14. Nate Fisher - Six Feet Under (Season 5, Episode 9)
It's pretty standard for a TV show to kill off its protagonist in the final episode, but Alan Ball's outstanding drama Six Feet Under did one better and completely blindsided viewers by doing it four episodes from the finish line. In the previous episode, Nate ends up cheating on his pregnant wife Brenda with his step-sister Maggie, and after they have sex, he suffers a brain hemorrhage as his arteriovenous malformation (AVM) appears to return. Nate is expected to recover fully, and though Brenda forgives him, Nate insists that he wants a divorce. Nate suddenly dies in hospital later that day with his brother David by his side, as was a major shock for fans. The remaining three episodes dealt with the fallout of this, as the characters attempted to reconcile Nate's death and move on with their lives. After all the statements the show had made about death, it smartly made the ultimate one about its protagonist, that death can come at any time, for any reason.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
