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9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 12 Review: Chimney Begins

Critic's Rating: 4 / 5.0
4

When Chimney cries, we all cry. 

9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 12 was a treat for all the many Chimney fans out there, as it was an hour to see where his career began. 

With Howard Han, you know you're going to get laughter, but more than anything else, you know you're going to see that heart of his. It's the staple of the man we've all grown to adore. 

At The Bar - 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 12
(Jack Zeman/FOX)

These backstory episodes are spectacular in the way they allow viewers to see a whole different side of the characters we've gotten to know over the last two seasons. 

Chimney is a lovable, intelligent, goofy, kind-hearted soul that everyone admires. But outside of his relationships at the station, and his questionable taste in women, we don't know much about his life. 

Meeting Kevin, the Lees, his father, and Eli, it's easy to see how much these people molded him into the person he is today. 

Related: 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 10 Review – Merry Ex-Mas

Much like we learned about Hen during 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 9, Chimney was at a crossroads before joining the fire department. 

A Kiss - 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 12
(Jack Zeman/FOX)

Working a karaoke corner, and failing to secure bank loans, he was looking for a sign. And it came in the form of a woman on fire. 

One thing Chimney has always had is ambition. And all it took was the thrill and the rush of saving the day to tell him that he was destined to be a firefighter. 

It was fascinating to see both the similarities and differences that Hen and Chimney experienced when they first joined the station. They were both met with skepticism and ignorance, but Chimney is still a man, and thus he was regarded in a different way than Hen. 

Related: FOX Announces Fate of 9-1-1 and The Resident!!

While Hen had Chimney to show her kindness and help her feel less alone, Chimney had Eli. And Eli was just full of well-timed wisdom. 

Buck - 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 12
(Jack Zeman/FOX)

Eli saw something in him that no one was else was looking for, and that was his ability to care for others. 

What makes him such a fantastic paramedic and firefighter is his ability to nurture. When the wife and husband rolled into the station frantic that, it took no time at all for Chimney to have them calmed down and stable. 

It may not seem like a hard thing to do, but not everyone has that kind of patience and touch. 

Considering all that Chimney had been through in his life, he could have grown up to be a lot harder and more cynical. But he was lucky enough to have grown up with a family that loved him as one of their own. 

Chimney's father was a jerk at best, but the Lees seemed to do everything they could to care for him and make him feel welcome. And they made him feel like he had a home. 

An Arrival - 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 12
(Jack Zeman/FOX)

There were many beautiful moments between Chim and Mrs. Lee, but none better than the one in the kitchen, after Mr. Han couldn't be bothered to talk to his son for more than a minute. 

Thinking about how hard it must have been for him to move in with this family, and feel like they took pity upon him, is enough to make you cry. 

And if you weren't crying then, there's no way you could stop the tears when Kevin passed away. 

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As soon as Kevin announced that he was also joining the fire department, it felt like something terrible was going to happen to him. And when the call for the massive fire at the apartment building came in, I just knew Kevin was in trouble.

Strike A Pose - 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 12
(Jack Zeman/FOX)

Poor Chimney has had a rough life, huh? 

Losing your mother and your best friend would cripple some people, but Chim never gives up. He's remarkably strong given all the things he's gone through. 

It was an interesting choice to include moments throughout the episode in which Chim was almost hallucinating, and flashing in and out of him lying unconscious after being stabbed by Doug.

If these were the moments flashing before his eyes as he laid bleeding on the ground, they were the right ones. They were the ones that show Chim where he came from, how hard he fought to be where he is, and how many people believed in him and loved him. 

Howard 'Chimney' Han needs to fight and make it through because the world can't lose a soul like his. 

In Gear - 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 12
(Jack Zeman/FOX)

Loose Ends

  • Captain Gerrard and Tommy were back being awful. Tommy eventually came around and started acting like a human being after Chimney saved his life, but I don't care what Eli says, you can still treat people you don't know that well with respect. 
  • Speaking of Eli, whatever happened to him? He was a little preachy, but he was the first one to see that light in Chimney. And he honestly seemed like a terrific person. 
  • I want an episode where everyone gets to do karaoke. 

After the emotional ending of 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 11, we went back in time this week, and I have a feeling there will be some mixed reviews. While it did not feel like Chim's farewell episode, his fate is still up in the air. 

What did you guys think of Chimney's backstory?

Will Chimney survive next week?

Make sure you drop a line below and watch 9-1-1 online right now so you can join the conversation!

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