9-1-1: Lone Star has kicked off its fifth and final season with a bang, delivering a two-part premiere filled with emotional twists, action-packed rescues, and the lingering impact of some major character exits. As fans eagerly tuned in, one question weighed heavily on everyone’s mind: where is Grace Ryder? Sierra McClain’s departure from the series left a void that the writers have now addressed in a poignant and unexpected way.
While Grace’s decision to follow a higher calling provides a powerful arc for her character, it has shaken up her family dynamic, particularly for her husband, Judd, who is now grappling with her absence while navigating his own set of challenges.
Meanwhile, the premiere also explores the fate of Tommy Vega and Trevor Parks, a fan-favorite couple whose relationship takes a surprising turn. From Trevor’s complex custody situation to Tommy’s bold marriage proposal, their storyline is filled with unexpected roadblocks and heartwarming moments.
In the 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 premiere, Grace Ryder has left to follow a higher calling, leaving Judd to cope with her absence, while Trevor and Tommy's relationship faces challenges due to Trevor's complex custody situation and Tommy's unexpected marriage proposal.
What happens to Grace in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 episode 1
One of the biggest questions looming over this season in 9-1-1: Lone Star was how the show would handle the exit of Grace Ryder (played by Sierra McClain). Fans had grown attached to Grace's character, and her sudden departure from the show was bound to leave a significant void.
The premiere revealed that Grace left her family to volunteer with Mercy Ships, a real-life organization that provides life-saving surgeries in underdeveloped countries. In a touching explanation, her husband, Judd Ryder (Jim Parrack), recounts how Grace was moved to tears by a presentation at their church, inspiring her to embark on this new journey.
Despite Judd's heartfelt words, the timing couldn't have been worse. The Ryders are already dealing with their two-year-old daughter, while Judd’s adult son, Wyatt, is recovering from a traumatic accident that left him paralyzed. Although Judd tries to support Grace’s decision, her departure has added stress to his already overwhelmed life.
Showrunner Rashad Raisani defended the storyline, stating that they wanted to honor Grace's character by compelling her to leave her family. Killing her off was never an option, and the show aims to protect her character while exploring Judd's new struggles in her absence.
Owen’s crisis of faith in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 episode 1
While Grace’s departure left a void, another character struggling with deep emotional turmoil is Owen Strand (Rob Lowe). Episodes 1 and 2 in 9-1-1: Lone Star delve into Owen's crisis of faith as he grapples with the emotional toll of his half-brother Robert’s death.
Owen, who had lost his younger brother Tyler in a tragic accident during childhood, never fully recovered from that trauma. He named his son TK after Tyler, forever linking him to his brother’s memory. Now, years later, he faces another devastating loss as Robert dies by suicide after suffering from Huntington’s disease.
Owen, who helped his brother take his own life, is weighed down by guilt and a sense of responsibility, making it difficult for him to process his emotions.
Owen’s grief has left him numb. His struggles extend beyond his personal life and into his professional world as well, as he faces challenges with team dynamics. Tommy (Gina Torres) tries to get Owen to attend group therapy, but Owen can't bring himself to open up about his role in Robert’s death, knowing it was illegal and could land him in serious trouble.
Amid Owen’s emotional turmoil, there’s also the pressing matter of replacing Judd as lieutenant at Station 126. Two of the station's most competitive members, Paul (Brian Michael Smith) and Marjan (Natacha Karam) are vying for the position. Their friendly competition quickly becomes more intense, as they try to outdo each other on the job.
From Paul jumping into a vat of oil to Marjan leaping onto a moving vehicle, the pair’s rivalry escalates to dangerous levels. The competition even spills over into their calls, where they bicker over who should handle the equipment during emergencies.
Owen, still wrestling with his internal struggles, can't seem to make a decision between the two, despite their increasingly reckless behavior. Judd’s absence is clearly felt, and Owen isn't sure who can fill his shoes.
Meanwhile, Carlos (Rafael Silva) has taken on a new role as a Texas Ranger, following in the footsteps of his late father. In Episode 2 of 9-1-1: Lone Star, Carlos is tasked with solving a string of armored truck robberies. These aren’t your typical smash-and-grab crimes, the thieves are highly trained, possibly with military backgrounds, and they use sophisticated weapons to carry out their heists.
Carlos’ gut instincts lead him to suspect a pattern in these crimes, but his superior is hesitant to act based on hunches. With the help of Wyatt (Judd’s son, who has now become a dispatcher), Carlos begins to crack the case by identifying a suspicious series of 311 calls made before each robbery. These calls, traced to a single voice, are the key to unraveling the thieves’ operation.
With the help of a fellow Ranger, Carlos manages to narrow down the suspects and sets a trap. They successfully arrest the thieves without any further casualties, though Carlos’ boss takes full credit for the win.
Despite this, Carlos feels validated in his new role and begins to forge new alliances within the Rangers in 9-1-1: Lone Star.
Trevor and Tommy relationship in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 episode 2
In a heartwarming subplot in 9-1-1: Lone Star, Trevor (D.B. Woodside) and Tommy’s relationship reaches a pivotal moment. After a whirlwind romance filled with ups and downs (including a memorable first meeting in the rain), Tommy decides to take matters into her own hands. She proposes to Trevor, asking him to be her husband and make her a preacher’s wife.
Trevor is overjoyed and says yes, until he reveals one small complication. To marry him, Tommy must get approval from his ex-wife, who can revoke their custody agreement if she doesn’t approve of Tommy as a stepmother to their daughter.
This revelation puts Tommy in a difficult position. While she loves Trevor and wants to be with him, she doesn’t want her daughters to be subjected to scrutiny by a stranger. The situation sets the stage for future tension in their relationship, as Tommy must decide how much she’s willing to risk for love.
According to co-showrunner Raisani, Tommy's storyline will continue to grow throughout the season, leading to what he calls a “character-defining arc” in later episodes.
The episode ends on a major cliffhanger when the 126 team responds to a massive train derailment. While they manage to save several victims, they are unaware of the true danger lurking in the wreckage.
A tanker from the train begins releasing hazardous chemicals into the air, creating what will later be dubbed a poison cloud of death.
This looming threat promises to take center stage in upcoming episodes of 9-1-1: Lone Star, as the team must navigate not only personal challenges but also life-threatening situations on the job.
Interested viewers can watch 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 on FOX.