In light of the exciting news that George R. R. Martin will kill anyone off of Game of Thrones for a measly $20 grand, the Hypable staff started thinking about which of our favorite shows we would pay to be killed off of.
While George is promising to write a very generous benefactor into his beloved book series in order to kill them off, this idea got us all thinking about all the different shows we watch and the many possibilities they could present if they offered this same opportunity.
If given the chance to choose which of your favorite shows you could be killed off of, which would you choose? There are so many great shows out there that have high body counts, choosing just one might be more of a challenge than you would think.
‘Arrow’
Kristen Kranz
Hands down, if I could choose any show to be killed off of, it would be Arrow. First of all, being allowed on set with Stephen Amell, Emily Bett Rickards, John Barrowman, and/or Colton Haynes would be a serious thrill, but, secondly, deaths on Arrow are always significant. Oliver’s struggle with choosing to be a killer or not was a central theme of season 2. So whether it’s an arrow from Oliver, a bullet from Deadshot, or a victim of some other ruthless killer, sign me up.
While it would be absolutely incredible to be able to say I was shot by the Arrow, I wouldn’t be that choosy about who did me in. I would willingly play a victim of a crazy Starling City criminal, the crazy criminal herself who must be put down by Team Arrow, or even someone from Oliver’s mysterious 5 years away in order to have the honor of being killed on Arrow.
While many people would choose flashier, higher profile shows for this honor, for me being able to say that you watched Oliver Queen do the salmon ladder, sat in Felicity’s chair in the lair, or mixed a drink at Verdant would be the event of a lifetime, and this fangirl would definitely take in every second of her stay in Starling City (or Lian Yu for that matter).
‘Doctor Who’
Laura Byrne Cristiano
I’d be killed off of Doctor Who for starters because each episode’s character death is a heroic one. They tend not to just feature the slaughter of thousands. Usually the audience is attached to the character for a reason, even if they have only just met them.
On those rare cases when it is the slaughter of thousands, you’re probably being done in by a Dalek or Cyberman. Seriously, how cool would it be to wear a tee shirt that said “I was exterminated” or “I was deleted”? Secondly, getting killed off in the Steven Moffat Era would be somewhat unique because the “good guys” certainly seem to live way more frequently than they did under Russel T Davies.
Then there’s the Doctor Who re-watchability factor. Lots of people would appreciate the death and remember the episode, because Doctor Who marathons are always a big deal.
‘Game of Thrones’
Michal Schick
“What TV show would you be kill–” you begin, and I cry “Game of Thrones!”
“That’s kind of brutal,” I hear you say, to which I respond: “Yes.”
Because, hey, brutality is basically the name of the Game of Thrones. The variety of potential demises is really rather inspiring, when squinted at from the right angle. If there isn’t a sword rushing down to sever your head, it’s a crossbow bolt whistling at your throat. Or wait, maybe that’s a spear. And maybe the spear is coated with a slow, but deadly poison!
Really the options are limitless – and it’s not just weaponry! Wildfire, starvation, plague, hanging, sacrificial barbecues, and Daenerys are always waiting to snatch up sorry souls. And unlike any other show on television, Game of Thrones also offers the opportunity to be slaughtered by giants, White Walkers, and dragons.
Come on, guys. Dragons.
And no matter how it happens, deaths on Game of Thrones are certain to be witnessed far beyond the Narrow Sea. The fantasy epic is HBO’s most popular series, and is acquired in an extralegal manner by millions. Your death will definitely be witnessed by a vast and rapt audience, who might even react with such hilarious disbelief that they make it big on YouTube!
Seriously, it’s win-win situation.
If you still aren’t convinced, I’ll leave you with this thought. Whatever the afterlife may be like in Westeros, it’s more than likely that your favorite character is already there.
Thanks again, George R.R. Martin.
‘Breaking Bad’
Andrew Sims
One of the greatest television characters in the past year – and ever, frankly – is Walter White portrayed by recent Tony winner Bryan Cranston. During Breaking Bad’s five season run, Walt stopped at nothing to get his way.
In other words, Walt was never afraid to kill someone. I was always so moved by this character – you couldn’t help but root for all of his horrible decisions – that it would be a pleasure to be killed by him.
After donating $15,000 to a charity of Cranston’s choosing in order to receive this special opportunity, I would ask that I play a meth dealer who gets in Walt’s way. Perhaps my character is someone who used to associate with Gus and is feeling a little burned over the fact that Walt blew half of his face off.
In my ideal final moments, Walter would request a meeting with me in the middle of the desert. I would stand there in silence as I felt his enormous presence. He would slowly raise a gun to my head and shoot me point blank in between the eyes.
This is morbid, yes, but this is Walter White. I would treasure the GIF version of this televised moment forever.
‘Teen Wolf’
Karen Rought
From the moment Teen Wolf graced our television screens, it has always been based well within in the horror genre, and season 3 made that gruesome aspect of the show even more visceral. If I could choose to die on television, it would definitely be on Teen Wolf. After all, there are so many creative ways to snuff it, you know the writers would be able to send me off in style.
Because, let’s face it, you’ve got the best of both worlds here. Not only could you die at the hands of a werewolf, a kanima, or an evil trickster spirit like the nogitsune, but you could also succumb to a more natural death if that’s what you prefer. William Barrow could blow you up with one of his shrapnel bombs, Jennifer Blake could ritually sacrifice you, or your life could end with a simple bullet to the head from one of the hunters.
The point here is that you’ve got choices. You could literally go out with a bang or die a horrifically slow death. I, for one, would prefer the latter. I mean, if I’m going to die, it might as well make a statement, right? Beacon Hills is no stranger to blood and gore, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to add a little bit of myself to the town’s macabre track record.
‘Agents of SHIELD’
Donya Abramo
It’ll come as no surprise that when the question was posed about which show I’d want to die one, that I’d choose the Marvel universe to do so in — especially amongst my group of friends. But Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D is by far and above one of the more interesting shows to kick-the-bucket on on television right now, and the opportunities for how are endless, and potentially gory. We’ve had some, surprisingly, gruesome deaths on the show thus far.
Though I wouldn’t exactly turn down the opportunity to die at the hands of Team Coulson, even if that means my allegiance would be to H.Y.D.R.A (boo, hiss,) I would much prefer my end to come via some wacky alien tech. Besides, having the opportunity to deck myself out in S.H.I.E.L.D gear, and look even a fraction as cool as Melinda May does, would be one hell of a way to go — though I’m not sure I could manage the kick-ass martial arts moves. Having an affiliation to S.H.I.E.L.D in some way would also leave me open to a swift-and-painful death via Grant Ward. He may not be everyone’s favorite person right now, but he wouldn’t exactly be the worst thing to look at before I take my last breath…
Unless he sneaks up behind me. Dammit.
But whether it’s gunned down in the heat of battle, my brain exploding from Chitauri relics, or throwing myself in the path of an attack meant for one of the characters, I’d be completely stoked and unable to contain my excitement at officially being a part of the Marvel universe. No matter how fleeting.