Episode 18 of 9-1-1 Season 8 wasn’t just another heart-pounding rescue mission—it marked a defining moment in the series. Why? Because Howard “Chimney” Han finally got the spotlight he truly deserves, stepping up as captain when it mattered most.
There are two central emotional conflicts at the heart of this episode: Athena’s inability to forgive Chimney for living in Bobby’s place, and the 118’s loss of its found family unit. Eddie prepares to leave for Texas, while Buck reveals that with Eddie and Bobby gone, he has put in for a transfer from the 118. Buck loves to fix things that are broken, which was quite literally the subject of his Season 6 coma dream, so it threw me off a little to see him so prepared to jump ship. That said, this is clearly Buck’s way of both respecting Eddie’s decision and trying to move forward in his grief over Bobby’s death (and I just knew that something would prevent that transfer by the end of the episode). It felt odd to me that we didn’t get to see Eddie debrief this with Buck or try to talk him out of it, but this is just one of many deeper conversations that were sidelined in this episode.
The main goal of the Season 8 finale is setting up Chimney as Captain, which it does very well. I am very relieved that 9-1-1 isn’t bringing in an outside person to become Captain of the 118, but it also feels right for Chimney, if Hen (Aisha Hinds) couldn’t be the one to take Bobby’s place. I actually really liked how 9-1-1 solved both of its central emotional conflicts this episode. Chimney saves Graham, which gives Athena a new perspective on Bobby’s sacrifice. In a touching and emotional scene, Athena tells Chimney that Bobby always knew that Chimney was an excellent paramedic and leader, and that he’d be really proud of him. It ends with a beautiful hug between the two of them, and it is exactly what Chimney needs to hear to be able to step up as Captain.
And step up he does. In the following scene, after Gerrard gives a farewell speech before returning to Hotshots, Chimney takes initiative. He makes everyone (except for Gerrard, thankfully) stay at the firehouse, not just in that moment, but for good. Chimney says that Eddie is not allowed to go back to Texas, and Buck is not allowed to transfer out. Chimney urges everyone to move forward together as the 118, instead of dealing with their grief alone. He ultimately makes peace with Bobby’s sacrifice by understanding that Bobby’s job as the Captain was to protect everyone else and to even die for them (which has me more than a little worried 9-1-1 will make a habit of killing off the 118’s Captains now). In a great line, Chimney says, “We are not going to disrespect him by throwing away what he built right here.” This is the best 9-1-1 could have done with Bobby gone, but it’s still not enough to bring back the old 9-1-1.
In a series known for explosive action and emotional rollercoasters, Chimney’s quiet rise to captain might be one of its most powerful moments. It wasn’t flashy, but it was real. And in storytelling, that’s rare. Kenneth Choi’s Chimney reminded us all of one vital truth: Leadership is earned, not given. And when it’s earned with heart, humility, and heroism—it sticks.
