The decision to kick off 9-1-1 Season 8 with a buzzer-beater and mid-air plane collision proved to be one of the greatest feats ever accomplished by this notoriously ambitious series.
The opening emergency consists of three parts and has a little bit of everything.
In 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 3, Athena Grant lands a plane on a Los Angeles freeway with the help of her devoted husband Bobby Nash. It all ends in an emotional and action-packed way.
This hour is a showcase for Angela Bassett and Peter Krause, who continue to create the legend of super couple Barcena. After moving time was over, we had to discuss it with Klaus.
Chatting with Peter Krause is sure to put a smile on your face.
The veteran actor loves the show, which he’s been on for eight seasons and counting, with a lot of love for his on-screen wife and a deep insight into Bobby.
This chat made the author smile, and I hope you feel the same way.
Enjoy this 9-1-1 fanatic!
Hi Peter. Are you OK?
I’m fine, Whitney. Are you OK?
I am fine, thank you. I wanted to ask you about the evolution of Bobby and Athena’s relationship.
When we started season seven, we saw some issues in their marriage that they’ve obviously worked through, but this season, it seems like they have to come back stronger than ever.
So, talk to me about how their relationship has evolved so far, and what we can expect to see from them continuing this season.
Whitney, what do you think is wrong with Bobby and Athena in season 7? Except for the fact that she didn’t want to go on a cruise.
They don’t communicate well and the question is “Why doesn’t she want to be alone with him?” Some of those issues are there.
Yes. She didn’t want to disappoint Bobby.
Yes.
I guess she did. She’s afraid of “What are they going to do?” You have to refresh my memory a little bit.
All I remember is that she didn’t want to go on the cruise, but that’s what happened. Don’t be alone.
Exactly. So, can you talk to me about their evolution? This season, they are strong. As the season continues, will we continue to see them seemingly rely on and rely on each other?
Yes, they have always been dependent on each other. They are there for each other. What the show does well is show how dependent they are on each other in extreme situations.
I loved the ending of last season when they came back from the cruise and briefly sat on the couch in their travel clothes.
They ate the bag of burgers and fries, and then they realized that, after rescuing a ragtag group of people on the ship, they were alone, finally alone.
They also support each other in these ways, simple ways. Of course, Athena has been there for Bobby through everything he and Amir have been through.
I think she also helped him let go in the same way, or she kind of emphasized Amir’s ability to let go and see Bobby as a person who didn’t have malicious intent in setting fires or anything like that. But Bobby was also more letting go.
So they accompany each other in a more relatable way or the way people do in emotional relationships. They are there for each other emotionally and in those extreme situations.
Yeah, just like the last episode.
It moves back and forth like a seesaw. Athena will save Bobby; Bobby will save Athena. Bobby and Athena will save a bunch of other people. This is very interesting.
This season, Tim Minear does a great job of weaving together “bee-nado,” “Flight,” “Bobby’s” “Hotshots,” a show within a show.
I love how Bobby and Athena land on the highway together in a plane, and Bobby takes a ride in this stolen fire truck, or as we say, borrowed.
It was a great, great scene.
It has been a pleasure working with Angela over the years.
When Tim Minear brought them together and had them get married in season two, I thought it was a stroke of genius that he said, “Let’s not pull this out; we should do this.” Let’s smash them together and take it from there.
This is a really good move.
I agree.
I really like capers, so I also enjoyed the episode when they discovered the red sports car.
They’re like Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers in a Hart-esque TV series, committing crimes together. This is another fun element of our huge program.
Yes of course. You mentioned Hotshots, which I always rave about in my writing. This is genius. It was the perfect way to get Bobby out of his comfort zone.
How did you feel when you learned that this is what Bobby was going to do outside of 118? What challenges does this role pose for Bobby?
It was challenging because he didn’t want to be there, but he wanted to do a good job and he wanted to take care of Brad Torrance, the actor.
He was kind of a big boy, and I think Bobby saw through his actor exterior; there was a good guy there, and he wanted to help him. But as time went on, he became quite obsessed with Bobby.
It was also fun to have Brad jump into the fire truck and be on the highway with us, stopping traffic, and then watching him get wheeled out on a stretcher.
Since joining the Hotshots, Bobby seems a bit out of touch with what’s going on at 118.
Do you think Bobby kept his distance because he was feeling the effects of not being around the team?
Well, I think Bobby is a very honorable man. Gerrard is the captain there and they have to sort things out. Apparently, he’d rather be there than be on a TV show.
But given that he feels guilty about his past and wants to give up his position as fire chief, no matter how briefly, which he feels he shouldn’t do, he certainly longs to return to the firehouse.
What I love about this episode is that when he arrives on the scene to give the order, he immediately steps in. This is what he did.
Yes, this is his nature. This is his team. This is his team. That’s how well they work together. Being their leader is his natural position. I like that too. Tim is once again great in the first three episodes. This is one of our best.
I’m starting to see them like a movie now, our first three episodes. That’s evolved over time, and I think that’s part of the reason why the show is so popular again.
All of a sudden we were as popular as we were when we first came out. This is very interesting.
But to be relaunched on ABC, and then I think as a show, Tim Returns was really a huge success, we only shot ten episodes last year.
But again, weaving together all these disparate elements – Bobby working at the Hotshots, Athena traveling with witnesses and planes, the bee-nado, and the little plane being suffocated by bees – it’s done really well.
I think this is the most tightly put together of our first three episodes. Really good.
I agree.
I hope you like it.
I kept ranting and raving. I really like it. Once we’re through these three episodes, obviously without spoilers, can you tell us what happens?
I have no idea. I don’t know if I can make fun of anything. I’ll tell you everything if you don’t need to call and ask later.
I totally get it. The last one for me was because there was a bit in the opening hours about Bobby and Athena looking for a house. What do you think Bobby and Athena were looking for when house hunting?
Oh, honestly, I think Bobby wants a home where Athena can be happy.
I’m not sure exactly what Tim’s plans are in that area. We haven’t really talked about it yet, but it’s also a storyline that doesn’t have that much momentum. So, what happens as we get deeper into the season?
Understood.
Or if they would have decided otherwise. I have no idea.
OK Well, we have to stay tuned, right?
If they were to live on a cruise ship.
Oh, no, no, no.
OMG, what are the names of those characters? I want to say Romy and Michel because one of the actors’ name is Romy. Laura!
Lola, yes.
Lola, whatever his name is. I remember Dan the actor. But yes, they will live on a cruise ship like theirs.
Wow. I have no idea. You won’t be so lucky next time.
I don’t think this will happen.
No, me too. Well, thank you so much for your time, Peter. I appreciate it.
Of course, yes. But the Halloween episode was fun. I can’t tell you anything, but the Halloween episode is going to be great.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. You can watch 9-1-1 every Thursday at 8/7c on ABC.
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