9-1-1's "Confessions" episode delivered just the right mix of humor, absurdity, and emotional depth to make it a memorable installment in the series. After a more intense and dramatic episode like the Halloween one with Denny, this one leans into the silliness to offer some relief without completely abandoning the show’s usual emotional and dramatic beats.

From the very first emergency, where Trent's "kidnapping" turns out to be a wife absconding with an urn of ashes, it’s clear this episode is going to be both ridiculous and hilarious. The setup itself is so ridiculous — the urn with a dead person’s ashes being treated like a prize possession — and then the punchline of Trent dropping it is a perfect mix of absurdity and karma. The call itself might not dive into a deep thematic exploration, but it sets the stage for the lighthearted tone that defines this episode.

The next call — Walter’s sneezing-induced intestinal crisis — takes things to another level of absurdity, with a comical yet truly horrifying twist. The medical aspect is outrageous, but 9-1-1 does its usual job of blending the dark and the absurd in a way that feels unique to the show. Plus, Liza’s witty line, "My cheating husband just spilled his guts," gives the episode the perfect level of wordplay. The entire situation is ridiculous, but it also underscores the drama of a relationship falling apart in the most bizarre way possible.

While the first half of the episode is devoted to outlandish emergency situations, the show still finds time to give Eddie a powerful emotional arc. His confession with the priest — where he opens up about his guilt over his past mistakes and his fears of not being able to protect Christopher — is a beautifully executed moment. Ryan Guzman really shines here, and it’s clear that this scene was meant to give Eddie the emotional space to work through his trauma and self-recrimination.

The parallel between Eddie's need for forgiveness and the more absurd confessions of the others (like Trent revealing his true motivations) is a nice touch. Eddie’s introspective moment provides the emotional heart of the episode, which makes the later absurd moments (like Eddie doing the Risky Business dance) feel even more fun, as they offer him a kind of release from that heaviness.

The ongoing development of Buck and Tommy’s relationship adds another layer to the episode. The reveal that Tommy was once engaged to Abby Clark (and that she left him for a "himbo half her age") is a fun callback to season one, and it brings some much-needed levity to the episode. I love how Tommy’s casual mention of Abby’s “amazing hair” is framed as the gayest thing he’s said on the show so far.

It’s a small but funny moment, as if to remind us that even in serious relationship discussions, 9-1-1 still knows how to bring the humor.

However, the relationship between Buck and Tommy takes a more bittersweet turn. Buck’s heartfelt attempt to move things forward with Tommy — by asking him to move in — ends in rejection, with Tommy acknowledging that their relationship is more about Buck’s first love rather than a long-term partnership. It’s a crushing but understandable moment for Tommy, and it marks a sobering end to their romantic arc for now. It’s a real twist after all the sweet moments they’ve shared. While it's disappointing for Buck fans, it does fit within the show’s theme of unspoken emotional complexities in relationships.

The subplot with Chimney and Maddie discussing whether to have another child — after Maddie’s struggle with postpartum depression — adds an emotional undercurrent that balances out the wacky emergencies. Chimney’s shift in perspective after the Jack-in-the-pipe rescue, realizing that Jee-Yun might benefit from a sibling, feels like a turning point for the couple. Given Maddie’s emotional journey and her own challenges, the fact that she's already pregnant adds a layer of sweet surprise to their storyline. The timing might be a little awkward (thanks to Jennifer Love Hewitt’s real-life maternity leave), but it still provides a nice touch of heart in the midst of the episode’s absurd moments.

Perhaps the most memorable moment in this episode is the Glee reference between Buck and Josh. This scene perfectly highlights Buck’s naïve yet open-minded personality and how different his experience of growing up was from Tommy’s. The idea that Buck is “lucky” to have had his sexual awakening in the “post-Glee” world is a fun meta-commentary on how far LGBTQ+ representation in media has come. The fact that the writers chose to include a Glee reference as a way to highlight generational differences in sexual identity and societal acceptance is clever, even if it’s a little heavy-handed. That being said, Josh’s line is hilarious and sums up the difference between Buck’s and Tommy’s worlds perfectly.

And then, there’s the absolute absurdity of Eddie’s Risky Business dance in his underwear. This scene is the epitome of the "joyful but not sinful" theme that ties into Eddie’s emotional arc. After all the intense confessions and relationship drama, this moment feels like the ultimate release for Eddie — and for the audience. It's an unexpected, fun, and cheeky twist that proves 9-1-1 can pull off pure comedy in the most unexpected of ways.

And of course, it’s perfect that Buck walks in on Eddie in the middle of the dance. The two of them sit together at the end of the episode, both nursing their emotional wounds with beers in hand, but not necessarily ready to face them head-on. It’s a bittersweet but oddly comforting way to wrap up the episode. For shippers, it’s a treat to see these two share a moment of understanding, even if their futures are still uncertain.

“Confessions” is one of those episodes that manages to blend chaos and comedy with emotional depth, making it an incredibly entertaining watch. Whether it's the bizarre emergencies or the moments of introspection and personal growth, the episode offers something for every kind of 9-1-1 fan. It’s lighthearted yet poignant, absurd yet emotional, and in the end, it delivers a perfect snapshot of what makes 9-1-1 such a compelling, unpredictable, and fun series.