TV character deaths that were best for plot

Josh Look wrote: Not really a tv death, but (Firefly spoiler ahead)

Warning: Spoiler!

Wash from Firefly/Serenity is a very well placed death. In any other show/movie, one of the more central characters like Zoe, Jayne, or maybe even Mal would have died. They're warriors, it's what they do. But Joss kills off the comic relief, truly the least likely, and given how the last fight scene played it, it looks like he's not the only one. You believe the rest of the crew is in true danger because the character you'd never expect to have died already has. It's brilliant.

Nah. At that point the whole film was such a mess that I wasn't really buying any of it. Truly an arbitrary film. It felt like one of those choose-your-own-adventure books.

Henry Blake's death on M*A*S*H was pretty groundbreaking in its execution as well. The scene wasn't scripted. Gary Burgoff was handed a piece of paper at the last second and told to enter the room, read it, and they filmed as the actors reacted as they chose. This wasn't the kind of thing that was done at the time, and the cast was caught so off guard that none of them said anything. This wasn't merely a transition for the audience, it was a transition for the cast as well.

S.

repoman wrote: <derisive tone> Spear and magic helmet..</derisive tone>

Are you mocking my choice or do you think I'm mocking the thread? I have no clue. In any case Bugs death in that short is a legit entry and for me one of the greatest death scenes ever on TV. Beautifully executed.

Ren and Stimpy at the end of Space Madness is another one I like. Perfect ending to one of the best cartoon episodes ever. There's one in Farscape and another in Buffy I like too but they don't reasonate as well as the previous two.

Not mocking anything really. I love that cartoon. Bug's mocks Fudd in his "spear and magic helmet" which is what I was referring to.



This was the short that won an Oscar as well I think.

That was the third choice.

Spear and Magic Helmet!!

Spear and Magic Helmet??

But I realize now that the first season of Angel has a surprising (to me) death that has re-percussion's throughout every following season of the show. I was pissed at first but as the show went on I realized what a great choice it was and how much it helped the show out. I just didn't want the character to die.

I would have to agree wtih you guys about Henry Blake's death. I still get sad just thinking about it.

Nina whacking Jack's wife in the first season of 24 was pretty good.

I'd like to say when Coyote killed that smug Roadrunner, but that just hasn't happened yet

Black Barney wrote: great thread, Dave! I was honestly going to say President Bartlett's secretary (devastating) in WEST WING and Tasha Yar in Next Generation.

How about Mr. Hooper in Sesame Street? Holy crap, that was sad. Even the cast is crying in this one bit where Big Bird is trying to figure out death. Super heavy stuff.

Who was Phil Leotardo in Sopranos? I thought Pussy's death was good but the most affecting was Adriana's. Holy cow.


..and as a hardcore trekker, I gotta correct you. WORF. Not wharf like in San Francisco. JEEZ WHIZ

I barely remember Leo's death in West Wing but I sort of remember it being epic at the same time.

I thought about mentioning Mr. Hooper; that was BRILLIANT television, using the tragedy of someone's passing to teach children about dealing with grief. There used to be clips of the scene with the cast and Big Bird, but I guess they were taken down because of copyright laws. Truly a shame, because that clip, even though almost 30 years old, is still relevant today.

As for your Star Trek comment, I truly apologize. I have been getting this wrong for years. And oh yeah...