Forever in the hearts of viewers. Whether it’s drama, comedy, or something in between, TV show writers have never been afraid to shock audiences with the death of a memorable character.
In March 1975, MIX became a trailblazer for television death when Lt. Col. Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) died in the season 3 finale. The character was on his way home after being honorably discharged from the military, but before he could do it, he was killed by enemy fire.
The death was so unexpected that series producers Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart received more than 1,000 letters from angry fans. CBS, the network that carried the show, and 20th Century Fox, which produced it, were also upset with the MIX bosses for offering a fan favorite.
“CBS naturally didn’t want us to ‘kill off’ the Henry Blake character,” Gelbart recalled in his 1998 book, laughing matter. “They were very upset about that, and sentimentally too, dear Twentieth Century-Fox. Never before has a character been killed off on a half-hour show.”
However, some 21st century programs do MIXThe surprise of death seems tame. Lost, which ran from 2004 to 2010, became known for its surprising twists even before the first season ended. In the April 2005 episode “Do No Harm,” viewers were devastated when Boone (ian somerhalder) died after a plane crashed on him in the jungle.
Although audience members were shocked to discover that a main character could come to an end so early in a show’s run, executive producer carlton cuse said he and show co-creator Damon Lindelof I always knew Boone wouldn’t get very far.
“It was a narrative imperative that we kill off Boone,” Cuse said. entertainment weekly after the episode aired. “It sets in motion a chain of events leading up to the season finale.”
Boone’s death was just the first of many Lost outings that shocked viewers. Fans then said goodbye to Boone’s stepsister, Shannon (maggie grace), as well as Libby (cynthia watros), Ana Lucia (Michelle Rodriguez), Mr. Eko (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Charlie (dominic monaghan), Miguel (Harold Perrineau), Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell) and many more.
Even Lindelof was unaffected by some of his show’s most tragic moments. “Charlie is the [death] that got me got me”, the World War Z coauthor said MY! News in September 2014. “When we got to the editing room and first saw Dom underwater pressing his hand against the glass in resignation, I began to sob.” he did so Lost viewers everywhere.
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Keep scrolling for some of the most shocking deaths in television history, and remember, spoilers ahead!