Ep 2. Anywhere But Here

Anywhere But Here is the second episode of the first season of Third Watch, an American television series that follows the lives of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics working the 3-11 pm shift in the fictional 55th Precinct and Fire Station 55 of the New York City Fire Department. The episode was written by Edward Allen Bernero and John Wells and directed by Christopher Chulack, and originally aired on September 27, 1999, on NBC.

The episode opens with Doc Parker (played by Michael Beach) waking up late for his shift and rushing to the locker room to change into his uniform. He is greeted by his colleagues Carlos Nieto (played by Anthony Ruivivar) and Bobby Caffey (played by Bobby Cannavale), who tease him about his tardiness. The trio then heads to the ambulance to start their patrol.

Meanwhile, Sully Sullivan (played by Skipp Sudduth) and Ty Davis (played by Coby Bell), two police officers, respond to a domestic violence call. They find a woman with a black eye and a broken wrist, who tells them that her husband, a former boxer, beat her up after she found out he was cheating on her. Sully and Ty arrest the husband and take him to the station. On the way, they have a heated exchange about their different approaches to the job, with Sully advocating for a more sympathetic and humane approach and Ty insisting on upholding the law.

Back at the firehouse, Jimmy Doherty (played by Eddie Cibrian) struggles to bond with his new partner, Kim Zambrano (played by Kim Raver), a strong-willed and independent firefighter. Jimmy doubts Kim's abilities and belittles her in front of his colleagues, but she proves her worth by rescuing a child from a burning building. Jimmy is forced to apologize to Kim and acknowledge her skills.

Meanwhile, Doc, Carlos, and Bobby respond to a car accident on the highway. They find a man trapped inside his car, bleeding profusely from a deep cut on his arm. Doc, who is also a paramedic, tries to stop the bleeding and stabilize the patient's condition. The man tells them that he was heading to the airport to catch a flight to Jamaica, where he planned to start a new life away from his problems. Doc sympathizes with the man, having gone through a bitter divorce himself, and reassures him that he can still make a fresh start in New York.

As the episode progresses, the characters deal with other challenges and conflicts, such as a drug overdose, a homeless man causing a disturbance, and an argument between firefighters over a barbeque grill. Despite their differences and personal issues, the characters come together as a team to save lives and protect their community.

Anywhere But Here showcases the gritty and realistic portrayal of the daily struggles and triumphs of first responders in a busy urban environment. The episode highlights the themes of compassion, resilience, and camaraderie among the characters, who face danger and adversity on a daily basis. The show offers an authentic and nuanced look at the complex and demanding job of emergency service workers, and the toll it can take on their personal lives and relationships.