# Heroic tv show characters who have committed cold-blooded murder (spoilers inevitable) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 28, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881 "2009-09-28T19:16:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/1 "2009-09-28T19:16:48Z")
I’d like to ask people to specifically discount anti-heroes and villain protagonists like Dexter. Also out are reformed villains, at least before their come-to-Jesus moments; in other words, anything Xena did before her own series is out, as is anything Angelus did (though not necessarily Angel). That said, it doesn’t matter if you think the character’s action were understandable or justifiable: just that what he or she killed another human being with malice aforethought in a situation other than the heat of combat. I’ll start with Leroy Jetro Gibbs of NCIS, who used his Marine Corps sniper training to hunt down and shoot from ambush the drug dealer who killed his wife and daughter but whom Mexico refused to extradite to the US. If I were on a jury I’d probably be looking for an excuse to let him off, but it’s still hard to see that as anything but murder in the first degree. Anybody else? ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/2 "2009-09-28T19:37:45Z")
How about Buffy’s Giles, snuffing out Glorificus’ alter-ego? ---
**Author:** ![Brainiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8797f3/32.png) [@Brainiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/3 "2009-09-28T19:47:17Z")
Murder She Wrote had more than one episode where the murderer was cornered in such a way that jumping off the cliff or turning the gun on himself, rather that being captured, seemed to be anticipated. Angela Landsbury would say something to the effect “I thought he might do the honorable thing” Execution by humiliating exposure. This had to be done in cases where all the evidence was circumstantial and the guy would get off in a real trial. ---
**Author:** ![Brainiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8797f3/32.png) [@Brainiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/4 "2009-09-28T19:52:35Z")
Not TV, but in the early Bond films, like “You only live twice” he would shoot bad guys in their sleep. What’s the point of having a license to kill of you have to wait for them to draw first? ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/5 "2009-09-28T19:57:41Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > If I were on a jury I’d probably be looking for an excuse to let him off, but it’s still hard to see that as anything but murder in the first degree. “Yeah, well, uh, he was turning _into_ a monster.” ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/6 "2009-09-28T20:00:53Z")
It took place as the show was failing, but Mark Greene on \*ER \*was stuck in an elevator with the maniac that was threatening to kill his family, and instead of using the paddles to shock him, he just discharged them into the air. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/7 "2009-09-28T20:03:12Z")
> [@Brainiac](#): > > Murder She Wrote had more than one episode where the murderer was cornered in such a way that jumping off the cliff or turning the gun on himself, rather that being captured, seemed to be anticipated. Angela Landsbury would say something to the effect “I thought he might do the honorable thing” Execution by humiliating exposure. This had to be done in cases where all the evidence was circumstantial and the guy would get off in a real trial. I wouldn’t call that an example. Mrs. Fletcher wasn’t forcing the person to commit suicide. She was exposing the truth and upholding the law; the person’s reaction to this was not her responsibility. Which is not to deny that Mrs. Fletcher was quite likely an extremely clever serial killer. Who the hell were these people who invited her _anywhere_? [QUOTE=crazyjoe] How about Buffy’s Giles, snuffing out Glorificus’ alter-ego? [/QUOTE] Not sure I’d count that one either. Glory clearly wasn’t human; why should we consider the person she morphed into a human either? ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/8 "2009-09-28T20:03:21Z")
on Third Watch Faith Yokas killed one of the bad guys… I want to say it was Donald Mann, but I can’t remember. One of the big bad guys. His people had just shot up an ER with the majority of the cast hanging out there and also killed a few minor characters. It was craziness. Bosco, Faith’s partner, ended up mostly dead. She was pissed so she and Cruz, another cop she wasn’t too fond of, went after Donald Mann and caught up with him on a rooftop with a swimming pool. They got him in handcuffs and I guess Cruz was getting ready to get him all locked up, but then Faith just shot him. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/9 "2009-09-28T20:04:31Z")
In **Homicide: Life on the Street** , Det. Kellerman shoots bad guy drug dealer Luther Mahoney in cold blood after he had surrendered. Mahoney had been taunting him that if he went to trial, he’d get a good lawyer and a short sentence. Kellerman shot him and asked the other two cops in the room with him to cover it up and say the dealer drew a gun ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/10 "2009-09-28T20:05:48Z")
Does Jack Bauer shooting his boss in the back of the head in Season 3 count? If not, there’s probably another Jack Bauer moment out there that does… ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/11 "2009-09-28T20:07:39Z")
