‘Station 19’ has a blazing start as a second spinoff

Each episode of this series is a wild ride

Megan Behnke, Staff Writer

ABC’s long-running medical drama, “Grey’s Anatomy,” has already had one successful spin-off, “Private Practice,” which ran from 2007-2013.

Its second spin-off, “Station 19,” premiered late last month and it’s already on its way to becoming almost as successful as its predecessor.

Following Ben Warren (Jason George), as he switches from surgical resident at Grey Sloan Memorial to Seattle firefighter at Station 19, it’s all about the action and the highs and lows of working as a firefighter. It’s basically like Grey’s but with fire.

However, its lead actress, Jaina Lee Ortiz, who plays Andy Herrera, the daughter of the station’s captain, proves that girls can not only be as tough as guys, but even more than them. Her father falls sick and she finds herself competing for the open spot of captain against a co-worker, which proves to be difficult.

Created by Stacy McKee, who works on Grey’s, this show may be a spin-off but it’s completely different from the medical procedural. Although there are sometimes “crossovers” between the shows, seeing appearances from Ellen Pompeo and Chandra Wilson who play Meredith Grey and Miranda Bailey, respectively, “Station 19” tries to be its own series.

Each episode takes you on this wild ride of firefighters. Whether it’d be a blue fire caused by chemicals in the middle of the night or saving a pedestrian who got her leg trapped in a pothole.

There are many shows on television these days depicting life as a firefighter or doctor or police officer. But no matter what, they are all different because of what the plots are or what exactly the show is about.

“Station 19” is another show that has an incredible cast and an even more incredible leading lady. Each episode is always completely different from the previous one. It’s never the same. This series shows that no matter what profession, no matter what gender, no matter what race, anyone can do anything.

If you have a chance, watch it. You don’t have to have seen “Grey’s Anatomy” in order to understand and enjoy this show. It’s a show all on its own. The characters are different, the plots are different. It’s a show an entire family can love and relate to. It has yet to be renewed for a second season, but it would be very surprising if this series didn’t come back for the 2018-19 TV season.

Station 19 currently airs on Thursday nights at 8 p.m., following “Grey’s Anatomy,” on ABC.