19 Needless TV Deaths That Made Us Question Everything
Brandon Vieira
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Death in television is inevitable. Practically every TV show from The Walking Dead to Sesame Street has addressed the topic in some sort of way.
The death of a fan favorite TV show character is always painful to watch, but sometimes they make sense. They add to the overall story being told, and the character's legacy is never forgotten throughout the course of the show's run.
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Yet, some shows decide to kill off a character without any real reason behind it. The loss of that character didn't progress any storylines and it for sure didn't make the show any better. In fact, these needless TV deaths just pissed fans off and had them questioning why they even watch the show.
You would think showrunners would have learned by now. Don't kill off our favorite TV characters unless there is a very valid reason for it. But somehow every year it keeps happening.
Be warned; this is bound to trigger anger and resentment for television shows that you thought you had forgiven. Also, make sure to share your picks for the most needless TV deaths in the comments below.
1. Glenn Rhee (The Walking Dead)
Glenn's death was super sad, but it seemed like it was going to pay off by the end of the season. Rick and Co. would get their comeuppance, and the show would grow in the process. Two seasons later and none of that has happened and doesn't look likely to happen. The Negan storyline continues to drag on, despite how boring it has become. New characters that nobody cares about continue to be introduced and The Walking Dead is just not as popular as it once was. This can all be retraced back to the death of Glenn. His death has now become meaningless, and the show has lost fans because of this poor decision. Glenn deserved better!
2. Abbie Mills (Sleepy Hollow)
There wasn't a lot of diversity in the sci-fi/fantasy genre before Sleepy Hollow. That's why so many people were excited when the character of Abbie Mills was introduced to the world. A black female lead in a fantasy show is a rare commodity. It was an exciting time, but after a couple of seasons, Sleepy Hollow's use of Abbie began to frustrate fans. And just when it looked like the show was finally going to give Abbie a good story to tell again, she was killed off. She supposedly served her purpose by helping Ichabod. Abbie's death destroyed any chance of the show surviving. Sleepy Hollow only had one more season before the show got canceled. A leading lady should never be treated the way Abbie was.
3. Leslie Shay (Chicago Fire)
Dick Wolf loves killing off major characters; it's just what he does. However, no Chicago Fire fans saw this one coming. The Season 2 cliffhanger saw a building that had all our favorites from Firehouse 51 inside explode. Fans knew a character was going to be killed off, but no one thought it would be Shay, especially because she was one of two women in the male-dominated cast and the only LGBT character on the show. When the show came back for Season 3 and fans found out it was Shay that died in the explosion, they were outraged. It didn't help that after just a few episodes, Shay had become an afterthought. The rest of the characters moved on from her death and never looked back. Yet, fans are still angry, and four seasons later, the show still hasn't found someone that's been able to replace this beloved character.
4. Anya Jenkins (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Although Anya just started off as a one-episode "demon of the day," she ended up coming back and became a fan favorite. She and Xander's relationship became a focal point in the last few seasons of the show and helped them both grow as characters. When Anya rejoins the Scooby Gang in the final season, fans were hopeful that she and Xander would reconcile. That did not happen. Anya was abruptly killed in the series finale, and very little was made of it for the remainder of the episode. Not only were fans upset that Anya and Xander never got their happily ever after but they were also angry that Anya was killed without any fanfare.
5. Poussey Washington (Orange is the New Black)
The number of black LBGT television characters can probably be counted on one or two hands. Poussey was one of the first representatives of this community on television, so Orange is the New Black fans had every right to be upset when she was killed off in the fourth season. The show tried to defend its decision to kill off the beloved character by saying they wanted to draw attention to the serious problem of prison and police brutality towards the black community. With a show consisting of so many characters, the same story could've been told without killing off a character who meant so much to so many people.
6. Robin Hood (Once Upon a Time)
Regina just couldn't catch a break. Even though she was supposed to be an evil character, in the beginning, Regina became a fan favorite right away. Once Upon A Time fans wanted to see her find love and after seasons of waiting for it to happen, she finally found it. Robin Hood was someone who could match Regina in every way. Outlaw Queen faced so many obstacles throughout their courtship including him accidentally getting her sister pregnant (it's a long story) but they managed to overcome it all. Just when it looked like Regina would finally get her happily ever after, Robin was killed by Hades. It was devastating and an unnecessary blow to fans of the show. There was so much more to explore in the Robin and Regina relationship, and it was ruined by this moment. Team Outlaw Queen Forever!
