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Ceaselessly in viewers’ hearts. Whether or not it’s drama, comedy or one thing in between, TV present writers have by no means been afraid to shock audiences with a memorable character loss of life.

Again in March 1975, M*A*S*H grew to become a TV loss of life pioneer when Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) died within the season 3 finale. The character was headed dwelling after being honorably discharged from the military, however earlier than he may make it, he was killed by enemy fireplace.

The loss of life was so sudden that sequence producers Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart acquired greater than 1,000 letters from irate followers. CBS, the community that broadcast the present, and twentieth Century Fox, which produced it, have been additionally displeased with the M*A*S*H bosses for offing a fan favourite.

“Naturally, CBS didn’t need us to ‘kill’ the Henry Blake character,” Gelbart recalled in his 1998 guide, Laughing Issues. “They have been most upset about that, and so was sentimental, pricey previous Twentieth Century-Fox. Killing a personality in a half-hour present had by no means been performed earlier than.”

Some Twenty first-century reveals, nevertheless, make M*A*S*H‘s shock loss of life look tame. Misplaced, which ran from 2004 to 2010, grew to become identified for its surprising twists earlier than the primary season was even completed. Within the April 2005 episode “Do No Hurt,” viewers have been devastated when Boone (Ian Somerhalder) died after a airplane fell on him within the jungle.

Although viewers members have been startled to search out {that a} principal character may meet their finish so early in a present’s run, government producer Carlton Cuse mentioned that he and present cocreator Damon Lindelof at all times knew Boone wouldn’t make it far.

“It was a story crucial that we kill Boone,” Cuse informed Leisure Weekly after the episode aired. “It units in movement a series of occasions resulting in the season finale.”

Boone’s loss of life was solely the primary of many Misplaced exits to shock viewers. Followers later mentioned goodbye to Boone’s stepsister, Shannon (Maggie Grace), in addition to Libby (Cynthia Watros), Ana Lucia (Michelle Rodriguez), Mr. Eko (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Charlie (Dominic Monaghan), Michael (Harold Perrineau), Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell) and lots of extra.

Even Lindelof wasn’t unaffected by a few of his present’s extra tragic moments. “Charlie is the [death] that bought me. It bought me,” the World Conflict Z cowriter informed E! Information in September 2014. “After we really bought within the enhancing room and noticed for the primary time Dom underwater urgent his hand up in opposition to the glass, resigned to it, I simply began sobbing.” So did Misplaced viewers in all places.

Preserve scrolling for a glance again at a number of the most surprising deaths in TV historical past — and bear in mind, spoilers forward!