Bobby Is Irreplaceable In 9-1-1: 7 Moments Chimney Can't Compete With

While there have been gruesome injuries in 9-1-1 that the main characters miraculously survived, Bobby abruptly dies after contracting a powerful pathogen in season 8, episode 15. The subsequent episodes were dedicated to following the ensemble’s grief, but Bobby’s tragic death in 9-1-1 paves the way for a new captain. Yet, the series has long proven Bobby Nash is irreplaceable.

7 Bobby Knots Buck’s Tie Before His Big Date

Season 1, Episode 6

Out of all his firefighters, Bobby always had a special connection with Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark), the character who started 9-1-1 as the young wild child of the LAFD. As Buck matured over the years, Bobby became his closest confidant and, as Buck himself confirms at the end of 9-1-1 season 7, his father in every way that matters.

 

Evan "Buck" Buckley and Bobby Nash had a close relationship until the captain's untimely death, but there's one way 9-1-1 can keep their bond alive.

Buck’s romantic history in 9-1-1 is practically a comedy of errors, but long after Abby left California, Bobby always took care of Buck and treated him like a son. Whether it was an important conversation or a passing kind gesture, Bobby consistently showed up for Buck. In many ways, their father-son dynamic was instrumental in forming 9-1-1’s iconic chosen family.

6 Bobby Risks His Life To Disarm Freddie

Season 2, Episode 18

As a captain, Bobby had a duty to protect the 118 and, more broadly, the citizens of Los Angeles. The cast mainstay never took that responsibility lightly, often prioritizing his work over his personal life. Even when temporarily relieved of his duties— whether because of a vacation or a suspension— Bobby never hesitated to step in during dire circumstances.

Such is the case in the season 2 finale of 9-1-1, when Freddie Costas (Anthony Turpel) went on a reign of terror to seek revenge for his father’s incarceration. Freddie’s father was arrested after Bobby discovered he set fire to his own business to commit insurance fraud. Nevertheless, Freddie blamed everyone involved in the case for breaking up his family.

5 Bobby Helps Michael Snoop On His Neighbor

Season 4, Episode 7

Before Bobby and Athena (Angela Bassett) became 9-1-1’s best couple, the police sergeant was married to Michael Grant (Rockmond Dunbar). Along with their children, Harry (Elijah M. Cooper) and May (Corinne Massiah), Athena and Michael were a family unit at the beginning of 9-1-1. When Michael came out as gay, however, they quickly divorced and remained loving co-parents.

Even after Bobby and Athena fell in love and married in 9-1-1 season 2, Michael stayed a part of their lives, for better or worse. Following the intense isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael became obsessed with people watching— or, as other characters describe it in 9-1-1 season 4, borderline stalking his neighbors. Yet, Michael unraveled a true mystery.

 

Peter Krause was an invaluable member of the 9-1-1 cast, but there's one change season 9 could make to truly preserve Bobby Nash's legacy.

4 Bobby Saves May From A Fire At Dispatch

Season 5, Episode 16

As Athena’s husband, Bobby also became Harry and May’s stepfather in 9-1-1 season 2, but not without some turbulence. Given his complicated past with his own deceased wife and children, Bobby had understandably complex feelings about everything. Regardless, the fire captain took to his new role immediately and extended love to his stepchildren while still trying to respect their boundaries.

Over the years, their familial relationship strengthened exponentially. Consequently, it felt inevitable when Bobby rushed into the burning dispatch center to find May, who was trapped inside. The escape sequence was high-stakes and certainly anxiety-inducing, but Bobby manages to guide May to safety. Then, in one of 9-1-1’s most heartwarming moments, May calls Bobby her dad for the first time.

For its first eight seasons, what set 9-1-1 apart was the underlying feeling of hope. The heroes always won in the end, the characters always pulled through the toughest situations, and everyone ended the work day safe and sound. Bobby was 9-1-1’s harbinger of hope, and it was never as clear as when he dragged May out of the smoke.

3 Bobby Travels To Florida To Support Athena

Season 6, Episode 3

Bobby’s truly unique heroism went far beyond the confines of his job, of course. In a masterpiece of a 9-1-1 episode, Athena brought the show to Florida to solve a cold case from her hometown. Bobby accompanied her for moral support, but he was there for Athena as she quickly got sucked into a clandestine murder investigation.

 

Angela Bassett's Sergeant Athena Grant has been a mainstay of the 9-1-1 cast, but her role in the overarching franchise is even more important.

Bobby and Athena’s love transcended the city limits of LA— matched only by Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi), who reunited with Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) in Boston. Yet, Bobby and Athena were a power couple because of his unconditional support. While she could have handled everything by herself, Bobby made sure Athena never even had the chance to feel alone.

Season 6, Episode 11

Bobby made such an impact on those around him, he continued to be a positive influence as a figment of Buck’s imagination. Buck’s coma dream in 9-1-1 season 6 left him stranded in an alternate universe where everything was wrong— Maddie was trapped in an abusive marriage, Eddie (Ryan Guzman) lost custody of his son, and Bobby died from addiction.

Two of Buck’s worst nightmares uncannily came true in 9-1-1 season 8, but the thought of Bobby— even an unhinged and borderline unrecognizable version— helped Buck realize the key to escaping his purgatorial state. After the dream version of Bobby led Buck to recognize his self-worth, Buck chose to return to reality, where the real Bobby was waiting for him.

Most 9-1-1 characters, from Hen (Aisha Hinds) to Buck’s parents, were present in the dream, which only makes Bobby’s role in it that much more monumental. Out of everybody in his life, Bobby was the person Buck imagined to give himself the courage to choose life. Even at Bobby’s lowest point, he was still Buck’s greatest comfort.

Season 8, Episode 15

Since 9-1-1 began, all Bobby wanted to do was keep the 118 safe— even at the cost of his own life. Bobby could have easily told the crew he was infected with CCHF (Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever), just like Chimney, but Bobby stayed silent until the last second, robbing his team of the chance to say goodbye but ensuring their safety.

 

Bobby Nash's death was easily 9-1-1's most divisive decision, but there are plenty of alternative shows to fill the void the fire captain left behind.

Bobby dying in 9-1-1 leaves a permanent void in the series that can’t be patched with a rousing speech or an extreme time-jump. No matter how much time has passed, Bobby will linger in the minds of viewers and leave the show forever feeling somehow incomplete. Fire captains may change, but Bobby Nash can never truly be replaced in 9-1-1.