to get annoyed at how, when a series ends they kill off most of the main characters.

[violetsarentblue]

Why is it, when a series comes to an end, the producer feels the need to kill off most of the main characters? They seem to think the viewers want the character killed because it ties things up nicely

But to me it seems like a lazy way of doing things and it's put me off watching any more box sets action ones at least
What's the point of getting invested in characters when you know they're only going to get knocked off in the season finale?

It happens a lot. Why?

[violetsarentblue]

I think you're right, a lot is probably to do with the character wanting to leave.

But why can't they just 'leave'?
ride off into the sunset

[violetsarentblue]

I've just had another thought I need to get out more

I wonder if the way we watch a series now, changes/skews how we feel about a character's death?

With the old way of watching, which was to watch an episode 1 week,( then have to wait another week to watch the next episode) - events were more spread out, so the audience had more time to get used to an idea of a character coming to an end.

But now we tend to binge watch a whole series, so the time frame is different and more rushed.
So, just as the viewer has warmed to a character, that character is killed off. Ther'es not enough space between events.

Because of the binge watching culture, the old way of doing things doesn't work anymore.

[TheHiphopopotamus]

But why can't they just 'leave

I heard a rumour that it's because they are twats on set, so it means the actor can't return with the added bonus of increased ratings for the death scene. When a soap character dies, I always wonder who it is they've pissed off.

[BugritAndTidyup]

Trouble with the fake death is that because it's done so often the assumption is that unless you see a character clearly die on screen, you assume they aten't dead. So it's hardly a shock when they pop up clearly still living.

Fantasy complicates things a little bit, but I think they're allowed some leeway if the character does actually die. Or it it's a deliberate fake-out in the story, and the character has deliberately faked their own death.

Having said that, series 3 of Death in Paradise really shocked me. I was not expecting to take the route they took at all. I'm still a bit choked up about it now actually.

[Nataleejah]

In soaps they often do leave. Just getting killed creates more drama. But its often that actors/producers/crew seriously fall out or get a more attractive contract.

[WiIdfire]

Differentname - I'm with you. I hadn't finished Breaking Bad either.

Violet - you might not click on a thread that was titled 'Spectre - what an ending!' But you might well click on something that was called 'I never thought it would end like that!' and then would be annoyed. In fact, Im going to tell you right now, that at the end of Spectre... Ok I wont. Not least because I havent seen it either. But it's hardly nannying someone to warn them about spoilers. Grump.

[Screaminlikeabanshee]

I wonder if they'll ever kill off Bond. just Imagine the storyline..

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

The very end of Heartbeat was worse though - Oscar could be alive or dead we just saw him still alive, but impaled on a pitchfork...

I remember being very shocked in Wild at Heart and Downton Abbey too (in a Christmas special, the heartless writers!).

I think you have a point about the on demand watching. Although sometimes you know people don't die because there are four more series to go!

[BlackAmericanoNoSugar]

Sometimes they have to do it to resolve a relationship. For instance, Spike and Buffy couldn't just be left, the viewer knows it's not a sustainable or healthy relationship so we either need to see a split or one of them has to die because we can't be left wondering.

[StealthPolarBear]

Did anyone watch mad dogs?
Six feet under was a brilliant example (ironically given the theme) where they didn't die. Well they did. But they didn't.

[BugritAndTidyup]

Did anyone watch mad dogs?

Yes. WTF was that ending all about? First two series brilliant, and then...

[StealthPolarBear]

Yes dh and I were just saying that yesterday. Started so brilliantly then just got whacky. That little scary thing the younger one kept seeing could have been handled so well.

[Lweji]

I'm rewatching ER and have spent half of it so far waiting for Romano to die. It was quite satisfying when it happened.

[Lweji]

The best was Blackadder, though. They all always died in the end, although the last was really poignant and I was screaming at the screen that Baldrick had finally had a brilliant idea.

[StealthPolarBear]

Yes all the other series were historic and silly (although gruesome) but that ending really did it justice I thought, very sensitively handled.

[violetsarentblue]

Six Feet Under.

What a brilliant and unique ending.

[TeamBacon]

"I'm rewatching ER and have spent half of it so far waiting for Romano to die. It was quite satisfying when it happened."

[NoAdventureNoTime]

...but spike didn't die completely from BTVS in the end, the necklace thing that kills him gets returned to Angel who gave it to Buffy in that show. Spike then stays on in the Angel series starting as a ghost then eventually becoming solid again, he was then in Angel till the end. Although it's implied that they all died on the last episode too in a final battle

[StormyBlue]

YY Adventure, I found the end of Angel really frustrating. At least Buffy ended on a note of optimism. Both final seasons were generally rushed because SMG quit and Angel got cancelled though.

Then I looked up what happens in the season 8 official comic books and Spike turns up in a spaceship and I just tried to burn the entire thing from my memory.

[mamapants]

Violets your thread title isn't obvious which boxsets you are planning on putting spoilers for though.
So on that note they do kill off Jon snow.

[Lweji]

No they don't. Stop saying things like that.

[BrandNewAndImproved]

Er have you watched the last episode of GOT op

[wecanbuthope]

The death at the end of Desperate Housewives annoyed me

At least no one died in Friends.

[violetsarentblue]

You know Nothing!

[violetsarentblue]

Omg, now you've spoilt the ending.
I need therapy and lots of these

Thanks for ruining the rest of the series and my life for me