8 Of The Most Shocking TV Deaths, Ranked … Including That One From ‘The Last Of Us’
Fans of The Last of Us … You OK?
If you answered “yes,” then you haven’t seen Episode 2 of Season 2 yet. If you answered “no, of course not, my life has become an endless cycle of grief and despair,” then I’m right there with you! This show just aired one of the goopiest, gaggiest deaths of a major TV character in recent memory. In fact, it might be one of the most shocking TV character deaths in TV history, periodt. Just to be sure, let’s rank some of TV’s most shocking deaths. You may be surprised to know where that The Last of Us death falls.
But first, a disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list, as I have not seen every TV show made by humankind – not even every good one. However, these are all deaths that at least a plurality of Very Online people have agreed are goopy and gaggy. That said … Shall we?
8. Villanelle in Killing Eve
Series finales are known for sending off major characters into that good night, so Villanelle’s sudden death in the final episode of the show isn’t that shocking in retrospect. However, the events leading up to it make the moment feel epic, random, and cruel. Eve and Villanelle have just shared a passionate kiss after four seasons of build-up … and then this? In just a few seconds, the unseen sniper who kills Villanelle becomes the new Hunter from Bambi.
7. McDreamy in Grey’s Anatomy
There had been rumors that Patrick Dempsey, who played Derek Shepherd on Grey’s, would be leaving the show. Still, no one knew how, or when, and by the time Derek got into a fatal car accident in Season 11, it still came as a total shock. Creator Shonda Rhimes, who wrote the episode in which Derek died, teased the death even further by having him briefly come back to life at the end of the episode, thus making viewers think it was all a dream or a fake-out. Nope. One of the most famous aughties TV characters was permanently gone.
6. Jackie in Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets viewers find out early on that Jackie never made it out of the forest where the Yellowjackets’ plane crashed. It would have been silly to pretend otherwise, considering the character never appears as an adult along with the other Yellowjackets. However, the way she dies comes out of nowhere. Up until the shocking moment, viewers have assumed she fell victim to an injury or wild animal or disease. But it’s worse! After she argues with Shauna, Jackie’s friends — including Shauna — leave her outside in the cold. Literally. She freezes to death in the subzero temperatures of the Canadian wilderness as her friends sleep peacefully inside. The preventability and brutality of the death make it stand out in the rankings.
5. Poussey in Orange is the New Black
Given this show’s sprawling ensemble cast, it was difficult to dwell on any given character’s storyline for too much time. And yet, Poussey’s death still came as a shock because of how swiftly it happened during a violent prison riot. The perfect storm of conditions that led to the riot which killed her — prison guard brutality, Caputo’s management, overcrowding — lent the death an air of Greek tragedy.
4. Jane in Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad is another show known for suddenly dispatching characters with aplomb. In fact, this list easily could have had three Breaking Bad deaths on it in another universe. But Jane’s death hits so hard in S2E12 because of her relative innocence compared to all those who departed before her. She isn’t involved with the drug trade; she’s just a tortured junkie. And Walter just stands there and watches her overdose then choke on her own vomit. It’s disgusting, horrific, game-changing, and unforgettable.
3. Joel in The Last of Us
The Last of Us blessed viewers with numerous shocking (and iconic) moments in Season 1, but all of them have paled in comparison to Joel’s death in S2E2. He’s a protagonist! He’s one half of the show’s most central relationship! He’s Pedro Pascal, Internet Daddy! It’s impossible to predict where the show can go from here. How do we even force ourselves to care now? Maybe because of all the zombies?
2. Joyce Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
There’s no shortage of character deaths on Buffy. Buffy herself dies at one point, and in spectacular fashion. But no death hits harder than Buffy’s mom, Joyce. On a show known for its supernatural chaos, Joyce dies of a very natural brain aneurysm, making this loss feel all the more impactful, permanent, and unexpected. The utter surprise of it comes as a slap in the face to both Buffy’s characters and viewers, which is why it has remained embedded in pop culture for over two decades. Only time will tell if Joel’s death becomes as much of a cultural touchstone.
1. Robb Stark, Catelyn Stark, Talisa Stark, and Grey Wind in Game of Thrones
Out of all the shocking moments on Game of Thrones — and there were many — only the Red Wedding became a point of comparison for every event thereafter. In fact, it has become a point of comparison for all new shows, periodt. To this day, people still ask, “But was it Red Wedding-level?” Considering it’s the only event on this list to become a synonym for “shocking, story-altering death,” I’d say that it has earned its #1 placement.
