Writers pride themselves in creating loveable and memorable characters for audiences, and it's particularly important when it comes to television, because it's the characters that audiences keep coming back to watch each week. But there's more than one way to convince viewers to tune in and, and writers love nothing more than to place beloved characters in mortal danger to really keep audiences enthralled during an episode, on in anticipation for the next one.
The recent True Blood finale provides an excellent example of this, with the fate of arguably the show’s most popular vampire, Eric, played by Alexander Skarsgard, being left up in the air until the shows next season after he burst into flames on top of the mountain in the Swiss Alps. The discussion of the shows finale could have easily been about Warlow's sudden but inevitable transformation into the season's big villain, or Billith's transgression back to Bill, or that intriguing six month flash into the future, but no, fans, especially the female ones, were most concerned about the fate of their beloved Eric. And of course, the one question on everyone's lips until the show return in nine months is, 'is Eric really dead?'
The obvious answer to that question would be evident to the most casual television viewer, which is, of course not. Not only is Eric a main character of True Blood, but he is an integral member of the shows forever running love saga, him being one of Sookie's many potential suitors, of which he is the most liked by viewers. For the writers to kill him off would unleash the most furious fan backlash a television show has ever seen, and the show would undoubtedly lose a substantial amount of viewers because of it.
The fact is in television, like most storytelling, there are some characters that just can't be killed. Some for the reason above, but mostly, characters that are integral to a shows plot, the 'main' ones, can't be killed because the show is about them, and it wouldn't be the same show without them. Shows that share their titles with the main lead are the most obvious ones. Dexter, Castle, Bones and Nikita are all shows in which the lead can't die (unless it's at the very end). And I don't recall House, Veronica Mars, or Buffy dying either (okay so Buffy died twice, but she came back because she couldn't stay dead! There wouldn't be a show without her.) And then there are shows in which there are one or more main characters who are so closely linked with the premise that there would be no show without them. There would be no Revenge without Emily, no Supernatural without Sam and Dean etc.
And then there are those characters like Eric, whose name's not in the title, and who the show could easily go on without, despite fan backlash. But writers understand the importance of keeping audiences both entertained and happy, and that means that there are some characters that just can't and won't be killed, and why Eric will most definitely survive to see True Blood's seventh season (SPOILER: True Blood producer Brian Buckner has confirmed this). And here's some other cherished television characters that are never going to suffer that fate because of how much they are loved by audiences:
Richard Harrow (Boardwalk Empire):
Since the shocking death of Jimmy Darmody on the period drama series that depicts the prohibition era in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Richard Harrow, a disfigured war veteran, has cemented his position as a fan favourite character. Despite the amount of violence that usually surrounds him, and the horrors he endured during his time in the war, Harrow is portrayed as a very childlike character, who is still discovering the world for the first time (or possibly again after the war) and it's a fascinating journey for audiences to watch. While Harrow is a simple and innocent man that knows nothing more than the hand life has dealt him, he's not one to ask for sympathy, and that, ironically, is what makes him such a sympathetic character for audiences. His temperament, sense of dress, and all the other ways in which he is presented make him a beautifully haunting character. Harrow is also an expert gunman, which not only comes in handy for those characters lucky enough to be his allies, but also strikes fear in his enemies. Any scene with him and a gun in it is fraught with tension because of his calm demeanour in wielding a weapon, and his shooting abilities not only ensure his livelihood on the show, but in the hearts of audiences as well.
Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad):
As Breaking Bad heads towards its final episode, fans of the show have been speculating wildly as to how things will end for science teacher turned drug lord Walter White. Just as importantly is how the characters around Walt, his family, and his ex-partner in crime Jesse, will be effected by the fallout that is undoubtedly going to befall him, and whether or not they'll be partially responsible for it, or just get caught in the crossfire. For the entire run of Breaking Bad Jesse has again and again suffered greatly because of Walt's actions, which has taken a significant emotional toll on his character. He has become the series' most sympathetic figure, a young man out of his depth who wants desperately to repent for his past sins. So for many fans, Jesse's death at the end of the series would simply be unjustifiable. He's been the moral centre for a show whose main protagonist has progressively turned into an antagonist, so if there's one thing fans want from the end of Breaking Bad, it's a happy ending for Jesse (or at least one that doesn't involve him dying).
Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones):
It's probably stupid to say that characters in Game of Thrones can't be killed, considering that the author of the fantasy book series the show is based off, George R.R. Martin, has become infamous for killing off prominent characters in shocking and unexpected ways, but I'm going to anyway. The reason Daenerys can't be killed off is that, and note I have not read the books, Game of Thrones is essentially her story. While majority of the characters are centralised on a singular continent, albeit a large one containing many kingdoms, Daenerys has spent three seasons separated from them in her attempts to return there. She’s crossed oceans, married the leader of a savage tribe, freed slave people and is the mother of dragons, who believes her rightful place is atop the throne in King's Landing. It's debatable whether or not she will succeed, but general storytelling practices tells us that so much time wouldn't be spent on a character and her journey unless it was for a reason. So Daenerys will eventually get to King's Landing, and hopefully fight for the thrown, and that's precisely why she cannot die.
Nolan Ross (Revenge):
Nolan is the smart, sarcastic and level-headed sidekick that anyone who's trying to exact large amounts of revenge on people, in this case the rich and powerful, needs. For Revenge, Nolan provides a much needed dose of humour into the Hamptons. Dramas like Revenge have a tendency to take themselves incredibly seriously, which can make for painful or hilarious viewing depending on your taste. Regardless, Nolan has that unique self-referential wit that stops the show from veering into the melodramatic too often, and audiences can't help but relate and understand the snarky comments he makes about the rich socialites he ostracises himself from. This in turn demonstrates his role as the moral compass of the show, sharing the highlife status, but distancing himself from it and trying to use his money and power for good. While he is an integral part of Emily's revenge plans, he's always questioning her motives, ensuring that her fiery temperament doesn't get the best of her by reminding her she's fighting to avenge the injustice her father was served. His strong emotional ties with Emily also form the show’s most meaningful (and pretty much only platonic) relationship, which make him an indispensable character that fans couldn't stand to lose.
Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead):
It's difficult to say that a character in a show about the zombie apocalypse won't die, but again, I'm going to anyway. The Walking Dead prides itself on the grittiness it's genre can present on television, and killing major characters throughout its run has been a recurring, if not constant, occurrence. The show also prides itself on its characters, those who are fighting to survive in a dying world, and who better to represent that then a very American 'everyman'. While he was portrayed as a low-life, self-serving southerner in the shows first season, after the departure of his antagonising brother Merle from the group, The Walking Dead showcased Daryl’s transformation. His skills as a hunter and tracker make him an important member of the group, and while initially seeming untrusting, Daryl has warmed to the others, and as he did so, the audiences warmed to him. Now he's arguably the most competent character on the show, with Rick suffering a prolonged mental breakdown, but he's far too humble to try and lead the others, but rather content on being the man everyone turns to for help. And of course he has to retain he's masculinity while doing this, so there's a lot of crossbows, really aggressive glaring and an occasional wise-crack to round out this lovable character. To be honest, Daryl can't die on The Walking Dead, because if he did, everyone else would soon follow.
So do you agree with my picks? Are these characters just too valuable to their respective shows, and more importantly, their fans, to die? Or do you think they're just as expendable as any other character? And do you have any characters you love so much that the show they're in would be forever ruined if they died?
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