Warning! SPOILERS about Station 19 season 6, episode 18 ahead.
The Station 19 season 6 finale included a shocking death, some long-awaited recognition, and a cliffhanger ending, wholly embodying the rollercoaster that the sixth season of the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff has been. Between the unexpected tragedy at the firefighter ball and the new beginnings for Station 19, Station 19 season 6, episode 18, “Glamorous Life,” delivered an explosive ending to a season already full of surprises. By ending some longstanding story arcs and introducing new players that might prove important in the future of the firehouse, Station 19 season 6, episode 18 managed to reflect all progress made by the protagonists of Shondaland’s firefighting drama.
Despite not answering all questions that hovered over Station 19 season 6’s second half, including what will happen regarding Natasha Ross as Fire Chief, the Station 19 season 6 finale finally delivered a captain that had been acting in the best interests of Station 19 for a long time. The most dramatic events of Station 19 season 6, episode 18, will surely reverberate into Station 19 season 7, affecting the Seattle firehouse and its firefighters in a big way. The Station 19 season 6 finale perfectly concluded the key story arcs of the season, giving them exceptionally dramatic endings that made Station 19 season 6's ending one to remember.
How Andy Becoming Captain Changes Station 19
Becoming Station 19’s captain was Andy’s goal since Station 19’s pilot episode, one she fought tooth and nail for, even when others didn’t think her ready. Station 19’s six seasons might have highlighted how that was sometimes the case, but Andy’s story arc in Station 19 season 6 consistently depicted how she was the best possible option to lead the firehouse because everyone trusted her and her record of choices proved she always put her team first. Being an outcome that many desired for quite some time makes Andy’s captainship something that won’t change too much for the team, but that’s not the case for everyone in the firehouse.
Indeed, Theo felt like he competed with Andy since he became interim captain, and having lost the actual race to become permanent captain of Station 19 only exacerbated things for him. Despite having served as a lieutenant under Andy as interim captain at Station 23, Station 19 season 6, episode 18 showed him unable to see things clearly this time, blaming everything on himself and his supposed shortages instead of seeing the promotion as something that reflected Andy’s leadership qualities and worth as a firefighting leader. Theo’s attitude will likely make things difficult for the entire firehouse and himself in Station 19 season 7, risking alienating anyone from his corner.
Dixon's Death In The Station 19 Season 6 Finale Was A Fitting End To His Story
Since his first appearance in Station 19 season 3, Michael Dixon was always a worthy antagonist to everything Station 19 and its firefighters stood for. From planting his son Emmett in a firehouse he oversaw to using Emmett’s coming out for political points, Dixon proved a thorn in the spine of Station 19’s firefighters every step of the way, and Station 19 season 6 perfectly highlighted it in the way he fought dirty to become mayor of Seattle. Dixon’s opposition to anything Station 19 planned was relentless and sneaky, making him Station 19’s most consistent villain, whom everyone loved to hate.
Losing the mayoral election didn’t necessarily mean Dixon couldn’t have come back to haunt Station 19, as he proved excellent at doing that in the past. However, giving him a meaningful and tragic death was the most fitting end for him in Station 19, especially with Travis at his side doing everything he could to save him. Indeed, Station 19 season 6, episode 18’s tragic death didn’t involve a victim Station 19 liked, and yet it was someone central to all of their stories, marking it as a significant moment because of his weight throughout Station 19.
Station 19 & Grey's Anatomy Already Hinted At Jack's Fate
Jack’s collapse at the end of the Station 19 season 6 finale and when every firefighter seemed to be safe made for a compelling cliffhanger ending, but Ben’s presence at the scene might have hinted at him not being in danger for long. While not exactly connected, the events of Station 19 season 6, episode 18, and the Grey’s Anatomy two-episode finale happened in roughly the same 24 hours. Given Ben’s late arrival at the Catherine Fox Awards in Grey’s Anatomy season 19, episode 20, it’s unlikely that Jack was in too much danger, or Ben wouldn’t have left his side or the rest of the team.
The Station 19 Season 6 Ending's Ballroom Tragedy Can Finally Bring Sully & Natasha Together
Despite being in a relationship from the moment they reentered each other’s lives, Sully and Natasha spent the majority of Station 19 season 6 fighting and misunderstanding each other. Robert himself even described letting her go as relief-inducing in Station 19 season 6, episode 18, and yet, the two didn’t really talk about their feelings before the tragedy. Indeed, since Natasha’s decision to go to the FD union to come clean about their relationship, Sully ignored her and refused to see her side.
However, risking losing Natasha finally made Sully realize not only what he was too stubborn not to see but also tell her how he felt about their way forward, something he refused to think about since Station 19 season 6, episode 14. With Chief Ross’ decision to name Andy as Station 19’s captain, no promotion looms over their relationship, making it the first time they could experience it in the open, especially with the firefighting union knowing and Natasha still keeping her job for the time being. The ballroom tragedy made Sully admit his feelings and tell them out loud, bettering Sully and Natasha’s odds for Station 19 season 7.
Theo's Attitude Isn't About Andy Becoming The Station 19 Captain
Between picking a fight anytime he spoke to Vic and seeing everything stacked against him, Theo proved unable to take Andy’s captaincy news well. However, Theo’s attitude didn’t first appear when he had a captaincy to protect, but already when he noticed potential arson happening in his old neighborhood in Station 19 season 6, episode 9. Theo’s reaction at the time was to stop believing anything would change because the authorities weren’t interested, and even when he called Beckett’s failings out, he refused to take a stand, letting Andy lead the mutiny.
No matter how Andy tried to show support and unity under Theo as interim captain of Station 19, he always assumed the worst. Even as captain, he often second-guessed his team’s actions, ending up seeing himself as the victim in anything that happened, whether that had to do with him or not. While the reason behind Theo’s attitude wasn’t explored in Station 19 season 6, his behavior with Vic and lack of accountability became more and more present throughout the season. Station 19 season 7 will have to explore his reasons, especially because Andy’s leadership style favored discussing problems in the past.
Station 19 Season 6's Ending Leaves Chief Ross & The FD's Fate Hanging
Mayor-elect Osman didn’t budge on keeping Ross as Fire Chief despite Andy’s best efforts in Station 19 season 6, episode 18, leaving the crisis looming over Station 19 season 6’s final episodes unresolved. However, the ballroom tragedy also let Andy do her best work taking command of the scene with the FD union’s head Farris, making him a potential ally in the fight to keep Ross as chief. Still, even with Chief Ross still unsure about her fate, Station 19 season 6’s finale proved her perseverance in continuing to serve the community. Whether Ross will be forced to step down will offer an intriguing storyline in Station 19 season 7.