Stuart Fails to Save the Universe wasted little time bringing back a familiar Big Bang Theory character and seemingly killing him off. According to Deadline, the premiere follows Stuart, played by Kevin Sussman (The Big Bang Theory, Ugly Betty), after he accidentally damages a quantum interference device created by Sheldon and Leonard, triggering a multiverse Armageddon.

Stuart and Bert, played by Brian Posehn (The Big Bang Theory, Mr. Show), eventually encounter Denise, played by Lauren Lapkus (Orange Is the New Black, The Wrong Missy), before breaking into CalTech in hopes of restoring reality. Inside, they discover Raj, played by returning Big Bang Theory star Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory, Criminal: UK), who has been imprisoned for years by the Great Khalif of South Pasadena.

The mysterious ruler is revealed to be Barry Kripke, played by John Ross Bowie (The Big Bang Theory, Speechless). Raj nearly repairs the device before Kripke shoots him in the back, apparently killing the longtime character.

However, creators Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men) and Bill Prady (The Big Bang Theory, Gilmore Girls) quickly clarified that the multiverse makes the death less permanent than it appears. “Well, he’s only gone in this one universe,” Lorre and Prady told Deadline.

Co-creator Zak Penn (Ready Player One, Free Guy) said the writers liked having the freedom to kill familiar characters because alternate versions can still return. He also hoped viewers would briefly believe the show had actually killed Raj.

Prady later confirmed during the show’s San Diego Comic-Con panel that more familiar faces are coming, teasing additional returning performers from The Big Bang Theory, including some of its smaller characters.

Bowie also acknowledged the severity of Kripke’s actions, joking that killing Raj felt “like shooting Fonzie.” He added that Kripke immediately receives his comeuppance when Bert beats him in an extended fight.

Despite Kripke’s darker introduction, Bowie said the character will develop throughout the 10-episode season as he learns to work with the group.

The premiere also included a joke about Howard Wolowitz, played by Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory, Florence Foster Jenkins), when Posehn asked, “Why couldn’t I have just shot Howard?”