Major Big Bang Theory character dies in Stuart Fails To Save the Universe

Welcome to the peculiar world of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, HBO Max's new spin on the Big Bang Theory universe, which clearly isn't afraid to kill its darlings. If you thought sitcom spin-offs would play it safe, no such luck here. The very first episode brings two deaths—one a minor casualty, the other a frankly jaw-dropping loss that might just have you questioning what on earth is going on in the writers' room.

Off With Their Heads (Or Back, In This Case)

The real headline: Raj Koothrappali, the long-suffering astrophysicist played by Kunal Nayyar, is shot in the back by none other than Barry Kripke—yes, the nasal nemesis—right as he's about to save the world. Bit of a vibe shift from awkward group dinners in Pasadena to sudden death at CalTech under Kripke's regime, but that's multiverse storytelling for you. Oh, and as if one exit wasn’t enough, Gary (Stuart’s ex-girlfriend Denise’s new chap) gets casually disposed of as well, just to drive home the point that no one is really safe in this timeline.

"We needed somebody who had the answer... and then he gets killed before he can use it," said co-creator Bill Prady, explaining Raj’s fate. He added that Raj was the logical choice "because the story required somebody capable of doing this math."

By the way, this is all set in a future where Kripke has declared himself the Great Khalif of South Pasadena—and has Raj locked up as a political prisoner. Raj nearly finishes fixing a quantum contraption that started this apocalyptic multiverse mess, only to be gunned down by Kripke at the finish line. Not exactly the heroic send-off fans might have pictured.

Why Raj? Why Now?

If you're wondering who looked at everyone’s favourite shy romantic and saw prime cannon fodder, co-creator Chuck Lorre puts it bluntly:

"It just seemed funny."

John Ross Bowie, who returns to play Kripke, admitted at Comic-Con that killing Raj wasn't what he'd call a laugh riot—he called Raj "the most likable character maybe in TV history"—before reassuring fans that, thanks to multiverse logic, it’s a one-off incident. Not to leave viewers hungry for a bit of dramatic payoff, Brian Posehn’s Bert gets to dish out some immediate retribution with a classic, protracted smackdown against Kripke, right on cue.

Multiversal Tragedy (With A Side Of Absurdity)

This doesn’t end with just a random killing, either. The Raj we lose is apparently one with a history even stranger than his original timeline: he’d actually ridden an elephant to his dream wedding, only for a giant moth to eat his bride. Co-creator Zak Penn made a case for this bittersweet outcome, pointing out Raj "did get his dream, it just ended quickly." For Lorre: "We got him to the wedding," he chuckled. Silver linings, of a sort.

• Raj dies mid-rescue on his home turf, shot by Kripke.
• Gary—Denise’s partner—also exits rapidly with little fuss.
• Kripke’s now some kind of post-apocalyptic warlord at CalTech.
• Bert serves up the immediate revenge beating everyone wanted.
• Raj’s tragic alternate backstory involves multiverse heartbreak and a shoddy insecticide plan.