A friend commented on a post the other day about the television deaths that hit you the hardest, and I really wanted to read some of the comments, but do you think I could find it again? Nope…so I decided to make my own damn list.
Naturally with any list I make, there will definitely be a few caveats. These had to be deaths that had an emotional impact on me, so that will exclude a death like Susan on Seinfeld. It also nixes Maude’s death on The Simpsons. Her death was funny (although not as hilarious as Shary Bobbins). Also, I should note that there were great deaths on Supernatural, but those characters almost always came back (Bobby Singer’s hit me hard, then he ended up a ghost, then another Bobby shows up and it was just…meh).
Honorable Mention: Buffy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
This was the character my friend mentioned. Her death was sad, but I think most of us knew she would be back (I cannot remember if we knew then that the show would be going to UPN). The cooler thing about her death was that when they did bring her back, she came back resentful of the Scooby Gang because she was in Heaven and they took her from that.
Honorable Mention: Augustus Hill (Oz)
The show Oz had about as many deaths on it as you can imagine. The first episode had a main character that we thought was the protagonist end up being lit on fire. Augustus was the narrator of the show. He started every episode in his box on his wheelchair and told us some story or lesson that the show would be about. He would talk about prison and how it affects the mind, body, and soul. His plotlines always seemed safe inside the prison. And then BOOM, he gets stabbed and dies. And yet continues in his role as the narrator.
Honorable Mention: Jin/Sun (Lost)
This was tough because I could have mentioned just about every character from Lost. Sayid’s death was tough, but that episode also had Jin & Sun die. And if you read my review from back then, when I was a cool tough guy, I said that I almost cried. I can tell you that I cried on the second watch of the series. I wanted so much for them to make it and end up being happy. But the Island had other plans I suppose…
10. Jimmy Darmody (Boardwalk Empire)
I still think about this death. Jimmy reconciles with Nucky and they go out together, where we think they will take out Nucky’s enemies. Instead, Nucky puts a gun to Jimmy and shoots the boy who considered to be like a son. It was shocking because Jimmy was the main character (or so we thought). It felt like Jimmy was going to eventually take over Nucky’s enterprise. But, death seemed to be the only thing left for Jimmy. I mean, I cannot imagine how the audience would have felt about him after the revelation in the previous episode…
9. Adriana La Cerva (The Sopranos)
This one hit me because of the tension built during the drive with Silvio. Adriana thinks Christopher attempted suicide, but then starts to suspect something is amiss. When she tries to get away and Silvio grabs her, I feel like my heart was going to explode from my chest. I really wanted her get away, or maybe for Silvio to just let her go. But nope, we hear the gunshots and we know what happened.
8. Oberyn Martell (Game of Thrones)
The Red Viper versus the Mountain. This would have been higher up there if I was not one of the book readers (same with many of the other deaths in the first bunch of seasons). I remember watching the episode and thinking that maybe the ending of the show would be different. And then Oberyn gets too close.
7. Hank Schrader (Breaking Bad)
So often during the show, it seemed that Hank was this silly character who was kind of crappy at his job since he could not figure out his own brother-in-law was the meth kingpin. He just wanted to collect his minerals and brew beer. But then he figures it all out and he goes to bring Walter to justice. That is when shit goes sideways. “My name is ASAC Schrader and you can go fuck yourself.”
6. Lane Pryce (Mad Men)
Lane embezzles money from SCDP and Don Draper confronts him. There were so many moments in the episode where you think that maybe he will decide against killing himself (the Jaguar not starting or the conversation with his wife). I think Joan trying to open the door and then her reaction later when they realize what has happened is what hits the hardest.
5. Hodor (Game of Thrones)
Who would have guessed a character that only says “Hodor” dying would hit so damn hard? Hodor was our constant companion throughout the show. Then we learn why he only says Hodor and that it is short for “hold the door.” Seriously, I am tearing up thinking about his sacrifice.
4. Opie Winston (Sons of Anarchy)
His death was sort of telegraphed, but the manner of it was gruesome and painful to watch. Opie was the heart of the MC, and I think we all wanted to see him lead the club out of their dark ways. Sadly that did not happen and he died for SAMCRO.
3. Joyce Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
This death hit me very hard. I think Buffy’s mom dying of a brain aneurysm was shocking because it was unexpected. Look at all the things Buffy faced. Her mom could have been killed by vampires, demons, monsters, and just about any number of things. And yet it was something so normal. There was no monster to defeat, no spell to counter. Just a dead mother. Buffy’s reaction “Mom? Mommy?” Even the way they showed her mom’s body, it was just sad and painful to see.
2. Jack Pearson (This Is Us)
We knew he would die. They told us that Jack died in a fire. Hell, when the episode came out, they told us that it was the episode where we would learn about his death. It should not have been shocking. It should not have been sad. But Jack is such a great character. A fantastic father, loving husband, and yet he has his flaws, which makes him even better. When the doctor comes in to tell Rebecca, we felt the shock she felt from hearing those words.
1. Charlie Pace (Lost)
Desmond tells Charlie that he is going to die. It looms over everything Charlie does all season. Like all of the characters on the show, Charlie grew and changed so much over the course of the show. The selfish heroin addict washed-up rockstar, becomes the surrogate father to little Aaron and the protector of Claire. Then he dies sacrificing himself to save others, while also giving Desmond a message…”not Penny’s boat.”
