With production starting soon on ABC’s 911 season 9, it’s only fitting that our final look into what’s next for the main cast focuses on Angela Bassett’s Athena Grant-Nash. It does feel wrong to think that we won’t get to write one for Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), but he is such a huge part of Athena’s story that he is here in spirit. How will we see Athena through 911 as she continues to mourn this huge loss?
In 911 season 8, Athena had a lot going on, from flying a plane safely down on a highway in the three-part season premiere to possibly getting a new rookie to mentor at work. Unfortunately, things took a dark turn in her personal life when her husband, Bobby, died after contracting Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever during a call at work.
Athena had done everything she could on the outside, along with one of Bobby’s firefighters, Evan Buckley (Oliver Stark) to help get the only antidote to Chimney Han (Kenny Choi), who was the only one they believed was affected. Unfortunately, that was not the case, as Bobby was also sick but didn’t say anything until it was too late.
Bobby’s death rocked everyone, especially his wife. Other than her divorce before she met Bobby, Athena had also lost her first love, Emmett, whom she met during her college years. It’s devastating to think about how she has lost so much, especially when she and Bobby had built their dream home together.
Athena threw herself into work in the aftermath of Bobby’s death, and ultimately decided to bury Bobby alongside his first family in Minnesota. It was a beautiful decision she made, and ensured that Bobby could rest peacefully.
How will Athena's grief move her story in 911 season 9?
Due to the events in the lab that led to Bobby’s death in 911 season 8, Athena had a hard time interacting with Chimney. She didn’t blame him for what happened, but she had a hard time not seeing how Bobby wasn’t there. Eventually, she was able to work with Chimney during a rescue in the season 8 finale episode that led to memories for the entire team of what happened to Bobby.
A young man Athena had met, Graham, who tended to act like a citizen cop in a sense, had been trying to help Athena save a neighbor’s life after an apartment building collapse. He didn’t tell anyone he was also hurt until the rest of the 118 and Athena saw he was impaled.
Not wanting to see anyone else die, Chimney commanded the team to get to work and they were able to save him. Athena later told Chimney what a capable leader he was and they shared a hug after remembering Bobby.
Athena decided to sell the home she and Bobby built, likely because it was supposed to be their home where they spent the rest of their lives together. She wouldn’t have wanted to stay somewhere that her husband wasn’t, but where will she go next?
Since Athena’s kids, May and Harry, had been there for her after losing Bobby, we could see them all live together in season 9. Fans love both May and Harry, so we could get to see more of where they are in their lives.
Most likely, Athena will stay busy with her job, since she will want to have something to occupy her thoughts. She is one of Hen’s best friends, and we hope to see more of that connection so she can stay intertwined with the team. Plus, she also grew close with Chimney's wife, Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and we want to see that continue to thrive as well.
Is there a chance one of her kids could follow in Bobby’s footsteps and be a firefighter? We don’t know what they are interested in doing, but this would also be a fun way to make sure they stay part of the 118 and be part of the crew as they continue to save lives.
Athena’s arc for 911 season 9 is one we’re looking forward to seeing. There are so many different ways her story could go, especially since the grief will still be present for not just her, but everyone who loved Bobby and will likely grieve alongside her.
While we still don’t have an exact date for the season 9 premiere episode, we do know the show will return in September in the Thursday block alongside the premiere of 911: Nashville, the third spinoff in the franchise.
Until 911 season 9 premieres, you can catch up on the rest of the series on Hulu.
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