9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 10 Review: All Fall Down

9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 10, “All Fall Down,” is the perfect season finale to prove again that this show is all about family. During yet another one of Bobby and Athena’s worst days, the 118 shows up for them, even if it means leaving their family matters to the side.

When Bobby is in need, they show up. Like families are supposed to do, they are there for the good and the ugly. For his hospital stay and his (short-lived) return to the firehouse.

As much as Bobby struggled throughout the season, it is nice to see him coming back to himself. Now, however, he will have to fight to claim back his spot as captain.

When the doctor tells Athena to inform family members of Bobby’s condition, our minds immediately go to the 118. They are supposed to be there. They are his children.

Eddie leaves Christopher with his parents to go to the hospital even when he is dealing with his son wanting to leave him. Hen takes a break from fighting to get Mara back to show up.

They are all willing to drop everything else to show up for Bobby because that is exactly what he would do for them. 

At a time when Bobby feels he has nothing left to give them, it is so important that they show up. It is a sign that there’s still so much more between them.

Luckily, after surviving the fire and talking to Amir, Bobby realizes that and decides to go back. Sadly, it’s not a smooth return.

9-1-1 Season 7 was all about Bobby coming to terms with his past and realizing he deserves the life he has. 9-1-1 Season 8 seems to be setting up the environment for Bobby to have to fight for his firehouse and his family to prove to everyone else that he still deserves that spot.

It might be easier now that he believes it himself.

9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 10, “All Fall Down,” is the first time we see Athena shine since the season premiere. The same rage that she says is holding her upright is the one that makes her stand out throughout the episode.

She is the old Athena. The one we have seen fight back every time her family has been under attack. For a moment, it seemed that Athena had gotten lost in the midst of Bobby’s crisis.

It is definitely good to have her back and to see her fight for her husband. Hen says it perfectly, “Athena might be the danger” because she isn’t going to let anyone who hurt Bobby go free.

However, as we see her with Amir, we know that Athena’s emotions are also coming from the place of a woman who has already lost someone she loves. She understands Amir, so she believes he is a suspect.

In the end, it is the very thing that made them cross paths that saves them. She has to set fire to the warehouse to set him free.

That same fire sets part of Amir’s past free, setting Bobby free (hopefully once and for all).

Athena is so afraid that Amir set fire to their house because he was angry at the life Bobby now has. The abrupt way in which he left the house makes us believe she might be right.

Even though it isn’t easy for him to see Bobby thriving, he ends up telling him he admires him for the way in which he rebuilt his life after the fire. As much as he can hate Bobby, he can also see the good in him.

Surviving this recent fire gives Bobby another push to keep living. We can’t help but notice that the conversation with Amir does the same.

He didn’t need Amir’s forgiveness, but clearly, he needed to be on good terms with this man in order to keep living his life the way he had before Amir showed up in LA. Whether he wants to admit it or not, this is the seal of approval he needed to go back to the firehouse.

Even though his return is ruined by Gerrard’s appearance, we finally get to see the Bobby we have come to love. He is the captain, no matter what.

While we can celebrate that Bobby survives, we can also mourn Christopher’s goodbye. It pains us the same way it pains Eddie to watch him choose to move to Texas with his grandparents.

It was obvious when a woman who looked just like his mother showed up that things would end up terribly. However, we never imagined that would mean watching Christopher leave.

Eddie does what his father never did for him (something his own father points out) and allows Christopher to choose what he wants to do. He gives him the freedom to be angry and leave, but always knowing he can come back home.

It might do both of them some good to be apart. Eddie is struggling, and he needs to take time to find himself again to be the kind of father he wants to be.

One thing that stands out is how Buck shows up for Christopher. Eddie calls him and tells him to do what he always does: talk to Christopher.

Buck is for Christopher what Bobby is for Buck. Even though Christopher has a supportive father, he still needs Buck in his life to navigate certain things.

As we watch one child go, 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 10, “All Fall Down,” ends on a happy note with another one coming back.

While Hen and Karen figure out how to bring Mara back home, Chimney and Maddie give her the temporary home she needs. Once again, this proves the 118 is a true family, willing to do whatever it takes to help one another.

Even though we are intrigued to watch 9-1-1 Season 8 navigate Bobby’s return to the firehouse, we definitely want to see more of Mara’s storyline. As happy as we are to see her with Chimney and Maddie, we want her to return to her mothers.

9-1-1 does an amazing job of making us feel every emotion possible. The season finale is yet another perfect example of that.

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9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.

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