10 Most Shocking Deaths In TV History
3. Madeleine Ferguson – Twin Peaks
A shocking death kicked off the surreal television phenomenon Twin Peaks, and in a way, a shocking death ruined it. Throughout the first and second seasons, the key plot point of the show had been the mystery of who killed Laura Palmer. Many suspects were offered, but few could have predicted the disturbing outcome.
In the middle of the second season, when several narratives were meandering along with all the nonchalance of soap opera storylines halfway through their run, Laura’s cousin Maddy is suddenly beset upon by her uncle Leland. In that moment, the audience realises the awful truth – that Laura had been raped and murdered by her own father.
The scene is incredibly disturbing, with Leland’s wife Sarah having a drugged vision of a white horse, and Leland brutally strangling and beating Maddy as his face is replaced by that of the demonic Killer BOB. The impact that the revelation would have on the show, however – a stellar couple of episodes dealing with the immediate aftermath before a drop-off in quality that would kill the show – makes the scene even more impactful in hindsight.