‘9-1-1’ Holds Bobby’s Funeral — How Did Peter Krause Return in First Episode After Death?
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 16 “The Last Alarm.”]
“Everything about this is wrong,” Hen (Aisha Hinds) says at one point during the first episode after 9-1-1 killed off the show’s heart, Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), and she’s right.
It’s been two weeks since Bobby’s death, and no one’s doing well. (They have that in common with the fans, we’re sure.) The good: The calls are minimal, as they need to be, with everyone dealing with their grief. The not-so-good: Bobby’s wife Athena (Angela Bassett) gets wrapped up in helping a woman who lost her baby in a fire eight years prior but is convinced he’s alive. That fire? Bobby and the 118 responded to it, as we see in a flashback.
The flashbacks for that storyline are great, but the rest of it drags out a bit, using up time that would have been better off spent on the 118 and Bobby’s loved ones and their five stages of grief. Bassett is, of course, outstanding as Athena tries to avoid facing her loss and then accepts it. Kenneth Choi is the second clear standout of the episode, delivering one of his best performances of the show as Chimney grapples with survivor’s guilt (Bobby gave him the only dose of the anti-viral, not revealing to anyone he was infected until it was too late). Athena and Chimney’s grief is so painful, it’s almost tangible.
Oliver Stark plays a stoic Buck who seems to be trying to hold it together for everyone else, which makes sense after Bobby’s last words to him, that the others will need him. Ryan Guzman, in his brief moments onscreen, does a great job of showing how this loss affects Bobby, but we unfortunately don’t get to see him learn about Bobby’s death or have more than a couple sentences to begin to address how he feels. Hinds’ Hen gives into her sorrow in a touching moment with her wife, Karen (Tracie Thoms), that says it all. Even Brian Thompson‘s Gerrard is visibly affected by the loss, as seen in how he speaks to the 118, especially how he approaches Chimney. However, that feels more like the actor’s feelings about the character of Bobby and what not having Peter Krause on the show anymore means than how the captain would really feel, even after he helped him earlier this season.
The episode opens up with a flashback to eight years ago, and the house fire that resulted in the heartbreaking death of a baby; the crib falls into the flames just as Bobby bursts into the room. In the present day, the mother’s brother comes into the 118 to talk to Bobby after his sister is arrested; she’s convinced that another boy is her son and his mother set the fire to steal him. Athena throws herself into the work, but in the end, the boy isn’t the woman’s.
Disney / Christopher Willard
As aforementioned, too much of the episode is spent on this storyline. What is great is seeing, in a way, Bobby and Athena working one last case together side-by-side, even if the former is just a hallucination of the latter’s. Athena begins seeing and hearing Bobby as she gathers all the pieces of the case at their unfinished house and talks it through with him. “If you are not going to be helpful, go haunt someone else. I’m busy,” she says at one point. “Bobby” remarks that she’s supposed to be planning his funeral, but she says it’s a hero’s burial, so there’s a template to follow. He also comments on the missed calls and texts on her phone. “You’re the one who locked himself in a lab to die. You don’t get to tell me how to spend my time,” she snaps at him. “Ouch,” he replies. But Athena’s trying to help this woman because she knows that Bobby would have and now he can’t. How can she know that, he wonders. “I know you,” she says. ‘You knew me, past tense,” “Bobby” corrects her. Krause and Bassett are so good together that this scene is a painful reminder of what we’ve lost.
Also great? The flashback to Bobby visiting the woman in the hospital immediately after the fire to give his condolences. He tells her he knows how enormous the pain of losing a child can be, and while she doubts that, he then reveals he lost two. How did he keep going, she wonders. “I live in the belief that one day I will see them again,” he tells her. “With all my heart, I do” believe that. Peter Krause is so good in these scenes, it’s just another indication of how wrong it feels for the show to have lost him.
As Athena struggles with her grief, she refuses to select a burial place for Bobby, then, angry, confronts Chimney when she learns that he complained about it taking so long to release his body. It’s not his place to interfere, she insists, but he just wanted to help. She thinks that he just wants to move on and stop thinking about how he died, but Chimney assures her that no one, especially him, will forget what Bobby did. It’s, of course, with Hen that Athena does eventually break down and give in to the sorrow, turning their conversation (and Hen’s concern) about the investigation into how she’s really feeling. Of the woman’s husband and brother deciding not to tell her there were no remains to bury of her baby, Athena asks, “Who does that? If you love someone, you’re honest with them, you respect them, you trust that they can make the hard decisions. You don’t just blindside them and then take off! You don’t leave them to deal with the mess alone! He’s not supposed to be dead, Hen. He stood here, in this kitchen, that morning, planning our future, and he just left. He left me.” Hen assures her he didn’t want to, but “he did anyway,” Athena sobs in her friend’s arms. This episode really is giving Bassett the chance for a strong bid for an Emmy nomination.
