Love is in the air!

Seriously though, who doesn't want to see a good love story? In a world that can seem so dark, it's nice to be reminded of all the love in the world. And 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 8 was full of it!

And quite frankly we deserve this treat!

Fresh off his breakup, Buck was sort of ready to get back into the saddle, but it was very clear from the beginning that this was a brand new Buck entering the dating scene. As has been alluded to by me, the fans, and even Buck himself, Abby completely changed Mr. Buckley. 

Gone is player Buck, for the most part, it seems, although he is still a man.

When an attractive woman like Taylor Kelly comes along, and the physical chemistry is there, it's hard to fault a man for giving in to temptation. But would the old Buck have ever apologized to a woman he slept with on a whim?

Related: 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 6 Review - Dosed

The answer is no. With Connie Britton gone, the Abby storyline had to go with her, and it's nice to see Buck pivoting more and more away from pining over his lost love. He's learning, growing and figuring out what he does and doesn't want when it comes to his dating life. 

Buck: I just thought I stopped being that guy. I thought Abby had changed me. I'm single for like a day and I'm right back at it?
Bobby: Well, Buck you've been single for months.
Buck: Why does everybody keep saying that?

• Permalink: Why does everybody keep saying that?

If I have my way, Buck's adventures in dating will be short-lived now that Ali is back! I sensed their easygoing rapport on 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 3, and clearly, I wasn't the only one.

So, thank you, 9-1-1 gods, for making one of my wishes come true. Now I need that Athena, Hen, Maddie girls night out and you will make me a very happy person! 

While Buck was getting back into the game, there were all kinds of emergencies spread across the city involving different relationships. There were longstanding marriages in trouble, bumbling thieves, newlyweds, and one marriage ripped apart by tragedy. 

Related: 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 7 Review - Haunted

There are a lot of certains on this show, with the most impressive one being reliably intriguing emergencies. And this hour didn't disappoint there. 

Lola's freeway declaration was absurd but also oddly understandable once her true motives were revealed. And once we met Norman, it made perfect sense why she was at the end of her ropes. 

Lola: I don't want to hurt anybody. I just can't handle being ignored anymore.
Buck: I know exactly what you mean.

• Permalink: I know exactly what you mean.

Norman seemed like a well-meaning guy, but he had absolutely no idea what his wife was feeling. All Lola wanted was to be seen and appreciated. It seems like a pretty simple request, but it's so easy to get lost in the mundane routine of everyday life, that you lose that spark. 

It wasn't that Norman ever stopped loving his wife, he stopped seeing her. Sure, there are a thousand other ways she could have gotten his attention, but if she doesn't get on that overpass, we don't get a classic 1980's movie reference!

Related: Enjoy UNLIMITED access to thousands of Movies & TV shows with Amazon Prime Videos

There was a feel-good aspect to the Lola-Norman emergency, but the story of Mitchell and Thomas wasn't quite as lucky. Even knowing that there would eventually be a call made to 911, you couldn't help but enjoy watching their love story unfold through flashbacks. 

We met these two men, and within a few minutes, I was wholly invested in their lives and their love. And waiting for something to happen was torture!

Having Mitchell die in that fashion was unexpected and then to have Thomas die of a broken heart was devastating. Does a week ever go by where this show doesn't tug at all our heartstrings? 

Well, when the storylines are this powerful and the characters, both primary and secondary, are this well-rounded, you can tug away. 

Loose Ends

• We got robbed of two dinners I wanted to see more of involving Bobby and Athena. That family dinner was just getting started and hello, we ALL want to see Bobby and Athena's date night!

• So Chim and Maddie have become BFF and Buck never noticed? There's an easiness to their budding relationship that feels natural and not at all forced. Maddie could use a friend, and it doesn't get much better than Chim. 

• I wasn't a fan of Taylor the first time around, but if she had to come back to show Buck what he doesn't want going forward, then I can be okay with her return. 

• I hope the gas station attendants end up happily married and they get away from that place. They deserve better. 

It's been said before, and it will be said again, but 9-1-1 has not only upped its game this season but also become can't miss television! What they've done this season is impressive, and I can't wait to see where they take us next!

How are you fanatics feeling about the season thus far? Were you surprised to see Ali back? Do you want Chim and Maddie to get together?

Leave your comments down below and make sure you watch 9-1-1 online so you can join us! 

Whitney Evans is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. She is a lover of all things TV. Follow her on X.