Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5.Tommy Vega (Gina Torres) is a crucial part of9-1-1: Lone Star, but the synopsis of the penultimate episode jeopardizes her chance at a happy ending. Though Torres was not a part of the9-1-1: Lone Starpilot cast, her arrival in the season 2 premiere breathed new life into the spinoff procedural. Tommy made for a complex character who proved her paramedic prowess in an instantly captivating debut. She’s been present for some of9-1-1: Lone Star’s most intense rescues, which she fearlessly navigates. Since her premiere, however,9-1-1: Lone Starhas also given Tommy many heartbreaking storylines.

Tommy initially joined9-1-1: Lone Starwith her twin daughters and husband, Charles (Derek Webster). They are a happy family until Charles unexpectedly dies of a sudden aneurysm in season 2, episode 13. Tommy finds new love in9-1-1: Lone Starseason 4 with Trevor Parks (D.B. Woodside), but they break up after Trevor’s daughter chooses to move back to Kansas. Just when it felt like she could finally take a breath,Tommy was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5.With only two episodes left to resolve her storyline, Tommy’s future is uncertain.

Tommy Vega looking into the distance in 9-1-1 Lone Star

9-1-1: Lone Star Penultimate Episode Teases Devastating News For Tommy

The Description Is Intentionally Vague

With the series finale in sight, any new information could be a vital clue in piecing together theending fates of9-1-1: Lone Star’s main characters. The procedural has already outright confirmed that the final episodes will center on the impending threat of an asteroid, a dramatic finish that requires the 126 to work together to save not only their people but potentially the world. Aside from9-1-1: Lone Star’s final tragedy, the spinoff has teased upcoming character-centric moments.

Tommy Vega replaced Michelle Blake (Liv Tyler) as the 126’s paramedic captain following Tyler’s departure in the9-1-1: Lone Starseason 1 finale.

Tommy smiling in 9-1-1 Lone Star

In the synopsis for9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5, episode 11, it’s revealed that TK Strand (Ronen Rubinstein) and Carlos Reyes (Rafael Silva) will begin their custody battle, Mateo Chavez (Julian Works) will run into immigration trouble, andTommy will receive “devastating news” about… something(viaShowbiz Junkies). Compared to the other snippets, Tommy’s is so general that it could apply to anything. It’d be easy to assume that this is related to her ongoing battle with breast cancer, but there are many other options that9-1-1: Lone Starcould turn to for a final shocking twist before the finale.

Why 9-1-1: Lone Star’s Update About Tommy Is Likely A Red Herring To Her Cancer Plot

Tommy’s Death Would Be Too Predictable

When Tommy’s breast cancer storyline was introduced in season 5, it rang alarm bells since9-1-1: Lone Star’s cancelationmeant there was very little time to resolve such a serious plot. Consequently, every time Tommy is in a scene, it feels monumental, as if her character is always on the precipice of something drastic. However,it seems impossible for9-1-1: Lone Starto kill Tommy offand have it feel earned or necessary.Life doesn’t have to end for her after the series finale, as she’s a front contender forcharacters to join9-1-1after9-1-1: Lone Starends.

Owen Can’t Fix Judd’s Alcoholism Problem Before The 9-1-1: Lone Star Finale

Judd and Owen may be best friends in 9-1-1: Lone Star, but the former’s struggle with sobriety can’t be simply resolved in two episodes.

In fact,Gina Torres has a secret cameo in9-1-1season 8that proves she’s a favorite of the entire franchise. It simply wouldn’t make sense for9-1-1: Lone Starto let Tommy die. The act would leave too many loose ends, creating questions regarding who would care for her twin daughters after she passes. Judson “Judd” Ryder (Jim Parrack) and Grace (Sierra McClain) are their godparents, but with Judd’s alcoholism resurfacing in season 5 and Grace halfway across the world, they’re no longer a feasible option. Tommy isn’t just wanted post-finale; she’s still needed.

Owen-Can’t-Fix-Judd’s-Alcoholism-Problem-Before-The-9-1-1–Lone-Star-Finale

What Tommy’s Devastating News May Actually Be

The Update Could Involve One Of Her Loved Ones

Tommy has been deeply ingrained in the plot of9-1-1: Lone Starsince her arrival, meaning that her loved ones are many.Anything that harms someone close to Tommy would devastate her all the same, calling into question whether the “devastating news” involves Tommy directly at all. Viewers have hoped the9-1-1: Lone Starfinale would fix Grace’s disappointing exit, but it’s possible Grace won’t return, and she tells her best friend first. Alternatively, something could have happened to Trevor and his daughter back in Kansas, or her own daughters could even be caught in a medical emergency.

…It leaves the door open for Tommy to make a recovery from more of an underdog position.

9-1-1 Lone Star TV Series poster

Granted, the simplest answer could be the right one: Tommy is not responding well to her cancer treatment or, despite her therapy, her cancer may have progressed to stage 3 or beyond. That would allow9-1-1: Lone Starto follow through with a death in the family to close out the show, but it leaves the door open for Tommy to make a recovery from more of an underdog position. Regardless of what the news truly is, Tommy deserves a happy ending, and the9-1-1: Lone Starfinale owes it to her.

9-1-1: Lone Star

Cast

A spin-off series of 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star is an action-drama series created for Fox. The series follows Rob Lowe as Owen Strand, a firefighter from New York City who, after having rebuilt a team in the aftermath of September 11th’s attacks, is brought in to form a new one in Austin, Texas.