The Last Alarm

There is truly nothing one could say about this episode other than that it was oddly paced, genuinely boring, and disappointing. Even disregarding the decision to kill Bobby and the validity of it - the way his death was handled this episode was out of character for most of the characters, didn't achieve anything, and was, once again, simply boring.

If Tim Minear wanted to shake things up for shock value, maybe making 3/4 of an episode like this about a random side-plot while sidelining everyone's grief wasn't the smartest idea. I really don't understand any of the decisions at this point, even as someone who thinks Bobby's death was completely unnecessary and an easily avoidable nail in a well-performing show's coffin, I still hoped for a good emotional tribute, for a display of grief as diverse as the characters are. Instead, it was just a waste of screen time with no emotional impact. Thanks, Angela Basset and Kenny Choi for delivering good acting, the only remotely redeemable part of the episode.

This was absolutely the worst mistake they could have made! Why kill off the father figure and the literal glue of the whole show?! It's absolutely ridiculous and my household will NOT be watching again until they figure out how to bring Bobby back! Nothing against the actors because they're wonderful as always but I really hope this shows ratings plummet and they have to cancel, just to prove that this show is literally NOTHING without Bobby Nash! I really hope after seeing the ratings of these last episodes they seriously reconsider and try to bring him back. Could literally be in the most unnatural way and we wouldn't bat an eye! Since we never seen a body or anything they could literally make it to where he survived and the government or something is running tests on him since he has "special blood".

This does not feel like an appropriate send off for the first major character death in 8 seasons. This episode, along with the past two, have been oddly paced and rushed. While Angela Bassett did a phenomenal job portraying the grief of her character, the lack of emotional moments for the rest of the characters seemed inappropriate for what was going on and confirmed my fear of the writers not properly allowing the characters to grieve. While Kenneth Choi's character's anger was well acted and realistic to the character, it's incredibly concerning that the writers seemed to hint at him using alcohol as a coping mechanism and displaying addictive behaviors while Bobby was a recovering addict. Going off the shows track record, I fear this will be one of many things that don't get addressed. Additionally, the rest of the cast (specifically Buck, Eddie, and Ravi) seem to have no emotional moments, which seems especially uncharacteristic for Buck. It seems as if any opportunities for grief from the cast were put aside for the B plot that went on too long. While it was a helpful way to characterize Athena's grief, that b plot over stayed its' welcome and took most of the emotion out of the episode. The promo for the upcoming episode seems to imply things will be somewhat returning to normal for the cast, fully solidifying that the writers should not have done this plot if they weren't prepared and able to write actual grieving storylines for all the cast. Overall, Bobby's actual send off seemed rushed and not fleshed out, however Angela and Kenneth gave great performances with the script they were given and the choice to have him buried in Minnesota was touching, although confusing as it also takes him away from his living family in LA.

One of the primary reasons killing off Bobby Nash was a bad idea is that he was a beloved character. Bobby Nash wasn't just important on his own-he was also integral to the dynamics between other characters. Killing off a character like Bobby can have an emotional cost that extends beyond the fictional world. Fans often build a connection to these characters over time, and when that character dies, it can feel like a personal loss. If not handled carefully, this emotional upheaval can lead to narrative fatigue. One of the most compelling reasons why killing off Bobby Nash was a bad idea is that it deprived the story of a rich source of potential character development.

As a long-time viewer of 9-1-1, I'm deeply disappointed by the direction the series has taken in its eighth season, especially after episode 16. Bobby's death wasn't just an emotional blow - it was a clear sign that the people behind the show have stopped valuing their connection with the audience. Bobby wasn't just another character; he was the heart of the series, and the way his death was handled felt cold, lacking the emotional depth and narrative care he deserved.

On top of that, many fans are exhausted by the way the relationship between Buck and Eddie has been treated. For years, the show has built a strong emotional connection between them - filled with subtext, meaningful moments, and undeniable chemistry. And yet, it refuses to take a clear step forward in developing that bond. Instead, we're given breadcrumbs, vague hints, and ambiguous scenes, as if stringing us along is part of the entertainment.

This isn't new. We saw the same thing happen with Supernatural, where the fear of fully committing to a fan-beloved relationship like Destiel resulted in frustration and heartbreak. Now 9-1-1 seems to be repeating that same pattern - and it's painful to witness.

This isn't just a fan complaint; it's a wake-up call. Because when a show strays so far from the emotional core of its characters and the impact they have on their audience, it doesn't just lose narrative coherence - it loses the trust of those who supported it for years.