TVSquad

. . . twelve killed-off characters

Nothing says Christmas like the mention of a dozen (or so) characters that met their maker this past year. Here they are, in no particular order.

• Ellen Tigh, Battlestar Galactica -- Ellen meant well, of course . . . sleeping with one of the Cylons occupying New Caprica to ensure the safety of her husband Saul. But, she went too far to keep her husband safe and paid for it with her life. To make it even worse, Saul was the one who killed her by having her drink a beverage filled with poison.

• Michael Gallant, ER -- Poor Michael. He decides to go back to Iraq after one tour of duty and he ends up dying when his convoy hits a roadside bomb. He didn't even get to say good-bye to new wife Neela or any of his former co-workers at County General. One of the more senseless deaths of an ER staff member (Well, Dr. Romano's death from a falling helicopter was senseless also. But, by God, he deserved it!).
• Leo McGarry, The West Wing -- The death of this character would actually fall under a special category, as the man who played the role of McGarry, John Spencer, died suddenly at the end of 2005. On the show his character, who was the vice-presidential nominee running with Matt Santos, passes away just as polls are about to close in the presidential election.
• Nora Huntington, Desperate Housewives -- Since I've never watched an episode of the show, and was totally confused with the plot summary, all I'll say is that Nora was killed in a supermarket hostage situation and we'll leave it at that.
• Anna-Lucia, Libby and Eko, Lost -- No, Anna-Lucia and Libby were not killed due to DUI arrests of Michelle Rodriguez and Cynthia Watros; the actors who played them. It was just coincidence that their deaths fell at the same time they performed those acts of stupidity. Well, that, and the fact that Michael killed Anna-Lucia and Libby within minutes of each other. As for Eko, he had a bit of bad luck towards the end of last season and left this world after a so-called 'monster' attacked him in the jungle.
• Aaron Echolls, Veronica Mars -- Quite the bastard this one was. To the public he was a top-grade movie star who was kind to his fans. To others he was known as an abusing adulterer who killed Veronica's best friend Lilly. He was killed in the last episode of the second season. Good riddance to bad trash I say!
• Curtis "Lem" Lemansky, The Shield -- I can't believe they killed Lem! Probably one of the most level-headed and likeable of Vic Mackey's strike team, he was killed by another member of the team, Shane Vendrell, who feared that Lem would rat him and the rest of the gang out on all of its illegal doings. Vic doesn't know that Shane killed one of his team members. But, when he does I'll bet there's going to be hell to pay!
• Marissa Cooper, The O.C. -- Marissa died at the end of last season, when her car tumbled down a hill after being struck by a drunk driver. Even in death, though, she still has a presence amongst her friends, who still mention her in the fourth season of the series.
• Vito Spatafore, The Sopranos -- Getting beaten to death by pool cues while another cue is stuck up your bum is not the way I want to go out. But, then again, he may have deserved it after trying to take over as boss when Tony Soprano was shot. Oh, there was also the fact that he was trying to hide his homosexuality from his family and his other 'Family'. You really don't want to bully your way into power, or hide anything from mobsters. Didn't this guy ever watch Goodfellas?
• John Abruzzi, Prison Break -- There have been others who have perished in the second season of Prison Break, but Abruzzi is the biggest one so far. Defying a polite request to lay down his weapon, Abruzzi's body is showered with bullets courtesy of FBI agents. And, with that scene in your mind, I wish you all the happiest of holiday seasons!

[Tombstone courtesy of Tombstone Generator ]