Who Is Station 118’s Captain Gerrard? Brian Thompson’s 9-1-1 Character, Backstory & Future Explained

Warning: Contains potential SPOILERS for 9-1-1 season 89-1-1 season 7 revealed that Station 118’s Bobby Nash was going to be replaced by Vincent Gerrard. The news that the beloved Nash was being replaced was made worse given Gerrard’s history on the show. Gerrard, who is played by Brian Thompson, first appeared in 9-1-1 season 2 and has mainly appeared through flashbacks ever since. Following season 7, it seems as though Gerrard has returned with a vengeance in 9-1-1 season 8.

Given Gerrard’s unusual and unlikable leadership style, it is no surprise that his return to the show has left several characters on edge. The 9-1-1 season 8 premiere revealed that tensions are particularly high between Gerrard and Buck, who is played by Oliver Stark. There is no doubt that Station 118 has several struggles ahead of it, including adapting to Gerrard’s authoritative style.

Captain Vincent Gerrard’s Station 118 History Explained

Gerrard Has A Poor Reputation Among 9-1-1 Characters

Captain Gerrard first appears in a flashback episode in season 2. His history on the show is a bit strange because, although he was Station 118’s captain before Nash, he does not appear in person until season 7, when he physically returns to replace Nash. His reign at Station 118 is made even more confusing by the fact that, since he only appears in flashbacks in the early seasons of 9-1-1, it makes it difficult to track exactly when he was captain.

Gerrard’s character is revealed in two major flashbacks that center on Hen, played by Aisha Hinds, and Chimney, played by Kenneth Choi. In season 2, episode 9, Gerrard is routinely sexist and disrespectful towards Hen and severely undermines her abilities as a firefighter. Fortunately, several of Hen’s colleagues step in and file complaints against Gerrard to the LAFD, which leads to his dismissal as captain. Following his demotion, Captain Cooks temporarily replaces Gerrard before Nash becomes Station 118’s permanent captain.

Sometime before this incident, Gerrard was also highly disrespectful and dismissive of Chimney. Season 2, episode 12 revealed that Gerrard treated Chimney very badly when he first joined Station 118. It took a long time for Chimney to earn the respect of Gerrard which should have been given from the start. Gerrard’s attitude towards his colleagues has solidified him as one of the most disliked 9-1-1 characters, so his return at the end of season 7 was less than welcomed by many.

Why Station 118 Hates Captain Gerrard In 9-1-1

Gerrard’s Leadership Style Is A Stark Contrast To What The Station Is Used To

Captain Gerrard has a strong, authoritative leadership style that is heavily influenced by his prejudices. This creates significant tension among his subordinates because he treats them as if he has a superiority complex. Rather than treat his colleagues as equals, he imagines himself to be above them, which translates into his leadership style. Gerrard’s view of himself explains why he treated Hen and Chimney so badly in those flashback scenes. The high position of power that comes with being captain likely fuels Gerrard’s views of superiority.

Besides his poor history with several of his colleagues, Gerrard also replaced Nash, which solidifies the characters’ dislike towards him. 9-1-1‘s Bobby Nash, played by Peter Krause, was kind, supportive, and a strong team player who honestly wanted the best for his team. The harsh contrast between the two captains makes it hard for the team to trust and like Gerrard, even without knowing his history with the station.

What Captain Gerrard’s 9-1-1 Future Is After The Season 8 Premiere

Gerrard Still Has Room To Grow

The 9-1-1 season 8 premiere saw Buck tackling Gerrard in a move that satisfied Buck’s anger and Gerrard’s safety all at once. While Gerrard was berating Buck, Buck saw that a blade had come loose and was flying toward Gerrard, which prompted Buck to tackle his boss, only for Gerrard to hit his head on the ground in the process. As a result, the season premiere left the future of Gerrard’s life uncertain. However, his continued appearance in season 8 has shown he made it out of the ordeal alive, thanks to Buck.

The revealed unsavory aspects of Gerrard’s leadership, but it also introduced a significant conflict between Buck and Gerrard. Their disagreements highlighted Buck’s inability to accept authority, especially after he had developed such a strong relationship with his last captain, Nash. While 9-1-1 season 8 could continue Buck and Gerrard’s animosity towards each other, it could also show the two developing a mutual understanding. Gerrard could become more lenient towards Buck since Buck saved his life, even if it was an accident. Buck could also learn to trust Gerrard as they spend more time together throughout season 8.

The future for 9-1-1‘s Gerrard is uncertain, but in an interview with Decider, Thompson revealed that there is hope that Gerrard will grow into a more empathetic and likable character. Thompson said, “keep hope alive for Captain Gerrard, because there’s room for him to grow higher too.” In any case, the first few episodes of season 8 will not be the last time Gerrard appears in 9-1-1. He still has a lot to prove. His tension with Buck also shows that there is a larger storyline planned for him.

Brian Thompson’s Movie & TV Shows: Where You Know Him From

Brian Thompson Has An Impressive Hollywood Career

Brian Thompson has had an extensive career in Hollywood spanning 40 years, ever since he was cast in a minor role as a punk in The Terminator. He has appeared in several shows and movies and has a particularly strong portfolio in the Star Trek franchise. Thompson has played five different characters in Star Trek, spanning four different spinoff series. He is best known for his roles in action movies and shows, due to his physical appearance and physique. Thompson’s most notable roles include his performances as the Night Slasher in Cobra and Captain Gerrard in 9-1-1.

Thompson’s role as Gerrard is his first major role in a television series since Fan Wars in 2012. He has mainly appeared in movies ever since, with most of his more prominent roles occurring in the early 2000s. Speaking to Decider, Thompson revealed he was very grateful for his character on 9-1-1. He said, “If this was my last job, I would be very satisfied as an actor.” Given Thompson’s long Hollywood career and strong notable roles, his comment is the highest compliment for 9-1-1, which has featured many actors and plots since its premiere in 2018.