9-1-1 Recap: When My Time Comes

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In my previous analysis of last week’s episode of 9-1-1, I admitted that I was somewhat in denial about the possibility of a character dying during the two-part storyline. However, it seems my denial may have been deeper than I thought. To clarify, 9-1-1 typically doesn’t feature the loss of main characters, and nothing could have truly prepared me for the emotionally grueling death scene presented in “Lab Rats”. Therefore, if this recap appears to be less humorous than normal, I hope you can empathize with my shock.

The narrative continues from where it previously ended, with Moira escaping while safeguarding the antidote in a glittering container, and Athena and Buck confronting Colonel Hartman, who seems unconcerned about the 118 individuals trapped within the lab. The arrival of FBI Special Agent Mark Santos brings a spark of enthusiasm to Buck, but his blunt order to “open the damn door” doesn’t yield much progress. Bobby suggests that Athena and Buck let the Army and FBI handle their tasks, although it’s evident he’s conveying a hidden message. Athena comprehends the subtext – they will need to apprehend Moira themselves in order to secure the antidote. “We’ll track down this madwoman and grab the dosage before anyone else in there gets ill,” Athena declares. In order to preserve any chance of saving Chimney, they must retrieve the antidote prior to the U.S. government gaining control over it.

Meanwhile, it’s clear that Chim isn’t faring too well, given the rapid advancement of the virus. The best course of action for hemorrhagic fever is to provide supportive care, fluids, and pain relief – tasks that are challenging when one is confined in a lab with minimal resources. Simultaneously, Maddie indicates they’ll need to administer two to five liters of saline every 24 hours, yet they currently lack such an amount. However, being a laboratory setting, they can certainly manufacture some! Hen guides Bobby through the process of making saline, with Maddie’s input and a reminder that any error could be fatal for Chim (no easy task). At the same time, Ravi collapses due to the numerous, ongoing emergencies in this episode.

It’s fortunate that Ravi isn’t ill; he simply ran out of oxygen. This situation is bad enough as it is, given that he’s on the verge of brain damage in just three minutes. MVP Maddie clarifies that their lab uses air supply lines for pressure suits, delivering a continuous flow of purified air. Although the hose connection isn’t perfect, Bobby assures everyone he can make it function. He successfully rigs up a solution using duct tape to help Ravi start breathing again. There are hints throughout this passage. Initially, Ravi expresses his worry about being sick and unsure how the team would handle having only one antidote dose. Bobby responds vaguely, suggesting they always find a way. “We would have figured it out,” he says. “That’s what we do.” However, Bobby’s response remains somewhat ambiguous. Additionally, this story underscores the significance of air supply lines.

In this scene, Chimney has a poignant discussion with Bobby, which becomes even more heartbreaking due to its tragic aftermath. As the story unfolds, Chimney asks Bobby to promise to look after Maddie and the children in his stead, stating that they are his greatest achievements. Bobby consents to be there for the Hans, although at this point, his primary concern is keeping Chimney conscious. He even calls Maddie via video call for assistance. However, their focus soon shifts as Chimney begins to bleed profusely from the nose, and efforts to control the bleeding prove futile. Ravi, in a surprising display of ignorance for a series like 9-1-1, questions if one can indeed bleed out through the nose. Eventually, they manage to administer homemade saline solution to Chimney, but he’s losing blood at an alarming rate. In a climactic moment, it is Hen (with a chest wound, I might add) who deduces that injecting water up Chimney’s nose can halt the bleeding, and Chim is stabilized.

In the meantime, Athena and Buck continue their pursuit of Moira, ultimately locating her at Martel-Harvey Pharmaceuticals where she’s attempting to sell her antidote to an unusually principled pharmaceutical executive. Recognizing her threat of an imminent pandemic as a significant concern, he does the right thing and contacts emergency services (9-1-1). However, this action alerts the FBI, putting Athena in a race against time to reach Moira before the authorities arrive. She successfully intercepts Moira first, even managing to secure the sparkling flask containing the solitary dose of antiviral that Moira had hidden in the watercooler. Yet, Santos is swiftly on their heels, making escape through regular exits impossible. Buck proposes an unconventional solution: instead of going down the stairs, they should ascend – a move that usually spells trouble in horror films, but he seems to have a strategy.

