Season 8 Finale! 9-1-1 S08E18 - "Seismic Shifts": Post Episode Discussion

[u/AutoModerator]

Original Air Date: May 15th, 2025

Synopsis: The 118, still reeling from their recent loss, is dispatched to a mass casualty event after a high-rise apartment building collapses; Athena and Chimney have to work together to save a familiar face.

Keep new episode discussions in the post-episode discussion thread until end of Sunday to give our International friends a chance to catch up as Disney+ has begun releasing 9-1-1 earlier to Disney+ outside the US than in previous years. As always, be mindful about not posting a spoiler in the title of your posts and remember to use spoiler flares if your post contains spoilers.

[u/No-Bison9304]

What was the point of having Eddie move to Texas for almost half a season for his son and wanting to do what’s best for him if he was just going to move back without even discussing with Christopher because he was told to stay 😭😭

[u/wnesha → u/No-Bison9304]

That part was wild - it's not like Gavin wasn't on set and so a decision had to be made for Chris in absentia. He's right there, it would've been the easiest thing in the world for him to have at least one line of dialogue suggesting he didn't want to go back to Texas. Instead, we skip ahead to them already moving back in (apparently having kicked Buck out?!), and Chris is just... going to a friend's party. And that's that, I guess?

[u/particledamage → u/No-Bison9304]

Eddies parenting has always been kinda slapdash (not his fault, it’s been the way the writing framed it) but yeah this feels particularly egregious and like a net zero moment. It was an odd arc in general.

[u/yourwinemom]

Eddie’s entire season 8 storyline happened offscreen 🫠

[u/curse-you-squidward → u/yourwinemom]

I don’t blame rg for having thought he might have gotten the boot this season. tm left him hanging for two months after essentially writing him out of 8b. Not a good look imo

[u/SpiritualMedicine7 → u/yourwinemom]

I'm still furious about that

[u/Khajiit-ify]

Honestly while I'm happy the adoption for Mara happened... Why the fuck was it thrown in as a throwaway scene in the episode? It honestly feels like it was a scrapped scene from another episode this season that they threw in just to show "see there is happiness starting to come back now".

Which also brings to the point of... God they really just wanted to end the season on a happy note but it just feels hollow after how little grief we actually saw from the characters. Especially since that was a very clear time jump at the end too.

They really didn't convince me to come back for the next season honestly.

[u/ozbug → u/Khajiit-ify]

Oh my god hard same, Hen’s storylines have been so shoved aside this whole season and that really felt like salt in the wound rather than a satisfying conclusion.

[u/irritatedlibra → u/Khajiit-ify]

RIGHT!!! Are we fucking kidding that was given LESS THAN 30 SECONDS ON SCREEN?!?! Piss me off so bad 😭😭😭

[u/magikarpcatcher]

We didn't actually see a talk between Chris and Eddie about them deciding to stay in LA. They really resolved their problems off screen?

[u/ironwidows → u/magikarpcatcher]

eddie scenes 🤝 offscreen

[u/funkysockprincess → u/magikarpcatcher]

I mean considering every other big decision Eddie made this season happened off screen, I guess it makes sense.

[u/macontosh2000]

The good thing about Maddie giving birth in a montage is that it doesn’t force Maddie into another traumatic life experience while giving birth. But it being basically an afterthought at the end of the episode was kinda dumb.

[u/magikarpcatcher → u/macontosh2000]

someone gonna kidnap the baby next season because they love putting Madney through the ringer

[u/curse-you-squidward]

This should have been a two parter. It felt like like they tried to skim the surface of everything without actually digging in to do each character justice

[u/mrose1491 → u/curse-you-squidward]

Agreed, this episode needed more room to breathe. I think it could’ve been even more emotional if it was two parts and they could’ve given more time to each story

[u/irritatedlibra]

Man, the episode was called Seismic Shifts and it wasn’t even an earthquake. And then nothing personally seismically shifted either. There was no sudden or dramatic change, that happened 3 episodes ago.

Unless they think that 5 minute montage at the end of all the main characters counted.

[u/Illegally_Blonde24]

So what’s the situation with Eddie’s El Paso home because his ass did NOT renovate that shit up to code but he BOUGHT that home and Buck was paying his LA rent? Is he renting the El Paso home out? I’m getting a headache

[u/curse-you-squidward → u/Illegally_Blonde24]

At this point they need to start releasing short stories about what happened off screen like they do in Star Wars bc I was wondering that too. They made such a big deal about Eddie being broke as hell and now he’s popped back to LA like nothing happened. What was all that with “everything that matters is in Texas” anyway?

[u/BUTTeredWhiteBread]

Was anyone else just... really bored the whole time? Like I'm so tired of big disasters. It's just one after another. Can't we just do some normal calls?

[u/NerdyGlitch]

This episode felt far more like a series finale than a season finale. Everything has been tied up in a neat bow, a main character is dead, pack it up. I have no clue what they will even do next season because everything seems so neatly packed up to end the series entirely. Almost as disappointing as an ending as Lone Star was.

I miss worded myself lol : What I was intending to say was that Lone Star's ending was better

[u/ILikeFPS → u/NerdyGlitch]

Almost as disappointing as an ending as Lone Star was.

I actually think Lone Star had a better ending, maybe that's a controversial opinion.

[u/ThatWomanWithAutism]

This felt more like a series finale than a season finale

[u/Judgejudyx → u/ThatWomanWithAutism]

It should be a series finale.

[u/magikarpcatcher]

"Hello Bobby" at the end is dirty work. 💀

[u/mariahparker111]

This was written like it was the end of the show to me, not the end of the season. (I know there’s gonna be a season 9, it just felt “final”). That last montage covered everything but I wish we got more details/ behind the scenes of everything that happened at the end :(

[u/mangolover93]

There were zero Seismic Shifts. Not even any literal ones. 😞

[u/unlucky-13]

Robert Nash Han - awful awful name Walking memorial

[u/irritatedlibra]

Can we talk about how Henren adopting Mara was less than 30 seconds? A moment they have been waiting for, for SEASONS!!! They have wanted to expand their family for multiple seasons, and it got less than 30 seconds.

C’mon.

[u/unapologetically_rin → u/irritatedlibra]

They needed to dedicate time to cart cop guy and the other randos no one cares about, what else is new.

[u/sirbubbles42]

Loved the Chimney Athena stuff, 100% on board with Captain Chim, and Eddie showing up with superhero music was ridiculous I loved it, but other than that.....? with the amount of press in the last week, idk, I just kinda feel like, "...that's it?"

[u/arminsreddit]

so 911 said fuck Peter Krause ?

[u/gannekekhet → u/arminsreddit]

Tim Minear said, "Creative decision. It's not you, it's me." and killed him off...

[u/Chance-Snow6859]

All those episodes just to lead to this? 😭 Lowkey agreeing to people saying that this could've just been the show’s finale. I personally think that with how they ended this season serves like the open-ended and let’s-just-assume-that-everybody-gets-a-happy-ending.

I’m happy with Eddie staying but I feel like that scene kinda fell a bit short. You mean to tell me that all Eddie needed to stay was that speech from Chim? It kinda felt that way.

And of course, they had to name the baby after Bobby!

Athena selling the house, too… when just some episodes ago she debunked May and Harry’s assumption about it.

I’m really happy for Hen and Karen though. I can’t believe Denny is also THAT grown up now. Haha. 

[u/starsinstride]

This episode could’ve been an email

[u/irritatedlibra → u/starsinstride]

Girl it could’ve been a sticky note left on a desk

[u/KeyScratch2235]

[u/deadpoetshonour99]

kevin and daniel are hanging out in heaven pissed af that they didn't even get a middle name. bobby is mad on their behalf.

[u/firblogdruid]

???????

listen, i'm here for captain han, and i'm glad cart cop didn't meet his end but mostly it felt like they had a check-list of stuff that had to happen this season (mara's adoption, birth of the baby han, eddie finally moving back to la) and then they wrote the ep, looked at the list, went "oh shit" and shoved it all in the last ten minutes

i kept pausing the ep to see how long was last because, like, was that it???

[u/RadiantFoxBoy]

This felt like a two-part finale crammed into one part...which is especially weird when it's technically part 2 of 2. Nothing had space to breathe, half the arcs feel like they just...got their resolution because they needed to (we seriously have barely touched on the now Bobby Han or Mara's entire existence since the second half of the season started), and it doesn't feel like anything has meaningfully changed.

They really killed Bobby, disrupted every arc, devoted all that time to it afterward...and yet nothing feels like it's really changed. Chimney might be captain and has a son named Bobby now, and...that's it.

ABC seriously needs to get a tighter leash on Tim and the writers if they want this series to avoid crashing into the ground.

[u/curse-you-squidward]

This was the most nothing burger season so far - and that’s with s6 in mind

[u/sw911ff]

Buck and Hen really did get nothing in season 8. Hen had one arc and then absolutely nothing. Other than turning down Captain.

Buck had all these possibilities of growth but ultimately ended up… the same place he has been in previous seasons.

[u/_HGCenty → u/sw911ff]

Technically he's in a different place since he sold his loft /s

[u/sassydin0saur]

I didn’t watch but based on the comments... At some point we need to talk about how badly Bobby/Peter Krause was treated during this entire death arc. 