7. Allison Argent (Teen Wolf)
Allison's death was one of those instances where an actor wanted to leave the show, and the writers thought it would be best to kill them off. Except that's not what should have happened to Teen Wolf's leading lady. The show lost a lot of steam after Allison died. Scott had other girlfriends post-Allison, but it never felt the same. Scott and Allison were meant to be, and the show ruined any chance of rekindling that romance by killing her off. It didn't help that other actors before her like Colton Haynes asked to leave the show, but for some reason, they didn't kill off Jackson. If Allison just left town like every other Teen Wolf character, fans could've seen her reunite with Scott in the finale. However, this fatal decision ruined any chance of that happening.
8. Sybil Branson (Downton Abbey)
Sybil's death on Downton Abbey is one of the most agonizing television scenes ever. The character became the heart of the show so quickly because of her sweet and kind demeanor. Her relationship with Branson is the of what fairytales are made. And just when it looked like the pair would get their happily ever after, it all came crashing down. Sybil suffered from eclampsia during delivery and died shortly afterward. It was so sudden and out of the blue, gutting fans around the globe. At first, it looked like Sybil's death would lead to a satisfying story arc for Branson and the Crawley family. However, Matthew Crawley died just a few episodes later and wound up overshadowing the loss of Sybil. Although these deaths helped Mary and Branson form a bond, Downton Abbey never felt the same without Sybil's gentle heart.
9. Paige Larson (Days of Our Lives)
Paige was the unfortunate victim of one story arc taking over an entire show, despite having a lot of stories of her own still to tell. The character of Paige was introduced as a love interest to JJ Deveraux, but she soon became a DOOL fan favorite all on her own. So when Paige was killed by the necktie killer, fans were rightfully furious. The show didn't help heal fans anger after they revealed she was the daughter of Eduardo Hernandez and the half-sister of Gabi and Rafe. DOOL fans would never get the chance to see Paige interact with Gabi and Rafe or form a sibling-type relationship with them all because the show just needed another victim for the necktie killer. Paige still had so many stories left to tell, and the necktie killer story didn't need her as a victim of progress.
10. Brian Griffin (Family Guy)
Family Guy isn't known for its complex and emotionally in-depth storylines. However, that changed drastically when Brian Griffin got hit by a car and died from his injuries. It was a very sad and dramatic episode, something fans of Family Guy were not used to. So, it was understandable that they were upset about what happened. However, the anger wasn't necessary because Stewie rebuilt his time machine and brought Brian back to life. Fans were happy their favorite dog was alive and well but also wondered what the point of all this was. Family Guy wanted to try and enter uncharted territory in their show, but it just made them look stupid. There was no need for Brian to die in the first place.
11. Hayley Marshall-Kenner (The Originals)
The final season of The Originals might have seen the worst usage of a fan favorite character ever! By the end of the series, Hayley had become one of the most beloved characters on the show. She was slowly becoming a terrific mother and her romance with Elijah Mikaelson was steamy AF. It was reasonable for fans to think they would get to see a lot Hayley in the final season. Boy, were they wrong. Hayley was kidnapped early on in season 5 and then killed by some second-rate villains midway through! Sure she did it to save her daughter but still WTF? After four seasons of falling in love with Hayley, this is the sendoff she gets? Infuriating, to say the least.
12. Rita Morgan (Dexter)
Rita made Dexter likable. She was the one who brought out the warm and softer side of Dexter that wasn't seen with any other character. She was the love of his life which became even more clear when she promised to love him despite all his demons. Dexter didn't realize that this would be the last thing she would ever say to him face-to-face. When Dexter walked into the bathroom and saw Rita's lifeless body in a pool full of blood in the bathtub, he was absolutely devastated and so were the fans. The devastation, however, turned to frustration soon after. Dexter without Rita just wasn't as compelling to watch. The Trinity Killer was the last great storyline the had and Rita's death foreshadowed the downfall Dexter would have in its last few seasons.
