9-1-1 Recap: Stages of Grief

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The TV series could have followed the conventional pattern by saving Bobby’s shocking death for the season finale, allowing audiences time to grieve over the summer, then resuming with a time jump so characters could cope with their loss. However, they decided to kill off one of their main characters with just three episodes remaining, leaving the wound fresh and raw in “The Last Alarm.” Despite its usual comedic leanings, this episode presents a remarkably somber portrayal of grief, primarily showcasing denial and anger, and provides an apt farewell for Bobby.

The story opens with Athena appearing composed, yet there are evident signs of her struggle. For instance, she’s indecisive about where to lay her husband, Bobby, to rest, and as May points out, they urgently need a decision so they can conduct the funeral. Athena attributes the delay to the fact that Bobby’s body is still being held, but when she learns that Chimney has facilitated the release process, she becomes enraged. Upon arriving at the 118, she confronts Chimney for meddling, stating that he wants to rush the burial because “until he’s in the ground, nobody can move on; they must spend another day dwelling on Bobby and his death.” Despite his own grief, Chimney recognizes better than to challenge a widow. Athena announces the funeral will take place next Tuesday, but before she can depart, she encounters a man named Gary who’s searching for Bobby.

In a regrettable delay, Gary arrives somewhat tardily, and thoughtfully, Athena escorts him to a restaurant. Upon seeing her, he expresses his sympathy and then clarifies the circumstances. His sister, Leah, is currently detained due to allegations of stalking and attempted abduction, following an incident involving a young boy. Earlier in the episode, we witnessed a flashback showing that Leah’s son Micah perished in a fire when he was only an infant; unfortunately, Bobby couldn’t reach the crib in time during their response. Now, Leah is under the impression that a child named Cameron, who shares Micah’s birthdate, is her son. Gary isn’t certain what Bobby could have said to reason with Leah, but he urgently seeks someone who was present at the fire to verify that Micah indeed passed away as an infant. Although Athena wasn’t present during the fire, she remains eager to provide assistance. This action aligns with what Bobby would have wanted.

At the fire station 118, Gerrard arrives and clarifies he’s not taking over as the new captain, which brings a sense of relief. His demeanor seems to have changed drastically, now exhibiting thoughtfulness and kindness. He’s merely assisting with the transition until a new captain is officially appointed by Chief Simpson. However, Gerrard’s conversation about his personal connection to Bobby upsets Chimney so much that he storms off. This anger spills over into their next call, where they respond to a car accident. A man at fault for the collision angrily insists it wasn’t his fault, and Chimney corrects him more forcefully than the situation demands. Gerrard then calls Chimney aside and sympathetically says, “I understand you’re hurting, I am too.” When Chimney claims Gerrard isn’t as great as Bobby was, Gerrad subtly reminds him that he is still acting as captain for now. “I became captain only because I killed our last one,” Chimney retorts. Clearly, he’s struggling, and who wouldn’t be in his position?

Although Athena isn’t in the best shape herself, she finds solace in an intriguing diversion. She frequently visits Leah, who is currently incarcerated, and listens intently as Leah narrates her story – a tale that’s quite captivating! When Leah first spotted Cameron at his birthday party, she thought it was just her imagination playing tricks on her when she noticed a resemblance to Micah. However, upon seeing the identical heart-shaped birthmark on Cameron’s wrist, she became more convinced. To confirm her suspicions, Leah ventured inside the house and discovered photos of Cameron’s mother, a woman named Heather with whom Leah used to do prenatal yoga. Strangely, Heather had abruptly left without explaining why. The rumor was that Heather had lost her pregnancy at that time. Leah is convinced that Heather kidnapped Micah from his crib and started the fire as a cover-up. Athena shares this belief with Leah, as they both grapple with a shared fantasy – the hope that their loved one didn’t actually perish despite all evidence suggesting otherwise, given that this is 9-1-1, a series rooted in the absurd.

As a movie enthusiast, I can relate when I say that denial sometimes rears its head long after loss has occurred, even if the timeline of grief doesn’t seem to allow it. In this case, Athena finds solace in Leah’s story because it gives her hope that people might actually return from the dead. She becomes so engrossed in the mystery of Heather and Cameron that she sets out on a private investigation, neglecting calls and messages from her children and the LAFD. All she wants now is to bring Leah back to Micah. However, one person she can’t ignore is Bobby, who appears like a ghostly figure to question her podcast plans. He seems skeptical of Athena’s kidnapping theory. “If you aren’t going to be helpful, go bother someone else,” Athena snaps at him, “I’m too busy.” In her mind, Bobby sealed himself away in a lab to die and has no right telling her how to live. And so, we return to anger.

In this scenario, Athena, with Leah’s approval, digs up Micah’s grave only to find no remains for DNA testing. However, Athena finds another way to solve the mystery by conducting a DNA test using samples from Heather and Cameron, which match. This revelation confirms that Cameron is Heather’s biological son and not related to Leah, meaning Micah is truly gone. Athena also informs Leah’s family that there was no body to bury because Micah was completely consumed by the fire, a fact they should have disclosed earlier. This heart-wrenching discovery leaves Leah accepting that her belief in a miracle was unfounded. In a compassionate tone, Athena explains to Leah, “I think your grief overcame you, and for a while, you allowed yourself to believe in the impossible.” The District Attorney considers a diversion program for Leah, but there’s no joyous resolution as the mother mourns the loss of her son once more.

I believe you’re simply meant to live on.

The heart-wrenching funeral that concludes the episode leaves no one dry-eyed, including Bobby’s long-lost mother. Chief Simpson conducts the service, discussing the firefighter tradition where 10 bells toll for a fallen comrade. The funeral march is set to “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall,” creating an impactful scene that underscores why 9-1-1 chose to delve deeply into sorrow instead of quickly moving on. These characters need time to grieve, and so do we. The episode finishes with Athena and her children at Bobby’s grave, a fitting location as it is now near the wife and kids he tragically lost in a fire long ago. “You’re home now, baby,” Athena whispers, leaving little more to express.

Call Log

This episode is filled with heart-wrenching and breathtakingly beautiful scenes, some of which had to be left out due to space constraints. However, I felt it was important to highlight a poignant flashback scene where Bobby goes to see Leah in the hospital following Micah’s death. When asked about his resilience amidst the loss of two children, Bobby shares a powerful sentiment: “I continue because I believe one day I will be reunited with them.” (It’s challenging not to be moved by this moment!)

In a poignant moment shared between Athena and Hen, it becomes evident how burdened Athena feels. Although she discusses Gary concealing the truth from Leah concerning Micah’s remains, her words subtly refer to the manner in which Bobby perished. “You shouldn’t abandon them to handle the aftermath all by themselves,” Athena tells Hen as she starts to cry.

As a cinephile, I found myself deeply moved by those subtle yet impactful scenes – such as when Maddie embraced Buck and whispered, “I love you, and considering the latest turn of events, it seems prudent to express this sentiment more frequently.

• Amidst all the sorrow, there’s a glimmer of joy: Ravi is no longer a rookie! Perhaps, this change might lead to Anirudh Pisharody being promoted to a permanent role in the upcoming season.

I’m really eager to find out what 9-1-1 will look like without Bobby as an anchor in its ninth season. To be honest, I’m intrigued to see how they conclude this season, as it seems quite final, but I have greater confidence in the writers than ever before.

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2025-05-02 04:54