Ten seasons in, one of the most satisfying parts of 9-1-1 has been watching Buck (Oliver Stark) evolve from a reckless probie into a seasoned firefighter. But now, the show is giving another character a strikingly similar journey: Harry Grant (Elijah M. Cooper), whose arc in Season 10 is mirroring Buck's Season 1 path in all the right ways.
Harry grew up surrounded by first responders, and his decision to join the 118 was deeply influenced by the loss of Bobby (Peter Krause). So he came in with a healthy respect for the job, but that didn't stop him from being eager to prove himself. In Season 9, he was frustrated when Chimney (Kenneth Choi) wouldn't let him jump into the action, but he stayed determined to work his way up. Now, in the Season 10 premiere, Harry pulled a classic Buck move: he put himself in direct danger to save a victim trapped in a sinkhole, jumping off a ledge to lighten the load. It was reckless, but it worked—and it set the stage for a season of growth.
That recklessness is exactly what defined Buck in the pilot, when he was a probie with unearned confidence and a disregard for rules. Over time, Buck learned to balance his bravery with care, and it looks like Harry is on a similar trajectory. The show is clearly drawing parallels between the two, and Episode 2, "Fire in the Hole," delivers a pivotal moment that will shape Harry's career just as Buck's first loss did in Season 1.
In that episode, Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Harry respond to a call where a woman named Leona is gravely injured by a volcanic bomb that crashed through her ceiling. Leona, a doctor of 16 years, knows she won't survive and tells Hen to leave her behind to help others. Harry refuses to accept it, but eventually, he stays with Leona while Hen goes. In a heartbreaking scene, Leona comforts Harry as she dies, sharing her own experience of losing a patient for the first time. Harry cries with her, and her death becomes his first on-the-job loss.
This moment is a rite of passage for every first responder on the show, but it's especially reminiscent of Buck's first loss in Season 1, Episode 2, "Let Go." In that episode, Buck tried to save a man named Devon, who let go and fell to his death. That experience haunted Buck and helped shape him into the firefighter he is today. Now, Leona's death will likely have the same effect on Harry.
As Harry navigates this new reality, he'll have to find his own balance between courage and caution. The show has already shown him making risky choices, and now he'll learn the emotional weight of the job. It's a different arc than Eddie (Ryan Guzman) or Ravi (Anirudh Pisharody) had as probies, but it's a perfect echo of Buck's journey.
For longtime fans, this parallel is a treat. It's a chance to see a familiar story play out with a new character, and it adds depth to Harry's role in the 118. Whether he'll follow Buck's path exactly or forge his own remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Harry is no longer just the kid trying to prove himself. He's becoming a firefighter in his own right.
If you're enjoying this season's character development, you might also like our look at Game of Thrones characters the show ruined, or check out the latest on the Manifest spin-off. And for more TV insights, don't miss our piece on The Simpsons' controversial Halloween return.
9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8:00 P.M. EST on ABC.
