'9-1-1' Season 7 Finale Delivers a Major Blow to Bobby and the 118
Peter Krause as Bobby on '9-1-1'
Following an explosive penultimate episode, 9-1-1 Season 7 has finally clocked out of its shift. Heading into next season, the ABC firefighter drama aims to shake up the dynamic of the 118, with a major upset that left viewers eager to see what Season 8 has in store.
The season finale closed out a series of important storylines for the team: Karen (Tracie Thoms) and Hen (Aisha Hinds) see a temporary reprieve with Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Chimney (Kenneth Choi) stepping up as emergency foster parents for Mara (Askyler Bell); after the fallout with Shannon's doppelg?nger Kim (Devin Kelley), Christopher (Gavin McHugh) opts to live with Eddie's (Ryan Guzman) parents; finally, Bobby (Peter Krause) makes a full recovery following the fire that engulfed his and Athena's (Angela Bassett) home.
But that's not all.
Related: ‘9-1-1’ Renewed for Season 8 on ABC: What We Know So Far
If audiences recall, last week's episode saw Bobby impulsively quit his post of captain of the 118 after coming face-to-face with travel nurse Amir (newcomer Malcolm-Jamal Warner, now a series regular), who survived the devastating Minnesota apartment fire Bobby accidentally started years ago. Bobby felt undeserving of the award for heroism he was presented with and his latent survivor's guilt coupled with his shame led him to run away from confronting his fears. Before he and Athena could finish their conversation about the decision, their house caught on fire and Bobby succumbed to smoke inhalation after rescuing his wife.
With Bobby's life on the line, "All Fall Down" sees Athena take matters into her own hands; filled with righteous anger, she confronts Amir in his home at gunpoint, demanding to know if he is the one who committed arson, given his blaming of Bobby for the loss of his wife. He denies any wrongdoing, appealing to Athena's past experience with grief, and she sees that he is not guilty. Before the discussion can conclude, Amir is kidnapped by the cartel, the leader of which aims to exact revenge for his involvement in the death of a relative.
Athena follows the cartel members to a warehouse, where it becomes clear they were behind her home fire. With the element of surprise on her side, she manages to free Amir and get the two of them to safety.
Who is the captain of the 118?
With this chapter behind him, Bobby returns to the 118 with a renewed sense of purpose, belonging and vigor. Eager to do good work after his near fatal experience and mental battle with inadequacy, he is shocked to discover that he cannot just step back into his role, which has now been taken over by the infamous Gerrard (Brian Thompson).
A former captain of the 118, Vincent Gerrard oversaw the rise of Chim and Hen, as well as Buck's (Oliver Stark) boyfriend Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.), who remarked in this week's episode that he was a terrible authority figure. Having first made an appearance in Season 2, Gerrard was eventually removed from the Los Angeles Fire Department as captain following multiple complaints of bigoted and uncouth behavior from Chim and Hen. His last appearance on the series prior to "Ashes, Ashes" was Season 4.
With a summer hiatus and a full-season order to commence in the fall, watchers will have to wait with bated breath to see how the 118 members will cope with this less-than-ideal hierarchy.
