9-1-1 is most definitely a very character-driven procedural, allowing viewers to truly get to grips with these admirable firefighters. Every character on this show has an extraordinary backstory, which helps to create a very interesting bridge between their personal and professional lives. One of the show’s most intriguing characters is Hen Willson, one of the most prominent firefighters/paramedics at Station 118.
Hen strives to complete every case with a sense of grace and professionalism, but her personal life certainly leaves a lot to be desired. As such, due to her dual nature, she is often wrapped up in some of the show’s most intense storylines. But why is Hen so unique, and why is she linked to 9-1-1’s most dramatic moments?
Who Is Hen Willson?
Hen Wilson is one of the leading crew members in Station 118, so she’s always front and center when the action occurs. Since she works as both a firefighter and a paramedic, she is often forced to work on a variety of drastic cases. However, it’s clear that Hen doesn’t let these moments drag her down, and she continues to perform her best work time and time again. As such, Hen is one of 9-1-1’s most memorable characters and helps to move crucial plot points along at a desirable pace.
But, as soon as Hen comes home, her problems start up again. Though she’s in a committed relationship with her wife Karen, her past often comes back to bite her. More specifically, her ex, Eva, enjoys stirring up trouble, and although Hen knows this, she can’t convince herself to stay away. Plus, as foster parents, both Hen and Karen are forced to deal with troublesome and traumatized children, which can sometimes create a rift between them.
All of these flaws aside, Hen is still regarded as a monumental part of the team and has managed to build an array of wholesome and amicable relationships with her peers. These relationships also help her to overcome her personal difficulties so that she can continue to be her best self at work. Overall, Hen is probably the show’s most three-dimensional character and fans definitely get a kick from seeing what happens behind closed doors.
Hen Is Involved in a Selection of Gripping Plot Points
Because of Hen’s esteemed status on the show, it’s no surprise that she’s involved in a collection of engrossing stories. As such, many of these storylines involve her personal life, which works tirelessly to develop her arc even further. For example, Season 2 focuses on her relationship with her adoptive son Denny. Though Eva is now living life as a Queer woman, she had Denny when she was with a man called Nathaniel. Hen had no choice but to raise Denny as her own after Eva went off the rails and his father was nowhere to be found. But, after Eva convinces Hen to sleep with her again, she alerts CPS about their affair. Thus, Hen’s custody of Denny hangs in the balance as she strives to restore her marriage and family life. Though this storyline may not be as tense as fighting roaring fires, it highlights how 9-1-1 can effectively explore more personal dramas. Plus, the fact that two women are involved in this complex web indicates the show’s mission to bring diversity to the forefront of its purpose.
In Season 2, Episode 6, “Dosed,” fans discover why Hen got into this particular line of work. When she was 16, she got shot and paramedics quickly saved her life. Thus, she decided to follow in their footsteps and save the lives of others in danger. This small glimpse into Hen’s past gives all of her storylines an added sense of edge. Viewers now realize why she’s so passionate about her job and why she’s not able to give up on a victim so easily. Thus, even in retrospect, the show is determined to highlight more about Hen’s character and how her past relates to her current issues.
Hen’s Relationships With Others Highlight the Difference Between Family and Friends
Since Hen’s personal and professional lives are so intertwined, it can sometimes be hard for her to treat her family with the same respect that she uses with her co-workers. This is especially evident in Season 1, Episode 5, “Point of Origin,” when Eva asks Hen to help her get parole. Karen quickly steps in and reminds Hen that this ruin their marriage or their son. Hen’s complicated relationship with Eva is a reminder of her constant loyalty, which is a great trait to have at work. But, at home, Hen struggles to let go of her ex and focus on growing her own family alongside a more stable partner.
Hen’s family drama is only exacerbated when she and her wife begin fostering. In Season 3, Episode 11, “Seize the Day,” viewers are introduced to their latest foster daughter, Nia. Though Nia is adorable and enjoys a happy life with Hen and Karen, the pair have to give her back to her birth family in Season 4. Nia’s departure highlights that Hen finds it so hard to let things go, especially if she’s built a particularly loving attachment to something. This storyline explores Hen’s fierce loyalty and how it can often destroy her relationships rather than strengthen them.
Despite the setbacks seen throughout her personal life, Hen expertly creates a sense of camaraderie with the rest of the crew at Station 118. Her relationship with Chimney is especially special and is often a key part of why fans fell in love with the show in the first place. For example, in Season 2, Episode 9, “Hen Begins,” the pair bond over their shared experience of discrimination. This storyline is very moving as it proves that even though both Hen and Chimney are incredibly sweet and kind, there are still some people who choose to treat them as outsiders. Plus, these experiences also highlight the obstacles that Hen must overcome as a Queer black woman in such a strict role.
In Season 5, Episode 2, “Desperate Times,” Chimney opens up to Hen about his partner’s postpartum issues, leading the pair to have a very tender heart-to-heart chat. The fact that Chimney feels comfortable enough to reveal such issues to his co-worker shows that Hen is a trustworthy peer. It also shows that Hen enjoys extending her relationship with Chimney outside of work, helping to create a lifelong bond between the two.
Hen Wilson is one of 9-1-1’s best characters and often acts as a prime vehicle for pulling detailed plot lines forward. Though it could be argued that she sometimes lets her family down, fans must remember that she works an incredibly stressful job and hardly ever brings that tension home with her. Not to mention, as a Black Queer woman, Hen is often regarded as a great example of modern diversity, especially when it comes to procedurals, which are often led by straight white men. Thus, although Hen is often entangled in a wealth of action-packed plot lines, she still manages to retain a strong sense of self, making her a fan-favorite character.
