Death is a part of life. Since television shows tell stories about life, there are naturally going to be stories about the end of it. Not every TV character's death will leave a chasm in your life, though. Nor will it make you feel like you've lost a close and personal friend.
When Gus Fring died in Breaking Bad (this is just the first of MANY spoilers that are about to go down, so please, don't protest), it was shocking, yes. Did it completely gut you? Probably not.
The TV characters discussed here left an irreplaceable void both the world of the show and for fans. It goes without saying, but massive, humorous spoilers ahead. You've been warned.
Part 1
Charlie Pace, Lost
Charlie began the show as a self-involved former rockstar and recovering addict, and his journey on the island involved him becoming a healthier, more well-adjusted, kinder person. In the end, he sacrificed himself so that others could survive.
Marissa Cooper, The O.C.
Mischa Barton spoiled her character's death before the episode aired, but it was still hard to watch Ryan hold Marissa in his arms while she died from injuries sustained in a car accident.
Ned Stark, Game of Thrones
The Starks were the good guys in season 1, with patriarch Eddard "Ned" Stark serving as the moral and ethical voice of reason in King's Landing. His beheading at the hand of the new King Joffrey was one of the instigating incidents in the war over the Iron Throne, which would also lead to the horrifying deaths of Ned's wife, son, daughter-in-law, and unborn grandchild at the Red Wedding.
Ned Stark, Game of Thrones
The Starks were the good guys in season 1, with patriarch Eddard "Ned" Stark serving as the moral and ethical voice of reason in King's Landing. His beheading at the hand of the new King Joffrey was one of the instigating incidents in the war over the Iron Throne, which would also lead to the horrifying deaths of Ned's wife, son, daughter-in-law, and unborn grandchild at the Red Wedding.
Henry Saracen, Friday Night Lights
"The Son," the episode in which Matt Saracen deals with the death of his father, whom he disliked and felt abandoned by, is one of the series' finest. "I just want to tell him to his face that I hate him, but he doesn't even have a face," Matt laments to Coach Taylor.
Violet Harmon, American Horror Story
Perhaps even more upsetting than her death is the fact that Violet was quickly resurrected as a ghost in the murder house — and she didn't even realize she had died from swallowing all of those pills until Tate took her to see her corpse.
Will Gardner, The Good Wife
Fans knew that Josh Charles' contract on TGW had run out, and that Julianna Margulies asked him to stay for a few additional episodes. What no one predicted was how Charles' big exit would involve his character, Will Gardner, being gunned down in a courtroom by a mentally ill client.
Jen Lindley, Dawson’s Creek
The series finale of Dawson's Creek flashed forward five years to reveal that Jen was now a mother! That would've been fine, right? Wrong. The show then had to destroy all of us by having Jen die of an undiagnosed heart condition, and making sure she recorded a gut-wrenching video message for her daughter before passing away.
Lane Pryce, Mad Men
A partner at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, Lane hanged himself in his office after it was discovered he'd embezzled company funds. Don, Roger, and Pete were greeted with his lifeless body the next morning.
Mrs. Hobbes, Sex and the City
The four central characters' families didn't play a large role in their lives on Sex and the City, so Miranda's mother's unexpected passing serves as an impetus for Charlotte, Samantha, Miranda, and Carrie to deal with grief and loss in their own lives. In the process, they all discover previously unknown facets of themselves.
View All Comments /Add Comment