Season 1 was a rocky start for me because it felt a bit overly melodramatic or slightly cringe/corny at times, but it has settled into a must watch. Season 1 improved in later episodes but the show really hit it's stride in season 2.

I enjoy how they keep majority of emergencies/incidents within a small chunk of the episode - usually tied up before the next commercial break - which keeps the pace flowing nicely. It breaks up the interpersonal drama but doesn't take focus of the whole episode (a few excluded). There are about 2-3 per episode and the writers do a great job providing just enough backstory leading up to the 911 call. They are usually a good mix of serious calls, related to the theme of the episode, and light-hearted ones that keep it all feeling fresh and entertaining.

No shade to Connie Brixton, but the show felt infinitely lighter once Abby left after season 1. The character as an individual/stand alone was probably okay but the way they were forcing the chemistry between Abby and Buck felt clunky and painful. In my eyes, they had 0% chemistry and the age difference had nothing to do with it - Abby is a uptight character and gives more of a motherly (maybe too harsh) feel to her early relationship with Buck - when they would talk on the phone a lot - and it felt awkward and never really smoothed out. Overall, Abby felt dull and lifeless, which could be/kind of understandable with her exhaustive role as sole caretaker for her mother + juggling work and private life, that she doesn't have many moments for her unburdened personality to shine through - especially when those moments were usually interrupted with an emergency at home. We weren't given time to see or feel the chemistry between Abby and Buck - it felt like they went from uncomfortable, interrupted dates to serious/monogamous dating (which was huge leap for Buck who, in the first scene of season 1, drove a fire truck to meet a hook-up and had several other similar encounters). For me, this relationship and it's development - which was a huge storyline - was the weakest part of season 1 and season 1 would have been more enjoyable without it.

I enjoy all of the characters and love how they even show care in fleshing out side characters; I love Athena's ex-husband and his side storylines feel substantial/important and not throw-away filler. The "Begins" episodes that focus on one character were surprisingly among my top ranked episodes. It is surprising because those episodes are totally withdrawn from current storyline and usually don't involve many of the main cast but I love getting that more intimate look and are engaging.

In closing, the main reason I wrote this comment is to say that Angela Basset is a queen and owns this show. It feels like this character was tailor made for her because it doesn't feel like she's an actor playing a part and no one else could come close to her performance.