Television Characters That Can't Be Killed

Writers pride themselves in creating loveable and memorable characters for audiences, and it's particularly important when it comes to television, because it's the characters that audiences keep coming back to watch each week. But there's more than one way to convince viewers to tune in and, and writers love nothing more than to place beloved characters in mortal danger to really keep audiences enthralled during an episode, on in anticipation for the next one.

The recent True Blood finale provides an excellent example of this, with the fate of arguably the show’s most popular vampire, Eric, played by Alexander Skarsgard, being left up in the air until the shows next season after he burst into flames on top of the mountain in the Swiss Alps. The discussion of the shows finale could have easily been about Warlow's sudden but inevitable transformation into the season's big villain, or Billith's transgression back to Bill, or that intriguing six month flash into the future, but no, fans, especially the female ones, were most concerned about the fate of their beloved Eric. And of course, the one question on everyone's lips until the show return in nine months is, 'is Eric really dead?' 

The obvious answer to that question would be evident to the most casual television viewer, which is, of course not. Not only is Eric a main character of True Blood, but he is an integral member of the shows forever running love saga, him being one of Sookie's many potential suitors, of which he is the most liked by viewers. For the writers to kill him off would unleash the most furious fan backlash a television show has ever seen, and the show would undoubtedly lose a substantial amount of viewers because of it.

The fact is in television, like most storytelling, there are some characters that just can't be killed. Some for the reason above, but mostly, characters that are integral to a shows plot, the 'main' ones, can't be killed because the show is about them, and it wouldn't be the same show without them. Shows that share their titles with the main lead are the most obvious ones. Dexter, Castle, Bones and Nikita are all shows in which the lead can't die (unless it's at the very end). And I don't recall House, Veronica Mars, or Buffy dying either (okay so Buffy died twice, but she came back because she couldn't stay dead! There wouldn't be a show without her.) And then there are shows in which there are one or more main characters who are so closely linked with the premise that there would be no show without them. There would be no Revenge without Emily, no Supernatural without Sam and Dean etc.

And then there are those characters like Eric, whose name's not in the title, and who the show could easily go on without, despite fan backlash. But writers understand the importance of keeping audiences both entertained and happy, and that means that there are some characters that just can't and won't be killed, and why Eric will most definitely survive to see True Blood's seventh season (SPOILER: True Blood producer Brian Buckner has confirmed this). And here's some other cherished television characters that are never going to suffer that fate because of how much they are loved by audiences:

Richard Harrow (Boardwalk Empire):

Since the shocking death of Jimmy Darmody on the period drama series that depicts the prohibition era in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Richard Harrow, a disfigured war veteran, has cemented his position as a fan favourite character. Despite the amount of violence that usually surrounds him, and the horrors he endured during his time in the war, Harrow is portrayed as a very childlike character, who is still discovering the world for the first time (or possibly again after the war) and it's a fascinating journey for audiences to watch. While Harrow is a simple and innocent man that knows nothing more than the hand life has dealt him, he's not one to ask for sympathy, and that, ironically, is what makes him such a sympathetic character for audiences. His temperament, sense of dress, and all the other ways in which he is presented make him a beautifully haunting character. Harrow is also an expert gunman, which not only comes in handy for those characters lucky enough to be his allies, but also strikes fear in his enemies. Any scene with him and a gun in it is fraught with tension because of his calm demeanour in wielding a weapon, and his shooting abilities not only ensure his livelihood on the show, but in the hearts of audiences as well.

Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad):

As Breaking Bad heads towards its final episode, fans of the show have been speculating wildly as to how things will end for science teacher turned drug lord Walter White. Just as importantly is how the characters around Walt, his family, and his ex-partner in crime Jesse, will be effected by the fallout that is undoubtedly going to befall him, and whether or not they'll be partially responsible for it, or just get caught in the crossfire. For the entire run of Breaking Bad Jesse has again and again suffered greatly because of Walt's actions, which has taken a significant emotional toll on his character. He has become the series' most sympathetic figure, a young man out of his depth who wants desperately to repent for his past sins. So for many fans, Jesse's death at the end of the series would simply be unjustifiable. He's been the moral centre for a show whose main protagonist has progressively turned into an antagonist, so if there's one thing fans want from the end of Breaking Bad, it's a happy ending for Jesse (or at least one that doesn't involve him dying).

Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones):

It's probably stupid to say that characters in Game of Thrones can't be killed, considering that the author of the fantasy book series the show is based off, George R.R. Martin, has become infamous for killing off prominent characters in shocking and unexpected ways, but I'm going to anyway. The reason Daenerys can't be killed off is that, and note I have not read the books, Game of Thrones is essentially her story. While majority of the characters are centralised on a singular continent, albeit a large one containing many kingdoms, Daenerys has spent three seasons separated from them in her attempts to return there. She’s crossed oceans, married the leader of a savage tribe, freed slave people and is the mother of dragons, who believes her rightful place is atop the throne in King's Landing. It's debatable whether or not she will succeed, but general storytelling practices tells us that so much time wouldn't be spent on a character and her journey unless it was for a reason. So Daenerys will eventually get to King's Landing, and hopefully fight for the thrown, and that's precisely why she cannot die.

Nolan Ross (Revenge):

Nolan is the smart, sarcastic and level-headed sidekick that anyone who's trying to exact large amounts of revenge on people, in this case the rich and powerful, needs. For Revenge, Nolan provides a much needed dose of humour into the Hamptons. Dramas like Revenge have a tendency to take themselves incredibly seriously, which can make for painful or hilarious viewing depending on your taste. Regardless, Nolan has that unique self-referential wit that stops the show from veering into the melodramatic too often, and audiences can't help but relate and understand the snarky comments he makes about the rich socialites he ostracises himself from. This in turn demonstrates his role as the moral compass of the show, sharing the highlife status, but distancing himself from it and trying to use his money and power for good. While he is an integral part of Emily's revenge plans, he's always questioning her motives, ensuring that her fiery temperament doesn't get the best of her by reminding her she's fighting to avenge the injustice her father was served. His strong emotional ties with Emily also form the show’s most meaningful (and pretty much only platonic) relationship, which make him an indispensable character that fans couldn't stand to lose.

Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead):

It's difficult to say that a character in a show about the zombie apocalypse won't die, but again, I'm going to anyway. The Walking Dead prides itself on the grittiness it's genre can present on television, and killing major characters throughout its run has been a recurring, if not constant, occurrence. The show also prides itself on its characters, those who are fighting to survive in a dying world, and who better to represent that then a very American 'everyman'. While he was portrayed as a low-life, self-serving southerner in the shows first season, after the departure of his antagonising brother Merle from the group, The Walking Dead showcased Daryl’s transformation. His skills as a hunter and tracker make him an important member of the group, and while initially seeming untrusting, Daryl has warmed to the others, and as he did so, the audiences warmed to him. Now he's arguably the most competent character on the show, with Rick suffering a prolonged mental breakdown, but he's far too humble to try and lead the others, but rather content on being the man everyone turns to for help. And of course he has to retain he's masculinity while doing this, so there's a lot of crossbows, really aggressive glaring and an occasional wise-crack to round out this lovable character. To be honest, Daryl can't die on The Walking Dead, because if he did, everyone else would soon follow.

So do you agree with my picks? Are these characters just too valuable to their respective shows, and more importantly, their fans, to die? Or do you think they're just as expendable as any other character? And do you have any characters you love so much that the show they're in would be forever ruined if they died?

Peter Capaldi Set To Play The Twelfth Doctor

Since it was announced that Matt Smith was set to depart from the lead role in the British science-fiction series Doctor Who at the beginning of June, rumours have been rife, as they constantly are whenever it comes to casting a new Doctor, as to which actor will have the honour of playing the Time Lord next.

A live television event was broadcast on BBC One titled Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor yesterday, revealing the identity of the next actor set to play the Doctor. The one-off event featured interviews with two of the Doctor's previous incarnations, Peter Davidson (the fifth) and Colin Baker (the sixth), as well as the Doctor's current portrayer, Matt Smith, and head writer and executive producer Steven Moffat. It was then revealed that Scottish actor Peter Capaldi, 55, will play the twelfth Doctor.

Capaldi is probably best known for his work on the British television comedy series The Thick of It, in which he played Malcolm Tucker, a foul-mouthed spin-doctor working for the government. He's no stranger to the Doctor Who universe either, having already appeared in the fourth series episode 'The Fires of Pompeii' back in 2008 playing an Italian sculptor/merchant named Lucius Caecilius. He also featured in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood: Children of Earth as John Frobisher, the permanent secretary to the home office.

Capaldi is set to first appear as the Doctor in the upcoming 2013 Christmas special, which will see Smith's incarnation regenerate into Capaldi's new Doctor in the episode. He will join actress Jenna Coleman on the show, who currently plays the Doctor's travelling companion Clara Oswald.

As a fan of the show I'm happy with the choice, but I'm remaining cautiously optimistic. I honestly never thought I'd see the day where I recognised an actor that would be announced as the next Doctor. Since the shows return in 2005, I hadn't heard of any of the three actors each of the times they were revealed to be taking over the role. I assumed that a rather unknown British acting personality would always be chosen (as to not have a previous role define them), and while I wouldn't call Capaldi well-known worldwide (I didn't know his name before today), his face is a familiar one, and I  have seen him in quite a few things. It's his role as partial antagonist John Frobisher in Torchwood: Children of Earth really excites me in regards to his acting ability, and I hope that he is able to bring the same amount of emotion to the Doctor.

I very much applaud the decision to cast an older Doctor as well. At 55, Capaldi is as old as William Hartnell, who played the first Doctor when in began in 1963, and was in the role for three years until 1966. Since the shows return each of the actors playing the Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith, were aged 41, 34, and 27, respectively, when they started in the role. While youth is generally associated with a fresh face, I think the producers have made a bold and respectable decision is casting someone much older. The new series has often been accused of glamorising the Doctor's looks, as well as his romances, all in an attempt to skew to a younger demographic and start to branch out to American audiences. Choosing an older Doctor doesn't necessary mean they are trying to change anything about the show, it just demonstrates that they aren't being subservient to what the new fans might want in a younger Doctor. If anything, fans getting what they want doesn't usually equate to good television, so bring on an older Doctor who will have to rely on more than good looks and charm to captivate audiences attention.

What makes Capaldi an even more appealing choice to play the Doctor is that he is a long-time fan of the show. During the television event in which he was named Matt Smith's predecessor, Capaldi was interviewed and it was revealed that in the 1970's he persistently sent the BBC a barrage of letters asking for details about how Doctor Who was made, information of upcoming episodes and memorabilia, he even nominated himself to be the secretary of the official Doctor Who fan club. Below is a clipping from Radio Times' February 1974 issue in which a then fifteen year old Capaldi praises an article the magazine wrote about Doctor Who. That's not to say actors who don't know the show all that well don't deserve to play him, but it is exciting knowing that Capaldi has extensive knowledge of the show and the characters history. This will no doubt allow him to bring a little extra something to the role, which is exciting for other long-time fans.

All this being said, it must be remembered that a new face doesn't mean a better show. In my opinion the seventh series of Doctor Who was plagued by some very problematic creative and production issues. It saw Moffatt and the other writers take a more episodic approach to storytelling for the series, and while this created memorable stand-alone episodes, overall the episodes tended to lack depth. Airing of the show continued to spread out the seasons thirteen episodes, so that five episodes aired throughout September of 2012, and the remaining eight episodes aired from March to May 2013. The decision to split up the series has lead to an inconsistently between the two lots of episodes, and this makes it difficult for Doctor Who to gain any momentum. Series seven also saw the departure of beloved husband-and-wife companions Rory Williams and Amy Pond. Just as when a Doctor departs, fans are just as passionate when his traveling sidekicks leave the show. The pair were replaced by Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald midway through the season, and she is yet to leave a lasting impression as a companion, mostly being used as a plot device by writers rather than being developed as a character.

Peter Capaldi taking the reigns as the titular Doctor will not necessarily solve these problems, but Doctor Who has the unique opportunity, as it does every time the Doctor regenerates, to change the show along with him. Whether or not this will happen remains to be seen, but I look forward to what the show has in store for fans of Doctor Who.