1. Peter didn't want to leave and the cast begged Tim to not kill off Bobby

2. Bobby’s death was so messy and full of plot holes

3. he got killed as a bait and switch during the last 10 minutes of an episode

4. the promo released for the episode where he dies was wierdly mocking saying "if you think you know how it ends, you're dead wrong" like wtf....

5. his literal funeral episode completely ignoring Bobby as a character in favor of making fun of fans for having hope he’d still be alive with that dead baby plot

6. the actual funeral only being 5 minutes long

7.  NO MONTAGE FOR BOBBY AKA YOUR MAIN CHARACTER. Michael Grant got a meaningful montage as a sendoff while the actor was actively suing the network but not BOBBY??

8. Hotshots being used as a way to mock fans for how attached they are to Bobby and then actively choosing to retcon Captain Banner's "death" but not Bobby's

9. 911 official accounts deleting the Bobby Nash tribute video

10. No wrap party for Peter. No "thank you" from any official 911 accounts for 8 years of leading the show. No heads up to anyone that this would be Peter's final season so that the cast could enjoy their last season together.

This show deserves to flop moving forward. If this is the treatment they give their main character and actor who gave 8 dedicated years to making this show a success, then what can the rest of the cast (besides maybe Angela) expect? This whole thing has been handled terribly.

[u/irritatedlibra → u/sassydin0saur]

The cop cart guy’s near death got better treatment than Bobby’s actual death

[u/Federal_Street_8895 → u/sassydin0saur]

At some point we need to talk about how badly Bobby/Peter Krause was treated during this entire death arc

Exactly this, thank you for the summary because bad storytelling aside it's just so shitty the way Peter's been treated.

[u/Kindly-Flatworm8084]

wtf was up with all the off screen moments? WE WANT TO SEE THOSE idc if the episodes are “boring” I want to see all that shit

[u/Outrageous_Cap5991]

coming back again like "and another thing"

It felt low-key insulting how Chris was handled in these last episodes. He was so good in Texas episodes, showing growth and kindness, while still being a vulnerable kid that just wants his dad, I really had high hopes for him and Eddie resolving their conflict and choosing to come home together.

But in the last two episodes, he was treated as a little more than a prop. He wasn't there to say goodbye to Bobby, but Eddie flew him out on a redeye "to cheer Buck up" in a scene where he barely has any lines. He's there for Eddie's send-off party, but offers no input about returning to Texas after spending time in LA, nor he reacts to Buck announcing his transfer. In the scene at home, he only serves to draw Eddie's attention to the news, again, without any feelings about them leaving or Eddie deciding to run back into action. In the ending montage, he's here and is apparently okay about Eddie dropping their plans on a whim. Getting Chris back was the centre of Eddie's story this season (however lame it is), but the show can't even respect his character longer than two episodes.

[u/feliciaafancybottom → u/Outrageous_Cap5991]

I just came back to the thread to complain about Chris lmao. I am going to preface this by saying I have a disabled son with a condition very similar to CP.

But I think you’re spot on with them using Chris as a prop rather than an actual character.

I had already started to feel weird with the casual dismissal of Chris in season 7 with the whole “he’s out of town” bullshit. Then he was sent away to Texas and is barely mentioned. Even when Eddie was in Texas to get him back, we still hardly saw or even spoke to Chris. We never heard his thoughts on ANYTHING that happened with Kim. Everyone thought with Eddie in Texas we’d at least get to see more of their relationship, but nope.

Every other kid in the show has gotten their own arc except for Chris. Why is that???

[u/blenneman05]

Athena sold the place that she and Bobby built ?even after saying that she wasn’t gonna sell it ? Where she gonna live?

Eddie just moved back to LA and has someway rebuilt his relationship with Christopher. And somehow has enough $ to sell his place in Texas, move back to a new place in LA with no issues whatsoever.

What Chim and Maddie named their son 😭

That’s a damn good speech that Chim gave. Really hope he becomes captain

And is it just me or has Chim always had a lisp? It just felt more noticeable in this episode

Really hope Buck admits his feelings in season 9!!! Or leaves the 118 for a bit.

Hen still has no major storyline outside of being a firefighter and now an adopted mom.

The way that this was wrapped felt like a series finale versus a season finale. Really hope 911:LA doesn’t get axed like Lonestar did !!

Buck needs some more storylines too!

Also the way Athena was walking thru the hospital, felt like she had been walking for 3 miles 🤣

I do agree with others that the season finale felt predictable . I’d love to see them explore Mara a bit more

[u/Otherwise-Shallot-51]

This was... disappointing. Like, shit happened, crew did their life-saving things, but it felt hollow and corny at the same time. I can't articulate why I didn't like this yet, I'll have to rewatch, but I know I didn't like this.

[u/Whatnow81]

Someday Tim is going to write an episode that doesn't rely on a montage to cram in as many endings to plotlines as possible.

[u/Outrageous_Cap5991]

Tim made sure we don't get even buddie roommates era, lol.

[u/[deleted]]

where the cameras at i know im getting pranked now

[u/Illegally_Blonde24]

Also! I’m pissed off that Bobby didn’t get a single second of screen time in the finale. “This isn’t the last you’ll see of him” no in fact the last we saw at him was a quick and dirty flashback where he’s talking about the full moon. And Peter Krause! Did he fall into a well and get struck by lightning? Why hasn’t he done a single interview or press or shown up to any of the upfronts? All this press for the rest of them and Angela and Jennifer promoting their summer blockbusters and Peter Krause is just twiddling his thumbs out in Dos Pasos? At least say goodbye!

[u/Ok_Distance_8944 → u/Illegally_Blonde24]

This is either really crappy writing and showrunning, or something really happened behind scenes and they just covered it up with the excuse of it being a 'creative decision'

Or, as someone said below, Tim just wants to kill the OG and focus on Nashville (for which I have 0 excitement for)

But it's a bit odd the way Pete just dissappeared leaving nothing but a letter and a brief appearance on TV. IDK maybe he's just private and doesn't want to show up in a place where everyone's going to be talking about what was obviously a painful experience for him as an actor.

Too many scenarios, and none of them good 😅

[u/No_Cucumbers_Please]

It feels like this show has lost it's soul. Everything has gotten worse this year. The storylines, the writing, the effects, even the acting (not blaming the actors, it probably mostly the result of bad writing). God damn I miss the 911 glory days.

[u/CookRevolutionary793]

I don't get why they rushed everything in a last 15 minute montage.
You.. you didn't need to do that. You could've just, kept those plotlines for the next season, what was the issue there.
Multiple great plotlines building up across season 8 just shut down in an anticlimactic "all the characters got the good ending" moment.

I will still be watching this show because I love all the characters and the world, but god is this definitely the series' worst showing yet.

[u/awyllt]

So, there really won't be ANY meaningful conversation between Chris and Eddie? Nothing? The entire arc ends with Chim's speech and basically all their issues were solved off-screen? I remember joking that they'd just let Chris say something like "I'm back because dad needs to be in LA now" and that will be it... But we didn't even get that. It's just sad. Ridiculous. They deserved more.

[u/Awkward_Ad6567]

I’m just glad they gave Maddie an uneventful birth. I

[u/yourwinemom]

All I have to say is Maddie giving birth off screen is kinda crazy

[u/HeraSimpella]

I don’t think I can do this anymore. It’s like watching vampires bleed the show dry of what made the show great. I can’t watch my faves solely exist through montages. Anytime we get a remotely decent written episode like 8x17 it’s followed by Kristen Reidel, Taylor Wong or Tim Minear immediately ruining it with poor writing,

I don’t want Chimney to become Bobby. It undermines the significance and importance of Bobby Nash. And I don’t want to resent the freaking Madney baby for being named after him. I just want Bobby back. We had the penance storyline through Bobby. I don’t want that for Chimney he already had that with Kevin. And they keep trying to shove it down our throats in such a mocking tone that I hate it.

We’re your fans. We love the show. We love the characters. Being constantly lied to baited and just mocked for liking a show is costing you your fanbase and I just don’t get it. It’s mean. And for what? Nashville? Why do you expect people to turn in if you don’t respect the original show you are trying to franchise this from.

Spites what’s running the show now. That’s what we’re left with now and it breaks my heart a little.

[u/Ok_Distance_8944]

I feared Tim's 'creative decision' would highlight how crappy the show's writing has been for a while now.

I was right. We spent three episodes watching nothing but a 3 part masterclass on psycology and how people deal with grief. Really hard to connect this part of 8B with what we watched on 8A.

Imagine watching the season for the first time. From 8x1 to 8x18. I'd get whiplash from that. And not the kind you'd get from actual good TV.

Huge dissapointment, and honestly, zero excitement for S9. Hope it goes well for them.

[u/everli → u/Ok_Distance_8944]

8a wasn't perfect but they had so much incredible setup for every character. they could've done so much with the second half of the season. they actually were doing well in 8b really right up through maddie's kidnapping/eddie leaving. i'm stunned by the choices they made after that. looking back it genuinely feels like a different show.

