The fifth episode of Season 8 of "9-1-1" unfolds with Hen, Kren, Maddie, and Chimney capturing cherished moments with the kids as they pose for photographs, the air thick with anticipation for the upcoming Halloween festivities. The spooky season looms close, and preparations for their costumes are in full swing. Kren has been tasked with escorting the children on their trick-or-treating adventure, as Maddie, Chimney, and Hen are tied up with work commitments. However, Karen's heartfelt wish for Hen to take the day off resonates deeply; it's Mara's inaugural Halloween with their family, and Karen believes Hen's presence would mean the world to her. She laments that Hen often prioritizes the 118 over their own kin. In response, Hen assures Karen she'll discuss taking a break with Bobby.
Elsewhere, Athena addresses a crowd of high school students, warning them about the perils of drunk driving and reckless decisions amidst the Halloween revelry. Her message, however, falls on deaf ears as two influential girls choose to ignore her, engrossed in their own world.
Back at the 118, Chimney and Buck buzz with excitement about the upcoming Halloween bash at the station. Chimney envisions a gory spectacle, but Bobby remains steadfast in his opposition. Buck, undeterred, acquires a dummy from a nearby shop, vowing it will steal the show as the station's most impressive decoration.
Meanwhile, Eddie's spirits dampen as he learns that Christopher has bid adieu to trick-or-treating. The realization that his son is growing up hits him hard, exacerbated by the strained relationship between them. Hen's mind wanders, worried about the family moments she might be missing out on.
As the party kicks off, the children revel in the festivities, but the mood shifts dramatically when they encounter Buck's exhibit. To everyone's shock, the dummy Buck procured is anything but inanimate; it's a mummified corpse. Buck's composure shatters as he inadvertently detaches the mummy's arm. Athena and her sons arrive on the scene to seize the body, revealing it to be that of Billy Boils, an infamous outlaw from the past. She informs the team that she is actively investigating the matter. With that revelation, Bobby decides to bring an abrupt end to the festivities.
Later on, the team receives an urgent call to rescue a man trapped inside a pumpkin. They successfully free him, but amidst the chaos, Buck loses his footing and suffers a dislocated left arm. Convinced that he's been cursed by Billy, Buck's theory earns only laughter from Eddie and Tommy. Undeterred, Buck spends a restless night delving into Billy's dark past, uncovering tales of betrayal by his own gang. He firmly believes Billy seeks revenge, and Buck's accidental injury has inadvertently crossed him. Tommy dismisses his lover's theory, urging him to rest.
The following morning, Buck awakens to find his face marred by an array of boils. Tommy hastily calls Eddie for assistance, while Buck becomes even more convinced of the curse's authenticity. Eddie, however, chalks it up to stress and advises Buck to relax. Regrettably, Buck's condition worsens, with more boils erupting by the time he reports for duty.
Stress isn't exclusive to Buck; Hen also faces tension when she reverses her decision to take a day off, disappointing Kren. Karen reproaches her for frequently missing pivotal moments in their children's lives. Conversely, Hen feels guilty about taking a break, especially when Chimney too牺牲 his daughter's first Halloween.
On Halloween night, the team is vigilant in ensuring everyone's safety. Maddie receives a distress call from a local school teacher whose property has been vandalized by students. Fed up with their pranks, including setting fires and egging his house, the teacher requests assistance. Maddie dispatches the 118 to extinguish the blaze, but the teacher calls back shortly, reporting another prank.
This time, the pranksters are revealed to be the two girls who dismissed Athena's presentation. They too dial 9-1-1, reporting a man chasing them on the road. Maddie instructs the teacher to cease following the girls, but he ignores her plea. Within moments, a collision occurs, and both 9-1-1 calls abruptly end.
The 118 rushes to the scene, where Hen discovers her son trapped against a house. The team works tirelessly to stabilize the structure while Hen administers first aid. Everyone hesitates to pull Hen away from her son, respecting her urgency and expertise. However, stabilizing the house takes longer than anticipated.
As Danny's consciousness began to fade, Hen realized with a chilling clarity that he was bleeding internally. Bobby, with urgency in his voice, radioed for immediate blood supplies, but was informed they were ten minutes away—a luxury they couldn't afford. In a desperate bid to save their son, Hen turned to Karen, pleading for her to donate blood and swiftly initiated a field transfusion. Yet, even as the life-saving fluid flowed, Danny's vital signs weakened, his heart flatlining. Without hesitation, Hen sprang into action, performing CPR with every ounce of strength she possessed. Miraculously, Danny's pulse returned, and with great effort, they managed to free him from the perilous situation.
After the harrowing shift, the team gathered at the hospital, their spirits united in support for Hen and eager for updates on Danny's condition. The long surgery seemed to stretch on endlessly, but fortunately, Danny pulled through. As he stabilized, Hen brought the reassuring news to her colleagues: Danny was going to make it. The two popular girls, filled with remorse, visited to apologize and inquire about Danny's well-being. Athena, however, saw an opportunity to turn this tragic event into a teachable moment, suggesting they use their influence to educate others about the consequences of their actions.
Later, Hen sought out Karen, her heart heavy with guilt. Karen, however, offered forgiveness and reassurance, her heart swelling with gratitude that Athena had been there to save their son.
The episode concluded with Buck giving Billy a respectful burial, hoping that this final act would lift the curse that had haunted them. As he eulogized, emphasizing the importance of having people on one's side, the scene seamlessly transitioned to show the people in Buck's life, each standing as a testament to the strength found in unity and support.