In this scenario, Buck intends to contact his former girlfriend, who’s a bit upset following their recent encounter. Simultaneously, Tommy gets picked up by an LAFD helicopter from the building rooftop, along with Buck, Moira, and the antidote. This plan seems solid, but it’s interrupted when Hartman communicates that Tommy must return to base immediately. If he resists, the Army will send escorts. What unfolds is a chase reminiscent of helicopter combat across Los Angeles skies. Whether 9-1-1 has the resources for such a spectacle is questionable, but the audacity is commendable. In the end, Tommy is compelled to touch down at the L.A. Coliseum. It then transpires that the entire helicopter incident was a diversion. Buck and Moira emerge with their hands raised, but Athena and the antidote are missing. Surprisingly, Athena is secure with Karen, who’s swiftly transporting her and the antiviral to the lab.

To clarify, I’m a bit uncertain about the specific timing of when the bait-and-switch occurred, or how Athena managed to enter the laboratory without being detected by either the Army or the FBI. Given that they are primarily at the Coliseum, one would assume there would be enough security to prevent a dangerous virus like this from escaping. However, it’s not crucial for the plot – she was always going to find the antidote for Chimney somehow, and in shows like this, sometimes you just have to accept certain events. The important part is that Bobby administers the antidote to Chimney, which results in an immediate recovery. It appears everything ends positively as Bobby displays a sign to the cameras asking the Army to rescue his people. Yet, as Radiohead’s “High & Dry” plays, it becomes evident that we haven’t fully escaped trouble. As expected, as the members of the 118 leave the laboratory and walk through the air tunnel the Army promised in the previous episode, Bobby reactivates the lab’s lockdown system and traps himself inside. He has been infected.

Bobby, through the protective barrier, assures Buck that he will be alright, despite the severe bleeding from the dangerous CCHF strain. His words echo with the weight of impending mortality. “Remember this,” he says, his voice trembling, “They need you. I love you, kid.” The tears start to flow, unabated until the episode concludes (or several minutes afterward). Buck contacts Athena over the radio and advises her to rush to the lab. Bobby then requests some time alone with his wife. This is a heart-wrenching farewell scene, with Bobby confessing that there was a flaw in his air supply line, but he hid it from his team even as he began to feel unwell because there was only enough antiviral to save Chimney. “This isn’t how I wanted to part ways,” Bobby tells Athena, his voice filled with emotion. “I’m not abandoning you. I chose to save my team because it was the right thing to do. It wasn’t about wanting to leave; I don’t want to go. If I could choose, I would stay with you forever.” These words are heart-rending, especially when delivered by Peter Krause at his finest – and he delivers them beautifully! And I am a wreck.

Bobby urges Athena to depart before an impending chaotic situation, to which she replies, “I’ll stay for all the remaining parts.” They both touch hands through the glass. (Angela Bassett delivers a powerful performance in this scene, no need to elaborate.) As Hozier’s “Work Song” plays, Bobby Nash succumbs to the virus and passes away, with the song’s lyrics “when my time comes around, lay me gently in the cold dark earth” emphasizing the sorrow. The sequence showing the 118 understanding Bobby’s sacrifice intensifies the emotional weight of these final moments. Chimney says, “He knew, Maddie,” referring to the fact that when he saved Chimney’s life, Bobby was aware of his own fate. Eventually, I might find forgiveness for this episode’s emotional distress. For now, however, I am in mourning.

Call Log:

In the episode, it appeared as if Ravi’s fate was sealed for doom, with his decision to quit on that particular day making his survival all the more unexpected. It seems almost certain that this twist was intended to heighten the impact of Bobby’s tragic demise.

To clarify, I’m not genuinely angry with “9-1-1”. Instead, it served as a powerful ending to Bobby’s storyline, delivering an emotional, tear-inducing death scene that we didn’t expect from this series. Remarkably, this is the first time a main character has died on the show.

It’s understandable that I might feel somewhat frustrated, given that Bobby met his end at the hands of such an absurd character like the mad scientist, Moira. The audacity!

I won’t give you the Buck-Tommy watch for now as we all regroup, but I must admit I’m becoming less convinced they’ve broken up permanently. Bobby’s demise will undoubtedly trigger an emotional crisis for every character on this series, and it remains to be seen what repercussions might arise from that.

Peter Krause’s remarks about his unexpected departure from 9-1-1 imply that it might not have been entirely his decision to leave. If that’s true, it’s quite commendable of him to remain so courteous. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time he played a lead character on a show where his character met an untimely end.

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2025-04-18 16:55