Reluctant to embody the role of the villain, Paul bore the burden of his subordinates' least favorite tasks, ultimately suffering an injury in his selfless endeavor. His choice to conceal this injury unleashed a cascade of unforeseen challenges in the field and earned him a harsh rebuke from Owen, who deemed Paul's actions a "breach of trust" that cut deep. Smith offered insight, "Paul must grapple with defining his values and the kind of leader he aspires to be. He defaults to survival mode, unnecessarily risking his health, which undermines his primary mission—saving lives. Deep-seated wounds flare up in such moments, and he's struggling to steer through them."
Now, turning our attention to Tommy, despite winning over Trevor's notoriously tumultuous ex-wife, who once erroneously accused Tommy of poisoning her (a trait seemingly passed down through generations), Tommy's path to becoming a preacher's wife has veered off course. In fact, it seems she's not even a preacher's girlfriend anymore. The mere possibility of Trevor relocating to Kansas for his daughter was a deal-breaker for Tommy, whose heart is steadfastly rooted in Austin. Their separation unfolded in a respectful yet poignant scene, where they wished each other well before bidding farewell.
"Firstly, I hold a deep fondness for Trevor, so the split hurt a bit," Smith reflected on the stunning turnaround. "They were on the cusp of blending into a family unit, and it was beautifully heartwarming. I've grown quite attached to D.B. Woodside's character and the bond he and Tommy have nurtured over the past seasons. It was like, 'Hold up, I didn't sign up for this heartache!'" (For those tallying, this marks the second breakup this season, following Owen and Kendra's off-screen dissolution.)
Smith serves as a reminder that in the final season of 9-1-1: Lone Star, no one is truly insulated from the trials and tribulations. "This season is a crucible, testing everyone in myriad ways," she cautions.
