Bobby had one hell of an introduction to California. 

Just like Hen and Chimney before him, Bobby got his moment to shine in 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 16, as we got to see his first days in the 118. 

It was a bit different for Bobby of course, as he came in as the captain, but things weren't exactly smooth sailing. 

Flashing back to Minnesota was a way to remind of us again of the pain that Bobby endured many years ago.

It's truly a wonder to see how far he's come, both professionally and personally. 

Bobby left Minnesota on a mission to correct his wrongs by devoting himself to the greater good.

When he lost his family, Bobby lost a huge piece of himself, to the point where he didn't believe he deserved happiness. 

Related: 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 14 Review - Broken

That first day at the station should have been treated as a successful day.

Bobby was unable to feel the positive and turned to drinking as a way to remind himself that he wasn't supposed to feel positive emotions. 

9-1-1 Season 1 was the Bobby we saw in these flashbacks, but falling in love with Athena and continuing to bond with his firehouse family has changed Bobby for the better. 

Not that he wasn't always a decent man.

He approached his job meticulously, but he wasn't overly tough or domineering. 

I've always wondered what happened to Tommy and Deluca, and it was nice that the show was able to quell my curiosity by giving me that answer. 

While the two characters are minor at best, they did a lot to shape both Hen and Chimney's experiences at the firehouse.

And for that reason alone, there's an investment there. 

Related: 9-1-1 Season 2 Episode 15 Review - Ocean's 9-1-1

Deluca reminds you a lot of Buck. He's a gifted firefighter, with great instincts, but he fails to adhere to the rules.

Bobby lives his life by a set of rules since he lost his family.

He wasn't wrong to be frustrated with Deluca's attitude. 

Granted Deluca was more upset with being passed over for Bobby's job than he was mad at Bobby himself, but you can't step up to the Captain and expect to keep your job. 

Tommy on the other hand, just moved to a new station, which was lackluster but at least we could put that question to rest. 

Another question that got answered was the who, what, when, and where of Bobby and Athena's first meeting. And it did not appear to be love, at first sight.

It's nice to see that the two of them have always made a good team, as they worked together to solve the mystery of the restaurant fire. 

Again, Bobby got put into a position where he felt conflicted, as he felt a duty to do what's right but also felt like a hypocrite.

It has to be extremely difficult to live inside Bobby's head. 

There is a constant push and pull going on, and it leaves him constantly unsure of the right answer. 

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Following the law was the only thing he could do in that situation, and quite frankly he didn't deserve the lashing he got from Freddie.

But it's understandable why he felt so conflicted in the first place.

Victor was getting the comeuppance he never did. 

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Bobby's guilt over the situation pushed him in the right direction though, as he devoted himself to his recovery and to turning Station 118 into the place we know it to be today. 

Bobby has a knack for making the people he works with feel appreciated, which isn't any easy feat.

There's a reason his people go to bat for him, and have so much respect for him. 

Since his first day on the job, he's been a leader.

And it would be a shame to see that all come to an end. 

Loose Ends

• By my count, we still need Athena and Buck's backstory episodes! I guess they are saving those for next season. 

• I can't see Bobby losing his job, but if we're being honest, he deserves a hefty penalty for whitewashing his files. 

• Do they ever have lasagna or some other easier dishes at the firehouse?

• It's never not weird to hear Buck's first name. 

We've gotten our third flashback episode, and I'm eager to hear what you guys thought about Bobby's journey. 

Did anything from Bobby's past surprise you?

Was it nice to see him and Athena working together? 

Will Bobby lose his job?

Drop all your comments down below and talk it out with us!

With only a few episodes left this season, make sure to watch 9-1-1 online so you don't miss a beat!

Whitney Evans is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. She is a lover of all things TV. Follow her on X.