Malcolm Merlyn – Arrow
As a character, Malcolm sealed his doom early on. His plan was too heartless, too diabolical, too destructive, too bat shit crazy, but because he was such an intimidating guy and no one in his inner circle could say no to him since it usually resulted in premature death, it worked. His plan didn’t quite go as expected, but he still got away with it and half of the glades is now rubble and dust. In the comic book world, that basically means you got to go. So, in no shocking surprise, the Green Arrow did what he had to do and iced the nemesis. Too bad, because as The Dark Archer, he rocked.
Or did he die? TPTB say he’s dead, so I have reason to doubt them, but in comic book land anything is possible. My case for Malcolm Merlyn has absolutely nothing to do with the character himself. I want John Barrowman on my TV. Period. That’s all. Make it a weekly flashback for all I care, he must continue this role. Heck, bring him back as Malcolm’s evil twin brother Marvin for all I care. Just give him the outfit and a sense of vengeance and we’re all set.
As for Tommy, as sad as his demise was, especially when it took a whole season for us to like the guy, he was the easy choice to go. It makes for a perfect reason for revenge, don’t you think?
Favorite quotes:
Laurel: This clinic was his mothers.
Malcolm: Yes. And his mother taught him something that I’ve been trying to – that the world is a harsh and unforgiving place.
Laurel: And when did she teach him that?
Malcolm: When she was lying dead in the street with a bullet in her head. Good night.
Malcolm: What are your thoughts, Oliver?
Oliver: I think the vigilante needs a better code name then “The Hood” or “The Hood Guy.”
Malcolm: I agree. How about Green Arrow?
Oliver: Lame.
Ironic, isn’t it? Last Christmas, I almost killed you. A few months ago, you saved my life. And now you’re here to trying to kill me. You should makeup your mind.
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.