As the highly anticipated eighth season of 9-1-1 gets underway, fans are dying to know what happens next to their favorite characters.
This season, Bobby Nash reached some significant crossroads that could alter the course of his future with the 118. Following yet another harrowing near-death experience, Bobby has a serious turn in life and work. By the time the new season gets going, Bobby has landed a job as an advisor on a firefighter TV show called Hotshots, but it’s clear from the start this isn’t really what he envisioned for himself.
As an emergency services operator, Abby Clark had an enormous role in the hit series 9-1-1. So, why did she decide to leave such a momentous position?
“Bobby’s just completely over it. He’s not lured in by Hollywood or any of that stuff,” Minear said.
Minear further elaborates that the way for Bobby to return to the 118 is not quite clear. With Gerrard already holding down the captain spot, and there quite literally being no other open firehouse, Bobby has an uphill climb if he wishes his old job back. As Minear puts it, “Bobby just wants his job back. But, as you know, [Gerrard] has already been put in his place, and there’s no other empty fire station for him to captain.”
The 118 Suffers Without Bobby
Bobby’s absence left a gaping hole in the 118. Not only was Bobby the head of the team, but a mentor and father figure, most especially to Buck. Minear says Buck in particular takes it hard having Gerrard at the helm of his team. Whereas Eddie, Hen, and Chimney have had some level of experience with different captains, Buck has never experienced any other captain than Bobby. Buck feels this loss deeply, as Johnson had become his surrogate father figure.
Now in charge of the firehouse, Gerrard institutes more rigid rules and makes working much more difficult. Minear describes Gerrard as “awful,” but he does concede that he brings one more element of interest to the series. The dramatic tension between Gerrard’s command and the team getting used to him will be fascinating to watch.
Maddie Buckley and Howard “Chimney” Han are two of 9-1-1’s best characters, and their romance has yielded several iconic moments.
The new season also delves deep into personal time in the lives of the members of 118. Eddie struggles to cope with the absence of his son; Hen and Karen battle for custody of their daughter Mara, while Maddie and Chimney navigate life with their new baby; Athena and Bobby seek a new home. After having become a firefighter, Bobby married Marcy Nash, and they had two children, Robert Nash Jr. and Brook Nash. He and his family were quite content for years as long as Bobby injured his back while on duty and, as such, due to the remaining pain, had to fall into relying on pain medications, alcohol, and drugs. Meanwhile, Buck is still at odds with Gerrard over some leadership issues. It seems the team hasn’t fully gotten over Bobby’s exit.
As 9-1-1 Season 8 returns this Thursday, September 26, on ABC, these personal and career setbacks should be interesting to see. You can stream previous seasons now on Hulu as you prep for this drama-filled new season.
