As unrealistic as it is in a city of millions, I like that they bring back random people from previous episodes.

General Discussion

Coincidence driving key plot points is usually considered poor writing. However, I like that we get to find out what happens to some people because they show-up again in a later episode.

For example, the basketball player that Bobby saves who buried in the parking garage after the earthquake returns to save him at the end of S6 when the freeway collapses.

You'd be more likely to win the lottery. Yet, the 118 regularly runs into people from the past. It's weirdly satisfying to find out what happens to some of the rescues afterwards.

in 911FOXby Veridical_Perception

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29d

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armavirumquecanooo

29d

It can't possibly be more unrealistic than Buck and Tommy choosing a restaurant that was intentionally out of the way, that also happened to be the restaurant Hen (?) went to in S5, and that Eddie and his date chose the same random out of the way restaurant at the same time.

But in all seriousness, I completely agree. Having Lola and Norman back was fun (though I do think it dragged on a bit too long), and Jeff was a pleasant surprise in 6x18. I actually mentioned in the post-episode discussion thread, but it feels like a missed opportunity that in the promo,

calamityj0n

28d

Jeff was great because like, as a writing standpoint, sure it's happenstance, but it's also what he did at the diner - paying it forward. Bobby saved him and he had the makings of a fine young man back then, saying Bobby should save himself, etc., and then there's payoff five years later because he is a good man (who came back to LA even though he really didn't have to lol). He goes into the danger, not because he's reckless, but because he cares and knows he can help. So having Bobby have that moment that someone he saved came back and saved him, it really hits emotionally. Because Bobby had the moment in season 4 with the shooter, how you have to save everyone, even people you would hate in any other circumstance, but he didn't get the payoff that Lucy had gotten with the doctor lady.

"Maybe we'll start a movement," indeed.

_HGCenty

Team Chimney

29d

I like it as long as the random people don't come back as love interests for Eddie.

DarkCartier43

28d

this made me chuckle lol

Violet_K89

29d

Actually I don’t think is that unrealistic and doesn’t need to be coincidence. We all hear stories of people going back and thanking those who saved them and kinda building a relationship where they keep in touch somehow. I think would be nice happening once in a while.

Now about coincidences although LA is huge city they work on designed area so winning that lottery ticket wouldn’t be that hard if you live/work in the same area.

I like the idea :)

armavirumquecanooo

28d

Any first responder will also tell you they have frequent fliers. Sometimes it's because of poor physical/mental health, other times it's because someone constantly puts themselves in dangerous situations, others it's because someone else does so (like in IPV cases). In the early seasons, we had a couple potentials for frequent fliers -- the online pranksters that were in two episodes (microwave + concrete over head next to swimming pool, and the merry-go-round attached to a motorcycle, iirc) and the porch pirate/insurance scammer. We also had the potential for a lonely frequent flier in the lady who called 911 around the holidays because she wasn't talking to her daughter.

I'd love to see someone who is just super accident prone, to a point where the team starts to question if they're doing it intentionally to get attention.

fkprivateequity

16d

i mean if we're talking frequent fliers of the 118, can't beat Felisa Valdez. I mean, 4 calls in one episode?? (S6 E7)

darijuno

29d

not unrealistic, i live in a city with population of several millions and I run into people I know at random places fairly frequently

ThenDifficulty4702

28d

Came here to say this.

The weirdest coincidence I ever had was running into an old Uni friend in Cambodia. (We're from the UK)

Triette

28d

I mean it’s more realistic than the same cop and fire truck showing up in over 20 districts across the city? Santa Monica to Griffith park?

TheAntiDairyQueen

29d

You would definitely not be more likely to win the lotto. There’s approximately a 1 in 300 million chance of winning, while there are just under 10 million people in LA County. I moved to LA from a small town and thought it would be rare seeing the same people twice because of the population size, but it happens all the time.

Edit: also the lottery is random, while the people they rescue usually live locally. You are a lot more likely to see the same people twice when you live in the same neighborhood.

Particular_Store_662

28d

It's been many seasons ago now but I still want some sort of recognition for Buck for the people he helped during the tsunami. Doesn't have to be a big thing a 'Hey I remember you!' would suffice

polishladyanna

28d

Honestly sometimes you'd be surprised by how small the world can be 🤷‍♀️ I live in a city of ~5 million people and the other day I ran into a couple who used to live in my building. The woman mentioned that she had also recently run into someone she used to live near many years ago and when they had chatted they realised that she's my mothers best friend. My building isn't close to where I grew up/where they ran into each other, there's no other connection... just a complete random coincidence.

Taveren_Mat

28d

We just started Lone Star, and in the first season, the lady who maced Santa in Los Angeles episode 3x10 shows up as a 9-1-1 caller, having moved to Austin.

gildardo2794

28d

I thought she looked familiar!

sazuwolf

27d

i like the gas n sip lady she already had two eps

introvert_exhausted

28d

I love that too but maybe it's not so unrealistic. I mean (and I absolutely don't know because I live in a small village in a small country) I always tought they have like a perimeter of where they can be send for intervention so it seems logical to see some people again. Like when you always go buy your breand in the same bakery, you know what I mean?

laughingthalia

Team Ransone

28d

You'd be surprised, how often you run into people you know even in a big city. If you meet people every day you're highly likely to run into some of them again. The weird coincidences I've seen or experienced in London, a city also full of millions although admittedly probably more dense, is probably on par just less dramatic and interesting since i'm not involved in horrifying disasters twice a year.

Once went on holiday to another country to a resort and when we got there our across the directly across the road neighbour, and probably one of the few neighbours I actually know and talk to (occasionally) was there and we had no idea we were both going there until we saw them.

Maroon050

29d

Yess agreed

AMTINLB

28d

I live in LA. My exes turn like bad pennies, even across town.

ai_0240

28d

Absolutely. When the basketball player came to save Bobby was absolutely amazing and my momma and I love to see what people they bring back. Although, the Lola and Norman thing was not my favorite part in S7. Sure, retired couples like to go on cruizes and retirement plans but the chance that they ran into one another? I don't know... as long as it makes sense ig. Either way, the bring-back action is always fun to see what happens and who we can remember from seasons ago lol.

defensivewizard

28d

as someone who lives on the east coast of the US & has had run ins all over the world with random people from my past i’ve never even questioned it. Most notably would be seeing someone i graduated high school with in Iceland & running into an old boss on the santa monica pier

HistoricalLibrary626

28d

The airline employee that got stuck in the jet engine (?) and then hit by the champagne bottle shard in a later episode, I absolutely cackled that it was the same guy.

Salty_Personality792

27d

I've had similar experiences in my life. Not common, but they stand out. There's far more unbelievable things on the show than this I think.

My uncle travelled across the world and sat in a pub with someone from the same town we're from. They had a mutual friend. Just one example