The 5 most unnecessary T.V. and film deaths

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In the world of television and film, character deaths are often used as pivotal plot devices, meant to evoke strong emotions, drive narratives, or provide closure. 

However, some character deaths feel unnecessary, leaving fans bewildered and heartbroken. These characters’ untimely demise not only disappointed fans, but disrupted the emotional fabric of their respective stories.

Dan Espinoza – Lucifer

Dan Espinoza, played by Kevin Alejandro, was a beloved character on Lucifer. Known for his moral compass, good humour, and dedication as a police detective, Espinoza’s growth from a skeptical cop to a trusted ally of Lucifer made his journey compelling. 

In Season 5, Espinoza’s death felt particularly unnecessary and jarring. He was killed by mercenaries as part of a convoluted plot by the archangel Michael, and the manner of his death seemed cruel and gratuitous. His death deprived viewers of the satisfaction of seeing his character arc reach a more organic conclusion.

Lexie Grey – Grey’s Anatomy

Lexie Grey, played by Chyler Leigh, was a bright, compassionate, and talented surgeon on Grey’s Anatomy. As the half-sister of Meredith Grey, Leigh brought a refreshing dynamic to the show. Her romance with Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) was one of the series’ most beloved relationships. 

In the Season 8 finale, Lexie died in a plane crash — a tragic and unexpected end that left fans reeling. Her death felt especially unnecessary because it cut short her potential, both as a surgeon and in her personal life. 

Villanelle – Killing Eve

Villanelle, portrayed by Jodie Comer, was the enigmatic, charismatic assassin at the heart of Killing Eve. Her complex relationship with Eve Polastri (played by Sandra Oh) was the driving force of the series, blending dark humour, psychological depth, and intense chemistry. 

In the series finale, Villanelle’s sudden and unexplained death by gunfire, moments after a significant emotional breakthrough with Polastri, felt like an unwarranted and anticlimactic conclusion. This decision negated the character’s growth and the potential for a more nuanced ending. 

Zara Young – Jurassic World (2015)

Zara Young, played by Katie McGrath, met one of the most brutal and arguably unnecessary deaths in the Jurassic World franchise. 

As the assistant to Claire Dearing (played by Bryce Dallas Howard), Young was tasked with looking after Dearing’s nephews. 

Her death came at the hands, and jaws, of a pterosaur and a mosasaur in an overly elaborate and prolonged sequence. Young’s death stood out for its graphic nature and the fact that it was disproportionately cruel compared to her role in the story. She was not a villain, nor a character who had been developed enough to warrant such a dramatic exit. The scene was criticized for its excessive violence and punishing a character whose only crime was being momentarily distracted, making her death feel gratuitous and unsettling.

Chief Lucas Ripley – Station 19

Chief Lucas Ripley, portrayed by Brett Tucker, was a beloved character on Station 19, known for his leadership, dedication, and complex romance with Victoria “Vic” Hughes (played by Barrett Doss). Ripley’s death in Season 2, due to complications from a chemical exposure and a subsequent heart condition, felt particularly unnecessary and devastating. 

His demise came just as his relationship with Hughes was blossoming, leaving fans shattered by the loss of potential and the abrupt end to a deeply emotional storyline. Ripley’s death stripped away a character who had much more to offer both personally and professionally within the show’s universe.

The deaths of these characters serve as stark reminders of how character losses can sometimes feel unnecessary and mishandled. These losses not only disrupt the narrative flow, but also alienate fans who have become emotionally invested in these characters’ journeys. 

While death can be a powerful storytelling tool, it should serve the story in a way that respects the characters and their development. When done poorly, as in these cases, it leaves a lasting sense of dissatisfaction and grief among the audience.