Meanwhile, Chimney takes up running, which his wife Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) knows helps him avoid talking to anyone, as she tells Buck when the siblings share a sweet moment and hug. “I love you, and given recent events, I feel like it’s something I should start saying more,” she tells her brother, and he responds in kind. (Also, Maddie? Very pregnant.)
At the 118, Chimney walks off when Gerrard begins offering his condolences and insisting he’s not there to take the place of the “exceptional firefighter” and “exceptional person” they lost, but instead, help them through the difficult transition. Then, during a call, when Gerrard intervenes and tries to give Chimney a chance to cool off, with both of them hurting, the firefighter yells at him, “You know, you shouldn’t even be here! What right do you have to run the 118? You are not half the man that Bobby was.” Gerrard reminds him he’s his captain, but Chimney responds, “Only because I killed our last one, so I’d be very careful if I was you.” Wow.
When Maddie tries to talk to Chimney about how he’s feeling, reminding him that they promised not to shut each other out, he insists he’s trying not to and just figuring out how to get back up on his feet. That, it turns out, means sitting on the roof of the 118, with a bottle of liquor, the day of Bobby’s funeral. Buck, off a call from his sister, finds him. They’re going to be late, he says. “To my own funeral,” Chimney says, then corrects himself with, “Oh, no, wait, not my funeral, just should have been.” No one blames him, Buck assures him, and Chimney doesn’t either. Rather, “I blame him. Bobby had no right to keep us in the dark. He just decided for everyone how things were going to go, and I kind of hate him for that,” Chimney admits, and yes, he means it. “He should have told us the truth.”
As Chimney sees it, they should have been able to find that third option. “You know, when you’re out in the field and you only have two bad options to choose from, you do not accept that. You do not let those be the only two crappy options available. You always find a third way, you know who taught us that? … And we always did that time after time after time. We never gave up. We always found a third way and we always did it together.” It feels like Chimney’s speaking to the history of the show. Chimney stabbed through the head with rebar? He survives. Eddie buried alive? He finds a way out. Buck’s leg crushed under an engine? He returns to work. Chimney’s been trying to think of that third option for this case but has come up empty. “He gave my life so I could live,” he says, emotional. “I’m just not sure what I’m supposed to do with that.” Buck tells him, “I think you’re just supposed to live.”
It’s what the 118 is supposed to somehow do now going forward. But first, they must make it through the funeral. “Of all the days, this is the one you choose to leave me to go at it alone,” Athena says to Bobby’s photo as she walks inside. Among those in attendance, besides Athena and her kids, the 118, Maddie, Karen, Gerrard, and Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.) appeared to be Athena’s mother and Bobby’s mom as well.
Chief Simpson (Richard Brooks) leads the service: “On this day, we gather here to celebrate the life and legacy of Captain Robert Wade Nash, a day filled with heaviness that weighs on us all, as we gather in this sacred space. A day marked by gratitude for the life we lost and the many lives saved. As we reflect on his service, we remember the countless lives he touched, the friendships he forged, and the sacrifices he made. Captain Nash was more than a firefighter, he was a mentor, a husband, a father, and for so many of us, a beloved friend. There are many traditions in the fire service, among those traditions is the sound of a bell. It was the bell that signaled the beginning of that day’s shift. Each alarm was sounded by a bell, which summoned these brave souls to put their lives on the line for the good of others, and when that alarm had come to an end, it was a bell that signaled the completion of that call. When a firefighter fell in the line of duty, an officer would tap out a special signal, 10 bells. This signal would be heard by all station houses, notifying them of the passing of one of their own. It is customary and fitting that the final alarm be sounded for our brother, Captain Robert Wade Nash. He has completed his duties, a job well done, and is now returned home.”
With that, the emotional loved ones of Bobby say goodbye, carrying out his coffin to the 118 truck, and hanging his turnouts and helmet on the back before the funeral procession down the street.
Disney / Christopher Willard
The episode ends with Athena having found the perfect place for Bobby: buried alongside his wife and kids he lost in the fire in Minnesota. Athena takes a white rose off the top of the coffin and kneels. “Rest easy, you’re home now, baby,” she says. “You’re home.” She leans down and rests her head, then kisses the coffin before stepping back and standing with the kids.
What did you think of how 9-1-1 said goodbye to Bobby? How much did you cry? (I’ll admit it: I cried a lot.) Let us know in the comments section below.
