If Bobby Nash Dies on ‘9-1-1,’ I’m Going To Riot

If you’re a hardcore 9-1-1 fan, you’ve probably seen the leaks by now. In a recent video posted of the set of an upcoming episode of 9-1-1, a number of people gather for a funeral procession. All of the main characters are in attendance, including May (Corinne Massiah) and Harry (Elijah M. Cooper), as well as Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.) and Gerrard (Brian Thompson). It’s a whole elaborate ceremony, complete with a fire truck carrying a coffin labeled “118,” as well as a firefighting jacket with “NASH” printed on the back. Yes, you read that right: 9-1-1 is holding a funeral for Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) later this season. Before you panic, though, remember that this is the show that once put a rebar through Chimney’s (Kenneth Choi) skull and killed Buck (Oliver Stark) off for three minutes (and 17 seconds) via lightning strike.

Bobby Nash has been a core part of 9-1-1 since the beginning of the series, as the Captain of the 118 and as the loved one of many. It is impossible to conceive of his death and to imagine what 9-1-1 would even look like without him in it. Let’s remember, though, that Bobby literally just died and came back to life in the Season 7 finale. While it is possible that 9-1-1 could be getting ready to kill Bobby off, there are a number of ways that this could be a fake-out, and I won’t accept any other option. So, here it is: if Bobby Nash dies, I’m going to fight someone.

Bobby Nash’s Funeral Doesn’t Mean That ‘9-1-1’ Is Killing Him Off

Shortly after the leak was posted, Oliver Stark posted a now-deleted Instagram story with a script leak where Bobby calls 9-1-1 and informs Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) that he has been buried alive. This was posted on April 1, so it is possible that it could have been an April Fool’s Day prank, but there’s also a good chance that it was real – and possibly even that Stark posted it by accident. It would be an excellent twist and very fitting for 9-1-1 if Bobby gets abducted and buried alive, and then the 118 and Athena (Angela Bassett) have to save him. Other possibilities are that he has to fake his death, or else that the funeral is a very elaborate dream sequence, for which 9-1-1 is bringing in a number of guest stars.

If Peter Krause were, in fact, leaving 9-1-1, Bobby’s death would be the only way to write him out. He would never leave Athena or the 118 otherwise. That being said, it’s hard to imagine Krause leaving the show right now. Things are in a good place in the 9-1-1 universe and have just settled down after Maddie’s abduction and near-death experience, and it would be awful to see the peace destroyed by Bobby’s death. It would make sense for 9-1-1 to go all out soon with a big emergency, but it would have to bring Bobby out of this alive, even if it does so in a very far-fetched way.

Bobby Nash’s Story in ‘9-1-1’ Cannot End in Tragedy – I Mean It

While Bobby has lovely relationships with the people around him, the most important thing about his character is his journey. Bobby had a really difficult childhood with an abusive father (John Brotherton) who suffered from addiction and died in a fire on his watch. His mom (Lesley Ann Warren) left Bobby with his father for years and continued to stay out of his life while becoming a megachurch pastor. Then, as an adult, Bobby was able to move past his childhood and become a firefighter, get married, and have two kids. Bobby still suffered from addiction, though, and one night, he left a heater plugged in that killed a whole building full of people, including his entire family. Bobby went through the worst, yet he somehow still came out of it.

Bobby’s past has haunted him throughout the entirety of 9-1-1‘s run. He planned to end his life in Season 1, but with encouragement from Chimney, as well as his bonds with the rest of the 118, Bobby kept going (and even found love with Athena after). Multiple times since then, Bobby’s past has threatened his job, his stability, and his sobriety. In spite of all of this, Bobby hasn’t let it destroy him or define him. Bobby Nash’s story symbolizes second chances, coming back from the worst things that could happen, and the reminder that life can go on in the wake of tragedy. His past is still there, and it still affects him, but he keeps on going. If Bobby dies now after everything that he’s been through, his story of hope will end in tragedy, and that message will be tarnished.

Bobby Nash’s Death in ‘9-1-1’ Would Break My Heart

Bobby is the pillar of 9-1-1, and he always has been. He’s also just one of my very favorite characters. He is the one who changed the culture at the 118 after Gerrard left, turning it into an accepting and inclusive environment. He regularly cooks for everyone, and he has built a family at the 118 (and outside of it). Bobby’s relationship with Athena, established in the Season 1 finale, is one of the best in the show, and his relationships with May and Harry are very sweet as well. He is also a father figure to Buck and a close friend to all of the 118.

If Bobby dies, 9-1-1 just won’t be the same. The 118 that we all know and love exists because Bobby cultivated it, and while they would keep it going if he died, it just wouldn’t be the same. Gone would be the 9-1-1 that, while often dark, is also arguably the funniest procedural on TV. Gone would be the lighter and sillier moments that fill the time between the heavier ones. 9-1-1 has certainly gone to dark places before, but Bobby’s death would be a tonal shift that the show wouldn’t be able to undo. Every character would be constantly grieving him, and anything else would feel like a betrayal of their relationship with him. Ultimately, I don’t care how wild and over-the-top this storyline is; if Bobby comes out of it alive, that will be enough for me.