For the most part, we're willing to give television shows a certain amount of latitude when it comes to bringing characters back from the dead. Like, once or twice. That's fine. It's done so rarely that it's actually a legitimate plot twist when it happens. But there are a number of shows that have made a hobby out of killing off characters, just to have them unceremoniously yanked back from beyond the grave. It's actually reached epidemic level proportions. These shows have gotten to a point where they overuse this plot device so frequently that they've actually destroyed any dramatic tension that might have existed. The audiences know that whatever happens, these characters are probably going to be brought back, so what's the point in worrying about their safety? Steven Moffat, we're looking at you. While it's nice to know that your favourite characters are probably safe, it's such a better feeling to be an audience member who is legitimately scared that they'll all die and actually stay dead.
10. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Joss Whedon created a world here where there were no hard and fast rules of death. Some deaths were painfully sudden and permanent, while others occupied a more flexible space. Buffy herself is the most obvious example - by the time the sixth season rolled around, she had already died twice. Once by drowning in the first season, quickly resuscitated by Xander, and the other as an act of sacrifice to save her sister Dawn in the fifth season finale, where she was resurrected months later by Willow. Sure, it was a bold move to kill off the main character, but at the same time, we knew that she was going to come back somehow. They weren't just going to have Buffy the Vampire Slayer without Buffy. And then there's Angel. The entire second season builds up to Buffy having to send Angel to hell, after he lost his soul upon experiencing a moment of, ahem, pure happiness. We spent episodes agonizing over this predicament, what this loss would do to Buffy and if there was any possible way he could be saved. Alas, there was not. Buffy plunged the sword into his chest, damning him to an eternity in hell...which he promptly returned from a few moments later. Sure, it was a couple hundred years for him, but the audience barely had time to grieve his loss before he popped back up again.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
