It's hard to see how 911 can continue without Bobby Nash, and yet that death really did happen and the series has been renewed for a ninth season. Before we can really accept the death, we need a funeral and a chance to say good. That comes in 911 season 8, episode 16.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS for 911 season 8, episode 16.
The episode opens with a flashback. Showrunner Tim Minear had told us that Bobby Nash would still be in the show, at least for the remaining episodes of the season, and we got a chance to see how that's possible as 911 season 8, episode 16 started.
We flashed to eight years ago, as Bobby helped to lead his team into a housefire. Just as he got to a room with a crib, the floor gave away and there was no saving the baby. It reminds us of the loss that Bobby has had to face throughout his career as a firefighter, but also the light that Athena was able to bring to him.
Athena needs to find the right resting place for Bobby in 911 season 8, episode 16
Something that is difficult is letting go when it comes to death. Athena feels the way that we all are in this moment. We're not ready to say goodbye to Bobby, and we can't quite see the series without him. Yet, here we are. If we want to support the rest of the cast, then we need to keep watching and keep going.
Athena needs to find the perfect resting place for Bobby, but that's not all that easy when you're not ready to give in. She finds problems with everywhere. It makes it even harder for Athena as she's rushed into decisions. While she's looking at a funeral home, she gets a call that has her storming out. Chimney wasn't happy that it was taking so long to release Bobby's ashes, and that led to Athena forced to rush through the funeral arrangements.
The flashback comes up during 911 season 8, episode 16, as a man comes to the firehouse looking for Bobby while Athena is there. She decides to listen to him, and it turns out that he is the brother of the mother who lost her son eight years earlier. As she is still struggling mentally with the loss, she's facing a prison sentence, and her brother hoped that Bobby could help protect her. Athena can understand this hard loss, and there's a chance that maybe she can get through to Leah.
The rest of the 118 struggle to deal with the loss
Each member of the 118 have to deal with this loss in their own way. Maddie is the one who can take a step back compared to all the others. While she knew Bobby, she didn't know him as well as the others, so she can be there for others, especially Chimney and Buck.
As we know, Chimney isn't handling it well, as he wants to deal with the funeral as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Hen and Buck are just trying to figure out how to handle the entire situation.
Even Gerard is struggling as he gives a speech about Bobby. No, he isn't coming back as the captain of the 118, but he will be around until the fire department chooses a worthy replacement. Bobby's shoes are not ones easy to fill, but I vote for Hen if one has to come in.
Chimney is certainly struggling the most, likely with survivor's guilt. As the 118 is called to a car accident, Chimney can't help but call out the man who tries to claim the accident wasn't his fault. As Gerard tries to get Chimney to take a breather, Chimney points out that he isn't the captain that Bobby ever was.
Maddie is understandably worried about her husband. She hasn't seem him like this; it's usually him picking up the pieces for her. She's worried he's pushing everyone out, and that's certainly what it looks like.
Athena gets to the bottom of a possible child-snatching situation
Athena takes on a case that seems crazy at first. When she goes to see Leah in jail, she gets the details she need about what happened. Leah makes it clear that she knows she sounds crazy, but she is sure her son is still alive. She met a boy who is the same age, looks the same, and has the same birthmark her son had.
On top of that, she learns that the mother of this boy is someone she knew at prenatal yoga. Is it possible that this woman stole her son? Athena certainly seems to think that it's possible.
It's hard to tell whether Athena is running on grief or not, but she takes everything seriously and looks into the possibility of the other mother losing her son and stealing Micah. She gets the ghost of Bobby talking her through it, and it's clear he is trying to be the voice of reason. Or is he just the voice of doubt in her mind? Either way, she decides that the body of Micah needs to be exhumed for a DNA test, and that's when the mystery gets bigger. There wasn't a body to bury, and all that is in the casket is a picture of Micah. It keeps adding up that Micah was taken, but at the same time, the heat of that fire could have burned his body.
Something that is heartbreaking is seeing the anger from everyone. It's one of the early stages of grief, and we see both Athena and Chimney dealing with it. Everyone wants to support them and help them through this, and they're the ones who will help them get through this.
In the end, Athena found another way to get to the truth. She turned to the boy and his mom, explaining everything to the mom, who agreed to help. The two gave DNA swabs, proving that they are mother and son. Poor Leah feels like she's losing her son all over again as she learns that Micah definitely died in that fire.
It's hard to believe that this Leah could think Bobby was a great man, but we get the flashback we needed. Bobby goes to see Leah in the hospital to apologize for not being able to save Micah, and he even opens up about the loss of his own children. "I live in the belief that one day I will see them again," is how he gets through it, and it's hard not to break down typing this. 911 has lost a wonderful character and a wonderful actor.
It's time to say goodbye in 911 season 8, episode 16
This episode was emotionally charged, but also healing and beautiful. With the focus on helping a grieving mother, Athena is able to heal a little herself. Enough to find the perfect final resting place for Bobby.
That brings the funeral, and Eddie is there for it. It's so great that Eddie was able to jump on a plane to get back to LA for this necessary moment. After the last few years, he needed to be there for the funeral, and he even carries the casket along with other members of the 118.
As they're getting ready, Buck gets a call and leaves to get Chimney, who is sitting at the top of a roof drinking. Chimney's anger now comes out, and it's absolutely okay to be angry at the person who died, especially considering the circumstances. Chimney is angry that Bobby didn't take his own lesson: finding a third way when there are only two bad options. Was there a third way, though? Chimney has spent two weeks thinking about it and can't see it, and now he has to live knowing that Bobby gave his life for him. What does he do with that life?
"I think you just need to live," Buck replies, and he's never spoken truer words.
As much as I hate the loss of Bobby, the funeral was everything I needed. We have the ringing of the bell, the bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace," and the salute of all uniformed personnel. It all ends with the leaked images, of Athena, May, and Harry leading the people behind the firetruck carrying Bobby's casket to a plane.
Wait, a plane? Where is Bobby's perfect resting place? Athena took him back to Minnesota where his first wife and children are buried. "You're home now, baby." This has to be the most selfless thing Athena could have done considering she can't visit him whenever she wants.
I'm not crying; there's just something in my eye.
911 airs on Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC. Catch up the following day on Hulu.