9-1-1 shocked fans with a plot twist they didn’t see coming. They killed off the show’s lead male star, Captain Bobby Nash. It was a creative risk for a hit primetime drama that attracts millions of fans. Peter Krause released a letter confirming his exit from the ABC series. New details are coming out about his shocking departure.
Say It Ain’t So
Rumors have been swirling about Krause’s exit from the medical drama for weeks. For eight seasons, he played the captain of the LAFD’s Station 118. Krause also serves as Executive Producer. Yet, even he didn’t see this coming. Ultimately, it wasn’t his decision to make.
In his statement, Krause acknowledged the passionate reaction to Bobby’s death. “I’ve heard many fans are upset by this loss, and they have a right to be. It is a loss,” Krause said in his statement to Variety on Thursday. The actor went on to call the plot twist a “bold creative choice on a bold show.”
Krause has been part of the Ryan Murphy-produced series since the beginning. At the end of Thursday’s episode entitled “Lab Rats,” Bobby caught the deadly virus. But he gave the one remaining vial of medicine to Chimney (Kenneth Choi). Bobby spent his final moments with his wife, LAPD sergeant Athena Grant-Nash (Angela Bassett), who was outside the room. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew mourned over the news of his death as Hozier’s “Work Song” played in the background.
Showrunner Speaks Out
Showrunner Tim Minear revealed why Bobby’s tragic death is a good thing for the show. He had to think carefully about the “creative” decision he made. Yes, it wasn’t Krause’s decision to leave the show. Bassett was even shocked by this twist. But it wasn’t a decision they made lightly.
“The network was not like, ‘Yeah, get rid of him, it’ll save us money.’ It was nothing like that. I had to pitch this at the highest levels and just walk through the whole story and try to infect them — funny choice of words, given the storyline — because, as I pitched it, you could understand, as a writer, how suddenly the whole world felt more alive. It felt more real because this thing had happened.”
Minear promised that this is shakeup that the 118 fire team needs. This will show how they’ll navigate their jobs and lives without Bobby at the helm. Minear also suggested that this storyline will entail that “more is going to land on Athena’s shoulders.” She might be over relationships after this.
What are your thoughts on Bobby’s death? Did it take you by surprise? Do you think this was a good move for the show? Let us know in the comment section.
