11 Grim TV Moments You Won't Watch Again

7. Jane Margolis' Relapse - Breaking Bad

The Strain
AMC

Despite directing some fairly graphic death scenes, it may surpise some to learn that Francis Ford Coppola doesn't like violence. He espouses such a view in an interview about The Godfather III, explaining that if he is going to off a character, he will add a bit of eccentricity to the act - citing Don Luchesi's brutal stabbing with his own glasses as an example.

The same can't be said of Breaking Bad-creator and former X-Files writer Vince Gilligan, who seems to delight in almost cartoonish over-the-top violence. The leading example would be druglord Gus Fring's passing who, despite missing half his face, finds the time to adjust his tie.

But if there was ever a death that shattered more than a few airplanes and souls, it was that of Jane Margolis (Krysten Ritter). A recovering addict, Jane serves as the sole redemption of meth-cooker and gangsta wannabe Jesse Pinkman. She brought out the very best of him and, tragically, he brought out the worst in her.

After spiralling into relapse, Jane convinces Jesse to blackmail partner Walter White into surrendering his ill-gotten fortune. But Jane went one step too far, OD'ing next to a passed Pinkman as Walter stands and watches rather than call for assistance.

This was the first role-reversal between the show's leads, with Jesse swearing off his criminal ways and Walter fully embracing his. That we were spared the scripted ending - in which Walter smothers her - is a blessing.

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Contributor
Contributor

Kenny Hedges is carbon-based. So I suppose a simple top 5 in no order will do: Halloween, Crimes and Misdemeanors, L.A. Confidential, Billy Liar, Blow Out He has his own website - thefilmreal.com - and is always looking for new writers with differing views to broaden the discussion.