As a long-time fan of television and its evolution over the years, I find it fascinating to observe how certain pivotal moments have shaped the medium as we know it today. Three such instances that stand out in my mind are the deaths of Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) on Grey’s Anatomy, Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) on Twin Peaks, and Lord Eddard Stark (Sean Bean) on Game of Thrones.
Television has been featuring death since the 1950s, yet it doesn’t always make headlines. Whether an actor departs from a series or passes away, the storyline of their character must evolve. For many years, television shows have tackled death in diverse ways, not all favorable. Swapping an actor because a character is crucial to a show can lead to disastrous consequences, or it might go unnoticed by viewers – it’s always a risk.
Still, death is there, lingering in the background, waiting for something terrible to happen. Even when a character’s death has nothing to do with the actor who plays them, there can still be some sort of fallout for the show. Some showrunners include surprising or shocking character deaths as part of the story, and these narrative choices can certainly upset fans. Then there are the deaths that are so impactful to their show, they can have wider ripple effects across all of television.
These television deaths were so profound that they shook the foundation of the medium itself, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.
Henry Blake – M*A*S*H
In the popular TV series “M*A*S*H,” Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake stood out among viewers due to McLean Stevenson’s captivating portrayal. Blake is a skilled surgeon, but his military leadership leaves much to be desired. Despite this, he shows genuine concern for everyone under his command and strives to bring humor to a serious environment. In essence, the essence of “M*A*S*H” can be summarized by Stevenson’s portrayal of the likable Blake, which was one of the main reasons people tuned in to watch.
In the finale of Season 3, Blake received instructions to go back home. His departure held a mix of joy and sadness, yet it was well-deserved. What viewers didn’t anticipate was Radar (played by Gary Burghoff) showing up in the operating tent at the end, reading out a message: “Lieutenant Colonel… Henry Blake’s plane… was brought down over the Sea of Japan. It plunged into the water. There were no survivors.” Stevenson ultimately chose to move on to other ventures, and his return to the U.S. provided a poignant farewell to the character.
Gene Reynolds opted for an unconventional exit for Blake, electing to have him written off instead. Unlike other departures, Blake’s demise wasn’t mandatory; rather, it was a choice made by Reynolds. In his view, the death scene reflected the harsh reality of war, as not everyone who managed to escape the battlefield ultimately returned home safely. This dramatic event left viewers seething with anger, reaching peak levels of outrage.
Glenn and Abraham – The Walking Dead
The TV show ‘The Walking Dead’ is adapted from a comic book series published by Image Comics, which was still being released during the show’s run. This meant that for many readers, they had a general idea of what would happen, but for most fans, it was uncertain who among the characters might meet their end at any given time. The anticipation leading up to the introduction of Negan (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) was significant, and this long-awaited moment finally unfolded in the first episode of Season 7. In a chilling scene, Negan informs his kneeling victims that one of them will die, and he ultimately selects Abraham (portrayed by Michael Cudlitz).
This shocking turn of events left comic book readers stunned, as things unfolded differently in the series compared to the comics. On paper, it was Glenn (Steven Yeun) who perished, but before they could express their disbelief through their TV screens, Negan viciously ended Glenn’s life. Death is a common occurrence in “The Walking Dead,” but the gruesome manner in which Abraham and Glenn were killed, particularly as Glenn had been a main character since the beginning of the series, marked a significant shift.
Glenn’s demise underscored the unpredictable nature of the show, leaving viewers uncomfortable as not everyone appreciated his gruesome exit. At a Walker Stalker Con in 2017, Steven Yeun admitted it was tough for fans to see someone they felt close to meeting such an untimely end. Many believe Glenn’s death marked a significant shift in the series, a turning point some think contributed to its eventual decline. The decision to kill off Glenn seemed to have negative consequences for ratings, serving as a cautionary tale for other showrunners about the impact of character deaths.
Kenny McCormick – South Park
During the initial five seasons of “South Park,” Kenny McCormick primarily served a humorous role by meeting his untimely end in various ways per episode. This would typically be followed by an exclamation of shock and dismay: “Oh my God, they killed Kenny! You b*stards!” However, the next episode would find Kenny miraculously alive again. This pattern continued until creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone grew tired of the recurring joke, leading them to decide on a permanent demise for Kenny.
In another form: Instead of being destroyed by explosions, stabs, gunshots, or fires, Kenny met his end in “South Park” not on the streets of a Colorado town with his friends, but in a hospital bed. Unlike his past deaths, which were frequent and often comical, this one was due to muscular dystrophy, making it more heartfelt and authentic. Because Kenny had been primarily used as a character to be killed and revived in each episode, his permanent death carried a deeper emotional impact. However, true to form, Kenny reappeared at the end of the sixth season, showing growth and development as a character.
