Bobby’s Devastating Death In 9-1-1 Season 8 Has 1 Silver Lining

The surprise twist of Bobby’s death in 9-1-1 has been upending, but there’s a glimmer of hope amidst Bobby’s tragic passing. Peter Krause’s exit from 9-1-1 comes after nearly a decade of work as LAFD Station 118’s Captain Bobby Nash. Over the nearly eight seasons he survived, Bobby was involved in some of the most traumatic near-death experiences in 9-1-1, whether alone or with his team surrounding him. If he wasn’t in direct peril, Bobby had his disaster-prone coworkers— Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi), Henrietta “Hen” Wilson (Aisha Hinds), Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark), and Eddie Diaz (Ryan Guzman)— to worry about.

Sadly, Bobby’s death in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 15, marks a turning point for the series. Now that the funeral has taken place and the beloved protagonist has been buried, it feels as though a version of 9-1-1 has died along with Bobby. Regardless of who will succeed him as captain, the team dynamic will never be the same. Similarly, the premature end to his and Athena Grant’s (Angela Bassett) relationship will haunt the series in perpetuity, with any new love interest living in Bobby’s shadow. There is one upside to Bobby’s death, however, small as it may be.

Bobby’s Death Brings Eddie Back To LA In 9-1-1

Poor But Necessary Circumstances Brought Eddie Back Temporarily

After 9-1-1 season 8’s midseason finale cliffhanger, it was unclear what Eddie’s future held. The second batch of episodes quickly resolved the mystery, as Eddie moved to Texas in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 10 to reconcile with his son, Christopher (Gavin McHugh). The first responder drama continued building on the storyline immediately, with Bobby mistakenly calling Ravi Panikkar (Anirudh Pisharody) “Eddie” throughout episode 11 and Eddie’s life in Texas harshly scrutinized throughout episode 12. It was clear that neither Eddie nor Christopher were happy in Texas, but they had no tangible reason to return until 9-1-1 season 8, episode 16.

Although Christopher presumably stayed in the Lone Star state, Eddie returned to LA to attend Bobby’s funeral in “The Last Alarm” (which notably marks his first return since he left the state). Eddie served as a pallbearer alongside the rest of the 118 for the funeral procession, but Bobby’s burial in 9-1-1 was an exceptionally private affair, with only Athena and her two children present. Nevertheless, Eddie showed up when he had to and, despite being the only one not in LAFD dress uniform, he stood to salute his fallen captain.

How Bobby’s Death Changes Eddie’s Story In 9-1-1 Season 8

Missing Out Will Make Him More Eager To Move Home

While Eddie and Christopher’s plot in 9-1-1 season 8 isn’t fully resolved yet, Bobby’s death could act as a much-needed catalyst to inspire Eddie’s permanent return to the LAFD. Eddie’s absence was palpable during 9-1-1: Contagion, with many righteously outraged over such a pivotal character missing such an equally pivotal moment. The series never explicitly mentioned how Eddie found out about Bobby’s passing, but it’s clear that missing his captain’s death was gut-wrenching for Eddie. One of the only lines Eddie had in “The Last Alarm” spoke volumes despite its simplicity: “I should have been there.”

Eddie’s remorse could propel him to move back home, but it may not be that simple, unfortunately. Eddie sunk his life savings into a house in El Paso, and he wouldn’t be able to afford just abandoning it. Likewise, having to report to another fire captain may make Eddie reluctant to stay. Plus, the guilt he obviously feels over not being present for the lab catastrophe could fester and turn into an excuse for him to stay away in 9-1-1. Nevertheless, it’s most likely that Eddie will come home for the sake of his whole family— including the 118.

The 118 Needs Eddie Back Now More Than Ever

The Found Family Is On The Brink Of Falling Apart

Since most of the team never got to say goodbye to their captain, the shared grief among the 118 could be the only thing that helps them heal. Individually, Eddie’s former coworkers desperately need him to be present while they mourn. As Eddie’s closest friend, Buck will particularly need the support, since Bobby was Buck’s found father throughout 9-1-1. As the 118 itself restructures following Bobby’s passing, Eddie needs to come back and give the team (and himself) the sense of normalcy needed to process the harrowing death and move forward.

New episodes of 9-1-1 can be streamed on Hulu the day after they air on ABC.

With very little time remaining before the finale, it’s still unclear who exactly will lead Station 118 in 9-1-1 season 9 and beyond. Even the best candidates will first have to grapple with the guilt of following Bobby’s footsteps, and many of the main characters aren’t yet ready to lead an entire firehouse. With so much uncertainty plaguing the 118, what they could benefit from most is a functioning team and, if 9-1-1 takes mercy and allows Eddie a peaceful return, a found family reunion.