The eighth episode of Season 5 of "9-1-1: Lone Star" kicks off with Wyatt adeptly handling a frantic 911 call from Julio, a man trapped in a perilous situation while house-sitting for a friend. Julio, under attack by two assailants, finds himself in a desperate struggle for survival. With Wyatt's quick thinking and calm demeanor, Julio is momentarily rescued and safely ushered outside the house. However, just when hope seems to be within reach, a third attacker lunges at Julio, stabbing him fatally.
Elsewhere, TK visits Enzo, seeking clarity on a recent turn of events. Enzo urges TK to arrange for Jonah to attend a boarding school in Switzerland, under the care of a business manager. The prospect of strangers nurturing his brother in a foreign institution fills TK with dread. He attempts to broach the subject of adoption with Carlos, but Carlos, still grappling with his own demons and determined to solve his father's case, is hesitant to embrace the role of a father. TK, fed up with living his life in limbo, waiting for Carlos to prioritize them, voices his frustration. Their conversation is abruptly halted when Carlos receives a call about Julio's tragic demise and rushes off.
Meanwhile, Owen drops off food for Tommy, who has shown remarkable improvement since her surgery. She harbors hopes of undergoing an experimental treatment with a promising 97% success rate. Owen, who has been through chemotherapy himself, tries to offer her words of encouragement. However, a devastating call from the hospital dashes her hopes, informing her that she must resort to a traditional treatment with only a 50% success rate, as her insurance does not cover the experimental option.
Owen, deeply saddened by Tommy's plight, visits the mayor seeking a solution. The mayor, however, admits his hands are tied. He also reveals that he has completed his review of the proposed city budget, which is set to be ratified the following day. Determined to make a difference for Tommy, Owen rallies the team to scrutinize the budget and identify unnecessary expenditures within the next 24 hours. Motivated by their desire to help Tommy, the team rises to the challenge and uncovers several questionable items in the proposed budget.
In the Ranger's office, Carlos comes to a startling realization: Julio was intended to testify against a notorious drug gang mere days before his untimely demise. It transpires that this marks the second instance where a pivotal witness in a Ranger's case has met with a fatal end. The Chief confides in Carlos, revealing that his late father had been collaborating with a high-ranking insider within the gang—a man named Nestor. However, Nestor mysteriously vanished, and two days later, Senior Reyes was brutally murdered. Carlos demands to know why he was kept in the dark about this information, but the Chief insists they conducted a thorough investigation and found no conclusive evidence tying the murder to the gang. Carlos vows to maintain composure, on one condition: the Chief grants him permission to delve into Julio's case. The Chief acquiesces but insists that Campbell keeps Carlos in check. He further advises the duo to uncover some tangible evidence to present to the detective overseeing the investigation.
Thus, Carlos finds himself persuading Wyatt to disregard protocol and grant them access to the 9-1-1 call Julio had made. Upon listening to the recording, Carlos picks up a crucial detail: one of the assailants utters his friend's name as Julio strikes him with a hot pan. They present their findings to Montero, who, despite his dislike for the Rangers, relents and allows them to participate in the case. Elias, the assailant, also loses a tooth in the altercation, and police confirm his identity. They prepare for a surprise raid, but tragedy strikes as Campbell is shot after taking Elias's life.
At the crime scene, Nancy senses the tense undercurrent between Carlos and TK. While Nancy administers first aid to Campbell, Carlos attempts to engage TK in conversation. During their exchange, Carlos notices blood trickling from the rooftop. Upon investigation, they discover Nestor, bound and severely bleeding. They rush him to the hospital, anxiously awaiting the outcome of his surgery.
As they wait, Carlos confides in Campbell about his conflict with TK. Campbell counsels patience regarding the young ones, sharing that while he has four children, they can sometimes slow progress. He warns Carlos that pursuing his father's case with such intensity might lead to burnout.
Later, the doctor informs them that Nestor has survived the surgery but remains unconscious. His condition is grim; he has lost a considerable amount of blood, and his organs are failing. The doctor warns that Nestor's chances of surviving the night are slim. When Nestor briefly regains consciousness, he requests to speak with Senior Reyes, but Carlos offers to converse with him instead.
We revisit the battle for Tommy's well-being with renewed vigor. The team interrupts a city council meeting, voice their vehement opposition to the proposed budget, and highlight instances of lavish misconduct. Marjan, unwavering, live-streams the confrontation on her social media platform. Her children, avidly following the proceedings online, swiftly inform Tommy, prompting her to rush to her team's side. Amidst heated exchanges with the Mayor, his patience wears thin, and he orders the police to escort Owen and his compatriots out of the premises. To everyone's astonishment, the officers, inspired by the protest's justice, defy the Mayor's command and stand in solidarity with the protesters. This bold move forces the Mayor and his advisors to reconsider their stance. Reluctantly, they concede to funding Tommy's experimental treatment, but she firmly declines, insisting that the Mayor extend the same privilege to every civil servant within the city limits. Cornered and with little choice, the Mayor reluctantly accedes to her demand.
Back at the hospital, Carlos confides in Nestor about his father's passing, revealing a heartfelt bond Nestor had forged with Senior Reyes. Before his demise, Senior Reyes had imparted a grave warning to Nestor, cautioning him to be vigilant of a mole within the Ranger's office. Carlos, desperate for answers, pleads with Nestor to reveal the traitor's name, but Nestor's condition deteriorates rapidly. As the episode concludes, Carlos exits the room, informing the Chief and Campbell of Nestor's demise without divulging the traitor's identity. However, a haunting flashback reveals Nestor's dying words, implicitly accusing Campbell of betrayal, leaving a chilling aftertaste in the air.