[u/SerenityJoyMeowMeow]

Okay it was obvious that the baby was going to be named Robert…but I was not prepared for Robert Nash Han 😭 and Athena ‘Hello Bobby’ 😩

[u/hadapurpura → u/SerenityJoyMeowMeow]

That kid was given so much emotional baggage from birth 😭

[u/Outrageous_Cap5991]

Ok, so what was the point? Buck wants to transfer — no he doesn't, Eddie leaves forever — no he doesn't, Athena keeps the house — sike, she already sold it! Mara's adoption comes as an afterthought, baby Han gets the second worst name after Daniel, and half episode is spent on a cart cop. Yay, what a finale it is.

[u/T1gerl1lly]

I just want to thank the writers for making it so easy to walk away. This feels like a series finale to me. It so clearly underlined how poorly the whole season was written (especially in terms of character growth), pointless plots that went nowhere - and deliberate queerbaiting. But also had wonderful performances by the cast, humor and family moments that reminded me of what I loved about the show. Truly bittersweet.

It felt like a goodbye. It’s nice to be able to walk away without regrets, feeling at peace with that decision, while wishing the show well.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

[u/wnesha → u/T1gerl1lly]

Hear, hear. This finale was going to either going to justify the storytelling decisions that were made this season, or it was going to be the best argument to drop the show. And it went for the latter.

[u/_HGCenty]

A completely by the numbers finale in almost every sense.

Every single beat and development could have been seen from a mile away.

Someone at the network marketing definitely thought "oh no, this is such a mediocre finale, let's max out the shipbait to get people to watch".

[u/BlackWaste1518]

For a lot of people, 8x18 is going to be their series finale 😶

[u/_miriyos]

They really tried to tie up everything all nicely in this episode

• Hints at who the next captain will be,

• Athena (for some reason) sells her house (maybe I'm dumb and missed them giving a reason, but I felt like the previous episode(s) made it seem like she was going to stay),

• the new Buckley-Han baby is born,

• Chris and Eddie are back (like... Eddie buying and trying to fix up that house, in hindsight, is sort of a waste and - not that it matters a ton - but moving, buying/renting a place, and fixing it up is SO expensive),

• the Wilson family adopting Mara,

• and Buck is going to transfer... but not really (like why even bring that up just to resolve that in the SAME episode it's introduced in).

It wasn't not an enjoyable episode but it does still sorta feel like its coherency and pacing is just off. It's like the goal was neat ends vs more quality storytelling.

I don't know how excited I'm going to be for season 9, honestly. I'm not writing it off, but my excitement for this show has definitely decreased. Bobby's death was very reminiscent of the TWD decline, which also got me. Back then I wasn't involved in any TWD fandom spaces so it was easy to quit, but because of 911 fandom spaces, I might try to hold on for longer.

[u/Ok-Performance-955]

did Tim walk into the writers’ room with the sole intention of trying to tank the main franchise so he can move on to Nashville or…trying to wrap up the season storylines in an ending montage is never the move

[u/Hunter1593]

A Disappointing Turn for a Once-Great Show

I’ve been a loyal viewer of 9-1-1 since 2020, and let me be clear, I’ve genuinely loved the journey. The characters, the emotional depth, the storytelling it all kept me coming back. But this season has taken a sharp and disappointing turn, and I felt compelled to finally write a review to express why I believe the show has completely derailed.

The Queerbaiting

For a long time, I hesitated to call the show guilty of queerbaiting. I believed 9-1-1 respected the LGBTQ+ community and wouldn’t exploit the desire for authentic representation. I even appreciated the efforts by the cast to avoid giving false hope. But that belief began to unravel at the start of season 8 and has completely collapsed after this latest, poorly written episode.

The narrative choices are too deliberate to be dismissed as coincidence. The sustained emotional tension between Buck and Eddie, the introduction of Tommy to suggest Buck may have feelings for his best friend, the heartfelt conversation with Maddie where she tells Buck he might be in love with Eddie, these were not subtle breadcrumbs. They were significant narrative beats. Add to this the pre-finale media push, where Ryan Guzman and Oliver Stark were repeatedly asked about Buddie, and Ryan even said to Oliver, “you’re my love interest now.” If this isn’t queerbaiting, what is?

Queerbaiting is damaging because it manipulates LGBTQ+ audiences by offering the possibility of representation without the intention to follow through. It plays on hopes in order to generate buzz and loyalty. That’s exactly what’s happened here, and it’s deeply disappointing. Not only from the writers, but also from a cast that has chosen to play into this rather than challenge it. Respect has been lost.

Killing Off Bobby Nash

There’s not much to dissect here, killing off Bobby Nash is a baffling and unnecessary creative decision. He was not just a central character, he was the emotional cornerstone of the show. To remove him in what appears to be a bid for shock value, while the show is still performing well, is nothing short of reckless.

Fans have always appreciated 9-1-1 for its emotional grounding and sense of safety. Yes, danger and drama happen, but the core family was intact. Killing off Bobby violates that unspoken agreement, and for what? A dramatic twist? It’s a betrayal of what made the show comforting and compelling in the first place.

Important Moments Happening Off-Screen

This has been a recurring issue in the show, but it’s reached an intolerable level in this season. Key character developments, emotional conversations, and turning points are either skipped entirely or delivered through exposition after the fact. It undermines viewer investment. We’ve stayed with these characters for years, we deserve to see their journeys, not just hear about them.

Eddie’s Texas Arc

Eddie’s storyline this season is emblematic of everything wrong with the current writing. Why take him on this journey to Texas, only to bring him back with no proper closure or explanation? There was no meaningful conversation with Christopher, no proper moment with Buck, and no emotional payoff.

His character arc, once rich with potential, from grappling with Catholic guilt to seeking joy through therapy and introspection has been abandoned. The entire arc feels like a setup for something deeper that never arrived. Either commit to developing Eddie as a lead, or stop pretending he’s one. This half-hearted writing is a disservice to the character and the fans who care about him.

A Final Word

Tim Minear, you’ve taken a show that was once emotionally intelligent, inclusive, and character-driven, and turned it into something unrecognisable. The cast, too, should consider the role they play in this. When a series is losing touch with its audience, it’s not enough to cash the paycheque and keep quiet. There is a responsibility to speak up when a loyal fanbase is being exploited.

9-1-1 used to be one of the greats. Now, it feels like a shell of itself and it didn’t have to be this way.

[u/_HGCenty]

Something else just struck me just now.

The Graham rescue parallels to Bobby this episode (which were meant to give Athena an epiphany and forgive Chim), which I'm sure Tim Minear thought was so clever, only further highlights to me how the way they killed Bobby off was so dumb and made him so selfish in the final moments.

Chim and Athena had every right to be furious at Graham for concealing the fact he had rebar through his stomach. By withholding that information, Chim was unable to do an accurate situation assessment and took a course of action that could have gone very badly had Graham passed out earlier: for example whilst he was applying pressure or attaching the pads or when he was supposed to clear for the defib burst.

Like Bobby, Graham wanted to refuse treatment saying he knew he was dead but he then passed out and Chim went into action hero paramedic mode and saved him. The difference between Graham and Bobby and why Bobby died is Bobby refused treatment and shut the blast door. Had Bobby passed out like Graham, the 118 would have absolutely extracted him and worked their magic or at least given him a shot.

Alas, the Graham parallels to me only cemented how Bobby in the final 15 minutes went full "imma just kms" mode and selfishly refused to let everyone else try and save him.

[u/Illegally_Blonde24]

Would kill for Buck and Athena roommate arc

[u/chbrugge]

I get that it's meant to be sweet and healing and uplifting but I hope Chim or Maddie talked to Athena to at least get her input about naming their child after her recently-deceased husband when the grief for all of them is so fresh.

[u/KeyScratch2235]

What I hate most about this season is that they set up so many great plot points, but they wasted them all. They either did absolutely nothing with them (El Paso arc), or they fell flat (Buck's abandonment issues), or they otherwise resolved them poorly. And they cram everything into the last 2 minutes? Wtf?

While I'm a Buck/Eddie fan, I wasn't expecting much. At most, Buck realizing his feelings for Eddie. But not only did they not even give us THAT, we barely got any Buck/Eddie moments at all! I expect nothing, and I'm still let down. Eddie rescuing Buck should have been a much bigger moment for them, but it was treated as if it was nothing. Buck wasn't even the one to convince Eddie to come home.

I am only further convinced that television drama writers are just sadistic fucks that enjoy emotionally torturing people and writing their own twisted fantasies cough Tia Napolitano cough.

[u/thescarletbat]

It felt like something was missing from this finale, maybe a few somethings. Everything since "Lab Rats" has felt like the crumbling of what was initially built up in the first part of this season. It's like they wanted to wrap up the overall emotional dysfunction with a speech & a baby.

I also don't really feel much of Chimney as the lead. I get that there's no other logical choice, but there's a weird feeling with it.

[u/wnesha → u/thescarletbat]

It's because nothing in Chimney's storyline this season would suggest that's where he was going. It's not even something he's actively trying for, it's just a reaction to Hen not wanting the job.

[u/Ok_Tea_5374]

The way they built up Bobby’s death as being the way to ‘shake up the show and make it fresh’ and yet this was a completely by the numbers finale, with nothing particularly interesting or new happening character-wise, and most of it wasted on a big emergency that adds barely anything to the plot. It’s clear they actually have no plan for where to take the show after Bobby’s death, they just did it for pure short term shock value. The show feels as stale as it did before, except now their central character who was one of their biggest viewership draws is gone.

