‘RJ Decker’ Season 1 Finale: Showrunner Explains Shocking Death

The Season 1 finale of ABC's "RJ Decker" ends with the murder of antagonist Victor Ochoa (David Zayas). Showrunner Rob Doherty explained the decision to kill off the character, stating it was planned to conclude first-season arcs and open up storylines for a potential second season. Doherty noted that Victor's death was intended as a punctuation mark, though he briefly reconsidered after casting Zayas.

What Happened

Victor Ochoa, a corrupt businessman and Emi's father, is killed in the final moments of the episode while RJ and his allies celebrate their victory. The killer's identity is not revealed. Suspects may include Victor's family, business associates, or individuals connected to his criminal activities.

Season 2 Directions (Unconfirmed)

If renewed, Season 2 would explore the investigation into Victor's murder, with Emi potentially facing scrutiny due to her role in setting him up for arrest. The relationship between RJ and Emi may be strained as Emi deals with guilt and suspicion.

The series would return to its standalone case format, focusing on Florida-themed stories while addressing the personal fallout from the finale. Doherty mentioned that Victor may have set plans in motion before his death that could affect RJ.

Showrunner Statements

On Victor's death: "Victor was constructed to go away in a ninth and final episode. It felt like a good punctuation mark... and would open us up to some bigger things."

On Emi's potential guilt: "Emi's going to carry some guilt... she teed him up for an arrest, and that made him vulnerable to someone else."

On Season 2 tone: "The goal is to start with something fun and strange and distinctly Floridian, while also tending to the fallout."