13. George O'Malley (Grey's Anatomy)
Grey's Anatomy has killed off so many of its doctors at this point; it's hard to keep track. Despite being upsetting, Derek, Mark, and, Lexie's deaths have all left a legacy behind at Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital. George O'Malley, however, has become nothing but a distant memory. It's hard to believe considering how much of a focal point he was for the show in its early seasons. The Grey's Anatomy Season 5 finale in which he died has been said to be one of the best season finales of all-time, but that doesn't mean his death wasn't a little pointless in the long run. George was already planning to join the army and could've just left the show for that reason. However, Grey's decided to go the dramatic root, and while it paid off at first, George's death never made a long-lasting impression. He's lucky if his name is mentioned once every few seasons.
14. Butch Gilzean (Gotham)
The fact that Butch was killed twice on Gotham says a lot about how the show felt about him. His first death made sense. He protected Tabitha and in doing so was shot by Barbra. When he was brought back and became Solomon Grundy, his journey felt like it was finally paying off. Unfortunately, Gotham fans didn't get much of a chance to get to know Solomon Grundy. Butch was killed once again by the Penguin. Butch was brought to life after being killed the first time just to be killed again shortly after. When fans have to ask about the point of an entire story arc ... that's not a good thing.
15. Opie Winston (Sons of Anarchy)
Another instance of writers killing off the heart of the show. Opie had to deal with many terrible losses throughout his run on SOA. He lost his wife and his father due to the actions of Clay Morrow. It would've been nice not only to see him get his comeuppance but also see him outlast the former president of SAMCRO. Neither of those things happened. Instead, Opie's loyalty to Jax and the club cost him his life as he sacrificed himself to save them. Seeing a defenseless Opie get his head smashed in with a pipe in prison was very tragic. Knowing that he left behind two kids without any parents was even sadder. Opie had so much more to give the show and any lightheartedness the show once had vanished after Opie got killed. Jax without his best friend just wasn't the same.
16. Lexa (The 100)
If any show regrets killing off a character, it's probably The 100. Fans were distraught when Alexa was shot and killed by a stray bullet meant for Clarke. The 100 was one of few shows that featured a bisexual lead and an LGBT relationship as its main romance. The show received a visceral reaction from fans for its decision to end Lexa's story in the way it did, many of whom refused to watch the show without her. A show has never alienated so many fans with one swift action until the death of Lexa.
17. Jenna Sommers (The Vampire Diaries)
Aunt Jenna never got a fair shake on The Vampire Diaries. Despite being a loveable and fun character on the show, she was never featured regularly like everyone else because she had no idea vampires existed. It wasn't until the season two finale where Klaus turned her into a vampire when it seemed like maybe Jenna would finally be a part of the major storylines. That wouldn't be the case. Instead, Klaus killed her pretty much right after he turned her and that was it for poor Aunt Jenna. Jenna's death was another instance of a show deciding to kill someone off just for the shock factor, instead of thinking about the potential storylines they could tell with that character. Jenna's journey as a vampire would have been so intriguing to watch, but instead, she was just used as a sacrificial lamb. Not cool, Jule Plec. Not cool.
18. Tracy McConell (How I Met Your Mother)
This decision was stupid. How I Met Your Mother fans spent nine seasons trying to find out how Ted met "The Mother." The ninth season finally delivered and we got to see how Ted and Tracy met, how their first date went and other special moments in their lives. Ted Mosby met the perfect woman for him and all this time spent watching Ted's journey would finally pay off. Except the series finale made sure that wasn't the case. Tracy ended up being killed off, and Ted was telling his kids this story so that they would permit him to date Robin. One problem with this, no one wanted Ted and Robin to end up together! She belonged with Barney and Ted belonged with Tracy. Fans questioned why they spent nine years of their lives watching this show after this series finale.
19. Laurel Lance (Arrow)
The writers of Arrow knew this was a mistake pretty much as soon as it happened. When Arrow premiered, fans were waiting for Laurel Lance to become the Black Canary. It took the death of her boyfriend and an addiction problem, but eventually, Laurel was the superhero everyone knew she was meant to be. Yet, her time as a superhero didn't last very long. Laurel was killed by Damien Darhk. How did anyone think killing off the Black Canary was a good idea? Her death didn't pay off any storylines in the slightest. The show tried to make up for this mistake by introducing Dinah, a new Black Canary but fans still weren't buying it. So what did they do? Bring a different earth version of Laurel onto the show whose name is Black Siren. All of this could've been prevented if Arrow realized Black Canary was too vital to the show to be killed off.