9-1-1, Thursdays, 8/7c, ABC
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Comments are closed on this story.
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S
Bobby’s death was the worst thing that could have happened to this show. He was the glue that held it all together. I cannot watch 911 any more.
52 2
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P
I wouldn’t watch, so thanks for the recap. I’m done with the show. It won’t be the same without Bobby. Tim ruined everything. And I’m very disgusted hearing Gerrard is back again.
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P
I believe that the team of directors, etc. made a MAJOR error in the death of Bobby. As good as Angela Basset is, her character and Bobby’s made the show. As I watched the funeral all I kept thinking was “what’s left?”…they killed off a major character of the show. I can relate that they’re trying to say “this happens in real life” but this is TV. It’s an escape to what makes us feel good.
Losing Bobby (and Athena in a way) took a lot from this series. What’s left? Very disappointing.
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B
I agree totally. I live 3 miles from Ground Zero in NYC. I don't need more reality.
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C
Agreed. There was a touch of tragedy throughout 9-1-1 as they try to save people, but we also wanted the escapism of the good guys always surviving. Minear screwed that big time. Bad choice.
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O
I agree. Letting actors go, more than one, just when we enjoy them. Krause and Bassett are great actors, but i didnt feel chemistry with them. Maddie, always crying, holding on to her tears, always looking so pitiful. Could someone please put a smile on her face?
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G
Bobby was the moral compass and soul of the show, and they replaced him with Gerard!? The disrespect! Bobby came in and saved the 118 from him.
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C
I like the fact he was buried with his kids but I think writers made a big mistake killing off Bobby. This show will not be the same.. and I see it ending next season. ABC really knows how to turn the viewers off..
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G
I cried so much through it & I really broke down at the end when I saw where he was buried. Athena knew Bobby better than anyone and as much as they loved each other, she knew his final resting place was with his first wife and their kids. I do hope the one story didn’t end like it did. That would have been a messed up distraction. I’m going to finish out this season, but idk if I’ll watch the 9th one. Just won’t be the same
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S
I’m out! Tonight’s she was a major disappointment. They didn’t drape an American flag over the coffin, but continued to say that in killing Bobby, they were honoring the first responders and making it more real. Not having a flag was a disrespect to first responders. There’s no way that what they’ve done here could have been possible so saying that it means that maybe they can bring them back. The local fire department would not be called into gain of function lab. They have their own people for that stuff and the CDC would’ve taken control of the facility. Bobby’s hat, fire, jacket and body would’ve been burnt. I know this because my father was in charge of infectious disease and animals for Nixon on through George Bush Senior. I traveled with him. I’ve learned this. Bobby and Athena were the heart of the show with the firefighters added in. I don’t wanna watch it anymore if Bobby‘s gone. But since they got it so wrong, can’t they make it out to be a dream? I’m so disappointed in all of it. They want to make us cry and we did now we move onto another show somewhere else but not 911 or the new Nashville. If Bobby reappears, I will tune in, but I’m not gonna watch hallucinations and flashbacks.
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G
I'm done with this show now. When Bobby left, I left too.
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G
I still don’t like loosing Bobby. I agree they should’ve had given more time to each one of the members of the 118 to express their feelings instead of putting another storyline. I don’t know if I will continue watching this. It is sad that they got rid of one of the main characters that held the 118 together.
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G
I refuse to watch. 911 died for me when they killed Bobby.
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P
Done watching
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B
It was a very good episode. I cried and cried, BUT I will no longer watch 911. I understand the reason why Bobby died BUT Minear could've come up with a different ending, NO ONE NEEDED TO DIE FROM THE 118. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
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B
That was a great episode, each one had their moment, their thoughts, and how they felt. How they angela took him back to be buried by his 1st wife and children was awesome.
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G
I cried a lot! It was good, great ending, but not so excited to keep watching 911. Bobby Nash was such an important character, a pillar. Yes, his character was one of sacrifice, we know his story but why get rid of this character? I understand why the producers did it, but I don’t agree with it.
9 1
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G
Didn’t watch,won't watch until I see the spoiler alert that Bobby is back! (I will say to the writers, good writing can always write a Cadaver script!) The show will never be the same! I’m out!
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J
That never occurred to me
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B
Don’t think I want to watch the show again
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P
I am so sorry Bobby is gone, I love Athena, but this is good bye to this show. Athena and Bobby were a great couple.
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O
I will never watch the show again.
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E
I think they should write Tim Minear off of 911 for creative reasons!
