When Character Deaths Ruin TV Shows

The Impact of Character Deaths

Character deaths are a common occurrence in television shows, often serving as a catalyst for dramatic plot developments. However, when a character's demise occurs prematurely or without narrative justification, it can have a detrimental effect on the show's storyline and audience engagement.

Steven Yeun as Glenn Rhee with cuts in The Walking Dead

The loss of a beloved character can disrupt the dynamics of the series and leave a void that is difficult to fill. In some cases, the decision to kill off a character has led to creative challenges and shifts in the overall direction of the show, ultimately impacting its long-term success.

Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley sitting looking stern in Downton Abbey.

In this article, we explore several instances where the deaths of characters have significantly altered the trajectory of their respective TV shows, examining the creative and emotional implications of these narrative choices.

Meredith And Derek In Grey's Anatomy Season 1

Glenn Rhee - The Walking Dead

In The Walking Dead, characters are constantly put in near-death experiences, and losing members of the team is expected when living through the fallout of a zombie apocalypse. Unfortunately, losing Glenn in season 7 was a major blow to the dynamic of the show, and seemed like an unnecessary tragedy.

Steven Yeun as Glenn in The Walking Dead season 7.

He was killed by Negan (Jeffery Dean Morgan) in a gruesome act of violence. Though this event happened in the comics, it left a hole in the show. It was clear the show missed him in the way the group always carried his memory with him, and lost the heart and humanity that he brought to the series.

Steven Yeun kneeling on the ground as Glenn looking at a baseball bat in The Walking Dead season 7.

The absence of Glenn altered the group's dynamics and the emotional resonance of the show, impacting the audience's connection to the storyline and its characters.

Norman Reedus and Steven Yeun as Daryl and Glenn in The Walking Dead.

Matthew Crawley- Downton Abbey

Matthew's death in Downton Abbey not only brought the love story between himself and Lady Mary to a tragic close but also left his child fatherless.

In the wake of his death, the show had to scramble because he was supposed to be Mary's happy ending. Instead, she had to go back out into the world, and the series introduced new love interests for her that never lived up to the chemistry she had with Matthew.

Matthew's death significantly altered the trajectory of the show, leading to a shift in the central storyline and character dynamics.