Unfortunately, Bobby’s death in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 15 will serve as a temporary cliffhanger. No new episode of 9-1-1 will air Thursday, April 24, and ABC will not be airing a rerun of the first-responder drama during its normal time-slot. During the wait, old episodes of 9-1-1 will be running on various cable channels, but the fallout from Bobby’s untimely demise is still pending. Although 9-1-1 is on a brief hiatus following its first main character death, there will be a major spectacle airing in its place on Thursday night. For the seventh year in a row, ABC will air the 2025 NFL Draft.
When you’ve been counting down the days, waiting to dive back into the adrenaline-pumping chaos of 9-1-1, there’s nothing worse than turning on your TV and… crickets. No new episode. No Buck. No Athena. Just disappointment. But don’t panic. There’s actually a reason behind the radio silence. Let’s break it down in plain, drama-free English.
The 3-day event begins on Thursday at 8 ET, continuing at 7 ET on Friday and closing out on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET. The draft will be broadcast live from Green Bay, Wisconsin. Each year, the National Football League (NFL) hosts the event to draft prospective new stars from a pool of eligible college football players. The paramount Round 1 will take place during 9-1-1’s usual time-slot, with Rounds 2-3 held on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.
When Will 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 16 Release?
The Wait Won’t Be Long. Luckily, the procedural is only on a one-week hiatus, meaning 9-1-1 season 8 will return on Thursday, May 1. 9-1-1 season 8, episode 16, “The Last Alarm,” will air during the ABC drama’s usual primetime slot, running from 8-9 ET. The procedural will be returning alongside other ABC hits that took a brief hiatus due to the draft, like first-year medical soap Doctor Odyssey.
Since the wait will undoubtedly feel longer than it is, episodes of 9-1-1 can be streamed on Hulu in the meantime. Starting on May 1, 9-1-1 season 8 will continue, uninterrupted, until the season finale. Like most of its full-length seasons, 9-1-1 season 8 will air 18 episodes total. “The Last Alarm” will be followed by “Don’t Drink the Water,” but 9-1-1 season 8, episode 18 has not yet released its title. After the remaining three episodes, 9-1-1 will join titles like High Potential and Abbott Elementary on the traditional summer break that network television programs annually take. Thankfully, 9-1-1 season 9 has already been renewed and will air in fall 2025.
What To Expect From 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 16
“Lab Rats” Left An Obvious Next Step. The first-responder procedural has already given away the major event in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 16, but it will be a somber affair. Bobby’s death in 9-1-1 will be the focus of the episode, specifically spotlighting his funeral. Bobby’s wife, Athena Grant (Angela Bassett), will grieve the love of her life after watching him die, and one of his closest friends, Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi), will have to grapple with knowing that Bobby sacrificed himself to save Chimney’s life. Bobby’s funeral will bring the 118 together, including the bittersweet if not temporary return of Eddie Diaz (Ryan Guzman).
While 9-1-1 left clues that Bobby may still be alive, “The Last Alarm” will quickly dispel conjecture and clarify the fire captain’s fate one way or another. Since Bobby’s death occurred with three episodes remaining, the aftermath of losing Captain Nash will be a central conflict that may not be resolved by the 9-1-1 season 8 finale. However, there are many questions that need an immediate answer, chief among them being who will lead LAFD station 118 as the captain (interim or otherwise). Whether 9-1-1 introduces a brand-new character for the position or promotes a familiar face, Bobby is irreplaceable.