In a unique twist for “South Park,” continuously killing off Kenny served as a method to avoid the show becoming predictable or outdated. While it may have appeared that character growth was not a priority for the creators due to the repetitive nature of this joke, subsequent portrayals and resurrections of Kenny demonstrate that his character has evolved over time. In essence, “South Park” demonstrated that animated characters don’t necessarily need to be confined within rigid storylines, as is common in other animated shows.
John F. Kennedy – CBS Evening News
In simpler terms, television isn’t just about scripted series, variety programs, and gameshows; it also broadcasts news. Back in the 1960s, people mainly got their daily news from CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. This was a golden era for TV news, and Cronkite was one of the best journalists around. He reported on significant events like the Moon landing, but not all news is positive.
Cronkite served as the messenger for some of the most disheartening events of the 20th century, such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He was tasked with delivering the grim news that “From Dallas, Texas, it appears an official announcement: President Kennedy passed away at 1 p.m., Central Standard Time; this happened approximately 38 minutes earlier, at 2 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
This instance marked a pivotal turning point in the realm of television news broadcasting, significantly transforming the way news was recorded and transmitted. Prior to this event, television news had a polished appearance, but the need for swift, unprepared statements during breaking news led to the evolution of news programs as we know them today.
Fabian Febby Petrulio – The Sopranos
From the start, it’s clear that Tony Soprano (played by James Gandolfini) isn’t a model citizen. He heads a crime syndicate in New Jersey and has no qualms about meting out violence when necessary. This is evident right from the start, but what’s interesting is that Tony often delegates his wrongdoings to his subordinates. However, it isn’t until the fifth episode of the series that we see a shift – Tony takes his daughter Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) on college visits, marking a point where he becomes more actively involved in his criminal activities.
During his trip, Tony encounters Fabian “Febby” Petrilio (Tony Ray Rossi), a previous mafia member who became a government informant and was under protection. Finding Febby by chance was fortunate for Tony, leading him to follow him throughout the episode until its end. However, when Febby is on the phone and senses something amiss, Tony manages to seize control and ends up strangling him in one of “The Sopranos” most gruesome deaths. Although killing a character who only appeared once was not uncommon for the show at this early stage, the death of Febby holds significance for other reasons.
This scene powerfully demonstrated to viewers the ruthless manner in which Tony administers justice. The chilling strangulation scene was shockingly brutal, yet it didn’t deter audiences from forming an emotional bond with Tony. In fact, this scene marked a turning point in television history by proving that an antihero could headline a series and maintain viewers’ fascination, even with his violent demeanor. Without this scene, it’s possible that shows such as “Breaking Bad” or “Mad Men” may not have gained the same level of success.
Poussey Washington – Orange is the New Black
The show “Orange is the New Black” is unique on television as it primarily explores a women’s correctional facility, unlike many other series that focus on men’s prisons. This series managed to challenge this common theme. One significant character in the storyline is Poussey Washington (portrayed by Samira Wiley), who finds herself behind bars for distributing marijuana. As the narrative unfolds, Poussey gains prominence, particularly in seasons three and four, which unfortunately marked her final appearance.
In the 12th episode of the fourth season, an uprising occurs within the prison, prompting the guards to suppress it forcefully. A guard pins Poussey down by pressing his knee hard into her neck, causing her to gasp and struggle for breath. However, amidst the chaos, her cries go unheard. Tragically, Poussey stops breathing and passes away on the spot. This death would prove to be a profound influence on the rest of the series’ narrative.
The reason Poussey’s death was such a pivotal moment in television history has to do with what it depicted. “Orange is the New Black” proved it could tackle the controversial issue of police brutality against minorities without turning away viewers. It was a bold move that made it clear that TV shows could speak truth to power, pushing other series to follow suit. Years later, a police officer knelt on George Floyd’s neck, killing him in the same way, making the episode all the more disturbingly poignant.
The Doctor – Doctor Who
1963 saw the debut of “Doctor Who” with William Hartnell portraying the mysterious time-traveler known as The Doctor. The show quickly gained popularity, however, it posed a challenge when Hartnell’s health started to deteriorate. With the potential of the series ending upon his departure, an unprecedented decision was made that would leave a lasting impact on television. Rather than concluding “Doctor Who,” it was opted instead to replace Hartnell with Patrick Troughton. This transition was executed by zeroing in on Hartnell’s unmoving face, flickering the camera, and seamlessly introducing Troughton as his successor.
