What was the point of killing off Phil?

[matty]

I don't understand the point. He could have just left, it wasn't like he was integral to the bay, and it's just "unfair" to Steven, seeing that his parents also died in a fire.

[Ryan]

I think as someone said in the 1989 episode threads, it will all become clear in the next 70 episodes.

Stevo is going to become friendly with Dodge who we know lights the fire and that's all part of the drama of it, Steven is going to become friendly with the guy that killed his uncle. He might not have been integral to the bay, but he is integral to the upcoming storyline.