Character-driven episodes on 9-1-1 always leave us feeling breathless and the latest one is no different. Centering solely on Bobby Nash, “Step Nine” followed him as he faced his own ghost from the past. Find out how his past and his present collided in our recap of 9-1-1 7×08.
Bobby faces his past in more ways than one
Bobby was at his AA meeting when Amir, the nurse from the previous episode, stood up to speak. He spoke after Bobby talked about gratitude and letting go of the past. It was a way for him to respond and tell Bobby his truth.
Because Bobby was so stunned to see one of the survivors from the Minnesota apartment fire, he didn’t get a chance to speak to him. He was completely dazed once he got home, barely greeting his stepdaughter, May, who came home for a surprise visit.
Bobby eventually opened up to Athena. He told her he wanted to make amends with Amir, which he did try to do. He went to the hospital where Amir had been working.
Only, he found out Amir was a traveling nurse and had gone to Jacumba to help relief workers provide food and supplies to migrants. Despite it being three hours away, Bobby traveled there to find Amir. He did find some of the relief workers, who were helping aid an injured male and pregnant woman.
Bobby tries to help save Amir
Amir had gone out again but never returned, so Bobby went to find him. This was even though there were cartel members in the area. Eventually, he came across the body of a man before noticing smoke in the distance.
He found Amir injured from a gunshot wound in an abandoned gas station. Amir had been shot by the man Bobby discovered in the truck. Amir was reluctant to get help from him but allowed Bobby to dress his wounds and help him escape from the other cartel members who arrived.
However, Amir told Bobby he wasn’t looking for an apology and didn’t want one from him. He said what he had to say and was finished. He fully believed Bobby had moved on without a care in the world. But despite wanting to discuss things, Bobby knew they had to get help.
They eventually found a passing motorist, but then Bobby saw a photo of the man with the young man from the truck. It was his grandson and he was working with the cartel as well. Bobby was able to grab the wheel from the man before he could harm them, but they were in an accident.
Bobby escaped with Amir, using a tarp to help drag him across the desert before collapsing. Luckily, the other relief workers had been looking for them and helped get them to a hospital.
Bobby’s childhood is explored in 9-1-1 7×08
Athena was reunited with Bobby, who went to talk to Amir one more time. He told him that he never forgot the victims and lived with what happened every day and night. Amir questioned who Bobby’s ghost was.
We learned who that was, his father, Tim Nash. Played by John Brotherton, we learned that Bobby grew up with an alcoholic father and constantly tried to be a good son to him. Despite this, his father’s demons would eventually lead to his death.
Bobby has always had the heart of a caregiver. He wanted to be a good son, but it wasn’t enough to save his dad. Now he is a firefighter who fights to protect people despite his past. This was a beautiful episode to watch and explore more of Bobby’s background.
Peter Krause and Malcolm Jamal-Warner played off each other perfectly. They are both amazing actors, and to see them on screen together was incredible.
It’s hard to believe we have only two episodes left, but we will see the rest of the 118 next time!
Watch 9-1-1 on ABC Thursdays at 8/7c.