The original description stated “regeneration,” which is a process that enabled the Doctor to cheat death and transform into another person. This change put William Hartnell’s successor, Patrick Troughton, in a tricky position as he had to win over fans who recognized him as the Doctor but also appreciated his differences. As a result, the BBC set a precedent that has persisted for over five decades, and since then, more than a dozen actors have taken on the role of the Doctor following Troughton’s tenure in the TARDIS. In essence, television history was created by proving that a show could carry on even without its main character, provided there was enough imagination to make it work.
Doctor Who,” even with its cancellation, demonstrated that a series could thrive with similar success over the years. After the initial “Star Trek” concluded, the actors managed to sustain the franchise until “The Next Generation” appeared. It’s possible this wouldn’t have happened if not for “Doctor Who,” which showed that characters can be recast, evolve, and change doesn’t automatically mean a series’ downfall. This concept remains relevant today as it was back in 1966.
Derek McDreamy Shepherd – Grey’s Anatomy
Since its debut in 2005, “Grey’s Anatomy” has never shied away from tackling heavy, heart-wrenching themes. Over the years, numerous characters have met their end, and it’s clear that no one is invincible on this show. Among the many characters, two have been central to the relationships on screen: Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, and Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd, portrayed by Patrick Dempsey. Contrary to popular belief in TV conventions, these actors were not immune to the series’ pattern of character departures or deaths.
Everything shifted dramatically during the 11th season, which marked Dempsey’s final appearance on the show. In an unexpected turn of events, Derek gets into a car accident and passes away shortly after. It’s ironic because he was the only neurosurgeon with the expertise to potentially save himself, adding to the poignancy of his death. Derek’s demise and Dempsey’s exit from the series significantly impacted “Grey’s Anatomy.” The show’s core dynamic had to evolve, and Derek’s absence was palpable in Meredith’s subsequent interactions.
Although life in the show was tenuous, Derek’s death stood out as unique. It paved the way for other characters to depart, ultimately leading to Pompeo leaving the series primarily for narration duties. Dempsey may not have left “Grey’s Anatomy” on amicable terms initially, but he returned for a guest appearance later on. In essence, Derek’s death served as a significant milestone in the show, proving that even the most beloved characters can depart from long-running scripted dramas in the future.
Laura Palmer – Twin Peaks
In “Twin Peaks,” the mysterious death of Laura Palmer (portrayed by Sheryl Lee) sets off a chain of events. Her murder is what draws FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) to the town, as he comes to investigate and unravel the crime. Throughout his investigation, he becomes entwined with the town’s residents in Twin Peaks. The discovery of Laura’s body along the lake, wrapped in plastic, marks her untimely death, which is a pivotal point that triggers the series from its onset.
What made “Twin Peaks” so groundbreaking in television was because it was unlike anything else that had been shown before. Most TV programs were either 30-minute sitcoms or police dramas. However, “Twin Peaks” offered a cinematic experience on the small screen, something unseen in the world of television at the time.
Back in the day, comedic sitcoms filmed with either one or multiple cameras were the mainstay of TV programming, and shows like “Friends” and “Seinfeld” were all the rage. However, “Twin Peaks” stood out by presenting a more somber narrative, setting the stage for future hour-long dramas such as “Breaking Bad,” “The Wire,” and “The Sopranos.” In essence, “Twin Peaks” laid the groundwork for modern TV by embracing darker storylines and emphasizing character development over traditional good-guy victories.
Lord Eddard Stark – Game of Thrones
When “Game of Thrones” debuted, it quickly became a huge success. The show featured an extensive ensemble of gifted actors immersed in a fantasy realm. For those unacquainted with the novels, it presented a fresh perspective on fantasy that hadn’t been depicted on TV before. At the forefront is Sean Bean portraying Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark, who clearly takes the role of the main character. The first season finds Ned heading to King’s Landing in support of his friend, King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy).
In Westeros, politics are ruthlessly harsh. When the king mysteriously perishes during a hunt, his powerless position is seized by his cruel firstborn, Joffrey (portrayed by Jack Gleeson). This situation poses an issue for Ned, as Robert had desired him to serve as regent upon his demise. However, this intention leads to Ned losing favor with Robert’s son. Eventually, he’s double-crossed and given the option to serve at the Wall to evade execution. But just before the execution, Joffrey has a change of heart, and poor Ned is put to death.
This event was pivotal because it revealed Ned as a false main character – someone who we were led to believe was the central figure, but wasn’t. The killing of Ned significantly altered our understanding of the entire show’s narrative and direction, resulting in exceptional television. Ned wasn’t the first deception, but he was TV’s most impactful, and his death made it clear from the start that no one was invulnerable, breaking the usual TV pattern of maintaining continuity from one episode to another.
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2024-11-04 20:01