9-1-1Watch
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT

Things already weren't going well on Athena's flight — and apparently they'll only get worse when 9-1-1's three-part premiere event continues on Thursday.

Athena (Angela Bassett) ended the first episode of season 8 on a jetliner that collided with a small plane that was caught up in the "bee-nado." Last week's episode 2 saw the Los Angeles police officer tasked with piloting the plane while also keeping an eye on the prisoner she was transporting — Dennis, who shot her first fiancé, Emmett, decades ago and she helped put behind bars in season 3.

With the help of a young passenger with a passion for aviation, Athena was using guidance from a flight instructor working with the air traffic control team on the ground and the plan was to land at Los Angeles' largest airport, LAX. But in a preview clip from episode 3 exclusive to Entertainment Weekly, it appears that is no longer an option.

"I've had better days," Athena tells her husband, Bobby (Peter Krause), who is en route to LAX with his former (at least for now) 118 firefighter Buck (Oliver Stark).

"I'm sorry I've missed all your calls," Bobby replies. "Baby, you have been all over the news. Listen, I am headed to LAX, there's just one problem, the 110 [freeway] is kind of backed up, so, I might have to meet you at the luggage carousel."

ABC

The moment of levity is cut short as Athena gives him an update: "Save yourself the trip, we're gonna miss LAX.... We've lost our ability to turn. In about six minutes, we're going to be waving to LAX as we pass over it."

"Well what do you need from me?" Bobby answers, stifling his panic. "You got a runway in your back pocket?" Athena answers. Then Bobby gets an idea: "What direction are you headed?"

ABC

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

"Due north, to god knows where," she replies. "Bobby, we're running out of fuel, and they're worried that this thing is gonna take out of people — and I don't just mean the ones in it."

"That's not gonna happen," Bobby tells his wife. When she informs him she'll need about a mile of clear runway, he responds, "I'll give you more than that."

"Bobby, you're on the 110!" Athena says, putting the pieces together as Bobby chimes in: "And you're headed right toward me."

9-1-1 season 8, episode 3, "Final Approach" airs Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Related articles
Suits star Gina Torres says spinoff news is 'fantastic': 'I hope they have as long a run as we did'
TV
Suits star Gina Torres says spinoff news is 'fantastic': 'I hope they have as long a run as we did'
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Stephen Colbert's wife Evelyn admits she doesn't watch his talk show every night: 'Oops'
TV
Stephen Colbert's wife Evelyn admits she doesn't watch his talk show every night: 'Oops'
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Baby Reindeer winner Richard Gadd wants to look past 'negatives' of Martha inspiration at Emmys
TV
Baby Reindeer winner Richard Gadd wants to look past 'negatives' of Martha inspiration at Emmys
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Childhood pals Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna reunite at the 2024 Emmys and 'push the limits' presenting in Spanish
TV
Childhood pals Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna reunite at the 2024 Emmys and 'push the limits' presenting in Spanish
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
 West WingMartin Sheen, Allison Janney, and other
TV
West WingMartin Sheen, Allison Janney, and other
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Aja Naomi King breaks down on Emmys red carpet: 'Dreams really do come true'
TV
Aja Naomi King breaks down on Emmys red carpet: 'Dreams really do come true'
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
John Oliver thanks his late dog in his Emmys speech: 'I feel like Sarah McLachlan'
TV
John Oliver thanks his late dog in his Emmys speech: 'I feel like Sarah McLachlan'
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
John Leguizamo calls out Hollywood's history of brownface at the Emmys: 'Everybody played us except us'
TV
John Leguizamo calls out Hollywood's history of brownface at the Emmys: 'Everybody played us except us'
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Jimmy Kimmel honors late Bob Newhart at Emmys: 'One of our most loved and funniest people'
TV
Jimmy Kimmel honors late Bob Newhart at Emmys: 'One of our most loved and funniest people'
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT