If there’s one thing TV writers know how to do, it’s play with our emotions. Over the years, our favorite shows have thrown curveballs that left us speechless, heartbroken, and sometimes even angry enough to throw something at the screen. And what hits harder than a gut-wrenching character death? These moments make us question everything and often stick with us for years, sparking debates and emotional outbursts at dinner parties. For people who grew up on these shows, many of these deaths weren’t just good storytelling but emotional events. Let's take a walk down memory lane and revisit those devastating goodbyes that had us clutching the remote, screaming “WHY?!” at the TV.

1. Oberyn Martell – Game of Thrones

Say what you will about Game of Thrones, but the show had a way of stomping on your heart and leaving a trail of emotional wreckage behind. One of the most devastating moments comes in Season 4, when Oberyn Martell, the charming, fearless, and vengeful “Red Viper,” met his brutal end during a trial by combat. Oberyn seemed like he was moments away from defeating the enormous Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane. Viewers were already cheering, thinking he had the victory in hand.

But nope. Just as Oberyn got cocky, The Mountain turned the tables in one of the most gruesome scenes imaginable. His death wasn’t just shocking, it was infuriating. We’d grown to love Oberyn’s quick wit, sense of justice, and deep love for his family, and watching his head literally explode was a major blow. The scene served as a harsh reminder that in Westeros, nobody is safe.

2. Glenn Rhee – The Walking Dead

Here’s one that left people canceling their AMC subscriptions (probably). Glenn Rhee’s death in The Walking Dead was one of the most controversial and heartbreaking moments in TV history. For seven seasons, Glenn was the moral compass of the group. He wasn’t just a fan favorite; he was hope. His deep love for Maggie gave us all the feels, and we rooted for them as they survived unimaginable horrors.

Then came Negan. If you saw the episode, you know what’s coming. Armed with his barbed-wire-covered bat named Lucille, Negan played a sick game of “Eenie Meenie Miney Mo,” and the camera cut away as we were forced to listen to Glenn’s brutal beating. Seeing such a kind-hearted and genuinely good character go in such a horrifying way broke many viewers. Glenn’s final words, “Maggie, I’ll find you,” were like a dagger to the heart.

3. Joyce Summers – Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was known for its mix of humor, camp, and supernatural battles, but the show also wasn’t afraid to get super real. One moment that has stayed with fans forever is the death of Joyce Summers, Buffy’s mom. What made this death so gut-wrenching was how ordinary it was. Unlike many other deaths in the series, Joyce didn’t die from a vampire attack or magical curse. She simply passed away from a brain aneurysm in an episode titled “The Body.”

It felt painfully real and raw, something you wouldn’t expect from a show about slaying vampires. We saw Buffy, a super-powered teen who had faced down countless threats, utterly shattered by her mother’s sudden loss. The episode’s quiet stillness, lack of music, and focus on grief hit a nerve with anyone who’s experienced the loss of a parent.

4. Michael Scofield – Prison Break

Okay, nothing screams “millennial nostalgia” quite like Prison Break. Michael Scofield was the genius mastermind behind the show's endless escape plans, always two steps ahead of everyone. But in the show’s original finale (we won’t talk about that brief reboot), Michael sacrifices himself so the love of his life, Sara, and their unborn child can live.

It’s the ultimate “hero dies to save others” trope, but that didn’t make it any easier to watch. Seeing Michael, who had outsmarted so many dangerous situations, give up his life was devastating. And to add insult to injury, viewers were left with the haunting image of his loved ones visiting his grave.

5. Poussey Washington – Orange Is the New Black

If you watched Orange Is the New Black, you probably still get a lump in your throat when you think about Poussey Washington. Her death was one of the most talked-about TV moments of the past decade. Poussey was funny, kind, and a beacon of light in the often-dark world of Litchfield Prison. Fans absolutely adored her.

That’s what made her sudden death, caused by a correctional officer pinning her down during a protest, all the more painful. Her death mirrored real-world issues of police brutality and the systemic mistreatment of people of color. It was a shocking reminder of how unfair life can be and sparked important discussions both in and outside the world of TV.

6. Charlie Pace – Lost

“I’m not supposed to be here.” If you just said that in a British accent in your head, you’re not alone. Lost struck gold with its mix of mystery, drama, and wild plot twists, but it also knew how to wreck fans emotionally. One of the show’s most heartbreaking moments was the death of Charlie Pace, a fan-favorite character with a rough past and a sweet personality.

Charlie’s death came in the Season 3 finale, in what was one of the most selfless moments on the show. Trapped in an underwater station and knowing he was doomed, he used his final moments to warn his friends that “not Penny’s boat” was coming. Viewers sobbed as Charlie drowned, heroically sacrificing himself for the greater good. His death left a hole in fans’ hearts and proved that heroism often comes at a steep price.

7. Ned Stark – Game of Thrones

We can’t talk about TV deaths without bringing up the shocking end of Ned Stark in Game of Thrones. For most of Season 1, Ned seemed like the backbone of the show. He was honorable, noble, and appeared to be the story’s main protagonist. Viewers believed he was untouchable. But in true Game of Thrones fashion, those illusions were shattered when he was executed in front of his daughters.

Ned’s death was a twist that redefined the rules of TV storytelling. It made it clear that in this world, heroes didn’t always prevail, and no one was truly safe. Losing Ned so early left fans stunned and set the tone for the brutal, unpredictable nature of the series.

8. Hank Schrader – Breaking Bad

Hank Schrader’s death on Breaking Bad was both devastating and inevitable. The no-nonsense DEA agent and brother-in-law to Walter White always seemed destined for tragedy. Yet, his death in Season 5 hit hard. Hank remained one of the few characters in the show’s dark universe who held firm to his principles. When confronted by his end during a tense standoff in the desert, Hank didn’t beg or give in. Instead, he faced it with dignity, telling Walt, “You’re the smartest guy I’ve ever met, and you’re too stupid to see he made up his mind ten minutes ago.”

What made Hank’s death so emotional was the weight of everything leading up to it. His death was the turning point in Walt’s downfall and a symbol of how far Walt had fallen morally. Fans mourned the loss of Hank as much as they mourned the idea of justice in the Breaking Bad universe.

TV deaths, especially the ones we didn’t see coming, remind us of the fragility of the characters we love. They’re a mix of heartbreak and storytelling at its best, leaving a lasting impression and a few tear stains on the couch. Sure, they may devastate us, but they also keep us coming back for more. After all, what’s great TV without a few gut punches along the way?