Television characters are a dime a dozen, but sometimes when we lose one it can pack a pretty hefty punch. Especially if they go out in a totally epic way. In 2017, we watched more than a few good men and women kick the bucket on TV (though a couple we were honestly glad to be rid of). Here are the ones who went out as total badasses — or maybe were killed by a total badass. Beware of spoilers!
Bob, “Stranger Things” — Bob was a nice guy. A great guy. Too good to live, maybe? Yeah, we had our suspicions that Sean Astin’s adorable new character wouldn’t make it to the end of “Stranger Things 2” — and he didn’t. Luckily, he went out making sure everyone else survived.
Olenna Tyrell, “Game of Thrones” — Lady Olenna died in the most vicious way someone can: after having the last word. The matriarch of the Tyrell dynasty told Jaime Lannister she was responsible for his son Joffrey’s death before committing suicide by poison (per his instructions). She also wanted to make sure his mother Cersei knew she killed him. What a savage last wish.
Frank/Black Jack Randall, “Outlander” — Losing “Outlander” star Tobias Menzies meant watching one character we really loved die and another we hated bite the dust, all at the same time. The cruel Captain Black Jack Randall and Claire’s loving husband Frank were both killed off in the Season 3 premiere when Jamie took out his long-time tormenter. We’ll miss you, Frank. Uh, not so much, Black Jack.
Carl, “The Walking Dead” — Viewers closed one eye in solidarity after this fan-favorite character met his demise in the Season 8 winter finale. After a knock-down, drag-out battle at the Alexandria Safe-Zone, the Grimes Gang made it to safety in the sewer. But everyone would come to find out Carl had actually been bitten by a walker days earlier, while trying to save a man’s life. It was a tough pill for fans to swallow, though it was also a pretty baller way to go.
Walder Frey (and his entire family), “Game of Thrones” — You can never have enough “Game of Thrones” character deaths on a list like this, especially when they have been a long-time coming. In the Season 7 opener, Arya finally gave Walder Frey and his kin the thank you note the Starks owed them for the Red Wedding. She slaughtered the patriarch and his entire family for killing several members of her own, seasons earlier. The scene was deeply cathartic for fans who had been waiting to see Arya get her revenge for years.
Littlefinger, “Game of Thrones” — Littlefinger was one of the most hated, yet beloved, characters in all of “Game of Thrones.” He spent the majority of his life manipulating everyone around him, including the people he loved most, like Catelyn and Sansa Stark. So when he died at the hand of Arya, on her sister Sansa’s orders, it was definitely a most-fitting end for such a conniving character. And it didn’t hurt that the knife Arya used to kill him with was the Valyrian steel blade he gave to Bran’s would-be assassin in Season 1.
Perry, “Big Little Lies” — We don’t think fans have ever been more OK with a character’s death then they were with Perry’s. When Bonnie shoved Celeste’s husband down the stairs at an elementary school fundraiser in the final episode of this limited series (which was recently renewed for a second season) viewers were actually a little relieved that his abuse would finally come to an end. Bonnie also rose to the occasion after being a super chill and quiet character the entire season.
William, “This is Us” — If you say you didn’t grow fond of Randall’s biological father William during the first season of NBC’s powerhouse drama you are lying to yourself and everyone else. William died of complications due to cancer at the end of an episode centered around his past, as well as the beautiful relationship he’d built with his adult son since meeting him in the pilot. However, his death was a peaceful one and actually forced Randall to reexamine his life and even quit a job he hated. That’s a pretty powerful mark to leave on your way out.
Crowley, “Supernatural” — Everyone on this long, long-running CW series has died at least five times. At least. But Mark Sheppard made it clear he was leaving the show for good at the end of Season 12, so fans were ready for one last big Crowley death scene. The King of Hell delivered with a moment in which he sacrificed himself to close a rift between two worlds. He literally saved two worlds with his death. Mic drop.
Stefan Salvatore, “The Vampire Diaries” — Stefan sacrificed himself in the series finale to not only save Mystic Falls, but straight up destroy hell. Yeah. He also took his brother Damon’s place in all this and gave him the gift of humanity before leaving him. Now go ahead and tell us a more heroic way to die — we dare you.
The Black Fairy, “Once Upon a Time” — There are few times when a character’s death precipitates a change that leads to the reboot of an entire series. This was one of them. Rumpelstiltskin killed his mother, the Black Fairy, in the Season 5 finale of the fairy tale-centric, giving everyone their “happy endings” and allowing for a reboot and the chance for more stories to be told. If that’s not an epic death, especially for a villain, we don’t know what is.
Ragnar Lothbrok, “Vikings” — King Ragnar truly died a warrior’s death on “Vikings.” Ragnar turned himself in to the English kings Ecbert and Aelle and used his death to send a message to his people. He died in a snake pit after threatening vengeance — a promise that was soon fulfilled when his enemies joined him.
Mrs. S, “Orphan Black” — Siobhan Sadler was shot in the chest by Ferdinand in the fifth and final season of “Orphan Black.” Luckily, she was able to take him out with her dying breath, as she sent a shot right through his throat. It also didn’t hurt she had already leaked the Neolution’s secrets to the public with Rachel’s help. RIP Mrs. S. You went out in a blaze of glory.
Viserion, “Game of Thrones” — When Daenerys Targaryen lost her beloved dragon in a serious battle beyond The Wall, we thought we’d be crying for days. But then he was reanimated — as the Night King’s personal pet. Uh-oh. Now Viserion is a white-walking creature who was last seen helping the bad guys journey into Westeros after burning down The Wall with his icy blue flames.
We can’t know who is going to meet a savage end in 2018. But what we can say with almost full certainty is that next year’s gallery will not be littered with “Game of Thrones” characters. Mainly because the final season is reportedly not coming till 2019. Ugh.