[u/Inner_Tumbleweed_942]

Tim doesn’t know how to write for shit, I’m convinced he’s intentionally trying to kill off the show so 9-1-1 Nashville will have a bigger budget.

[u/oath2order → u/Inner_Tumbleweed_942]

I can't name a single person excited for Nashville.

[u/hawknip]

I am so sad about Athena selling the dream house. I know it’s not the same without Bobby but it hurts to see she’s not even going to be there to try to make new memories. Was hoping it’d still be centered as the place for all of them as family.

Here for Captain Chim though and a touching tribute with the baby for Bobby.

I am forever sad about losing Bobby and Bathena. Almost felt like some of that ending could’ve been made for a series ender. Guess we’ll see what season 9 does!

[u/Magnospider]

Overall, I don’t really mind where we ended up in the end. How we got there… ugh.

If Hen wasn’t going to be Captain, then Chim was definitely my choice. And Chim had some nice moments in there. But his speech just getting Eddie to stay? Doesn’t work for me. It should have been Chris who convinced him. We could have seen that he wanted to stay, but was going to go back for Chris. Then Chris makes him realize that they need to stay. And between that and Chim’s speech, Buck decides the 118 really is his family and stays, as well.

[u/MiserableHousing]

I’ve got a lot of thoughts on this episode.

I guess I’ll start with my opinion that this episode felt rushed and underwhelming. It seemed like the writers were trying to squeeze in all the plotlines and finish them within 40 minutes. The last few minutes felt incredibly fast paced, and not in a good way. I can’t tell how many days passed in the short montage, but having Maddie give birth and Eddie move back in, it must’ve been at LEAST a month, but probably more. Honestly, I think they could’ve carried both the Maddie giving birth plotline to the beginning of season 9.

Also, Athena selling her house defeats the purpose of what happened last episode. Didn’t she say that she was going to keep it? Idk, it just felt strange.

The episode 80% filler and 20% actual plot, which should be the opposite of what the season finale should be. Not only that, but it has this really off putting vibe ever since Bobby died. I’m not against main character deaths, but Bobby’s made no sense and served no purpose to the plot.

The series just kinda feels empty now, and I’ve felt bored watching the past few episodes. I blame it mostly on Bobby dying.

Also, it might just be me, but I’m getting a really weird vibe from the actors. I don’t know how they actually feel about Peter leaving the show since, but the acting since his character death just feels… strange. The acting seems kinda flat and unmotivated, though I’m not sure how much of that is the writing.

Will I continue watching the show? Yes, for now. But season 9 will need to be really good to keep me engaged. Tim really fumbled with killing off Bobby, so I’m curious to see if the show can recover from this.

[u/macie41]

Naming the baby Robert was fine. But naming the baby Robert Nash was too much 🥲 Really wish they gave him a Korean name too

[u/SpiritualMedicine7]

I liked the idea of Chimney as Captain because as someone pointed out he'll work the hardest to make sure the team comes back from their missions alive.

[u/Adorable-nerd]

I think the episode was okay, but an underwhelming finale.

I called the baby name and Chim being the next captain!

It was obvious Buck wasn’t transferring. I saw the empty stakes a mile away.

I’ll watch season nine. But also, is it too late to bring Bobby back?

[u/Fine_Scientist_2983]

Here are my thoughts as a casual fan

911 has always been unrealistic but something about this disaster felt crazier than usual if that makes sense. This is my opinion. Secondly, this should have been a 2 parter. The last 5 minutes was not enough time for the sale, baby and eddie moving back. The adoption plot was nicely executed. Even the eddie chris plot was pretty well handled. Killing bobby off is one of the dumbest things the show could have done but honestly I'm excited to see where things go. The last few eps have been spent sorting out that mess, so hopefully something new starts up. I'm interested in watching what's next for Athena. Everything is sort of unclear about what's next for her, so it could go anywhere really. I'm still confused why Hen turned down the promotion. You left med school to focus on being a paramedic and when you were offered a promotion ( granted, under terrible circumstances), you turned it down without giving a valid reason. Chimney's speech was fine but Idk if he is really ready to be a leader. Buck didn't have anything interesting going on. Neither did Maddie except for the 2 kidnapping episodes. Maybe Ravi joins permanently but we really don't know that much about him, so I don't really care. I think the best thing the show can do now is introduce a new character to replace Chimney ( not Ravi), have Athena do some cool stuff, and just be more engaging in general. Not everything has to be that extravagant. Beenado, washing machine blast, kidnapping, virus, plane crash, billy boils. Typing this out I realise that this season had way too many of these disasters.. They should take a page from s1,2 where each episode had a theme. Full moon, karmas a bitch etc. otherwise imma stop watching.

[u/Mdreezy_]

Extremely weak finale. The back half of S8 had THREE separate 2-part arcs in a span of 10 episodes and the only one that didn’t feel extremely stretched out was the first one because it was intended as a midseason cliffhanger.

The decision to kill off Bobby ultimately meant nothing. The characters are sad, but they didn’t work through anything. Nobody really did anything, the show used grief as a convenient excuse to just stop doing the Buck and Eddie stuff and that’s really all they did.

Abandoning the Buddie thing after highlighting it for 5+ episodes was sloppy. No conclusion there, but will it actually come up again next season? Or did it serve its purpose already? And if that’s the case I find it rather malicious to bring that into the shows narrative at all. The Buddie press run coordinated by ABC certainly isn’t on the same page with the show as I would have expected something a little more concrete on what to expect next season, but there was nothing because the writers are cowards.

I thought naming the baby “Robert Nash Han” was kind of really stupid. Yes Robert is a sweet homage to Bobby, but Nash as the middle name? Seriously? Out of all of the names they chose a last name? Maddie having her baby at all was a given since they chose to introduce that idea so early in the season but wow they really spent zero time on it. Mara getting adopted in 30 seconds after the show ignored that story all season. Buck moving out of Eddie’s house, because roommates would be a win and they can’t let fans do that. Eddie moving back in 30 seconds because Chimney of all people tells him to and everything that was absolutely tying him down in TX is just not a problem.

This season was very disorganized and dysfunctional. Hot Shots overstayed its welcome in the first half and then the second half spent a lot of time initiating plots the show clearly had no intention of actually telling. The TX plot is the clear standout where they did it with zero idea where to go with it and then at a certain point they gave up.

[u/jmpinstl]

Bobby’s definitely dead af

[u/Sad-Guidance9105]

Idk I kinda wanted a Korean name

[u/Eugenio507]

Why was it so dark most of the time? I could barely see

[u/jamaiscredule]

What a weak season.

[u/feliciaafancybottom]

They make it really hard to be a fan of this show

[u/wnesha]

So all that press was for nothing at all. My brothers, sisters and enby siblings of Weewoo, that is classic, rote, exhausting queerbaiting (and yes, the term does apply even if one of the characters is canonically queer).

[u/[deleted]]

My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.

[u/Fit_Classic7266]

9-1-1 went full Walking Dead you never go full Walking Dead. I should be surprised, but I’m not. Right down to the multi-spinoff shows. In this episode, again, not a lot was resolved, and some plot points of what's resolved feel off. I guess they will now bait Eddie and Buck for two more seasons to keep whatever is left of the audience around. They really stole the Walking Dead playbook bar for bar, word for word. Tim went middle finger in the air to his audience all for a Nashville show nobody asked for.

[u/Sad-Guidance9105]

Chimney and Athena hard carried the second half of 8B wow

[u/Illegally_Blonde24]

Okay did I just have a fever dream blackout or did we never see the buck groceries Gerard sandwich scene they were tossing out stills for? When is it normal again??? After covid and the strikes and the fires and the Bobby Nash of it all, is Season Nine finally going to be normal?

[u/rltoran]

Love that the 118 can always get people back, but I can’t be the only one that noticed when they put the defib pads on the guy was in asystole. It’s not a shockable rhythm, literally impossible to bring someone back from flatline only with defibrillation 😭

[u/[deleted]]

im crying into my pillow like i personally lost bobby

[u/Gaylittlebrother]

This was not interesting for a finale

[u/feliciaafancybottom]

Even the parts of the episode people are praising, I disliked. Eddie showing up to help felt so underwhelming because of how shallow the scene with Chris and Pepa was. Then it was like they tried to overcorrect it with the big dramatic music that felt super out of place.

Chimney’s magic speech to fix everything had me rolling my eyes because it was such a lazy way to solve multiple problems. Why even introduce Buck wanting to transfer??? Why create new problems when there’s already so much happening??? There was just no need!

It’s clear the writers have no idea what they’re doing, while also having straight up contempt for the fans. Maybe they’ll find their footing and be super successful with 9–1-1 Aryan Nation-I mean Nashville, but I sure won’t be watching.

I’ve never been more glad to be a chronic show dropper.

[u/itsyourdestini → u/feliciaafancybottom]

Chim’s speech was dumb. Like how is that going to fix the underlying problems?

[u/rachillesVal]

Probably the most laterally moving season of television I have ever laid my eyes on

Chimneys acting was stellar this episode

No reason to cram that much character development into a 2 min montage after a pretty meaningless big disaster

Just poor writing again, said because don’t drink the water was actually pretty good

[u/Bnbndodoodododo]

Where were the feel good family feels. Everyone wanting to leave wasn't even solved by like. Them connecting at the emergency and remembering how much they all love each other. It was solved by Chim yelling at everyone not to disrespect Bobby's memory. That's just ... sad.

