9-1-1 on ABC closed out a dramatic two-parter with the unexpected death of Captain Bobby Nash, played by Peter Krause.
In part one TV viewers saw how the 118 called to a research lab at the Southern California Institute of Technology, which had been set on fire and was now a biohazard, leaving Howard 'Chimney' Han (Kenneth Choi) in desperate need of an anti-virus that only Moira Blake, a dedicated research scientist researching CCHF (Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever) — a risk level 4 pathogen — had.
How did Bobby die?
© DisneyTowards the end of the second-part, the 118 were rescued and Chimney was given the only vial of anti-dote.
But as the team left the lab, Bobby locked himself inside after Evan 'Buck' Buckley (Oliver Stark) walked out, before removing his mask to reveal he had been exposed.
"You're going to be ok, kid," Bobby told Buck as he realized the situation they were in. "They're going to need you."
Buck then callled in Bobby's wife Athena Grant (Angela Bassett), and Bobby shared that there had been a hole in his air supply line that probably happened during the explosion.
"I am not choosing to leave you," he told Athena. "I chose to save my team because it was the right thing to do. I don't want to go, if I could I would stay with you always."
Bobby's final words
His final words were "I love you," to Athena.
The episode ended with his body being removed in a body bag and a lingering shot on his Captain's helmet.
© FOXPeter Krause statement
"I would like to thank Dana Walden, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear for entrusting me with such a complex character over these nine years. It has been my honor to portray Captain Bobby Nash," Peter said in a statement.
"In October 2017, through him, we began tackling topics such as grief, guilt, anger and addiction while exploring his relationship with a higher power, forgiveness and grace. On his path of healing, we watched him join and embrace both his new family at the firehouse and his new family with Athena Grant where he found love and acceptance. We also had plenty of fun along the way. It was a joy.
"Humbled by working in step with our technical advisor, Chief Mike Bowman, and real firefighters, I wish to thank you all for helping me bring a sense of dignity and realism to the character in our larger-than-life emergency landscape. Your kind and complimentary words have meant the world to me."
"I’ve heard that many fans are upset by this loss and they have a right to be. It is a loss," he continued. "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. 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.
"Our show is incredibly difficult to make at times with long hours, challenging stunts and elaborate disasters. We couldn’t do it without each other. I wish to thank everyone in every department and all those at ABC, 20th Television and FOX. We are a sprawling team.
"I will miss all my 9-1-1 family. Our incredible crew whose professional excellence is second to none. All the writers who keep pulling rabbits out of hats. All the directors tasked with the same. All the incredible guest cast over the years as well as Jennifer Love Hewitt and the cast in the call center.
© Variety"I will miss my partner, Angela Bassett. Her strength and her sweetness, and us holding hands. We parted ways too soon. Much love.
"Tim Minear and Brad Buecker, you’ve been my pillars and are two of the best in the business. I will miss you both.
"Finally, I will miss my beloved and unruly children of the 118. Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Oliver Stark, Ryan Guzman and Anirudh Pisharody: this is a tough goodbye. Stay unruly, but be professional and get the job done. Misfit heroes need each other. That’s how we do it at our firehouse. Pass it along to the next new guy. This has been one wild adventure. I thank you all, with all my heart."
Who is Bobby Nash?
© DisneyThe captain of the 118, Bobby has been a key character since the show's inception in 2018 and his on-screen death comes two weeks after the cast and crew were seen shooting what appeared to be scenes from an upcoming episode that hinted at the death of a major character.
9-1-1 spoilers
Angela, Aisha Hinds, Ryan Guzman, Oliver and Kenneth were all seen by paparazzi and bystanders shooting scenes on March 30 in Los Angeles that suggested Captain Nash had been killed in the line of duty.
© DisneyAngela, who plays Athena, Bobby's wife, was joined by her on-screen daughter and son May and Harry, who all wore black mourning clothes.
Crew from the show also posted pictures from behind-the-scenes, sharing a picture from inside Firehouse 118 that showed a table honoring the life of Bobby, and a wreath covered in a sash bearing his name.
A teaser for the upcoming episode, airing on May 1, shows the 118 coming to terms with his passing.
Eight seasons of Bobby
Bobby has been an integral part of the 118 since 9-1-1's debut episode. The character received two Begins episodes, which delve into the character's history, and revealed that he was married to wife Marcy Nash and they had two children, Robert Nash Jr. and Brook Nash, with the family living in Minnesota.
He relocated to Los Angeles after he inadvertently caused an apartment fire that killed his entire family when he was sobering up from an alcohol binge.
© DisneyBobby's father Tim was also a fire captain and an alcoholic whose anger issues were exacerbated by his drinking. Bobby, however, idolized his father, and chose to stay living with his father when his mother Ann left with her younger son Charlie.
Tim died when he hit his head after falling when trying to take a scrapbook Bobby had made out of the trash; Bobby found him on the floor and has always blamed himself for Tim's death as well.
© DisneyNow sober, Bobby has fallen off the wagon several times, but had found a new family in the 118 and with wife Athena, and her two children.
He had also become incredibly close to Buck, who had become a surrogate son.