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B
I can't. I am done watching this show. Omg, for a minute there I thought Maddie was gonna die when her throat got slashed, then they went ahead and killed off Bobby. Bobby was then one. He held the show together. There was no signs he was getting killed off. I think this is how ABC is rapping up the 911 series cause the ratings are gonna go downhill from now.
Byee, I am out!!
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B
I won't watch anymore. Bobby was the heart of the show for me.
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J
I haven't watched since I learned of Bobby's death and unsure if I will watch. This is the second show I watch that killed off a main character. I haven't watched that one either. The networks take off good shows and the ones they keep they ruin. I may just stick to re watching my favorite shows from the past
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C
I watched Bobby's funeral and cried as we said goodbye. With all of the instability going on right now, I just don't understand why Tim thought this was a creative idea. Yes, Bobby was a fictional character but we relied on this honorable, selfless and endearing man. Bad move. I will no longer watch.
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R
Athena picked the best, most selfless, place to bury Bobby. The show was excellent.
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C
I cried and my husband cried too. It was just so sad. Brought back losing my parents recently. It was an emotional episode. Loved that Athena chose the best resting place for Bobby.
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P
What in the heck were they thinking? It was a stupid move. No viewer wants him gone. I will not be watching 911 ever again unless somehow, Bobby can come back! Maybe they could present it as a bad dream or something of that nature.
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G
Yes going to missed Bobby Nash I am glad she bring him home buried with his family. 118 firefighters surely missed him great leader always but not forgotten carry on!! It did make me cried!!
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B
Bobby's death and funeral is a nightmare someone is having......therefore he did not die!
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O
Loved Athena, and Chim, the rest of the show was dragging. 7. Minutes for the funeral not long enough. Not enough emotion from the rest of the crew. Did Eddie say 10 words? . I teared up when he was put on the plane because I then knew he was going home to Minnesota. That was the only thing I liked about it. I’m done with the show. Tim screwed up!
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M
The dumbest move by a dumb producer. Bobby WAS 9.1.1!
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V
911 was one of the best shows and I looked forward to watching every week. Bobby and Athena were the main characters of that show and for the writer to kill off Bobby they just killed the show. They just ruined everything!! I'm done watching 911 now. It was great while it lasted. 💔😢
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R
I laughed when Athena told Bobby if he wasn’t going to help go haunt someone else. I really cried when i saw he was buried next to his children. He will be greatly missed.
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R
I didn't watch it, nor will I. I'm done. 9-1-1 is no longer a show I'll stream. I only had HULU because that's where 9-1-1 streamed. I don't even have a TV in my home. What few shows I watch, I stream on my phone. Going forward I'm down to less than five hours of TV. Depending on who NCIS kills off in the next episode or two I may be down to less than four hours.
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M
I started crying during the 10 bells and then lost it when they went to get on the plane because it was at that exact moment I knew what Athena meant when she told the kids "I found the perfect resting place for Bobby".
At first I too thought too much time was spent on the other story-line about the lady and her baby until I realized that by helping her to let go Athena was helping herself to do the same and then that story-line made sense.
I'm not one of those saying "I won't watch now" although it won't be the same but we've seen other shows lose profoundly important characters and regroup (think M*A*S*H and Cheers to name a couple) and be just as good or, in some cases, even better so I will reserve judgement until season 9 comes out; the other actors and the characters they portray deserve that loyalty ~ they had no control over this story-line either and it is just as devastating to them (both the characters and the actors) as it is to us.
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O
They never should have taken him off the show, so dissapponted
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G
This reminded me of my own father’s funeral. He was a retired fireman and passed away at 96 years old. The fire engine was at his cemetery and they did the “final call” and the ringing of the bell. Brought back SOO MANY memories! I cried all over again!
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O
I think they need to write in a baby for Athena and Bobby since they wrote him out! 😭
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P
I cried my heart out feeling the pain especially for Athena. They were a fantastic pair. And unless this turns out to be some sort of nightmare Bobby is having ( or anyone else that was trapped down there with the virus) I will stop watching 911 after this last episode. BRING BOBBY BACK!!!!!!!!! There is no 911 without it's 💖 gone. There is the whole summer to come up with SOMETHING to explain what happened ( it was a nightmare, he was in a coma, etc ) before the next season starts or A LOT of us are gonna be finding something else to watch on Thursdays before Dr. Odyssey.
