Summary
- TV shows are increasingly bringing back dead characters for various reasons, sometimes mystifying fans.
- Show creators attempt to revive characters due to popularity, but this trend could put pressure on delivering convincing storylines.
- Returning deceased characters might please fans initially, but it risks tarnishing a show’s reputation and impact.
As a long-time fan of these shows and series, I must say I have mixed feelings about the death and resurrection trend that seems to be sweeping through our beloved characters. On one hand, it’s thrilling to see characters we care about return, even if only for a little while. On the other hand, as someone who has lost loved ones in real life, I can’t help but feel a sense of disrespect when these fictional deaths are undone so casually.
Initially, characters resurrected after death were typically found in supernatural series or horror genres. However, when Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) reappeared in the shocking shower scene on Dallas, revealing that the entire previous season was a dream, it opened up the idea of bringing characters back to life through unconventional means even on shows where magic is not a part of the plot, making it quite common.
Enthusiasts of series such as Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and even Riverdale have long been accustomed to these productions finding imaginative methods to resurrect characters. However, in other genres like dramas and sitcoms, such occurrences seem illogical. Recently, viewers are discovering that Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), who appeared to meet his end at the conclusion of the limited sequel series Dexter: New Blood, will reappear in a new sequel series titled Dexter: Resurrection. This leaves fans questioning both how and why this is happening. While reviving a cherished character can be a positive development, there’s also a concern that it dilutes the narrative. Let’s delve into this recurring pattern more closely.
Recent TV Show Character Resurrections Are Puzzling
Characters like Dexter Morgan aren’t alone in their resurrection for more screen time. This trend has been prevalent in TV shows for a while now, as they seek to rectify past errors, please fans, re-explore closed storylines, or boost ratings. For instance, in the contentious ending of Roseanne, it was disclosed that the entire series served as material for Roseanne Conner’s (Roseanne Barr) book. She had altered certain facts and relationships to suit a more appealing narrative. One of the most significant alterations is that, according to her voiceover, not only did the Conners not win the lottery, but Dan Conner (John Goodman), when he suffered a heart attack, didn’t survive.
In the continuation of the series The Conners set two decades later, it seemed as though Dan had miraculously come back to life. The show humorously justified this unexpected event in the opening scene where Roseanne jolts him awake while he’s wearing his sleep apnea mask. Confused, he queries her about what happened, and she assumes he’s deceased. “I’m just sleeping!” he exclaims, exasperated by everyone constantly thinking he’s dead.
Fear the Walking Dead started off powerfully, but some viewers feel that the narrative took a turn for the worse when Madison (Kim Dickens) seemingly perished in the fourth season. The lead character of the series, essentially the equivalent of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), found herself trapped in a stadium that exploded and caught fire. In an act of self-sacrifice to protect her children, she sealed the doors and was presumably incinerated inside. However, three seasons later, Madison reappears. The show doesn’t provide any details on how she managed to survive miraculously. Instead, they introduce respiratory problems caused by smoke inhalation for her character, which requires the use of an oxygen tank. Yet, the means by which she escaped the explosion is never explained.
In Madison’s return to the series, her primary goal was to reconcile with her daughter Alicia (Alycia Debnam Carey), who surprisingly lived through extraordinary circumstances despite being bitten, losing an arm, and battling virus symptoms for months. Even though she was left for dead in the previous episode, Alicia miraculously appeared in the final episode to wrap up the story on a positive note. It’s worth mentioning that Troy (Daniel Sharman) also made a comeback, having been severely injured by Madison several seasons ago with a hammer blow to the head. The fact that he survived such an incident without any lasting brain damage remains a mystery for another time.
Remember the dramatic ending of Game of Thrones Season 5 in 2015 where Jon Snow (Kit Harington) appeared dead after being stabbed? His limp body was carried away in the snow, leading fans to speculate about his return. Given that he seemed truly deceased, it was surprising when he came back for the next season. The question was: how could this happen?
Undeniably, “Game of Thrones” is known for its supernatural occurrences and sorcery. However, the scene where Jon Snow (Kit Harington) struggled to breathe after being revived by Melisandre’s (Carice van Houten) powers was excessive, even for fans who were accustomed to faceless men, monsters, goblins, and a Night King. It seems illogical that Jon Snow’s resurrection would be significant if his death was essentially inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.
Adult cartoon series aren’t exempt from this pattern either. In Season 12 of “Family Guy,” a heart-wrenching event occurred – beloved pet dog Brian (voiced by Seth MacFarlane, the show’s creator) met an untimely end in a car accident. This moment was particularly emotional for a series typically known for its humor and cynicism. However, Stewie, also voiced by MacFarlane, found himself unable to cope without his best friend. So, two episodes later, Stewie decides to use his time-travel abilities to prevent the very accident that claimed Brian’s life.
This Death and Resurrection Trend Needs to Stop
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel an intense longing to immerse myself fully in the world of Dexter. With the show now streaming on Netflix and garnering renewed interest, it’s clear that others share this desire too. The announcement of a prequel series is exciting, but nothing beats having Dexter Morgan himself back in action. After all, Dexter just wouldn’t be Dexter without Michael C. Hall embodying him.
It’s quite challenging to foresee that a show from the past will suddenly regain popularity, which can sometimes leave creators and writers in a tough spot. If it were easy to predict such resurgence, perhaps shows like Suits might have carried on if producers had been able to glimpse into the future and see that the series would achieve even greater success years after its final episode (thanks to Netflix). However, when dealing with highly successful shows, it might be wise to keep endings open, in case there’s a chance of a comeback.
It’s not something that can be done regularly, of course. For instance, Walter White from Breaking Bad could never resurface, even if he managed to survive the critical injuries in the final episode. His cancer was terminal, and unless the series comes up with an extraordinary cure for cancer, White is no longer among us. I’m afraid those posters circulating online suggesting his return are merely a product of fans’ fervent imaginations.
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but ponder the intriguing twists that might await us in Dexter: Resurrection. From mysterious witchcraft to bizarrely chilling snow that seems to heal wounds (or whatever creative reasoning the writers dream up for our hero), these elements could potentially bring back beloved characters. However, this also places a significant burden on the show, as it must make the improbable scenario compelling enough to justify any risk of tarnishing the show’s hard-earned reputation.
As a diehard TV viewer, I’ve got to say, I was surprised when Dan popped back up alive on The Conners, but the series finale of Roseanne didn’t sit well with me anyway. When Jon Snow rose from the dead on Game of Thrones, it initially angered me, but I soon grew accustomed to having him around again. Madison’s return on Fear the Walking Dead was a letdown, showing even a beloved character couldn’t boost its ratings. And honestly, Brian shouldn’t have been killed off in Family Guy at all.
In essence, when there’s a possibility of resurrecting a show, idea, or personality, it’s wiser not to eliminate a key figure. Once deceased, they stay dead. When death is portrayed artistically, the means to revive such a character may border on desperation. If the fresh production fails to impress, it could tarnish the reputation of an otherwise excellent series. It might also leave fans questioning why the character couldn’t have been allowed to rest in peace as intended. For instance, Dexter is set for a comeback around 2025.
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2024-08-04 18:06