Ep 7. After Hours

Set in New York City, Third Watch is a crime drama that follows the lives of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics who work the "third watch" shift, between 3 PM and 11 PM. In season 2 episode 7, titled "After Hours," the audience gets a glimpse of the personal and professional lives of the characters.

The episode begins with the officers of the NYPD's 55th precinct dealing with a string of burglaries in the neighborhood. Sully (played by Skipp Sudduth) and Ty (played by Coby Bell) are dispatched to investigate a suspicious vehicle and end up finding a couple smoking marijuana. While Ty is sympathetic towards the couple, Sully insists on arresting them. The scene sets the tone for the contrasting personalities of the partners.

Meanwhile, the paramedics of the FDNY's "Doc" Coleman's (played by Chris Bauer) ambulance share their own troubles. Kim (played by Kim Raver) is struggling with her relationship with Jimmy (played by Eddie Cibrian), who has been distant lately. Bobby (played by Bobby Cannavale) is still mourning the loss of his partner, "Doherty," and has a difficult time connecting with the new EMT, "Bosco" (played by Jason Wiles), who he feels is reckless and disrespectful.

At the firehouse, the firefighters are rehearsing for a charity event at a local hospital, where they will entertain the children. The audience gets to see the camaraderie and the banter between the firefighters, as well as their compassion towards the children. However, their lightheartedness is interrupted when a distress call comes in. They rush to a building where a pregnant woman is trapped on the 13th floor, and they have to use all their skills to rescue her.

As the night progresses, the characters' personal and professional lives intertwine. Ty and Sully, who have been bickering throughout the night, respond to a shooting, where they find a young boy who has been accidentally shot. The incident takes a toll on Ty, who is reminded of his own son, and on Sully, who is confronted with the harsh realities of the job.

Meanwhile, Doc's ambulance is called to a high school, where a girl has overdosed on drugs. Kim feels protective of the girl, who reminds her of her own troubled past. The scene is a poignant reminder of the toll that drugs can take on young people.

Towards the end of the episode, the characters collide at a diner, where they let their guards down and share their struggles. Bobby opens up to Ty about his feelings towards Bosco, and Ty encourages him to give the new EMT a chance. Kim confides in Doc about her relationship with Jimmy, and Doc listens patiently. Sully, who has been drinking by himself, laments the loneliness of the job, and is joined by the firefighters, who offer him company and support.

As the night comes to a close, the characters go their separate ways, but not before the audience gets a glimpse of the bond that they share. They may have different backgrounds, personalities, and job descriptions, but they are all united by the common goal of serving their community.

Overall, "After Hours" is a well-crafted episode that showcases the strengths of Third Watch as a show. It combines action and drama with humor and heart, and paints a realistic picture of the challenges faced by the characters. It also avoids some of the cliches and stereotypes that can plague crime dramas, and instead focuses on the human side of the story. Whether you are a fan of police procedurals, medical shows, or character-driven dramas, Third Watch is worth a watch.