Top 10 Over The Top TV Show Deaths
#10: Garrett’s Explosive End “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (2013-)
Throughout the first season, John Garrett pretended to be loyal to the spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D. In reality, he was an undercover agent for the evil organization Hydra. After killing dozens of innocents, he was nearly killed by Agent Coulson’s team. When Garrett tries to repair his broken body with robotic parts, Coulson calmly blows him up with an alien weapon. The explosion leaves the traitor in pieces and us in stitches. Up until his explosive demise, Garrett had been a serious threat. But Coulson’s use of an overpowered alien weapon reduced the villain to an utter joke in his final moments.
#9: Losing His Head “Daredevil” (2015-18)
Although Wilson Fisk is an imposing man, his ego can be very fragile. So, when his romantic date was interrupted by mafia boss Anatoly Ranskahov, we expected something bad to happen. Shortly after the ruined date, Anatoly is driven to a deserted lot. Fisk uses the secluded location to beat Anatoly to a bloody pulp. For the grand finale, Fisk slams Anatoly’s head with a car door for a while until there’s no head left. While this scene pushes the envelope by its visuals and absurd length, Fisk’s ridiculous motivation really pushes this incident over-the-top. Are we supposed to see Fisk as an intimidating boss or an immature brat? Well, we guess he can be both.
#8: Worst Game of Tag Ever “American Horror Story” (2011-)
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Within the world of “American Horror Story,” certain witches have the ability to teleport. In the season finale of “Coven,” three witches abuse this ability by playing a game of tag. During the game, a young witch named Zoe suffers a fatal injury when she accidentally teleports onto a spiked fence. Although this death should be grim, it's unintentionally hilarious. Zoe's violent demise comes so far out of left field that it's hard not to laugh at how sudden it is. And since she's resurrected by the end of the episode, the gratuitous accident is ultimately just a plot device. Zoe could’ve avoided her dramatic impalement if she’d played hide-and-seek instead.
#7: Last Call for Dr. Shepherd “Grey's Anatomy” (2005-)
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While driving to the airport, Dr. Shepherd narrowly avoids a car crash on a two-lane highway. After helping the victims, he parks sideways on the highway to answer his phone. Moments later, he’s hit by a truck. You’d think that someone who just avoided an accident would have the common sense to pull over for a call. Unfortunately, his ridiculous lapse of judgment causes such severe injuries that he’s unable to move or speak. If that wasn’t melodramatic enough, Shepherd’s wife, Meredith Grey, later has to choose to take him off life support. We get that actor Patrick Dempsey was ready to move on from McDreamy, but did his death have to be a McNightmare?
#6: Jerome’s Fall from Grace “Gotham” (2014-19)
Between its flamboyant villains and crazy storylines, it’s hard for a single moment in “Gotham” to stand out. But Jerome Valeska’s demise still managed to steal the spotlight. After he launches a terrorist attack in Gotham, Detective Gordon chases him to a roof. When Gordon shoots Jerome, the criminal falls off the edge and clings to the side of the building. Jerome monologues for a minute before he falls back into a green screen background in slow motion. Did we mention he laughs the whole time? The drawn-out fall, obvious effects, and overacting made it hard to take his demise seriously. Then again, maybe Jerome preferred his hammy ending.
#5: Burying Their Mistakes “Lost” (2004-10)
If “Lost” had a most hated couple award, it would go to Nikki Fernandez and Paulo. When writers heard about the fan hatred, they decided to off the characters in dramatic fashion. After Nikki suspects that Paulo’s been lying to her about a bag of diamonds, she throws a venomous spider on him. Its bite causes Paulo to be completely paralyzed. A few minutes later, Nikki is bitten by the same kind of spider. When the other survivors find the couple, they assume Nikki and Paulo are dead and bury the lovers alive. A number of viewers rejoiced over the couple’s untimely end. Although the writers went way overboard, they gave fans exactly what they wanted.
#4: Engine of Vengeance “Firefly” (2002)
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In order to keep his spaceship flying, Captain Malcolm Reynolds had to accept a few questionable jobs. At one point, he gets paid to steal cargo for the villainous Niska. When Mal’s crew discovers that the cargo is life-saving medicine, he tells Niska’s henchman Crow to return the money. But after Crow refuses the offer and makes threats, Mal says “darn” and kicks Crow into his ship’s engine. The henchman's demise is so unexpectedly brutal that we couldn't help but laugh. Mal’s casual attitude about the situation only adds to the hilarity. His ludicrous kick is both a great comedic bit and a great snapshot of who the captain is.
#3: Helicopter Crash “ER” (1994-2009)
Dr. Romano was an excellent doctor with a terrible personality. It seemed like he finally got his comeuppance when he lost an arm to a helicopter rotor in Season 9. But the worst was yet to come. In Season 10, Romano steps outside for some air after coming face-to-face with a helicopter. He’s leisurely walking around before the same chopper falls out the sky and crushes him. Romano’s dramatic death is more suited for an action movie than the grounded world of ER. And crushing him with a helicopter seemed unnecessarily mean-spirited. Romano already lost a limb to a chopper. Did he have to lose his life to one too?
#2: Oberyn's Crushing Defeat “Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
After the Mountain murdered Elia Martell, her brother Oberyn volunteers to fight the monstrous man. Initially, it looked like Oberyn would be victorious. But it only took an instant for the Mountain to regain the upper hand. He ends the fight by squeezing Oberyn’s head until it pops like a balloon. While the Mountain is strong enough to commit this heinous act, no one wanted to see him do it. Although Oberyn death’s set certain plot points in motion, his demise was needlessly gory and cruel. Fans hadn’t been this shocked and horrified at a murder since the red wedding. And that event seems like a tea party compared to the gruesome actions of the Mountain. Before we finish off our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Willow Completely Exposes Warren “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003) Shays Misses the Elevator “L.A. Law” (1986-94) Grundy Faces the Music “Riverdale” (2017-) Poisoned Envelopes “Seinfeld” (1989-98) Ms. Bean Gets in Hot Water “Scream Queens” (2015-16)
#1: Gus Becomes Two-Face “Breaking Bad” (2008-13)
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“Breaking Bad” has always been praised for its realistic and gritty tone. But it still had a few larger-than-life moments. In Season 4, Walter White decides to get rid of the monstrous drug kingpin Gustavo Fring with a bomb. By the time Gus notices the bomb, he’s hit with a huge explosion. After straightening his tie, the camera reveals half his face is missing before he collapses. Let’s be honest. Gus’ dramatic demise is awesome. But it’s an exaggerated death for a show that was celebrated for its realism. And we didn’t really need him Gus to become two-face to know he was done for. So while the death is iconic, it’s also over-the-top.
