The death of Bobby Nash on 911 is easily one of the most devastating TV moments of the year. Heck, it’s probably one of the most devastating of the past decade. Nobody saw it coming as viewers went into the second multi-episode event on ABC’s procedural first responder drama simply expecting an epic, outlandish event full of stakes that created a few heart-stopping moments. Nobody actually expected one of the main characters – arguably the main character – to die in the midst of it.
Since that fateful episode aired, the fanbase has been in mourning; begging 911 to bring Bobby back in whatever over-the-top way it can come up with. They’d be willing to buy it, and after some of the ridiculous stories this show has produced over its eight-season run, it probably wouldn’t be the craziest thing. But no, actor Peter Krause has left the show and won’t be returning in a series regular capacity. Perhaps the most shocking thing about all of this is that the decision wasn’t Krause’s, but a creative choice made by showrunner Tim Minear. That controversial revelation led to upset from the fanbase, but Deadline reports that President of Disney Television Craig Erwich supported the decision, praising the show for generating such discussion with the emotional plot twist:
“Ultimately, it’s about the creative, and it was a decision that Tim Minear came to us with, and we supported him, as we always do. It was a really great night of television that created a massive amount — not just of viewing, but really social conversation.” There is no denying that it generated a lot of discussion both on the night that the episode (“Lab Rats”) aired and in the weeks after it. 911 took a brief hiatus after that episode aired to allow fans to process the storyline, but they simply hoped that the show would find an elaborate way to explain away the death and bring Bobby back. Again, stranger things have happened on this show.
But it wasn’t to be, for the show doubled down on Bobby’s death, setting the subsequent episode two weeks later and focusing on the beloved character’s funeral. There was no explaining it away and it became very clear that the show was committed to the questionable storyline. Erwich thinks that the decision – and the discussions that it generated – have set the 911 franchise up for success, particularly with the launch of upcoming spinoff 911: Nashville. The ABC boss said:
“… And I think it’ll give us a lot of momentum going into Thursdays next year. And it’ll be a great lead-off for 9-1-1 Nashville, which will be a huge priority for us.” We’ll have to wait and see if that momentum still exists later this year now that fans know Bobby won’t return to the show. It was definitely a big swing but it’s unclear yet whether it will actually pay off or not – after all, Bobby was the heart and soul of the show in many people’s minds.
Taking place in the 911: Contagion event, Bobby and the 118 attempted to rescue those put at risk by a chemical leak in a lab. But when he and his friend Chimney became infected with a virus, he ensured that the single antidote was used on Chimney, sacrificing his own life in the process. It’s definitely the kind of selfless act that Bobby would do, but whether it needed to happen is another conversation entirely.
