“9-1-1” just killed off one of its main characters, and fans are in shock.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for season season 8 of “9-1-1,” obviously.
During the Thursday, April 17, episode of the ABC procedural drama, Captain Robert “Bobby” Nash (Peter Krause) died after heroically saving several of his LAPD team members while trapped in an underground lab that had been experimenting with a lethal virus.
Bobby became infected with the virus but didn’t tell his teammates until after the sole dose of the antidote had been given to Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi).
With only limited time left — the show explained that the deadly super-strain of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) had an incubation period of 90 minutes — Bobby shared a heartbreaking goodbye with his wife, Athena Grant-Nash (Angela Bassett).
Speaking to her through a glass window, Bobby told Athena that his life with her was more than he felt he deserved. He nodded to his past as an addict when he unintentionally caused the death of 148 people, including his wife and children, when he left a space heater on in his secret “drug den” apartment.
“We don’t have any more time. Mine was always borrowed. L.A. was supposed to be my penance, not my home. Then you said yes to a dinner invitation, [and] I started to live again,” Bobby said.
He added that although sacrificing himself for his team was the right thing to do, he didn’t want to leave Athena.
“I don’t want to go. If I could choose, I would stay with you. Always,” he assured his wife.
READ MORE: Will there be a season 8 of ‘The Rookie?’
Bobby ultimately succumbed to the virus as Hozier’s “Work Song” played in the background.
Krause has starred as Bobby on “9-1-1” since the series premiered in 2018. After his emotional final episode aired, Krause shared a letter with Deadline written for the show’s fans. He thanked the “9-1-1” team for “entrusting [him] with such a complex character” and called it “an honor to portray” Bobby Nash.
“I’ve heard that many fans are upset by this loss and they have a right to be. It is a loss. That said, it was more than a bold creative choice on a bold show. Bobby Nash was written in sacrifice and he was built for this,” Krause wrote. “First responders risk their lives on the job so that others can see another day. His story arc honors them. We at ’9-1-1’ salute all the incredible men and women who do these dangerous jobs and strive to keep us safe.”
Peter Krause played Captain Bobby Nash on “9-1-1” for 8 seasons.Disney
Krause also gave Bassett a special shout-out.
“I will miss my partner, Angela Bassett. Her strength and her sweetness, and us holding hands,” he wrote. “We parted ways too soon. Much love.”
READ MORE: Will there be a season 2 of ‘Matlock?’
“9-1-1” fans have taken to social media to express shock and dismay over Bobby’s death, but showrunnner Tim Minear called it “the tragic, logical culmination” of the character’s arc.
“[Bobby] came to L.A. with a death wish, and then he learned to love life again. And then when he finally has to make the sacrifice, it’s not because he wants to go, it’s because it’s the thing he has to do,” Minear told Entertainment Weekly. “It is true redemption.”
“9-1-1” has already been renewed for season 9, and Minear said Bobby’s death is “going to shape” the next chapter.
“I think it’s going to have reverberations forever,” he said. “But one thing that I wanted to make sure of was that I would have these [upcoming] last three episodes of season 8 so the characters could at least begin to process it and to grieve.”
“9-1-1” airs on ABC on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes are available to stream on Hulu the next day.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/.