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R
Angela broke down to HEN I just cried through the whole show she didn't deserve all this grief the show wouldn't be same without Bobby they were the back bone producer are darn fool specifically Minea or who ever he is when Athena kiss that coffin really lost it they all were family just a damn shame producers lost a lot of viewers especially me and all my family members and friends
1
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O
I thought the part of burying him with his wife and kids was great, just where he belonged. But i cant believe they killed Bobby off the show , not smart. And yes should of been more of seeing the other team members grieve
1
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R
bring BOBBY BACK
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S
I cried... They shouldn't of liked Bobby off... They should somehow bring him back....I know they could....I think the show was doing great!!!! I watched every episode... Like two or three times... Still watch 911 to this day, since it started!!!
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G
I haven't watched it yet, but read the teaser anyway.
I know it's going to be hard for some to watch again, but like any show, it must go on, and I fir one will Still be watching 9-1-1.
And yes, I will miss Captain Bobby Nash.
1
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O
I couldn't watch 911. I'm so sad about Bobby's death. I will not watch 911 anymore. When you got rid of Bobby you lost me as a viewer.
1
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R
I'm also done with the show! It will never be the same without Bobby Nash.
1
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P
I felt the episode was so-so. I felt it was kind of disjointed. Angela Bassett was awesome. The rest of the cast hardly had any time because everything was based around Athena’s investigation. There was little screen time for Eddie. It would have been nice to see a flashback of Eddie receiving the news. Would like to have seen more funeral scenes. I will still watch the show but it will be hard pressed to keep its ratings after this. I hope the writers haven’t shot themselves in the foot, but I’m afraid they have after this.
1
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P
I think it was a very powerful episode. But more time should have been given for the characters to grieve more. But... I really feel something is very fishy and and off. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's just the way I feel. I guess as time goes on we'll see.
1
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G
The show was renewed with Bobby's character. It was renewed based on ratings with his character. It was canceled moved networks and did phenomenal with Bobby and Athena why try to drive a storyline when your losing half of your audience?
1
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P
Let's hope that they make him alive again and that they buried him alive so he is not dead but in a comatose state that make people believe that he is dead and has no pulse xhen it's actually really faint. They should make that instead of killing him like this . We the fun are not ready for that kind lf drama . There has been to much drama In the past season. So give us kinda a break
1
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O
Angela knocked it out of the park with her grieving portrayal of Athena. It should’ve been a 2 hour episode to give each of the characters more time to appropriately express their grief (hopefully this will carry forward into next season’s storylines). It’s tough losing the heart and soul of a show and I’m wondering how the show will handle this loss going forward. I know I’ll miss Bobby.
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G
Angela has been one of my favorites since way back in the day when she portrayed Tina in What’s Love Got To Do With It over 30 years ago.And never disappointed me since.
13
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O
I agree. I watched every episode of 911 and Bobby Nash/Peter Krause was the heart and soul of the 118 firehouse, not to mention the show. I will not watch nor will I watch Nashville 911 either. Once the ratings go down, and they will do you think someone will have the balls to do the right thing and fire Minnear and maybe do a “Dallas” episode where it was all a horrible nightmare, not a dream? I doubt it.
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P
is he dead
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B
I do not like the way you killed Bobby. Too Realistic . Athena and Bobby was an older loving couple of colors. They were a beautiful couple. I’ll still watch the show. Hope it’s interesting 🌱
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O
OMG, I cried like a baby for a 2am feeding!! I don't think I've ever cried so hard over a movie/show. If Krause and Bassett do not get an emmy for their performances there is no one out there more deserving. I love this show so much but have to admit I will miss Peter Krause very much. Chimney and the entire 118 crew did an excellent job on their performances for the funeral. I just hope Chimney can get a grip on his survivors guilt and Maddie can help him through it. Will be hard to replace Capt Nash and awaiting his replacement as Hen really doesn't want it.
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P
Angela was awesome!! She deserves an award for her performance. She had me in tears....made me wonder . " what will she do without Bobby??? Their love was so 💪strong! It's also a reminder of whst our first responses deal with every day. No One is guaranteed tomorrow 🥲
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C
where was Athena’s first husband in this epidode
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R
I'm still crying! 😭
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R
they should make all a dream and have him come back like they did on grays anatomy
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R
As a retired firefighter, I thought it was a wonderful ending. Madecme tear up a bit and remember other fallen heros funerals.
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C
The third option was to use the rat for the anecdote for Bobby
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G
Maybe that's what the government is doing with him. Dang I watched too many soaps as a child.
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O
YUP, CRIED ALOT.....:(
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P
I loved the way wrote this episode. I did a lot of soul searching. Paul
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C
Still crying
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P
I love this show and of course I cried. I hate Peter (Bobby) left show and I really do not like Gerrard character. Les just see how this plays out.
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O
I cried
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G
Good episode. Jumped-the-shark.
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