Warning: SPOILERS ahead for 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5, episode 7!9-1-1: Lone Starshowrunner Rashad Raisani has unpacked Nancy’s new role in season 5 following Tommy’s major decision as the final episodes continue to unfold. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in the previous episode, Tommy (Gina Torres) wrested with what it meant for her job and life moving forward, ultimately deciding to step down as EMT captain at the end of9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5, episode 7. At the same time, she promotes Nancy (Brianna Baker) to the position while she focuses on her health battle.
Speaking withEntertainment Weekly, Raisani explained how Tommy’s cancer diagnosis in9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5 reflects how Nancy lost her mother to cancer earlier in her life. The showrunner explains the parallels, given how much she looked up to the former EMT captain. He also states how she’ll now have to “grow into her adulthood” by employing all the lessons she’s learned from her superior. Check out what Raisani had to say below:
Nancy is going to have to step up and lead. She always has thought of herself as kind of the little sister when it came to Tommy, or even Tommy as a surrogate mother, and now her mom is sick — just like her childhood mother got sick. Nancy’s going to have to now grow into her adulthood and her leadership with the person that she leans on the most gone. We just thought that would be a great way to send us on our final journey for the series.
What Nancy’s New Role Means For 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5
She’ll Have Big Shoes To Fill With Tommy Gone
Thecharacters in9-1-1: Lone Starhave always seen one another as family, making any loss to their team difficult for everyone to fully cope with. However, Nancy has always been close with Tommy, learning much under her leadership and becoming a trusted member of the 126 as her years with them have grown. Losing her mentor in the workplace because of her battle with breast cancer is bound to be difficult, especially now that she’s been entrusted with such an important job so quickly.
Tommy’s 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5 Cancer Storyline Came From A Departed Cast Member
Tommy Vega’s heartbreaking breast cancer storyline in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 was actually pitched by former cast member Sierra McClean.
As for Tommy, her cancer battle will no doubt include support from a variety of characters, including her husband, Trevor (D.B. Woodside). While it doesn’t seem like her current diagnosis will lead to herleaving9-1-1: Lone Starbefore it ends, it will likely still have an emotional impact on the final five episodes of the season. But, given just how tough yet caring she’s been for teammates like Nancy, she could still impart advice to her successor when necessary, giving her the tools needed to carry on her duties without her.
Our Take On Tommy Giving Nancy Her Captain Role In 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 5
It Shows Just How Fast The Series Is Dwindling To A Close
Tommy made a big decision giving her role as EMT captain to Nancy, showing not just how much she trusts her, but also how the series is starting to wind down to its conclusion. The big team changes happening lately, from Judd (Jim Parrack) leaving the firehouse to Grace (Sierra McClain) working for Mercy Ships, reflect how the series is dwindling to its conclusion. With five episodes left,9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5 will likely be pulling even more surprises out before the show finally reaches its series finale.
New episodes of9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5 premiere Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
9-1-1: Lone Star
Cast
A spin-off series of 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star is an action-drama series created for Fox. The series follows Rob Lowe as Owen Strand, a firefighter from New York City who, after having rebuilt a team in the aftermath of September 11th’s attacks, is brought in to form a new one in Austin, Texas.
