The ending of Station 19 season 6, episode 12 saw Chief Ross name Theo as the new interim captain of the station while Beckett takes a personal leave of absence in a surprising move. The captaincy has been a goal of many firefighters on Station 19. The promotion has caused many issues and debates about which characters truly deserved to be named captain, from Andy to Maya to Sullivan. Ross naming Theo as the new interim captain in Station 19 season 6 was unexpected as it meant passing over Sullivan, who would have been a better, more obvious choice for the job.
Captain Beckett’s problematic alcoholism storyline led to a mutiny led by Andy in Station 19, season 6, episode 11, which could have caused all of them to get fired. However, Ross found herself impressed with the decisions they made as a team to save lives, letting them keep their jobs. Throughout the season, Theo has been one of the most vocal firefighters in opposition to Beckett's behavior which has turned dangerous on multiple occasions. However, his own history as a failed captain and his current insubordination suggest Theo’s not right for the job, which will be explored in Station 19, season 6, episode 13.
Chief Ross Making Sullivan Captain In Station 19 Could Have Been Inappropriate
Sullivan is an experienced firefighter and leader and served as a captain in Station 19, season 2, showing that he is up to the task. Andy even recommended him when she turned down the job, but Ross chose Theo. She didn’t give any reasoning, but it was clearly because of her secret romantic relationship with Sullivan and the potential implications if their relationship was discovered and connected to his promotion. Only Maya and Andy have found out the truth about Ross and Sullivan’s relationship in Station 19, which initially prompted Maya to attempt to blackmail them, reminding them that their relationship is not even supposed to exist.
Due to their positions and the fact that Ross promoted Sullivan back to lieutenant, their relationship is professionally inappropriate in the eyes of the department. Grappling with this secret and its role in their work has been a theme of Station 19 season 6 and played a big role in Sullivan not being named interim captain. Inappropriate workplace relationships have been prevalent in the Grey’s Anatomy universe, most notably with Meredith and Derek’s relationship, but it could cost Ross her position and the respect she’s fought hard to earn, and her decision showed that she’s not ready, or willing, to give that up.
Andy Was Right To Turn Down Captain And Recommend Sullivan In Station 19
Andy was the obvious choice for the interim captain job during Beckett’s leave of absence in Station 19 and has stepped into that role in the past at station 23, but she turned down the opportunity when presented by Chief Ross, instead recommending Sullivan. Andy has long wanted to be named captain in Station 19 but has been passed up multiple times despite her qualifications. So it made sense that she turned down the job because when she’s named captain, she wants to stay captain and not have to give it up when Beckett eventually returns.
At this point in her career, an interim job is below Andy. However, Sullivan was recently named lieutenant again after his demotion in Station 19 season 4. To Andy’s point, Sullivan has been working with the team in Station 19 for a long time now and has earned their trust, making him a strong second choice. But Ross had good reason not to give Sullivan the interim captain job in Station 19, but promoting Theo instead could be a mistake that proves costly.