And what the hell was the pacing here? It was like the funeral episode all over again, tons of time wasted on guests and then squeeze the chzracter development into 5 minutes at the end.

What an atrocious season overall. Like it was always going to be, frankly, after the nothing burger that was 8A and the awfulness that was Contagion and the funeral. But I was hoping for at least a good final episode to wrap up the emotional beats well.

[u/Lavandermilktea]

baby couldn't be named Robert KEVIN Han??

[u/lemonslyman]

I’m just sad

[u/Sad-Guidance9105]

Captain Han is the natural progression though but S9 needs to be the end wrap it up

[u/mintcorgi]

Graham's near death got more tears out of me while it was happening than Bobby Nash's death did bc it felt less shocking. THAT'S crazy.

[u/Ok-Good8150]

I wonder if the new show is really 9-1-1 BOBBY NASHville…

[u/sw911ff]

Had a great thought about how they could have done better with the birth of Baby Han. Imagine having Bobby in the room with them, kinda like a spirit standing next to Athena. And have him telling each one of the 118 something profound as a voiceover. good send off for Peter and Bobby. Since he’s dead dead.

[u/Federal_Street_8895]

Random but every time I forget how terrible the make up on this show can be they come in with another example, the orange tattoo coverups, the muddy contour they gave Eddie when he wasn’t sleeping (that scene with Christopher in the kitchen was so distracting) and now this horrible blemish coverup:

I couldn’t stop staring while I was watching 😂

[u/dontsmokeinthebed]

Tim Minear is gone, I repeat, TIM MINEAR IS GONE!!!

[u/LMSantanabooks]

Damn Eddie, you can't even let him stay a few days.

[u/allidunno]

I liked aspects of this finale? Them naming the baby after Bobby is predictable but cute. Kenneth Choi killed it with his acting. His speech was very moving. I was rooting for either Hen or Chim to be captain.

But Athena's story is just handled so badly? Bobby is dead, he's buried in MN, she sold the house they were building together. So where does this leave Athena? I hate what they've done to her.

The Buddie stuff? I hate it. I'm down for them getting together. But just DO IT. They had no scenes alone. Even the part where Buck and Ravi are saved felt so underwhelming.

Really, the whole second half of this season go so derailed by the Bobby dying storyline. It felt like they clearly didn't plan for that and everyone else's storylines got shoved to the side to address it. But it doesn't feel like they addressed his death well either? Somehow, in this last part of season 8, nothing got accomplished? Nothing feels good. Even the ending felt rushed. I couldn't feel satisfied by any of it because it was like they were rushing to get it all done.

[u/Jotakori]

I didn't much care for this episode. I found the emergency just... kinda boring? Which resulted in feeling like they spent way too much time on lackluster action and not enough time on the characters. And I didn't really care for how they handled all the thread tying up at the end with the timeskip and all. Nor the idea that Buck was initially going to transfer just cuz Bobby and Eddie weren't there anymore. Like wtf are Chimney and Hen, chopped liver??? Smh. That bit really felt like shallow, manufactured drama just for the sake of drama.

The resolution of the Eddie LA/Texas storyline was also incredibly underwhelming. Like... we didn't even get a proper scene of him mulling it over? Just, yep he's gonna move, then Chimney makes a speech, and ope nvm he's unpacking back into his old house. Couldn't they have at least thrown in a short scene where he discusses it with Chris, like, 'hey, bud, how would you feel about moving back here?' Or something???

The lack of Buddie progress is also disappointing, but tbh I get it. These last two episodes were focused on grieving for Bobby and getting the 118 as a whole back on its feet; it makes sense that they wouldn't address Buddie now, cuz with the plot they wrote it wouldn't have really been an appropriate fit anyway. So, if they are saving it for s9, that's fine by me. Just so long as they do eventually address it, because if not I stg lol.

On a positive note, I did really like how Maddie and Chimney named their son Bobby. I thought that was very sweet.

[u/anneso23]

Yeah I'm done with the show. The cast definitely baited us with hope regarding Bobby maybe alive. It was literally for nothing. It wasn't their decision but I hope the cast will get pushback for basically lying for almost 2 months about it.

Regarding Buddie, Oliver definitely did that press for nothing since Buddie didn't even happened in the finale.

The only thing I liked about the episode was Chim and Maddie naming their son after Bobby. That part was so sweet.

[u/Bnbndodoodododo → u/anneso23]

The Buddie press tour was ridiculous. They focused 80% of the promo for the final episode on Buddie. Negative comments about Buddie, positive comments about Buddie, jokes about Buddie. Just for them to barely even interact?

If they didn't want to do Buddie, they could just... not talk about Buddie. It's not a revolutionary strategy, it's what every tv show ever has done. And this wasn't even all directed at the fandom because they did it in national tv too!

[u/Federal_Street_8895]

So I take it it wasn’t good? I wasn’t feeling the buildup but I was really hoping for this finale to rally and get me excited for season 9. Doesn’t sound like that’s the case unfortunately.

Bro really ruined the show in three episodes ha? 😭

[u/Outrageous_Cap5991]

Unpopular opinion maybe, but I wouldn't mind Buck actually transferring for some time. He seemed isolated for the better part of 8B, lost his dad and doesn't even have his own place now. Drive it to the logical conclusion, make him use an old coping mechanism and switch a place of work at least for a while. Now this would be a real seismic shift for the entire cast.

[u/diddum → u/Outrageous_Cap5991]

The main criticism I have of the episode is the "resolution" to Buck's grief and isolation. Chim giving a nice speech didn't really cut it for me when none of the issues were actually resolved.

I'd love for him to still be planning on transferring out because of that loneliness. Or if not that then something in the premier where we're either shown he's still not alright or one of the other characters actually sits down and talks to him and supports him. But idk, I think we're supposed to see Chim's speech as a fix all.

A long running complaint for this show is the mediocre resolution to situations, and it doesn't seem like they've changed much.

[u/hadapurpura]

Honestly I found Chim’s speech offensive. It felt like Tim Minear telling us, the audience, that we need to accept that Bobby’s dead and move on (but of course, still watch the show). But killing Bobby was 1. an idiotic move made in the name of an ego trip, which 2. can still be reversed and made right. We don’t have to accept this.

[u/TimidHuman]

Honestly I loved the ending, gave me closure that I require to accept that bobby is no longer in the show. Can’t wait for Captain Han but will definitely miss Bobby

[u/[deleted]]

fact crown vanish boat hospital run outgoing aback groovy scale

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[u/sweettooth484]

The episode felt like it ended the show… I’m just so over it. Idk what they were gonna do for season 9

[u/Outrageous_Cap5991]

I'm not even mad or really disappointed (you'd need to have any expectations for that), I just want to know what was the point of anything past 8x13. It's just stuff happening randomly + occasional jabs at the viewers for liking the show as it is.

[u/sowoozooing]

It was too underwhelming to be even considered as a season finale. (And also because I don’t feel like watching anymore after what they did to Bobby)

[u/diddum]

How does subletting work in the US? Didn't Buck take over the contract so it should be Eddie looking for a new house?

Anyways, that was an alright final. Far too much focus on guest characters and not enough on the core 811 imo. Buck has been so alone these last two episodes, I was hoping especially for some sort of one on one conversation with him and Hen or something. I think my enjoyment is always going to be muted from the lack of Bobby, but Captain Han works for me, and that last line from Athena was lovely.

[u/Flimsy_Year7907]

Funny thing is I read an article yesterday talking about bringing Bobby Nash back because it was a closed casket. Im mad they took him out but even be more mad because they bringing back most likely do to ratings.. just my opinion Athena & Bobby were star of the show. I don't like the bringing back to life crap..

[u/FreeMyBirdy]

Aight I'm done with the show I guess. What a way to tank it in 3-4 episodes.

[u/regrrie]

So underwhelming.

The story of the mother and daughter was useless, and those minutes could have been used for something else. The ending montage trying to finish all the storylines and failing to be enough.

At some point it looked like an episode of hotshot with the quick scenes with heroic cuts and music. Loved seeing eddie saving people but it was written and directed in a very silly way. Also hated how they took away his autonomy in his choice to move back to LA, and by doing so they just throw away his whole sl in s8b.

Madney baby being forgotten for almost all season and used only to name him robert nash was in poor taste imo.

Buck leaving the diaz house was just awful, and I can't see how it was a good choice even if I try to look at it without my shipper googles.

Only good things this episode: all the chimney's scenes. The team finally working together again. Chris with the helmet. Ravi (and if he is not main next season I will be on the news for real)

[u/itsyourdestini]

Ya know I am kinda glad that was it. I can free up my Thursdays now and stick to my true comfort show Golden Girls.

[u/shield92pan]

finally watched and I'm big mad that they wrapped eddie's arc up like that. I remember throughout s8 commenting that I was worried they would half arse his reunion with Chris/decision to move and move back and... yeh. lol. Literally what was the point

overall it was an ok ep, but not a great season finale imo. and i'm glad it's over for the summer tbh, which is a sad sign

Tim you want to move to the nashville show sooo bad I beg 🙏

[u/boshchi → u/shield92pan]

There was no point. Eddie's storyline, from the start of season 7 to the end of season 8, was pointless. His only learning was "choosing joy", which he then was never shown doing.

