ABC’s 9-1-1 is famous for its thrilling rescues and intense action. For the past seven seasons, the series has shown the 118 Firehouse team as they try to save people in Los Angeles from many disasters. Last season, two of their own needed rescuing from a capsized cruise ship.
Bobby (Peter Krause) and Athena (Angela Bassett) show great bravery when they find out their ship has been taken over by pirates.
However, they still need help from the crew, who fly in on a helicopter during a storm to bring them to safety. This is just the beginning of the action, with lots of drama unfolding throughout the rest of the season.
Season 7 also brings some happiness, especially when Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Chim (Kenneth Choi) finally get married.
There are some challenges to reach the altar, mainly because Chim has a serious brain condition.
Fans hope these two will find a way to enjoy their marriage without many tragedies getting in their way. Here are some reminders of what has been happening with the 118 to prepare you for Season 8.
Buck and Tommy’s New Relationship on 9-1-1
Buck (Oliver Stark) has had many girlfriends on the show over the years. His most interesting relationship started last season when he began to have feelings for LAFD pilot Tommy Kinard (Lou Ferrigno Jr.).
Buck struggles to accept his bisexuality, but he is beginning to share this part of himself with those he loves.
This leads to healthy growth for his character, allowing his relationship with Tommy to develop. It may not be an easy path ahead, but Season 7 ends with positive signs for their future together.
Major Parenting Issues for 9-1-1 Characters
Season 7 is tough for the parents on the show. One of the most heartbreaking developments involves Eddie (Ryan Guzman) and his son, Christopher (Gavin McHugh). In a strange twist of events, Eddie starts dating a woman who looks just like his late wife.
Christopher and Eddie’s current girlfriend walk in on them, leading to confusion for Christopher, especially since she resembles his mom.
Feeling lost, Christopher asks Eddie’s parents if he can stay with them for a while. Eddie feels heartbroken but knows he needs to regain his son’s trust, so he allows the move.
It is unclear how long Christopher will be in Texas, and a big question for the new season is how Eddie will handle this big change. Will he struggle even more, or will this help him improve as a father?
Besides Eddie, Hen (Aisha Hinds) and Karen (Tracie Thoms) also face serious parenting problems. They were fostering a little girl named Mara (Askyler Bell), who quickly became part of their family. However, an earlier call from Hen’s work now haunts her.
Councilwoman Olivia Ortiz (Veronica Falcon) blames Hen for not giving better medical care to her son, who died in a multi-car accident in Episode 7.
Ortiz seeks revenge and tries to stop Hen and Karen’s adoption of Mara. She even goes further, working to remove them as approved foster parents, so they can no longer keep Mara.
The couple is heartbroken until a solution comes at the end of Episode 10. Maddie and Chim decide to become foster parents so Mara can stay with them while Hen and Karen sort out their situation.
This allows Hen and Karen to still be involved with Mara, whom they see as their daughter. Season 8 will likely show the complications with Ortiz, who will not give up her revenge plans easily. For now, Mara is safe with Maddie and Chim.
Bobby’s Replacement on 9-1-1
Even when these characters face personal drama, they can count on each other at the firehouse. However, their bond faces challenges this past season.
First, Bobby and Athena are targeted by an arsonist at their home, and then Bobby suffers a serious heart attack while rescuing Athena.
Athena and a man from Bobby’s past, Amir (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), discover that cartel members angry with Bobby are behind the fire.
Athena manages to arrest them, but they will need to put a lot of effort into rebuilding their home and feeling secure again after this event.
Due to guilt and grief from Amir’s return, Bobby decides to resign from the 118 and retire early, telling only Athena.
However, after surviving the fire and health scare, Bobby changes his mind. He returns to the firehouse at the end of Episode 10, ready to resume his role as captain.
This is when Captain Gerrard (Brian Thompson) appears. He is a racist bully from Hen and Chim’s past and has plans for the 118. Gerrard informs the crew that he is taking over as captain because Bobby technically quit two weeks ago.
The episode and season end without the crew fully understanding what Gerrard’s shocking takeover means for them. Is Bobby really out of a job? Gerrard’s style differs greatly from Bobby’s, putting the crew’s family-like bonds in jeopardy.
Season 8 promises a new heart-pounding disaster (killer bees, perhaps?), and a struggle to remove Gerrard from their firehouse. The 118 will be very busy in future episodes. With many interesting plot points already set, the next season will surely bring excitement.
Seasons 1-7 of 9-1-1 are available to stream on Hulu in the U.S. Season 8 will premiere on September 26 on ABC, with new episodes every Thursday.
