10 Most Shocking Deaths In TV History
8. Gus Fring – Breaking Bad
Giancarlo Esposito’s cold yet charismatic portrayal of meth distributor Gustavo Fring was one of the most enjoyable parts about Breaking Bad’s second to fourth seasons. A perfect foil to Walter White, he seemed destined to be the show’s primary antagonist until its conclusion.
As his relationship with Walt deteriorated throughout the show’s fourth season, some may have thought that his death had to happen, but imagining the show without him was still difficult. Then, the final episode of the season came along, and the audience watched in disbelief as Walt enlisted the help of Gus’ old adversary Hector Salamanca to blow the villain to bits.
Seeing the room with Hector and Gus in explode was shocking enough, but seconds later, Gus walks out of the room. The viewer begins to think that he is completely indestructible, but then, as he adjusts his tie, the camera pans around and we see that half his face has been blown off.
He drops dead, and just like that, Breaking Bad has lost its principle villain. The radical shift in plot at the start of the fifth season showed just how integral to the show Gus was, and how truly surprising his death was.