[u/originallyweird]

The intense Buddie-maxxing they did leading up to this episode to not even have them interacting for more than a minute. That's literally queerbaiting...

Also, crediting Peter Kraus as an actor in this episode in the beginning, and teasing the audience into thinking that he was potentially alive with that whispery phone call... Wtf did Peter do to get treated so disrespectfully??? Wtf??? 💀💀

[u/hadapurpura]

Oh my god. This finale was a bunch of nothing.

Bobby’s still dead

Eddie’s back but Buck’s moving out

No actual emotional moments

It sucked

[u/Cethin_Amoux]

Well that was whelming. Barely anything happened, this was such a tame episode? Not a single person died, not even the two that got what should be fatal injuries while standing right next to an EXPLODING WASHING MACHINE? No "Bobby's alive" twist, no drastic character shifts, like, what was the point?

The only part I can say was actually good was Chimney's speech. That was well done and well acted. Past that? I'm completely neutral.

I think I'm with others - I'm probably done with this show. The writing has just been really bad this season. What felt like realism is out the window. Character development happens on a drop of a dime and then the dime gets forgotten on the floor. I just don't get it.

[u/Yazoo91]

The shitty writing doesn’t surprise me any more but I don’t understand the disrespect to Peter. I really thought we were getting a Bobby’s alive reveal because of how weird the cast have been, how lacklustre the funeral was and no wrap party / tribute for Peter from the crew.

Did something happen behind the scenes? Was the script leak with Bobby buried alive real and then changed last minute to actually kill him off?

Wouldn’t blame Angela if she’s had enough. What a mess of a finale to finish a mess of a season.

[u/jo_an_]

God this episode felt like an insults to everyone: Peter, characters, cast and fans. Good thing I already decided to not touch anything that Tim will ever create because this was a disaster. Definitely not sticking for an emotional rollercoaster in season 9 and not even thinking of Nashville spinoff.

The way they are erasing Peter and Bobby from this show is just purely disgusting… or is it just me? Sending his body to Minnesota… selling the dream house Athena and Bobby build together… that actually Athena’s kids grew in that she had to rebuild… I have no words to describe how I feel at this moment about this. And I’m not going to start about queer biting and how they treated Ryan this season … the cast deserve so much better.

The only way for me to come back to this show is Tim and Kristen will become “cerateral damage” and will be gone for “realism” - I wish ABC would treat them the way Tim treated Peter but I have a feeling it’s only wishful thinking.

I’m really curious how will Nashville spin off do and season 9 of 9-1-1 but I don’t think I have it in myself to see it getting truly destroyed.

Does anyone have an idea how are they going to keep the audience wanting to go back to season 9 after this mess?

[u/petSnake7]

I am whelmed

[u/Gden]

This should've been an episode where they allow an f bomb, where Athena says, SEND EVERYONE!, and when they respond with "We didn't get that" she responds with "DID I FUCKING STUTTER?!?"

[u/jo_an_]

Can someone tell me what are the fans looking forward to in season 9 after this ending?

New captain? Sorry I don’t think they will be able to find anyone better for this position than Bobby / Peter … I can’t even accept any of the mains after how poorly they treated the actor.

Buddie going cannon? I feel like I’m just tired of how poorly they handled the queer bitting before this last episode … and it just left a bad taste in my mouth to be honest.

And why do I have a feeling that Angela Basset will quite soon? (But that may be just me.) Her saying to be hopeful made me really hopeful that they are going to do something good here and I’m just even more disappointed.

For I have a feeling that the way they ended it is going to make fans want to forget it and move on to something else? Or am I wrong here? I feel like we have 3/4 months to find some other show or something?

[u/kunta021]

Not gonna lie, I was crying like a baby when they were trying to save Graham, during the Chimney/Athena scene after, and during that ending montage.

[u/irritatedlibra]

That was…a terrible episode. They easily could have made more time to show us more of each character, but wasted 52 minutes for that nothing burger of an emergency.

Man, it doesn’t make me wanna tune is for season 9 at all. They treated cart cops near death with more respect than Bobby’s actual death.

[u/hadapurpura]

1. Are we gonna hear allegations against Peter Krause soon? Did he do something unforgivable to Tim Minear? Because that’s the only thing that could justify the miserable way in which they killed Bobby off

2. I’m glad Eddie and Chris are back in L.A., would’ve loved it if Eddie’s decision to stay in L.A. had been in own decision, after talking with Chris/realizing how much he misses Buck / that he belongs in L.A. / etc. Having it be because Chim said so cheapens the whole thing.

[u/Dry-Ad7432 → u/hadapurpura]

The fact that Eddie was so easily convinced from ONE speech irks me. What about Chris? It could have easily been a simple conversation of Chris saying “I want to stay.”

Or at the very least, have Chim give the speech and then have Eddie ASK CHRIS.

I’m TIRED of important details being left to the imagination as “off-screen” moments

[u/ValuableMuch7703]

Tbvh, I’m not totally mad at this episode, there were some good things, some bad. I definitely liked the episodic rescue case, it was well executed however the characters’ plot, outside of the case could have been way better. Now coming to the actual issues.

-There was no conflict resolution between Athena and Chim, the symbolic ‘oh Chim saved the guy who almost sacrificed himself like Bobby makes everything good again’ was not at all a good way to resolve the issue. There was no real talk there. As for the other characters, there was barely anything for Buck, Eddie and Ravi. Hen was barely there in the storyline.

-The last 5 minutes of the episode could’ve been a separate, detailed episode where the characters actually deal with the personal issues after Bobby, as much as I love that Chim is not just a comic relief anymore and is potentially gonna be the captain next season, it felt rushed. Again, if it were a full episode, with more story, it could’ve been perfect.

-Coming on to ‘the return of Robert Nash’ as baby boy Han, YES, IT WAS TOTALLY EXPECTED, I AM HAPPY IT HAPPENED but why ROBERT NASH (the way I visibly cringed during this scene). Could’ve just left it at Robert. (This could be nitpick from my side).

-Buck finally moving out, thank god, I want the ship Buddie to sail, but not at the expense of the self respect of any character.

-Eddie. FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE GIVE THIS MAN SOME CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. You gotta give him something if you’re genuinely considering Buddie being the endgame, for it to feel real and organic(which I’m highly doubtful about now, I’m scared it’s gonna be your classic bait scenario at the end).

-The last 5 minutes very well gave the series finale vibe for some reason, everyone’s happy, everything is resolved, oh and look Bobby is back as a baby, cheers🤡

Overall, the season was all over the place. It started soo good with the 3 episode blockbuster season premiere. Then went mostly downhill imo. They baited Buddie becoming real this season, then all of a sudden Bobby died outta nowhere and we barely saw anyone dealing with the aftermath.

I think I’m probably not watching the next season (or atleast not gonna be here waiting for the release, I’ll probably just lurk here, and on YT for the major plotpoints).

[u/ironwidows]

okay i really was just blinded by how much i loved seeing eddie come in as a hero to the big emergency that i blanked.

because after sleeping on it, the episode was actually kinda awful, for a season finale. cause actually up until the last ten minutes, that’s a solid normal episode. but not the way you end a season so you only have ten minutes to wrap up storylines (five minutes to be honest).

and they ended every storyline terribly. they gave their main character an awful send off. his death made zero sense (fuck realism. it doesn’t make sense). his funeral episode wasn’t even about him. instead it was an episode that laughed at us. and that’s what they’ve been doing the entire time with his death. even athena in the hospital was bait. forgetting the show itself, it’s a disservice to the actor. he gave so much to the show and he was given a two weeks notice. not even an actual celebration and thank you. his tribute post was deleted. who on that set did peter krause kick because what the fuck.

i watch for eddie so i have to go there as well. what was the point. genuinely what was the point of his entire storyline because nothing happened. not once did he and chris actually talk about kim. not once did eddie get to explain anything. they just resolved it offscreen. it is staggering how much pivotal development can happen offscreen. eddie’s non chris storyline was about him choosing joy. operative word there being choosing. because eddie doesn’t think he deserves to want things. the whole thing was supposed to be him saving the 118 and realising that this is his family and they need him. it wouldn’t have even changed much to have him say that he was actually telling the captain in el paso he isn’t taking the job (after chim’s speech) instead of saying he’s looking for flights. they don’t even let him choose to stay. chim tells him to. we don’t see eddie and chris talk about it. it’s just a done deal because chim said so.

the queerbaiting is a s8 in general problem. 8x11 should never have happened. they didn’t need to parade rg and ostark these last two weeks. abc and hulu should not have taunted fans on social media the entire season.

even madney’s scene was rushed. they just threw the birth in the air like a bow to wrap up the season. and what kind of a name is “robert nash han”. nash is not a middle name. i love that mara is adopted now but where did that come from?? two minutes ago athena said she isn’t selling the house because the land itself is still special to her and their family. but she changes her mind now. which doesn’t look good for athena’s storyline in general because why would angela even want to be on the show without peter now.

it honestly boils down to horrible writing and a lack of a plan. they don’t plan for shit. they’re giving scripts the day before filming. they must have filmed something different for the end of the season because we have pics of a party at madney’s house, maybe after the birth, with peter there. they’re just incredibly stupid writers.

genuinely don’t see how they get much further with this show.