Has Stabler on _Law and Order: SVU_ finally gone round the bend and started killing perps? Half the plots they do anymore, he’s having to strap his rage down so he doesn’t go berserk on whoever the weekly granny-killing puppy rapist is. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/12 "2009-09-28T20:08:52Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Does Jack Bauer shooting his boss in the back of the head in Season 3 count? > > If not, there’s probably another Jack Bauer moment out there that does… Bauer may well be an anti-hero, though he’s not as bad as Dexter. But I don’t think shooting that guy counts; there was no malice aforethought. It wasn’t his idea and he didn’t want to do it or to have it done. ---
**Author:** ![whole\_bean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@whole\_bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whole_bean)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/13 "2009-09-28T20:09:17Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I’d like to ask people to specifically discount anti-heroes and villain protagonists like Dexter. Do you watch the show? I don’t think Dexter Morgan fits in either the anti-hero or villain protagonist category. He’s way too likeable to be an anti-hero - not a hint of misanthropy. His only flaw is his need to kill, which he manages to channel. He operates under clear moral code. He only kills the guilty to the point of stretching the shows credibility (See Doaks, James, _murder of_ ). In fact, the only innocent person he’s ever killed is the old fat filing room lady who wanted key lime pie and that was euthanasia. That being said, I nominate Dexter Morgan. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/14 "2009-09-28T20:10:15Z")
What do you mean be cold-blooded? Most of the murders on TV are hot-blooded. Cold-blooded murder would be killing someone for no reason, and heroes rarely do that. If we refine the definition to mean murders other than for self defense then the list would include: A lot of characters from **Lost.** Micheal Westen from **Burn Notice**. Jack Bauer from **24**. Poor Ryan Chappelle. Acts of terrorism and a few executions on **Battlestar Galactica.** \*\*Lost \*\*seems to be notable in that its characters aren’t any kind of police officers and yet they’ve still killed a lot of people. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/15 "2009-09-28T20:11:06Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Not sure I’d count that one either. Glory clearly wasn’t human; why should we consider the person she morphed into a human either? Well, the guy was definitely human, and he didn’t ask to have a Hell goddess packed into his skull. Up until the point he capitulated to her and helped kidnap Dawn, he was actually a very sympathetic character. He didn’t _have_ to do Glory’s bidding. So, I’d say that yes, Giles committed cold-blooded, calculated murder. Partly to punish Ben for what he’d done, but mostly to ensure that Glory could never come back. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/16 "2009-09-28T20:11:27Z")
From Firefly: Mal Reynolds has captured a Very Scary Thug who works for an Even Scarier Gangster. Thug is on his knees next to a spaceship as its engines spin up. Thug (paraphrasing): I will hunt you down and kill you horribly! Mal: Oh. Darn. (Kicks Thug into spaceship engine). ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/17 "2009-09-28T20:13:54Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > What do you mean be cold-blooded? Most of the murders on TV are hot-blooded. Cold-blooded murder would be killing someone for no reason, and heroes rarely do that. > > If we refine the definition to mean murders other than for self defense then the list would include: > > A lot of characters from **Lost.** > > Micheal Westen from **Burn Notice**. > > Jack Bauer from **24**. Poor Ryan Chappelle. > > Acts of terrorism and a few executions on **Battlestar Galactica.** > > \*\*Lost \*\*seems to be notable in that its characters aren’t any kind of police officers and yet they’ve still killed a lot of people. I don’t think executing someone should count as cold-blooded murder. In those circumstances, the killer is acting as an agent of the state. True murder requires malice forethought. An executioner - a good one, at any rate - has no malice towards the condemned. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/18 "2009-09-28T20:18:36Z")
“Magnum PI” “Did you see the sunrise???” ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/19 "2009-09-28T20:19:15Z")
If sending wave after wave of solidiers to their doom is cold blooded murder, I’d nominate Zap Brannigan from **Futurama**. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881/20 "2009-09-28T20:20:53Z")
I’m surprised that Willow (of _Buffy_ fame) has yet to be mentioned. Her killing of Warren at the end of S6 wasn’t “in the heat of battle” and was done with plenty of malice and aforethought. Yet she got away with it. Then there’s, oh, what’s his name… you know: Tucker’s brother. 😉 He killed Jonathan and didn’t have to pay for his crime. Other than the “punishment” of being locked up in a house with a dozen or so hot chicks… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-tv-show-characters-who-have-committed-cold-blooded-murder-spoilers-inevitable/511881.md?page=2)