9-1-1 season 9 episode 2 recap: Are Athena and Hen heading back to Earth after spiraling in space?

In 9-1-1 season 9 episode 2, everything that could go wrong goes wrong, and it's amplified by the fact that Athena and Hen, along with three other "everyday heroes," are miles into space aboard the Inara. The episode starts with their preparation to head to space as part of Tripp Hauser's PR stint and the suspense of an upcoming geomagnetic storm.

Titled Spiraling, the episode sees the Inara spacecraft, with Athena and Hen, along with the others inside it, spiraling in space after being hit by one of the satellites with no contact on Earth. Thanks to Karen and some old tech and satellites, they established contact and started Inara's descent back to Earth.

Unfortunately, the horror in space continues as Athena and Hen are coming back to Earth, but the spacecraft catches fire on their way, and the fire suppression button refuses to work. The window to communicate is also closing, and Earth also has to deal with the effects of the geostorm.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers for 9-1-1 season 9 episode 2. Reader's discretion is advised.

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What happens to Athena and Hen in the Inara on their way back to Earth in 9-1-1 season 9 episode 2?

Hen in space (Image via @911onabc/Instagram)

The first half of Athena and Hen's trip to space in 9-1-1 season 9 episode 2, along with three others, happens without a hitch. Lift-off is smooth, and they make it into space. They get a little anti-gravity experience. They also see the Aurora Borealis from space, but the experience quickly turns deadly once the 40% chance of a geomagnetic storm rises to 100%.

As more satellites go out, one crashes into the Inara, and while the ship is fine, it's also spinning out of control in space. Even worse, no controls are inside, and the communication and cameras are down. Parker, the tech bro, stops the spinning by unplugging and plugging back some wires, but the whole ordeal also stops his heart. Now, they are stuck in space with a medical emergency.

Thankfully, Hen helps save him. Karen, on Earth, also manages to use some old tech to contact everyone at Inara. They patch the coms to Tripp, and they manage to ignite the thruster to bring the Inara back to Earth. However, during the descent, another disaster happens. Fire starts coming out of the vents, and the fire suppression mechanism refuses to work.

9-1-1 season 9 episode 2 ends in another deadly cliffhanger, with Hen, Athena, and others aboard the Inara's life still in trouble. The ship may be returning to Earth, but it's still a mystery if everyone will return home alive.

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9-1-1 season 9 episode 2: The sky is falling, and the 118 is dealing with the aftermath on Earth

Athena and Hen in space are not the only ones dealing with the geomagnetic storm in 9-1-1 season 9 episode 2. Debris from the crashing satellites is falling from the sky in balls of flames, causing various distractions in the city. The 118 is dispatched to deal with various calls, including electric cars going completely crazy because Tripp Hauser's satellites are down.

The 118 watching the lift-off (Image via @911onabc/Instagram)

The episode also shows how the lack of satellites disrupts technology, with surgery robots going crazy and shooting lasers everywhere. Chimney, Buck, and Parker deal with the killer robot in the hospital in a suspenseful scene, which includes one with Buck trapped in the room with the killer surgical robot. They manage to destroy the robot with help from Harry, of all people.

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Other highlights in 9-1-1 season 9 episode 2

Harry opening up about his feelings for his mother is one of the highlights of 9-1-1 season 9 episode 2, before all the chaos from the geomagnetic storm. He's angry, but not sure who he is angry with. What he's certain of, however, is that he feels like Athena going to space is unnecessary.

A lot of his anger stems from his parents choosing their duty over their family, like his father choosing to help other children and Bobby choosing to save his teammate in 9-1-1 season 8. After everything that happened with his father and Bobby, he thinks Athena going to space is just a risk that she could have avoided.

Meanwhile, Tripp Hauser is dealing with a huge crisis that could have grave consequences if the truth comes out. He knows about the over 40% chance of a geomagnetic storm happening, but he still decides to push through instead of scrapping the launch.

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Catch 9-1-1 season 9 episode 2, along with the show's previous episode, streaming on ABC and Hulu.