Athena and Bobby have to deal with idol worship at work as Buck stress bakes in 911 season 8, episode 7

Athena and Bobby have to deal with idol worship at work as Buck stress bakes in 911 season 8, episode 7

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the chaotic world of firefighting simulators, I must admit that this week’s episode of 911 left me feeling a bit perplexed and slightly underwhelmed. It’s like someone hit the fast-forward button on the storylines without giving us enough context or development.


In season 8, episode 7 of “911”, the “Hotshots” set reappeared, a place where Bobby previously worked before rejoining the 118 team. Moreover, viewers witnessed the aftermath of Buck’s breakup, during which he turned to baking as a means to cope with his emotions and contemplate whether or not to reach out to Tommy for a conversation.

Initially, Athena began working with a novice named Matthew Sparks, portrayed by actor Zach Tinker. Sparks came across as an impulsive, youthful newcomer who excelled at the top of his class. Yet, Athena had a hunch about him that made her uneasy, and she advised against having him ride along with her. She even attempted to convey to Elaine that she preferred not to have him as her partner.

911 season 8, episode 7 tried to send a message that felt a little lost in translation

It turned out that her suspicions about Sparks’s hunger for power were validated, as during a routine traffic stop, he accidentally fired a gun, hitting a woman in another vehicle. Sparks asserted that he was attempting to retrieve his stun gun but mistakenly took the wrong holster instead.

In this scenario, Athena miraculously preserves the woman’s life; however, it seems that Sparks might be reaching its conclusion. This predicament led Athena to ponder whether she should persist in working independently.

She shares this much with Elaine, deciding to mentor another novice to guide them in making wiser decisions. This could be a crucial move for Athena, as she might soon reach a stage where contemplating retirement becomes necessary. However, at the moment, the wisest course of action is to assist wherever possible with those within her circle.

Despite giving the impression that this was the show’s intended message, the sudden inclusion of it following an officer-involved shooting felt extremely dissonant. The character arc for Athena, grappling with the evolving nature of her job as she grows older, could have taken various directions.

It proved somewhat challenging to clearly discern the objective, particularly whether Athena was expected to assume a new position in her work duties.

Brad Torrence from “Hotshots” is not done with Bobby just yet

Athena and Bobby have to deal with idol worship at work as Buck stress bakes in 911 season 8, episode 7

Concerning her spouse, Bobby found himself in a familiar situation yet again, having to handle the Hotshots team, as Brad faced troubles with Vincent Gerrard, their technical consultant. However, Brad requested Bobby’s return, but he declined another departure from the 118 squad.

Instead, Bobby proposed discussing with Gerrard about softening his demeanor. Given how long Gerrard has maintained a difficult personality without showing signs of change, it seems like a challenging task for Bobby. It appears that Gerrard might only be complaining at the prospect of potentially losing his comfortable position.

Bobby shared a meal with Brad in an effort to resolve their issues, but things took a turn when Brad publicly insulted a waitress. This outburst, which happened unbeknownst to Bobby, was captured on video and spread online, causing Bobby’s reaction to gain widespread attention.

It seemed as though Brad had departed for good, but it turned out differently. Impressed by Bobby’s outburst, he asked for permission from the Chief and chose to follow Bobby on the job.

Is Buck’s break up permanent or is there still a possibility for closure or a reunion?

Athena and Bobby have to deal with idol worship at work as Buck stress bakes in 911 season 8, episode 7

In the recent episode, Buck’s heartrending separation was brought up as he struggled to deal with it. He found solace in baking whenever he felt like reaching out to Tommy. By the time Maddie and Chimney arrived for dinner, he had baked more than a dozen loaves of bread and Baked Alaska, a time-consuming dessert that requires approximately 10 hours to prepare.

It’s evident he’s struggling and frequently ponders whether to reach out to Tommy. Maddie and Chimney offer little comfort, suggesting he focus on the future instead. However, it’s clear that Buck yearns for his presence. Later at the firehouse, following a meal he prepared for everyone, Buck notices Tommy initiating a text conversation with him.

He shows enthusiasm, only for his excitement to turn into disillusionment when the speech bubble disappears. Despite his desire to contact Tommy, Hen and Eddie seem determined to stop him, likely because they’re trying to shield Buck, who recently experienced a breakup. However, it appears they aren’t entirely opposed to the idea of Tommy reaching out to Buck. Could there be a chance that Tommy and Buck might reconnect in the future?

Previously, Buck hadn’t displayed any signs of grieving over his romantic connections. Although he struggled to move on from Abby, it wasn’t until season 3 that he truly found resolution. His subsequent relationships with Taylor and Natalie ended quietly, while his relationship with Ali in season 2 simply petered out without a clear ending, and we didn’t witness the aftermath.

It seems there’s a possibility for reconciliation between them, though it remains unclear whether they will reconnect or find the resolution each requires. There is still a glimmer of hope, but ultimately we want to see Buck take control of his life and make decisions for himself, without any interference.

Overall, while some aspects of the episode were a bit puzzling, such as the reason for showing the “Hotshots” set, we nevertheless found ourselves engrossed in the events unfolding in the lives of the 118. Now, as we eagerly anticipate it, the midseason finale is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21. We’ll have to be patient and wait until March to catch the remainder of the season.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Buck made Baked Brie because Maddie loved it, but she declined. Considering the only time she declined in the past was when she was pregnant with Jee, Buck figured out quickly that she was pregnant again. Cue an adorable group hug between Buck, Maddie, and Chimney!
  • Uncle Buck made an appearance and anytime we see him with Jee, it’s the cutest thing in the world. We hope to see him with his new niece or nephew as well!
  • Eddie playing keep away with Buck’s phone may have been out of a desire to prevent his friend from doing something that could cause him pain, but it made both him and Buck look like children as they fought over it. Let’s not take Buck’s phone again for all our sakes, especially Eddie’s ankle!
  • While we loved to see Hen, Eddie, and Buck teasing Bobby, Chimney was missing from the group scenes at the station! Was he just busy taking care of his growing family? What a man!
  • We didn’t see Bobby going viral on our bingo card, but it was the funniest thing to witness.
  • Athena and Hen got to have a scene together! We missed their scenes so much!

Watch 911 on Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC. You can also catch up on previous episodes on Hulu.

Make sure to stay tuned to Precinct TV for more coverage of 911.

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2024-11-16 07:50

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