode “Broken” firefighters and dispatchers come together. The call center deals with a system wide power outage and a firefighter is who solves the problem with old school tactics.
Meanwhile, the firefighters are dealing with explosions in multiple homes in a subdivision. It leads to a bunch of shoolchildren being stuck at the firehouse. But the most touching part of the episode is probably the difficult baby delivery, and Hen’s reaction.
“Ocean’s 9-1-1” 8.5/10
Many of the show’s highest rated episodes are in season 2 of the show—8 of the episodes on this list are from season 2, in fact, including this exciting heist-themed episode.
The fire department is brought in when a bank manager’s going away party turns into an emergency medical situation—and a mysterious chemical agent is the culprit. Hen is trapped in vault with a dying man and no medical supplies to really amp up the excitement. Meanwhile, things go off the rails when the first responders are accused to trying to pull off a daring heist, à la Ocean’s 11.
“This Life We Chose” 8.6/10
The season 2 finale ended on an intense note. In this episode, a serial bomber is on the loose, sending packages through the mail until he ups the ante. The first responders try to take care of it, but are thwarted at every turn. Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley suddenly faces a terrifying life or death situation when the firetruck he was driving exploded while it was on the road. Is this the work of the bomber too?
Meanwhile, cake tasting turns emotional as Athena and Bobby try to plan their wedding and one of the kids have something to say about their plans.
“Chimney Begins” 8.6/10
Flashback episodes can be hit or miss, but this one about Howie ‘Chimney’ Han’s decision to join the LA Fire Department is incredibly heartwarming. He relives a moment when he saves a woman’s life after her clothes caught on fire in a bar, setting him on a path to becoming a fireman and paramedic. Meanwhile, in real time, he calms a man down who is having a panic attack.
Many people really loved seeing actor Kenneth Choi’s range and think he deserved an Emmy nomination for this episode. The actin is great, the pacing is quick but not too fast—the episode is an all-around success.
“New Beginnings” 8.7/10
A lot is happening in this season two episode. Athena suspects something more might be going on in a distressing 911 call that Maddie took. The LA Fire Department first responders must help out a man who has gotten his arm stuck in the jaws of a shark and is now severely injured.
Meanwhile, Bobby meets Athena’s parents for the first time. Athena’s mother stirs up some trouble and Athena must make the future very clear for her family. There’s also some heartwarming conversation between Maddie and Buck as they spar in a boxing ring. It’s a bit of a strange episode, but certainly worth watching.
“7.1” 8.7/10
I’m sure you can guess what this episode is about—any emergency response show set in LA must do an earthquake episode. It’s practically a rite of passage. Luckily, 9-1-1 does it really well.
The first responders rush to a high-rise hotel that is crumbling after the earthquake hits. Naturally, phones are dead and the widespread damage means first responders are spread really thinly. While the LA Fire Department is at the hotel, Athena helps a man whose car flipped when the earthquake destroyed a highway overpass collapse. If natural disaster shows are your jam, this episode will keep you on the edge of your seat.
“Worst Day Ever” 8.7/10
First seasons are notoriously difficult while a show first finds its footing. And yet, the fourth episode from season one is still one of the highest rated episodes in the series.
An insane and deadly plane crash just off the beach leaves the team scrambling to try to evacuate all the passengers before the plane sinks completely. They face water covered with flaming jet fuel, terrible injuries, and not enough boats to get them all back to the beach. Meanwhile, Athena Grant has to try to keep things at the airport from devolving into absolute chaos. It’s heart-stopping and anxiety-inducing—no wonder it’s so highly rated.
“Fight or Flight” 8.8/10
9-1-1 takes a surprising twist in this series of episodes when first responder Maddie goes missing. We’ve heard of her abusive ex in the past, and watched her slowly heal as she works through her trauma and begins dating Chimney. Even though they can’t work together professionally on this case, the crew must rally together to find Maddie in the woods.
Jennifer Love Hewitt delivers an amazing performance as Maddie in this episode. Fans of the show gush over this episode’s deft and considerate handling of a story of domestic abuse. It’s an inspiring story of how to fight back when you’re being threatened, and the redemptive power of love.
“Merry Ex-Mas” 8.9/10
Just because the holidays are meant to be a time of peace and love doesn’t mean the first responders don’t have a lot of Christmas-themed problems on their plate. Some of them have to deal with a dangerous stampede at a toy store, an all too common problem these days, while the others help a man trapped in a present, a mistletoe stunt gone awry, and a neighborhood Christmas light showdown.
Think that’s too much drama? Well the team also sit down to a lovely holiday dinner together, Chimney tries to cheer up Maddie, and Bobby contemplates his future with Athena.
“Sink or Swim” 9.3/10
Season three has only had a few episodes so far (as of this writing) but already the season is shaping up to be the best one yet, starting with the second episode, “Sink or Swim.”
For a show set in Los Angeles, there have been surprisingly few beach themed worries for the first responders to contend with. That all goes away in this nail-biting episode. A massive tsunami hits the Santa Monica pier, placing Buck and Chris’s lives in danger while also doing devastating damage to the coastal city. Fans especially praised the amazing effects—the image of the ferris wheel half-sunk in sea water looked disturbingly real.
