LAFD Station 118 has been the heart of 9-1-1 since its 2018 premiere, but the death of Bobby Nash leaves a vacant captain position that one familiar firefighter could soon fill. Peter Krause’s unexpected departure from 9-1-1 leaves the intrepid ensemble cast— Henrietta “Hen” Wilson (Aisha Hinds), Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi), Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark), Eddie Diaz (Ryan Guzman), and Ravi Panikkar (Anirudh Pisharody)— suddenly bereft of their beloved fire captain. While Bobby’s death in 9-1-1 season 8 was divisive on its own, the debate surrounding who should be the next captain is fiercely volatile.
Let’s be real—Captain Bobby Nash has been the rock of 9-1-1 since day one. His calm demeanor, relentless leadership, and heart-wrenching backstory have made him the soul of Station 118. But now, with Season 8 shaking things up in a big way, we’re facing a big question: Who’s going to fill Bobby’s boots if he steps down?
While Bobby’s premature death has already begun to take its narrative toll in the form of Chimney’s unhealthy coping mechanisms and Athena’s (Angela Bassett) conspiracy theory investigation, Captain Nash’s passing could have dire consequences for the long-running procedural. Many are jumping the gun and predicting 9-1-1 season 9 to be its final year simply because of how irreplaceable Bobby is as the 118’s captain, which leaves the first-responder drama between a rock and a hard place. Whoever takes up the mantle as the series’ next fire captain will have impossible shoes to fill, but the options are limited.
Why Hen Replacing Bobby In 9-1-1 Isn’t Going To Work (Despite Her Being The Obvious Choice)
Being Captain Was Never Her End Goal. Admittedly, there’s one character in 9-1-1 season 8 who seems to be the obvious choice for an internal promotion: Hen. Bobby previously trusted Hen to be acting captain in his stead, and she even oversaw the 118 after Vincent Gerrard (Brian Thompson) was incapacitated in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 1. Yet, between Hen’s past characterization and current circumstances, she simply wouldn’t be the right fit as the 118’s permanent captain. Frankly, the promotion may even come across as unearned, since Hen’s presence in 9-1-1 season 8 has been scarce up until the Contagion saga.
season, it’s difficult to ignore how she previously planned to leave the LAFD entirely. From the 9-1-1 season 3 finale to season 6, episode 6, Hen had an ongoing storyline following her goal of becoming a doctor. After years in med school, Hen abruptly abandoned her aspirations and decided to stay a firefighter-paramedic, but the storyline has always felt unresolved. Locking Hen in a permanent position of authority in the LAFD would kill any chance of closure, constricting her character’s future development.
Chimney Is The Best Replacement For Bobby As 118’s Captain. Behind His Comedy, He’s Highly Qualified. Another contender for the captaincy that’s hiding in plain sight is Chimney, a firefighter-paramedic who has dedicated twenty years of his life to the LAFD. Though it’s easy to forget due to being a comic relief, Chimney was the first 9-1-1 character to join the 118 in 2005, five years before Hen. Just like the rest of the crew under Gerrard’s first regime, Chimney worked against unjust adversity and paid his dues without complaint. Throughout 9-1-1, Chimney has been cool under pressure, fearless in the face of danger, and dedicated to public service— all traits that make him a prime candidate. After the storm passes, the LAFD will need a healthy dose of optimism.
A silver lining to Bobby’s death in 9-1-1 season 8 could be Chimney finally gaining recognition for his impressive skill set that’s been appreciated but not properly acknowledged thus far. Chimney has all the traits necessary to be a great leader, but he also possesses one important characteristic that the team needs now more than ever: an air of levity. Everyone in 9-1-1— Chimney included— is struggling with Bobby’s death, but after the storm passes, the LAFD will need a healthy dose of optimism. The personality that previously made Chimney a joker could now make him a respected captain.
