Athena Grant, played by Angela Bassett, has been the heart and soul of the police storyline on ABC’s 9-1-1 for eight seasons. As a Field Sergeant for the Los Angeles Police Department, Athena is one of the most independent and strong-willed characters on the show.
From the very beginning, we have seen her fearlessly tackle cases, save lives, and serve the citizens of Los Angeles with dedication and skill. She’s been a loving wife to Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), and her close friendship with Hen Wilson (Aisha Hinds) shows how much she cares for the people in her life.
However, Athena is not someone who relies on others when it comes to police work. She has always preferred to work alone, and over the years, she has gotten used to solving cases solo.
But as we go deeper into Season 8, it’s becoming clear that Athena — and 9-1-1 — could benefit from shaking things up a bit. Adding a partner for Athena could open up new opportunities for both her character and the series as a whole.
Athena Grant’s Independent Nature
Since 9-1-1 premiered, Athena has shown us that she’s a one-woman force to be reckoned with. Her career in law enforcement has spanned decades, and she’s a veteran who has seen it all. Athena’s instincts are sharp, and her knowledge of the streets gives her an edge over even the most experienced criminals.
She’s tough, smart, and always in control of any situation. That control has defined Athena’s character, especially when it comes to her role as a police officer.
Athena’s strong will and confidence mean that she rarely looks to others for help. She trusts her own abilities and has consistently proven that she can handle anything thrown her way. Whether she’s managing intense crime scenes, taking down dangerous criminals, or supporting her family, Athena does it all with poise and authority.
Over time, her approach has led her to work solo, relying only on herself to solve cases. While other officers come and go in the LAPD, Athena has remained a constant, operating at her own high level of professionalism.
Early in her career, Athena had a partner, but it’s been many years since she shared her squad car with anyone else. This is largely because most officers don’t live up to Athena’s strict expectations. She demands excellence in everything she does, and she’s not afraid to call out others when they fall short.
Still from 9-1-1 (Credit: ABC)
Athena’s independent nature has become a defining characteristic, and it has been a key part of her storyline. Fans have come to expect that Athena will handle every case on her own, using her instincts and experience to bring justice to Los Angeles.
However, this self-reliance can also make Athena seem isolated. While her independence is a strength, it can also prevent her from growing as a character.
Over eight seasons, we’ve seen Athena solve case after case without any significant changes to her work style. While this has been exciting to watch, there is a growing sense that Athena might be ready for something new. And that “something” could come in the form of a new partner.
The Need for a Partner
After years of working alone, the idea of giving Athena a partner could bring fresh energy to 9-1-1. A new character who works alongside Athena would not only add a new dynamic to the show, but it would also challenge Athena in ways we haven’t seen before.
Although Athena has mastered the art of solo crime-solving, working with a partner could push her to show different aspects of her personality and skill set. Athena is always in control, but adding a partner could force her to loosen up and adapt to new ways of solving problems.
One of the key reasons why Athena could benefit from a partner is that it would allow her character to grow. We know Athena as the capable, no-nonsense cop who doesn’t need anyone’s help. But if she were to have a partner, she might have to step outside of her comfort zone.
Working with someone else could show Athena that collaboration can be just as effective as working alone. It could also give her the opportunity to mentor a younger officer, passing on her wisdom and experience while learning to embrace the benefits of teamwork.
The idea of Athena taking on a mentoring role was teased in Season 8, when she worked with a younger officer named Gem (Carter Young). In these scenes, we saw Athena guide Gem through a high-pressure situation, helping her land a pilot-less plane safely.
This moment highlighted Athena’s ability to teach and support others, even though she usually prefers to work alone. It was a view into what could happen if Athena had a more permanent partner: someone she could mentor, challenge, and learn from over time.
A younger partner would be the perfect fit for Athena. Throughout the series, we’ve seen her juggle her professional and personal responsibilities, including raising her children, May (Corinne Massiah) and Harry (Elijah M. Cooper).
Now that her kids are older and more independent, Athena may be subconsciously searching for someone else to guide and protect.
A young, fresh-faced officer could bring out Athena’s nurturing side, as well as her tough love approach. Fans of the show have always loved seeing Athena in “mama bear” mode, and giving her a rookie partner would let that side of her shine in a professional setting.
How a New Partner Could Change 9-1-1
Introducing a new police officer to work with Athena wouldn’t just benefit her character—it would also provide a fresh direction for 9-1-1 as a whole. For much of the series, the police storylines have focused solely on Athena, while the fire department storylines have centered around the members of the 118 Firehouse.
While Athena’s cases are always compelling, adding another police character could offer new, more varied storylines that go beyond Athena working alone.
Over the years, 9-1-1 has become known for its high-stakes emergency situations, often featuring the firefighters and paramedics from the 118. While these scenes are exciting, they tend to overshadow the police-related plots.
By giving Athena a partner, the show could dedicate more time to police investigations and create a balance between the fire and police storylines.
This would also allow for more in-depth police cases, as the dynamic between Athena and her partner could add complexity to the investigations.
Moreover, a new partner for Athena would open the door for character growth on both sides. Athena’s tough, no-nonsense attitude would contrast with the energy of a younger, less experienced officer.
