Ep 2. September Tenth

In Third Watch season 3 episode 2 titled "September Tenth," the action-packed drama series takes viewers into the immediate aftermath of the tragic terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. As expected, the episode is an emotional one with scenes of firefighters, police officers and rescue workers all coming together to search for survivors and clear rubble in the aftermath of the attacks.

The episode begins with the 55th precinct dealing with the aftermath of the attack. The characters, composed mostly of first responders including firefighters and paramedics trapped inside the World Trade Center collapse, are the focus of the show. The episode is a somber and sobering one, as it offers a glimpse of how the 9/11 attacks would have impacted real-life first responders.

As the show opens, the team is still unsure of what has happened. News reports filter in, but it's not until they see the burning towers on TV that the reality of the situation hits. The characters’ responses to the momentous attack are intense, with the show cutting between the chaos taking place in New York City to the attempts by the emergency services team to get to survivors in the rubble.

The show is skillfully edited and does an impressive job of maintaining an air of danger and tension throughout the episode. There is also a personal element to the episode as viewers get to see how the characters are affected by the situation. Some lose family or friends, while others are determined to keep pushing forward even as hope dwindles.

One of the standout moments of the episode is a crushing moment, as paramedic Alex Taylor comes across a family picture amongst the rubble questioning who they are, and what happened to them. Such scenes offer a human face to the tragedy, and go some way into giving viewers a sense of the unimaginable grief that followed such a catastrophic event.

In another scene, firefighter Tommy Gavin, played by Denis Leary, as he toils through the rubble while feeling a sense of desperation that is uniquely his. He's determined to save those he can but feels like he's slowly losing the battle against the odds. Despite his immense pain, he carries out his duties with quiet heroism.

The show successfully creates a sense of unity amongst the characters, despite the dire circumstances they find themselves in. They all put their lives on the line in the hope of saving as many people as possible, and in doing so express the true meaning of bravery and selflessness.

Ultimately, the episode is a powerful and emotional tribute to the sacrifices that rescue workers made in the aftermath of 9/11. It is not a sensationalized version of events, but a respectful and poignant portrayal of the bravery and sacrifice of those who worked tirelessly to make a difference. By highlighting the human side of the tragedy, Third Watch season 3 episode 2 offers an important reminder of the capacity of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Overall, Third Watch season 3 episode 2 is a moving and powerful piece of television. It serves as a fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001, and to all those who put themselves in harm's way in the search for survivors. It is an essential watch for anyone seeking a more in-depth understanding of one of the defining moments of modern history.