It’s been the question on every fan’s mind since Sierra McClain‘s departure was confirmed this summer — how can 9-1-1: Lone Star possibly write out such an integral character in a way that won’t feel completely jarring? (Spoiler alert: It couldn’t.)
The procedural’s fifth and final season premiere on Monday revealed that Grace left home to volunteer with Mercy Ships, a faith-based organization that performs life-saving surgeries all over the world. (Before you Google, yes, it’s a real group.) As Judd explained, Mercy Ships gave a presentation at the Ryders’ church, and Grace was so moved by the plight of forgotten orphans that she decided to hop aboard.
She knew it was inconvenient,” Judd said in his wife’s defense. “She knew that it was terrible timing. But she felt the touch of God. I can still see her face that day. Her eyes were shining with tears. Not just tears — this fire, too, you know? And I never loved her more than I did in that moment.”
Uh, yeah, “terrible timing” would be putting it mildly. Not only do Judd and Grace have a two-year-old daughter at home, one Judd is now left to raise alone, but Wyatt — Judd’s adult son from a previous relationship — was also recently paralyzed in a bicycling accident, making this an extremely busy time for their family overall.
Still, showrunner Rashad Raisani tells TVLine that he stands by Grace’s exit storyline, especially when faced with a less desirable alternative. (Killing Grace off was “quickly dismissed” as it “didn’t feel like it was the right thing to do by her.”) In speaking with Jim Parrack, who portrays Judd, Raisani says, “The only thing we could think of to justifiably pull Grace away from her family and job
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