Gus Fring – Breaking Bad
This death I actually get. He was the crime boss, and because of Walt’s blind ambition, the guy was holding him back. He was also threatening his life and family, so Walt did have a case. As far as pure advancement of the story, his death was necessary. Gus easily had one of the most jaw dropping, coolest TV deaths anyone has ever had.
Since Gus has been out of the way though, I don’t think the nerve wracking tension has been as high. It’s been good, it’s been very troubling, but whenever Gus and Walt had their silent stare downs, whether at the Los Pollos Hermanos or through the surveillance camera at the meth lab, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I…could…not…breathe. The tension was so raw, so compelling, that even though the story itself has advanced in quite a breath taking way since his death, the absence of that tension between two foes that were in business together because of necessity has been a small letdown. I still have a giant pit in my stomach just thinking about it. Plus, Giancarlo Esposito is an mind-blowing, freaking amazing actor and when put together with Bryan Cranston, sparks didn’t just fly, they effing exploded.
Here’s an idea. Can Gus start tormenting Walt in his dreams, like he tormented Hector with his nursing home visits? Deliver the same demand to look at him? Oh, the mere mental image of that makes me smile. And cringe. Just as long as I can get that deadly cold stare one more time.
Favorite quotes:
Gus was a man of few words and many chilling glares, but who could forget his famous words of torment to Hector, just before the bomb went off.
“Last chance to look at me, Hector.”
You knew something was up when Hector finally looked.
I agree with almost all of these. I never watched Breaking Bad, or The Simpsons (hangs head in shame), but all the shows I do watch I agree with. Frankly, I would have preferred Alaric to come back over Jeremy. Killing Bobby was a HUGE mistake. I always thought they should have had him in a coma, on life support so he could come back if needed, but still be off the table for season seven. Well, they didn’t ask me, so…
Ianto Jones – Torchwood
This is my first time posting. I don’t know if this death will count because I don’t know if there will be more seasons of Torchwood or not, but here goes….
Torchwood is about a team of people, but Ianto was the real heart of the team. He was funny, caring, witty, and extremely loyal.
Many spoilers follow.
I realize some people may say that his death did serve a purpose in that it caused Jack to be so broken that he was able to kill his own grandson in the next ep, but for me, Ianto’s death was sad and meaningless. It was a death simply because Torchwood is a dark show, and no one is safe. I do like dark shows. However, only when something is accomplished by that person’s death. Even Tosh and Owen had a hero’s death because they were helping save Cardiff, and possibly the world, when they died.
I digress, but Ianto simply died; there was no greater meaning. I mean some would say he died in the name of duty, but for me, there was no purpose to his death.
I’m getting sad just writing this, but I’ve been a lurker for a while, so it makes me happy finally posting.
As, a final note, I agree with what’s been said previously, and I enjoyed the article.
Welcome first time poster! I always get excited when a lurker posts for the first time. I’m happy you took the time to post here!
Honestly, Torchwood is on my list of shows I must see. To show you how behind the eight ball I am, I’m still in the 2005 season of Dr. Who. Never seen it before. So Torchwood will happen eventually. Thank God for Netflix.
You didn’t spoil anything for me, but I do get the lingering pain of a character death from shows past. I was always bitter about Charlie, Sun and Jin on Lost and Jonathan Kent on Smallville. It affects the way you go back and rewatch shows, no?
Thanks for posting and I hope to see more from you in the future.
I don’t watch all of these shows but I enjoyed the article. The loss of Bobby from SPN and Alaric from TVD were two of the ones that stung. Especially Bobby, he was one of my favorite characters of all time. I found Damon and Alaric very charismatic together and I hope they can bring him back in some form. I love seeing Bobby every time he reappears but I am always torn between that and thinking they should just leave it be!
I always hate it when a character gets killed off when contract negotiations break down with an actor. It seems so mean spirited to me. Not only do you get no raise but we will kill you off so you can’t return ingrate!! I don’t think that happened with these two actors mind, you just that it does happen sometimes.
comma s/b after ‘you’ in last sentence! Sheesh.