9-1-1 Season 8 Bobby funeral episode leaves one huge question as ‘backlash’ grows

The episode we’ve been dreading has finally been and gone, with Bobby’s funeral leaving everyone in tears. With two episodes of 9-1-1 Season 8 left, one question looms over the series.

After the two-part Contagion arc in the binge-worthy TV show, Bobby (Peter Krause) was revealed as the real victim of the deadly virus outbreak. After a purposefully started fire led to a deadly virus outbreak at a science lab, Bobby tragically died after making sure all of his team were already safe.

Chimey was originally the red herring death after the first part, but now he’s got to live with the knowledge that Bobby gave us his own life so Chimey could carry on living his.

Athena and Chimey – and the rest of 118 – all had to confront their emotions head-on at Bobby’s funeral. But now the worst seems to be over, one question remains.

How does 9-1-1 continue after Season 8 Bobby funeral episode?

As fan ‘backlash’ grows following the decision to kill off Bobby, many are now left wondering how 9-1-1 can continue now its main character is gone.

ABC

One fan wrote on X/Twitter, “Beyond disappointed. Can’t really find the words to express how frustrated I am. This isn’t going to reinvent the show, all they’ve done is taken the wheels off the car and hope it keeps on driving. The thing people loved most about 9-1-1 was the found family, so why target that?”

“I genuinely can’t wrap my head around why Tim would make the decision to kill the face of the show and pretty much everyone’s comfort character and stand behind it. Everyone loved Bobby and people watched because of Peter. He’s taken something perfect and destroyed it,” a second weighed in.

A third agreed, “The writers, the showrunners really lost sight of what made the show so beloved and special. They lost track of what they were putting out. I’m going to be surprised if this show makes it to 10 seasons after this. This was just another episode.”

For showrunner Tim Minnear, the decision to kill off Bobby was an obvious one. He confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter, “Once I started thinking that somebody had to die, then the choice was, who? And the only choice that I thought made sense was Bobby. It makes sense for his character to have a tragic sacrifice as a conclusion of his entire journey in the show.

“And also, if there’s a character whose death is going to affect the most characters, who would that be? So, go big or go home.”

We know 9-1-1 Season 9 will definitely go ahead, after it was greenlit in April 2025. As of writing, it’s difficult to say where the show will go next, given we’ve still got two episodes of Season 8 left to go.

Chimey’s got the most on his conscience, knowing Bobby gave up his life so the new dad can continue his. “He gave his life so I could live… I’m just not sure what I’m supposed to do with that,” he tells Buck, unsure what the correct next move is to make.

Having said that, anything is in play for the future – except Bobby’s miraculous return. Sadly, that theory has definitely been ruled out.

For more, check out new TV shows streaming this month, the best TV shows of the year so far, and anticipated 2025 releases you cannot miss.