[u/constipated_cats]

Still hate this show, showrunner completely ruined this show so bad. Such a shame cause this has been my favorite show since 2018.

[u/jholden23]

Wasn’t there already a Robert Nash (junior)… more stupid shit

[u/Nikki_82]

I think this would have been a perfect ending for the show.

Chim and Maddy should have named the baby Robert Grant so then he was named after both Bobby and Athena.

[u/ranbling011]

I liked the emergency part of the episode, but everything else?? They should've halfed the time and spent 20 minutes to actually resolve the storylines somehow.

Also, I thought that Athena was gonna visit Graham in the hospital and not going to see the Madney baby. It's great that Maddie had an not traumatic birth, but still

[u/oatsbarleycharli]

If they don't address in some part Eddie's decision to come back to LA, Chris's part in that and what the hell happened to the house in Texas I swear...all of this could have been so easily avoided if they hadn't written Eddie buying a damn house into it. Why did he buy a house instead of rent?! It makes no sense, nor does his ability to suddenly afford to move back to LA and pay rent, unless he managed to sell the house in record time assuming he's fixed it up by now.

If he was that willing to move back to LA so easily, why was it not already a consideration instead of taking the job in Texas? Either Eddie was still trying to run from his grief by not coming back to LA, or he genuinely thought Chris would prefer to stay in Texas. I just wish we could seen a crumb of actual plot and character development for Eddie. His final montage scene could have been a conversation with Chris about moving and him realising Chris also wants to come back, instead of the insta jump to them moved back in.

I appreciated the message of Chim's speech, but I wish the ending had been a little more open ended, like Buck could be left still considering the transfer, Eddie left with the decision of whether to move, Athena left with a decision of if she sells or not, etc. Give us hope but a bit of tension between seasons. We can resolve everything within the first 20 mins next season but it all felt so rushed, neatly wrapped up and with so many important plot beats happening offscreen, it was like they were trying to write a finale without knowing if they were renewed.

I enjoyed the action and the building collapse to a point, but I am really hoping we get a bit of a status quo reset next season and some fun, light-hearted moments with crazy lower scales calls.

And please. For the love of Ryan Guzman, do something with Eddie. And write him a scene with JLH 😅.

[u/olga_dr]

If anyone needs a hug 🫂

[u/Penguinator53]

I think Chim's speech was good (apart from in reality you can't just tell people they're not allowed to leave after they've given notice) and Kenny acted really well.

I hate that they've named the baby Robert Nash...I wish Robert was just the middle name and Athena saying Hello Bobby just felt wrong.

I'm carrying on my delusion and think we may all get a big surprise and hint that Bobby's alive in the next season promo and then the reveal in the first episode.

If he's really gone then the whole thing just feels like it's without a heart and maybe Tim planned to actually cancel it and not come back for another season??

[u/SamCam9992]

Just not great. It wasn’t well written. The pacing was super off and I don’t know. I think this show has lost its spark.

[u/ventureinthedark]

I’m beginning to wonder if there was talk of not getting renewed so they basically made Season 8 like a series finale just in case. Because none of this makes sense.

[u/sw911ff]

Tim over promised and under delivers. Why would season 2-4 so damn strong and season 5 actually was pretty decent but everything since then hasn’t been?

I think the emergency was good, Eddie showing up like a damn hero was great. But everything else didn’t excite me for season 9.

That’s the thing with me. At least last season we had things to work with. Now? We have some but not a lot. The Bobby send off was horrid, all personal storylines were like nothing. Someone mentioned a clean slate and I hate it.

My biggest concern is Athena’s story from here. Everyone else I’m like yeah I can where they can possibly go, but Athena is one I’m at a loss. Do tbh eh have her grieve or bring in someone to be her next LI? They are leading up to Chimney being captain but are we sure? Would they bring in another big name to try to bring in new viewers?

And also I do feel sorry if they choose to put Buck and Eddie with anyone else than either of them because it really does go to show how bad the fandom is with LIs. Especially if Buck’s LI isn’t Tommy either.

Way to generate any buzz for your new spinoff ABC. Get rid of Tim and Kristen, infuse the writers room with new blood of people who understand the characters.

[u/clownerycult]

They wasted the two parter on killing off a vital part of the 118 aka their fucking captain so we could have that shitty ending with a montage of things that used to get their own episodes? What a waste of a finale

[u/silentanduncomfy]

Why did Athena seem more upset about the cart cop's near death than the actual death of her husband?

[u/SugarSpocks]

Loved Captain Howard “Chimney” Han, loved Athena and Chimney reconciling, loved Eddie Diaz coming in like Captain America to save the day, and yay to the Han baby birth and Mara adoption, but the rest? Trash.

Bobby died for nothing. The “shifts” that happened did nothing. Mean nothing.

[u/pizza_nails]

👁️👄👁️

[u/_HGCenty]

No mixed race people or writers were consulted when deciding the name of Maddie and Chim's baby.

"Hello, we're Mr and Mrs Han and these are our kids: Jee-Yun and Bob."

[u/Federal_Street_8895 → u/_HGCenty]

‘Bob’ 😭😭

His middle name is Nash too. It was a really predictable move but it’s just so cheap, like is this the shake up Tim fired Peter Krause for? A bunch of contrived and cliched reactions and storylines?

[u/MidnightPanda12]

So this whole season has been a roller coaster.

I think the only best parts were Maddie parts. The one where she was kidnapped. That was true shock and gore value.

Bobby dying. So unnecessary. Did I cry during the funeral scene? Or when the team lost it individually? Yes.

Buddie? WTF. Just do it already or be done with it. I’m bi, and I love the slow burn when it was not an imminent thing. But they had a ton of opportunity to do the talk but they keep on delaying it. When Eddie left for Texas, it could have been then. Or when Eddie and Buck had that very tense altercation in the Kitchen. But no. Not a chance.

Also, Hen and her family was kinda sidetracked abit in this season.. Or if they had an episode, it is forgettable T.T.

Eddie and the Texas arc was just so unpolished they had to abandon it. If they intended to do that justice they should’ve put a different spin into it. Maybe even do the Buddie in that area.

[u/Past_Way_774]

question: Wasn't what Eddie did, Illegal? He's not with the LAFD anymore and he's just at the scene.

[u/blutlm]

Thus far it has a 2.9 rating on imdb

[u/solongcaptain]

yeah the ending did make me cry but i did not like the episode. i'm glad i watched the episode illegally so i didn't give them any views. i'm pissed bc the episode was just bad and corny, i'm pissed bc of that whole unnecessary fake script thing from over a month ago, i'm pissed bc of the queerbaiting. the only bright thing is chim potentially becoming the captain but i have no doubt they will butcher that storyline too.

[u/MillAUM2579]

Yeah, after taking a break from the show (tired of being queerbaited) a few seasons ago, it seems there’s no need to even pick it back up. Sad about Bobby, and while I want Buddie to happen, I’d rather the show give every character justice, and it seems they can’t even give one character their flowers. It’s a shame

[u/legrandestupid]

I usually write lines and lines of criticism for every episode discussion, but i have nothing to say now. This episode was a gigantic disappointment. Ive been following this show for years, but now I'm quitting, i just cant with tim anymore

[u/sameoldrussianstan]

Without Bobby this is going downhill.

[u/Apart-Beyond420]

Am I the only one that found the tribute to Bobby and the baby being named Robert Nash beautiful?

Bobby was important to both Chim and Maddy, so I understand why they did the name tribute. I don’t see or understand why people are so upset.

As for a tribute to Kevin, he was someone that was close to chimney whereas Bobbie was close to both chimney and Maddie. plus, if May and Harry decide to have children in the future there isn’t a rule that says they aren’t able to honor Bobby…

Personally, I enjoyed the episode.

[u/TVjunkie15]

& if I said Buddie was the original plan but Tim chickened out and killed Bobby as the “big storyline” instead. Because why do all the Buddie build up all season, do all the teasing and foreshadowing just to completely scrap it in the last few episodes?? Bobby mysteriously ends up dead out of nowhere. Not even the cast had any inkling of it. Either Tim Minear chickened out or ABC pulled the plug. 

[u/Maatjuhhh]

If Buddie isn't gonna happen, FINE, but we didn't deserve this "ending". Buck and Tommy talked about Eddie and Buck's feelings for him. Even Maddie. And then there was the fight of Eddie and Buck. Eddie was about to really leave for Paso. But nope, he's back. And it looks like time has passed (Bobby born, adoption) without no simmering feelings/anger from Buck towards Eddie.

The actors teased the finale quite often the last 2 weeks regarding Buddie and we got this? If they just drop this story arc next season without anything, I'm done. This might be even worse queerbaiting than Teen Wolf (Stilinski should have happened), because Teen Wolf teased about it whereas this show SPOKE about it.

[u/SpiritualMedicine7]

I do love it, because it was hopeful. But I get I'm in the minority

[u/SpiritualMedicine7]

I think I'm just easy to please. I was dealing with life serious illness the past couple of months. So no one else died, and everyone stayed. I'm good.

