carly_hope

This episode was a disappointment in many aspects. Partially because of expectations that were not met but also because the coherence of the story they were very poorly trying to tell was shot to hell. The second half of the season was saved by one thing and one thing only and that is the acting. If the writing room doesn't pull itself together that S9 will be the last.

The emergency was very well done. And they tried to tie up some of the million story lines they started this season. But only one of them had any emotional impact at all and that was Mara's adoption. A story line that was also dropped like hot coal after episode 4. But since we got glimpses of the Wilson family throughout the season, we were at least somewhat invested and connected to it. Everything else either went nowhere (like Eddie's sexuality, his relationship with Chris, his relationship with his parents, Athena's grief, Ravi, etc.) or was addressed as an afterthought (Baby Han).

Bobby's "death" couldn't have been handled more poorly if they tried. It really feels like they are keeping all their options open because they are unwilling to commit to a direction and that is what has made the last two seasons studies in wasted potential. (I also think they may be waiting for the reaction of the audience and that one is interesting for sure. And not in a good way.) They tried for emotional impact with that last montage but I felt like at the end of S6. Like everything was one step to the left of where it should be. There is no real set up. What am I meant to be looking forward to in the next season?

One thing I'm sure of is that Buck is very much not OK. But if it will lead anywhere is one of the many questions the show might just ignore come fall. He clearly doesn't feel like he has a place anywhere. Not in the firehouse and not in any family. And Eddie's gesture in 8x17 rang hollow since it was just a plaster trying to treat an open fracture. The Diazes being back changes nothing for Buck. I was hoping for a spiral for ages now. But given how all of Eddie's happened off screen or was shelved for most of 8a we may very well just meet a Buck who is very much put back together when S9 opens.

The writing room needs some serious shake up because it is them and the showrunner who are failing the show and actors and crew and most of all the fans, the most. Because acting is really the only thing that held 8b afloat. Because there was no story to speak of.

It was a disappointment of an episode and a waste of a season.

I don't really know what to think about this episode. Because it kinda felt like a spit in the face of the fans? They did the thing they used to do in this episode when the call had parallels to the lives of the 118. But I don't understand the purpose of the a-plot unless it was to resurrect Bobby. Because nothing within the narrative of the show even hinted at a fake out. Sure, a lot of the fans speculated about it but that has nothing to do with anything actually happening in the show. So them bringing it up? It is either really clever writing choice or the most cruel the show has ever been. No, not cruel, nasty. Given who the writers are, I wouldn't put it past them. But I will never believe Bobby is dead. He is just retired which is why we don't see him.

Given how poor everything about this story was handled, it didn't really hit the emotional beats for me it should have. I understood what they were trying to achieve and it was well structured. But it just left me cold.

What I loved was the acting. Absolutely magnificent. From everyone. The acting choices were *chef's kiss*. Editing and music were top notch as well. But when are they not.

I loved all the couples. How we had seen them handling a crisis. I loved Athena with Hen. And with the kids. Loved Maddie and Buck and Buck with Chim. Loved that little moment with Eddie and Ravi.

Speaking of which. We yet again were robbed of so much Eddie and Buck and Eddie content. Oliver and Ryan were amazing, as already said and I wonder if this is to set up the final two episodes for the Buddie of it all. But still. I hate how so much of Eddie's arc this season is happening off screen.

Under any other circumstances, this could have been an excellent episode. Within the context of the show and the poor decision making of TPTB, it was just meh.