This dynamic could create tension, humor, and emotional depth, as Athena learns to adjust her solo approach and her partner strives to meet her high expectations.
The mentor-mentee relationship would give the show an exciting new angle to show, especially if Athena’s partner is someone who challenges her in unexpected ways.
From a casting perspective, bringing in a younger officer to work with Athena would inject new life into 9-1-1. The show has introduced new characters occasionally, like Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.), but the core cast has remained mostly unchanged for several seasons.
A fresh face would add a new spark to the series, particularly if they were paired with Athena. Angela Bassett has been phenomenal in her role, and watching her interact with a new co-star could create some great on-screen moments.
Finally, Athena’s new partner wouldn’t just be good for 9-1-1—it would also be good for Athena. Over the course of eight seasons, we’ve seen her handle almost everything life throws her way, from dangerous criminals to personal family crises.
But giving Athena a partner could allow her to show different sides of herself. She might have to rely on someone else for a change, opening the door for vulnerability and growth. It would be fascinating to see Athena work through the challenges of trusting someone new while continuing to be the fierce, capable cop we all know and love.
A Fresh Start for Athena
While Athena has been a lone wolf on 9-1-1 for many years, Season 8 could be the perfect time to introduce a partner for her. A younger officer would not only give Athena the chance to mentor and guide someone, but it would also force her to adapt and grow in new ways.
Still from 9-1-1 (Credit: ABC)
A new partner would bring out different aspects of Athena’s character, allowing her to show more of her nurturing side while still being the tough, determined cop she’s always been.
Moreover, adding a partner would open up exciting new storylines for 9-1-1. The series could show police cases in greater depth, with Athena and her partner working together to solve crimes. This would provide a balance to the fire department’s emergencies, giving viewers a more well-rounded look at the city’s first responders.
In the end, Athena is one of the best cops on television, and giving her a partner would only enhance her character and the show.
Whether she’s mentoring a young officer or learning to collaborate with someone new, Athena’s journey with a partner would be thrilling to watch. And who wouldn’t want to see more scenes featuring her signature sassy attitude as she takes a rookie under her wing?
New episodes of 9-1-1 air on ABC every Thursday night, and they’re available to stream the next day on Hulu.
90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days fans have witnessed numerous couples struggling to maintain their relationships while showing different cultures and expectations.
Tigerlily Taylor and Adnan Abdelfattah are the latest couple on the show to face similar challenges. Only a week into their marriage, Tigerlily and Adnan’s relationship is already becoming strained, and much of this was predictable from the very start.
Their story reflects a pattern that is all too familiar to fans of the 90 Day Fiancé franchise. Many couples on the show, particularly when one partner comes from a Muslim background, face issues related to cultural differences.
Some of the most memorable storylines in the franchise’s history have involved American women who struggle to adjust to their Muslim partner’s expectations and the way those expectations conflict with their own values and lifestyles.
Tigerlily and Adnan’s situation is a clear example of this. From the moment they were introduced, it was easy to see that their relationship would follow a path similar to other couples from the franchise, such as Nicole and Mahmoud El Sherbiny.
Although Tigerlily may have been hopeful about her relationship, it was clear that things would not be as simple as she imagined.
Tigerlily’s Background and Why Her Relationship with Adnan Was Doomed From the Start
When Tigerlily first appeared on the show, she introduced herself as a successful entrepreneur who had previously been in a controlling marriage. She explained that, despite living a life of luxury in her past relationship, she had felt trapped.
She described her former marriage as being like a “golden birdcage,” where, despite having material wealth, she lacked the freedom and happiness she desired.
This piece of information was crucial in understanding why Tigerlily would struggle in her new relationship with Adnan.
As a long-time viewer of 90 Day Fiancé, I knew that Tigerlily’s past would heavily influence her feelings about her marriage to Adnan.
From the beginning, it was clear that Tigerlily valued independence and equality in a relationship, and those values were unlikely to align with Adnan’s expectations.
Tigerlily’s desire for an equal partnership made her optimistic, but for those familiar with the cultural dynamics at play, it was easy to see that her high expectations would likely lead to disappointment.
Adnan, like other Muslim men featured on 90 Day Fiancé, comes from a cultural background that is often viewed by Western women as being strict and controlling, especially in terms of gender roles and expectations.
Still from 90 Day Fiancé (Credit: TLC)
In past seasons of the show, several women have struggled with the fact that their Muslim partners expected them to follow rules that seemed outdated or oppressive to them.
For Tigerlily, who had already experienced a controlling relationship, the adjustment to Adnan’s cultural expectations was bound to be difficult.
Early Signs of Trouble in Tigerlily and Adnan’s Relationship
As predicted, trouble began to surface in Tigerlily and Adnan’s relationship almost immediately after they got married. Although their first day together seemed to go well, it didn’t take long for their dynamic to change.
Once they were officially married, Adnan began enforcing strict rules about what Tigerlily could and couldn’t do, especially when it came to interacting with other men. He didn’t want her to talk to or be alone with other men, and this control quickly became a point of contention.
