Warning: This article contains spoilers for 9-1-1 season 7, episode 10.

After seven seasons, 9-1-1 is still afraid to take a cast risk that could take the show in a compelling new direction. Despite a cruise ship disaster as part of 9-1-1 season 7’s biggest story, the series soldiered on with its cast intact. The only two series regulars that exited 9-1-1 are Connie Britton’s Abby Clark, who moved to Ireland, and Rockmond Dunbar, with Michael Grant moving to Florida, but there have been opportunities for bigger risks.

By 9-1-1 season 7’s ending, the fate of a main character had been revealed after teasing a significant death to a member of the 118. As usual, each character had their own issues going on, but the fate of their unit hangs in the balance heading into 9-1-1 season 8. In fact, the careers of Hen, Eddie, and even Athena might be upended next season based on what their respective storylines set up. Still, after six years on-air, it’s time for 9-1-1 to heighten the stakes.

9-1-1 Season 7 Finale Was The Perfect Opportunity To Increase The Stakes By Killing A Major Character

Bobby was at death’s door on 9-1-1 season 7, episode 10

9-1-1 season 7, episode 10 picked up with Bobby in the ICU after his heart stopped for 14 minutes, perfectly laying the groundwork to kill off the character. Given the severity of his condition, there was no logical way for Bobby to pull through. The season even presented many questions about Bobby’s past and brought someone who was directly affected by his actions to the forefront, hinting at a grim fate. As a result, 9-1-1 was poised to kill off a series regular during its 106th episode, but the show missed the opportunity for a major cast shake-up.

In one of the most frustrating moments in the shocking finale, Bobby called Athena after she saved Amir from the cartel. Given how dire Bobby’s situation was and the short amount of time Athena was away from the hospital, his miraculous recovery was unrealistic. But it feeds into the wider problem with the series, which would rather all its characters survive deadly scenarios to show how they bounce back in the aftermath. It wouldn’t be as bad if 9-1-1 didn’t rely so much on cliffhangers to leave viewers questioning the fate of their beloved characters.

9-1-1 Entering Season 8 With No Big Deaths Cheapens Cliffhangers

9-1-1’s cast is mostly still intact

9-1-1 season 7, episode 9 concluded in shocking fashion, with Bobby suffering a heart attack after saving Athena from their burning home. It was an excellent cliffhanger since it made the finale feel like a monumental occasion. Cliffhangers are utilized heavily on 9-1-1, but now that they’ve been used countless times to leave the fate of beloved characters up in the air without actual stakes, it’s an overused plot device. Long-running TV series need to switch things up to keep viewers guessing what’s coming next.

Unfortunately, 9-1-1 is resigned to the fact that it will never kill off series regulars, making it easy to tell what will happen with almost every storyline. Fellow firefighter dramas Chicago Fire and Station 19 have killed off countless well-known characters to reiterate the severe dangers involved with being a firefighter. 9-1-1‘s future hinges on whether it can play with viewers’ expectations, and right now, the storylines are becoming stale because of the lack of consequences.