During Season 2, we got a look at how Hen and Chimney got their starts at the 118. In 9-1-1 Season 3, Episode 7 we saw Athena’s start, and it was powerful.

One of the biggest selling points of 9-1-1, when it started, was Angela Bassett. She’s one of the most formidable actresses, constantly bringing personality and sass to any character she plays. In 9-1-1 Season 3, Episode 7, she got the change to deliver her most powerful episode yet.

After episodes of how Hen and Chimney got their starts at the 118, Season 3 finally gave us an episode of how Athena started in the LA Police Department. However, this was more than just her character facing some discrimination within the police force (although that did come up and I respected the storyline behind that discrimination). This was more about how the past can affect our lives for decades.

Athena finally got the chance to solve the murder of her fiance decades earlier, a man that she had never spoken about to either of her subsequent husbands or her children. She had the chance to deliver the news to her would-be mother-in-law that the man responsible had finally been caught.

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But it was the ending that showed just how formidable of an actress Angela Bassett is. Throughout the episode, she was able to remain calm and composed. In fact, it was like the case didn’t affect her too much, but gave her the chance to open up about a dark secret from her past. It was a chance for the family to support Athena instead of Athena doing the supporting, but she still remained guarded and confident.

That was until the very end of 9-1-1 Season 3, Episode 7. “Athena Begins” ended with the most powerful moment. After delivering the news to her fiance’s mother about the arrest, she returned home to Bobby. It looked like everything had been dealt with. Then suddenly, she just broke down. Bobby was there to catch her and hold her as she sobbed, sobbed for the loss of the man she loved, the relief that she finally had closure, but the regrets of things that could have been.

Bassett’s performance in this one minute brought so many powerful emotions. It’s that sense that she had been running on adrenaline all this time, and with the case closed, it was gone. But she waited until she got home to Bobby to crumble. She knew that she could trust him to catch her, to hold her as she let all the emotions out, showing just how deep their love is.

More: Is Prodigal Son actually about the Prodigal Daughter?

What did you think of Angela Bassett’s performance in 9-1-1 Season 3, Episode 7? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

9-1-1 Season 3 continues on Mondays at 8/7c on FOX.