ABC9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 15 teed up Kenneth Choi’s Chimey to be leaving during the two-part contagion storyline. However, is it Peter Krause who’s leaving 9-1-1 instead?
Ever since 9-1-1 burst onto screens, Bobby has been the unshakeable head of a team continuously throwing themselves into the line of fire (pun intended). No job has been too big to handle, and he’s never quit when the going gets tough.
Even when Bobby was dethroned as head of the station, he found a way to resume his old position. In any case, it felt as though neither fans nor the 9-1-1 team could ever be rid of him.
Until now, that is. If you haven’t seen the latest episode of 9-1-1 Season 8, you might be wondering if Peter Krause is leaving… and it’s bad news for Bobby.
Sorry, but Peter Krause is leaving 9-1-1 for good
The penultimate Season 8 episode of 9-1-1 revealed Bobby’s death, meaning actor Peter Krause is definitely leaving the hit show for good.
ABCAs Krause himself said in a statement [via Variety], “I’ve heard that many fans are upset by this loss and they have a right to be. It is a loss. 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.”
If that wasn’t enough to make it official, this is part of a heart-wrenching letter Krause left to fans of the binge-worthy TV show. “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,” Krause said.
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“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.”
He continued, “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.”
ABC“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. I will miss my partner, Angela Bassett. Her strength and her sweetness, and us holding hands. We parted ways too soon. Much love.”
The final paragraph reads, “I 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.”
This isn’t what Krause said originally
During the mid-season finale of 9-1-1 Season 8, Krause told Dexerto all characters would be “safe” from being axed in one way or another, proving one of two things.
CBS“I think we’re safe and the whole 9-1-1 family will be around. I can speak to that,” he confirmed.
Obviously, this hasn’t turned out to be true. It’s fair to say full scripts for the rest of the season might not have been released to the cast at the time of comment, meaning Krause genuinely believed the station would be okay until the end.
If not, he was trying to call fans’ bluff. Rumors of people leaving the show have been rife for multiple seasons before now, though exactly which character it would affect was up for debate. At the end of Season 8 Episode 15, it looked like it would be Chimey.
How did Bobby die in Season 8?
In the second half of Season 8’s contagion arc, Bobby was able to save the lives of his fellow team members after being locked in a lab with a deadly virus. It was only after Chimey had successfully taken the antidote that Bobby revealed he had been affected himself.
ABCHere’s the full debrief. We’d previously seen Bobby, Chimney, Hen, and Ravi locked in an underground lab that had been experimenting with a deadly virus after they went in to put out a fire. Like the team leader he is, Bobby then performed life-saving surgery on Hen when her lung collapsed, and delivered oxygen to Ravi when he fainted after his tank went empty.
He also helped treat Chimney, who had become infected with the virus, managing to slow the disease while sending Athena to track down the stolen vial of anti-viral. Of course, Bobby wanted Chimey to take the vial when it was found, knowing he wouldn’t do so if he knew Bobby was sick too. An expectant dad, there was no doubt in Bobby’s mind that Chimey’s interests were put first.
Fans then saw a heartbreaking goodbye scene between Athena and Bobby through a glass door. Bobby recounted his past of being a recovering addict while carrying the guilt of accidentally causing the deaths of dozens of people, including his wife and children.
He later told Athena, “LA was supposed to be my penance, not my home,” adding, “But then you said ‘yes’ to a dinner invitation, and I started to live again.” Fans then saw Bobby kneel down to pray, dying shortly after.
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