9 Worst TV Show Fake-Out Deaths
3. Buffy's 'Sacrifice' - Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Joss Whedon obviously has form killing characters we love, but even for him, it’s unlikely he’d axe the title character. He tried to pull that fast one in Buffy's season five finale The Gift, where she sacrifices herself to save the world.
At the time it appeared this finale might be the actual end of the series, so Joss wrote an episode dripping in emotion. The show was still doing well in ratings, so despite Buffy’s apparent death, the show was quickly brought back. The mere act of renewing the show made it clear Buffy’s demise meant nothing, and she was resurrected with some magic.
In the show’s defence, it did make Buffy’s trauma at being ripped from the grave part of the plot, but it was still ultimately a ploy to drum up interest.