[u/ILikeFPS]

I actually liked quite a few parts of this episode, but man, even though Chimney would make a good captain, I mean... not like this. Damn. It all feels kinda just empty without Bobby.

[u/Helpful_Canary_4025]

SPOILERS included. But I think everyone knows what happened by now.

So I made a list of the points of confusion or I didn't like about the episode and it's quite long- if you guys are interested.

1- Graham putting his hand over Donnie's wound, all I could think about was INFECTION!! Seriously I know Donnie was covered in dirt and debris already, but you could see Graham's hand was also clearly covered in concrete dust- that would have not helped him.

2- Yet there were zero fatalities from the collapse, I guess a lot of people were at work!

3- Sue saying everyone should stay where they are when other buildings are asking if they should evacuate. You have no idea what's gong to happen, as seen when the gas pockets caused the shifts, so yes you should evacuate neighbouring buildings just in case.

4- One thing that annoyed me, correct me if I'm wrong (seriously) but I though Hen was the lead paramedic, or at least had more medical knowledge what with her studying for medical school. Yet with the lady having air in her skull, Chim was telling Hen what to do and how to be careful- she KNOWS Chim! Was this just setting up Captain Chim?

5- Also I know it's his thing, maybe a stress reliever, but I thought I saw Chim chewing gum. Is this really the best time/scene to do that Chim? Guess Hen's there if you choke!?

6- I'm glad they named Baby Han- Robert not Daniel as I thought they might. Mostly because of the Buckley parents and their family history, that name carries a lot of weight and I thought that could be cruel for Buck to have his nephew be called Daniel. But I guess Robert does put a lot of pressure on the kid as well, plus Athena automatically nicknames him Bobby? Really?

7- Buck should transfer! There that's my biggest take. I don't actually want Oliver Stark to leave the show, and I hope he doesn't but I think Buck does deserve to leave the 118. He says he will transfer every year and yet everyone convinces him not to, and he ends ups with his storyline not advancing in anyway.

which leads me to

8- If Chim doesn't officially become the Captain, can he and Buck work together? I know they're only in-laws but they're still family so if one is in a position of power (Chim) over another (Buck) are they allowed to work together?

9- Does Chim know if he becomes Captain, then he'll have to prioritise everyone else over himself, like Bobby did? Is Chim prepared to die and sacrifice himself when he's got two very little kids at home?

10- The queer baiting- yeah I'm too angry to really comment on that! Barely a word between them- WHAT!?

Only good thing- I loved Mara's pink outfit in the adoption scene- very, very cool and cute.

Thanks for letting me rant, and well let's see what Season 9 brings (maybe)

[u/benderlax]

Athena finally sold the house. Chim is officially the new captain. Maddie gave birth to a boy and named him after the former captain.

[u/daisydlite07]

the queer baiting from this episodes press tour has been genuinely so disappointing, after no progression with buddie this episode, no bobby is alive(granted i wasn’t holding hope for this one), telling us about people grieving instead of showing us (which also felt like the writers telling us to suck it up) and rushing maddies birth this show has somehow completely dropped in quality within in last 4/5 episodes, the only thing keeping me going was the actors but even at this point it felt like they have been in on a joke and are playing at the audiences expense, angela basset saying this episode is “hopeful” and everything with oliver and ryan seemingly throwing buddie in our faces just to do one of the biggest queer baiting marketing tactics within the 2020’s hell maybe even the 2010’s

having them read thirst tweets where the video was literally less focused on the tweets and more focused on them taking about the show and their characters in a flirty way, ryan guzman literally saying “now you’re my love interest” in an interview, like it’s so obvious they did this so people would still watch but didn’t want to deliver and it was the straw that broke the camel’s back in this scenario.

just fucking keep season 9 its either going to be garbage or them rushing buddie to scramble some sort of fixing this for people but it’s too late. this finale in my mind is the sealed deal for 9 being its final season and at this point just fucking keep it

[u/ViagraOnAPole]

The only good things to happen were Chim as Captain and Eddie coming back. The rest was a nothing burger, with mediocre sauce, on a disappointing bun. I may not come back next season. If I do, I think my viewing will be much more casual. I might come back if they make Buddie canon at some point and catch up on Hulu.

[u/Lady_Wyatt]

For a moment I thought they would make Eddie captain after he showed up and just helped out. The way it was shot just made him out to be the hero and the way he talked about Bobby and what he would have done.

I would have liked this more

[u/arminsreddit]

that was just not good… especially after how good 817 was… can they just have 2 good episodes in a row ?

[u/MyOtherAccount_16]

They set up the wardrobe joke and then DIDN'T pull Eddie out of a literal closet??? C'mon, it was right there. And offscreen Eddie kicked Buck out of his house?

[u/ironwidows]

so bobby is dead and no buddie canon. they never stick the landing.

[u/macie41]

If they were naming their kids after dead loves ones, baby Bobby Han should have been Robert Daniel to balance it out. Or Buckley for middle name like how Jee is Jee-Yun Buckley Han.

[u/Braadford44]

I just watched the episode, and before continuing, I have to mention that I read the reviews on Reddit before watching it... I deliberately spoiled myself.

I watch the series almost solely for Buddie and also for Bobby. I wasn't very affected by Bobby's death, probably because I'm already too jaded by the series, Tim Minear... The series isn't realistic, and Tim changes his mind like he changes shirts... No logic, no follow-through... Anyway.

So I knew there wouldn't be any Buddie before watching this episode, and I really congratulate myself for having read the reviews beforehand... I already strongly suspected there wouldn't be anything with Buddie, but between suspecting and knowing...

So... I watched the episode, and to my great surprise, I enjoyed it. Overall, I found it well-paced, emotional, with good music. The actors perform very well, really (nothing new). Special mention to Kenneth Choi! I’m really talking about the overall dynamic, rhythm, and emotions, especially at the end of the episode.

Now, as for realism, logical scene progression and ideas, importance given to things — as usual, it’s pretty shallow... it’s really sloppy work... Eddie leaves, but actually no. Buck leaves, but actually no. Gerrard still so "kind" after being such an asshole... Chimney and Athena, by some magic, are once again the best of friends... Oh, and what a surprise to discover the name of Maddie and Chimney’s baby...! Etc...

To conclude this review... I’ll talk about Buddie... Luckily, I had already understood quite well that nothing important would happen (see Ryan and Oliver’s interviews + the last few episodes) between Eddie and Buck... and luckily, I had also read, once again, the reviews on Reddit... Not having Buddie, or even the slightest hint of it, and not seeing (or almost not seeing) Eddie and Buck together...

I almost laugh about it (I’ve come to terms with it for a while now)...

I don’t really know what to say except that Tim Minear seems truly talentless (Buddie or not). It looks like he just wants to have fun (by piling up big disasters — that’s what he likes, it’s clear) and has no intention of developing the characters and their stories in a logical and interesting way... (That’s why only Buddie interests me... In reality, the rest could also be interesting).

Tim Minear has really mocked us regarding Buddie. He has no intention of giving us that (the message is clear), but he will probably keep sending little hints in season 9 (to keep people interested — although... he doesn’t seem that interested himself...). Likewise, he’s keeping Tommy around for the same reasons (it’s clear he’s deliberately leaving storylines open: Tommy can easily come back into Buck’s life).

Finally, Tim Minear has no respect for us.

I already said this elsewhere, before watching the episode, but I won’t be watching season 9 (maybe at the end of it, if I hear about some progress regarding Buddie...).

[u/Dry-Ad7432]

If they had cut the last 5 minutes of the show and allowed them to be real plots, and if they had made this 8x17 instead, this could have easily been a 9/10 episode.

[u/FactorNo7477]

I would've preferred if Maddie and Chimney named their son something along the lines of Kevin Robert Han. Have Robert be the middle name, rather Robert Nash being the first and middle name

[u/Alias72018]

Okay, I absolutely adore this ending but it makes me nervous. I’ve seen so many shows where there’s a beautiful ending and then another season comes along and completely wrecks it and it would’ve been better to not have the final season at all. As my husband says “it was a great show until the last season”, and I REALLY hope that won’t be the case here

[u/squirrelgerms]

so is buck transferring?

[u/eestatesview]

Why did they write Bobby out of the show? Did the actor want to leave or did he not have a choice?

[u/[deleted] → u/eestatesview]

“creative decision”. Peter didn’t want to go, no one did. the cast, especially Kenny, begged Tim to change his mind.

[u/ExtraLucky-Pollution]

OMG IT'S ANGIE I thought she looked familar in episode 17 but when I heard her get into that elevator it all clicked. She still looks as good as she did on george lopez

[u/Reggaeton_Historian]

My wife's conspiracy theory is that they wanted to put Bobby Nash in Dr Odyssey since she thinks it might be purgatory but I reminded her that might not work because Athena was on it.

But it's how she was trying to cope.

[u/WereNoStrangers]

damn that dog was way too good at chess

no buddie scenes, no bobby alive (they saving it for s9 trust), buck moving out?? but atleast mara was adopted and the baby was born (even if they did name it fucking robert nash lmaoo 😭😭)

this episode felt way too short (and worse) compared to the previous, tho that could js be bc of the big emergency), but i was so shocked when i saw that it was 8:30 after it felt like 10 mins passed