Stuart Fails to Save the Universe surprised fans by bringing back an original The Big Bang Theory character in its premiere, only to kill him off moments later, reports Screen Rant.
The HBO Max spin-off sees Kunal Nayyar reprise his role as Raj Koothrappali in a post-apocalyptic alternate universe overrun by zombies and giant moths.
However, Raj’s return proves short-lived when he is fatally shot by Lord Barry Kripke, played by John Ross Bowie.
Despite the dramatic twist, the show’s creators have confirmed that Raj’s story is far from over.
Co-creators Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Zak Penn explained that only one version of Raj has died.
“Raj is only gone in this one universe,” Lorre and Prady said, adding that other versions of the character still exist across the multiverse.
Penn said the team intentionally staged the shocking death because they knew alternate versions of Raj could return later in the series.
“We liked the idea because we knew we could bring him back,” Penn said. “People watching the first episode will have that moment of thinking, ‘Oh my God, they killed Raj!'”
In the premiere, Raj explains that Leonard Hofstadter, Sheldon Cooper and Howard Wolowitz created a quantum entanglement device that malfunctioned, triggering the multiverse crisis.
Before Raj can repair it, Kripke shoots him, forcing Stuart and Denise to complete the task themselves.
A mistake during the repair sends Stuart, Bert and Kripke into another universe, while Denise is left behind.
John Ross Bowie defended Kripke’s controversial action, saying it serves the story while leaving room for alternate interpretations.
He joked that, in a multiverse with countless realities, Kripke may have killed only one version of Raj—or perhaps none at all if that universe no longer exists.
The season trailer already hints at Raj’s return.
Nayyar appears as another version of the character, sporting a beard while dressed similarly to his appearance in The Big Bang Theory.
The spin-off will also feature returning franchise favourites, including fictionalised versions of Will Wheaton, along with Joshua Malina, Christine Baranski and Riki Lindhome in undisclosed roles.
New episodes of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe stream every Thursday on HBO Max.
