9-1-1 Finally Fulfills Bobby’s Final Prophecy In Season 9

Warning! Spoilers ahead for 9-1-1 season 9, episode 9, "Fighting Back."Bobby's last prophecy is finally coming true in 9-1-1 season 9. It has been nearly a year since Bobby's unexpected death in the Ryan Murphy ABC show. While the show has been trying to move on from the tragedy, as the 118 and Athena prioritize their responsibilities as civil servants, the magnanimous loss continues to be a factor into 9-1-1 season 9's storytelling.

That's exactly what happens in 9-1-1 season 9, episode 9, "Fighting Back," specifically when it tackles Harry's progress to becoming a firefighter. Athena's son finding his purpose with the 118 was established at the start of the 2025-2026 TV cycle, when he had to ride shotgun with Chimney and his team around the city. Since then, 9-1-1 has been tracking his progress to join the ranks officially. However, coming to terms with the dangers of the job coupled with the trauma from Bobby's death has proven to be his biggest challenge.

Bobby Prophesied That People Would Need Buck After His Death

Throughout Harry's journey to becoming a firefighter, however, he finds himself a mentor in Buck. Admittedly, it's an unexpected storytelling course, considering that Buck is usually seen as the most immature member of the 118. For some reason, Harry has latched onto him during this period, and Buck has done a tremendous job guiding his contemporary. Aside from helping him with physically and mentally preparing for the arc, Buck has also provided support in terms of navigating Athena's very real fears about Harry becoming a firefighter.

All of these, however, were predicted by Bobby during his final moments with Buck in 9-1-1 season 8. With his time running out, one of the last things that Peter Krause's character told his quasi-son was that "they're gonna need you." While Bobby didn't specify who would be needing Buck, Harry's journey and his involvement in it effectively confirms that the late 118 Captain was right about it. Mae previously established that she saw Buck as Bobby's kid, albeit not blood-related, and it seems like Harry does too these days.

How Buck's New Role In 9-1-1 Shapes His Future

It's no secret that Buck and Bobby's bond was very special. Bobby took the restless young firefighter and helped shape him to be the reliable man that he had become. Granted that Buck's transformation hasn't been complete yet, it's worth noting that losing Bobby has fasttracked him having to grow up. Now that he has Harry to look after, especially since he's now officially part of the 118, expect that Buck will continue to mature moving forward.

Understandably, there will be growing pains. Buck is still susceptible to making irrational decisions, but he has been more thoughtful about his behavior when there are other people involved. As he continues to grow and get used to the new normal after Bobby's death, 9-1-1 season 9 sets up Buck's arc to have one of the most satisfying payoffs in the show. Hopefully, however, that narrative includes him getting support as he also continues to grieve.

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