Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from the 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 premiere, “Both Sides, Now.”
Sadly, fans saw the last of Grace Ryder during the9-1-1: Lone Starseason 4 finale, but, thankfully, the writers didn’t take the easiest way out concerning Grace’s exit in the season 5 premiere. Fox’s procedural drama, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, follows a group of first responders in Austin, Texas, including Sierra McClain’s Grace, a 9-1-1 operator. Despite McClain being a main cast member since season 1,the actress left9-1-1: Lone Starahead of season 5.So, the writers had to concoct a reasonable explanation for Grace’s absence in the premiere.
New episodes of9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5 (which features 12 episodes) air on Mondays at 8 pm ET on Fox following its September 23rd premiere.
The news of9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5 losing an original cast memberwas shocking and disheartening. McClain’s Grace had been on the TV show since its premiere.9-1-1: Lone Starjust doesn’t feel right without her, butthe season 5 cast and crew had to figure out how to move on without Grace in the picture.They ultimately found a way, and while the reason behind Grace’s exit is divisive and slightly frustrating, it could have been much worse.
Why Grace’s 911 Lone Star Exit Is So Divisive
Grace Left Her Family Behind For Mercy Ships
Episode 1 of9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5 begins with a one-year time jump, and much has changed. Judd Ryder is no longer a part of the 126; Owen Strand is trying to decide who his replacement should be and is still reeling from his brother’s death; Carlos Reyes is now a Texas Ranger and is actively investigating his father’s murder; and Grace has left her job as a 9-1-1 dispatcher. In fact,Grace left the country completely, uncharacteristically leaving her husband and two-year-old daughter behind,which is the source of her divisive exit.
9-1-1 Lone Star’s Cancelation Makes My Most Ambitious 9-1-1 Storyline Wish Impossible
Fox canceled 9-1-1: Lone Star, meaning season 5 will be the spinoff’s last season and that one exciting crossover with 9-1-1 is now impossible.
Sierra McClain wasn’t available forthe9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5 premiere, so Grace’s absence has to be explained by other characters.Judd reveals Grace joined Mercy Ships,a Christian charity with non-governmental hospital ships. The international organization provides life-saving healthcare and surgery to those who normally wouldn’t have access to medical care. Grace learned about Mercy Ships during a presentation at her church and was inspired to join them in their mission. While Judd says he’s proud of and happy for his wife, Grace leaving him and Charlie so suddenly is beyond confusing.
Grace being so willing and ready to be away from her husband and daughter is confusing and a little bit unbelievable, especially during a time when Judd probably needs her the most.
As a result,Grace’s exit from9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5has been controversial. Yes, it’s understandable that Grace would want to help others. However, Grace being so willing and ready to be away from her husband and daughter is confusing and a little bit unbelievable, especially during a time when Judd probably needs her the most. Perhapsthe reasoning behind Grace’s departure is disappointing,but at least she’s still alive in the9-1-1universe.
Grace’s 911 Lone Star Official Exit Is Better Than Killing The Character
Killing Grace Would Have Been Heartbreaking
When any actor leaves a TV show, the worry is always that the writers will kill off their character to explain their absence. So, when Fox announced thatthe original9-1-1: Lone Starstar would depart before season 5, many were concerned that Grace would die. The good news is thatkilling Grace was never an option,according to co-showrunner Rashad Raisani. Raisani toldTVLinethat Grace’s death was “quickly dismissed” in the writers' room because it “didn’t feel like it was the right thing to do by her.”
Jackson Pace
Wyatt Harris
Killing Grace (or even her divorcing Judd) would have been a horrible mistake.Although Sierra McClain’s9-1-1: Lone Starcharacter’s exit is controversial, it’s a much better solution than just taking the easy road by killing her. There would have been a lot more uproar and backlash from fans if Grace died offscreen during the9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5 premiere. Instead, viewers will have to make do with a puzzling and slightly uncharacteristic explanation for Grace’s absence. At least she is still alive.
How 911 Lone Star Could Have Written Out Grace Better
The writers didn’t kill her, butGrace’s9-1-1: Lone Starexit is still disappointing. Instead of abruptly leaving her family to volunteer overseas, Grace could have had a family emergency that pulled her away from Austin for an extended period. In that case,Grace could have brought Charlie with her,solving that plot hole. This explanation for her absence (along with Charlie’s) would still create conflict for Judd’s story in9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5, but would still make sense for Grace’s character.
9-1-1: Lone Star
Cast
A spin-off series of 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star is an action-drama series created for Fox. The series follows Rob Lowe as Owen Strand, a firefighter from New York City who, after having rebuilt a team in the aftermath of September 11th’s attacks, is brought in to form a new one in Austin, Texas.