One particularly notable incident occurred when Adnan became upset about Tigerlily’s interaction with a male hairstylist.
Adnan even put a timer on their appointment and kicked the hairstylist out when the time was up. This kind of behavior frustrated Tigerlily, who had hoped for more freedom and equality in her marriage.
What made the situation even more frustrating for her was that Adnan was acting hypocritically. While he was demanding that Tigerlily follow strict rules, he didn’t seem to follow them himself.
Adnan was comfortable walking around without a shirt and talking to other women, which left Tigerlily feeling confused and angry about the double standards in their relationship.
The Importance of Cultural Differences in 90 Day Fiancé Relationships
The issues that Tigerlily and Adnan are facing are not unique to their relationship. Many couples on 90 Day Fiancé have struggled with the same kinds of cultural clashes. This is particularly true for couples where one partner is Muslim, and the other is not.
For example, Nicole and Mahmoud El Sherbiny, who appeared on 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way, faced years of challenges in their marriage because of their cultural differences.
Nicole, who is American, struggled to adapt to Mahmoud’s expectations about how a wife should behave in a Muslim household.
Nicole tried to follow Mahmoud’s rules, even going so far as to adopt certain aspects of Muslim culture to make their relationship work.
Despite her efforts, the cultural differences between them eventually became too much to handle. After five years of marriage, Nicole and Mahmoud realized that their relationship might not be sustainable in the long term.
A similar situation occurred with Nicole Nafziger and Azan Tefou. Nicole also dated a Muslim man, and like Tigerlily, she found it difficult to understand and follow all the rules that came with her partner’s culture. However, Nicole Nafziger was more open-minded than Tigerlily in some ways.
She was willing to try to make the relationship work, even if it meant adjusting to a different set of cultural norms.
Despite her efforts, the relationship between Nicole and Azan eventually ended, proving once again that interfaith and intercultural relationships often require immense patience and compromise.
Tigerlily’s Reaction to Adnan’s Double Standards
What sets Tigerlily apart from some of the other women who have appeared on 90 Day Fiancé is the speed at which she began to push back against Adnan’s double standards.
It’s common for couples in these types of relationships to struggle for years before realizing that their differences might be too great to overcome. However, Tigerlily began voicing her frustrations just a day after marrying Adnan.
Tigerlily’s response to Adnan’s behavior was swift and assertive. When she noticed that Adnan was walking around without a shirt while demanding that she follow strict rules, she didn’t hesitate to call him out on his hypocrisy.
In fact, she took things a step further by employing some petty tactics of her own. If Adnan could be shirtless, she reasoned, then so could she. This was a bold move on Tigerlily’s part and showed that she wasn’t going to allow Adnan’s double standards to go unchecked.
Tigerlily’s willingness to stand up for herself is admirable, and it’s refreshing to see a woman on 90 Day Fiancé assert her boundaries so early in a relationship. However, her decision to push back against Adnan so quickly also raises concerns about the future of their marriage.
If Tigerlily is already feeling frustrated and disillusioned after just a few days of marriage, it’s difficult to imagine how their relationship will fare in the long run.
Why Tigerlily and Adnan’s Relationship May Not Last
The speed at which Tigerlily and Adnan’s relationship is revealing is surprising, even by 90 Day Fiancé standards. It’s common for couples in the franchise to face challenges, but it usually takes them years to reach the point where they question whether their relationship can survive.
In Tigerlily and Adnan’s case, it seems like the cracks are already beginning to show, even though they’ve only been married for a week.
One of the biggest issues in their relationship is the clear mismatch in their expectations. Tigerlily entered the marriage hoping for equality, independence, and mutual respect. She wanted a partnership where she and Adnan would be on equal footing.
However, Adnan’s behavior suggests that he has very different ideas about what a marriage should look like. He seems to expect Tigerlily to follow certain rules and adhere to traditional gender roles, while he reserves the right to act more freely.
This fundamental difference in their expectations is unlikely to change, and it’s difficult to see how Tigerlily and Adnan will be able to reconcile their opposing views.
If Tigerlily continues to feel stifled by Adnan’s rules and frustrated by his double standards, the tension between them will only grow. On the other hand, if Adnan refuses to change his behavior and continues to enforce his rules, Tigerlily may feel even more trapped in the marriage.
What the Future Holds for Tigerlily and Adnan
At this point, it’s hard to say how long Tigerlily and Adnan’s marriage will last. While they may try to work through their differences, the early signs are not promising.
Still from 90 Day Fiancé (Credit: TLC)
If Tigerlily is already struggling with Adnan’s double standards and strict rules after just a few days of marriage, it’s unlikely that things will improve without significant effort from both sides.
One thing is clear: Tigerlily is not the type of woman to sit back and accept unfair treatment. She has already shown that she is willing to stand up for herself and push back against Adnan’s behavior. Whether this will lead to a stronger, more balanced relationship or an eventual breakup remains to be seen.
For fans of 90 Day Fiancé, Tigerlily and Adnan’s journey will continue to unfold on future episodes of Before the 90 Days. As they show the ups and downs of their marriage, viewers will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how their story plays out.
