# What was the most shocking turn on series TV? \[LOTS OF OPEN SPOILERS -- edited title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 7, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586 "2014-12-07T17:48:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/41 "2014-12-07T22:58:29Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > In terms of “turn of events”, not even the biggest one in that series, if you ask me. > > That would be… > “He is human…and humans have a way of showing up when you least expect them.” Enh. The actress had already been given away by her voice. And I had already figured that Yesterday’s Enterprise meant Yar could return to the series. Of course it wasn’t Yar. ---
**Author:** ![justmeetee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@justmeetee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justmeetee)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/42 "2014-12-07T23:06:55Z")
Ari shooting Kaitlin at the end of season 2 of NCIS was a bit of a WTF moment opening the way for Ziva. And director Sheppard a few seasons later which brought us my most disliked character, director Vance. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/43 "2014-12-07T23:10:57Z")
Maude and the t-shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/44 "2014-12-07T23:26:13Z")
In fictional TV, TVLand’s 2005 list of [most unexpected TV moments](http://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=40&threadid=45500) were: The _Newhart_ finale Bobby Ewing alive on _Dallas_ _Seinfeld_, Susan dies from poison stamps _St. Elsewhere finale ER, Romano meets helicopeter Henry Blake’s death on MAS_H\* Since _Newhart_ and _St. Elsewhere_ were show finales, they probably don’t fit the OP. Of the other three, I don’t think anything in “a show about nothing” actually qualifies as > [@](#): > > the most shocking, unexpected, upsetting, game-changing, show-changing turn in a television series. In fact, I’d argue Susan’s death didn’t change the show one bit. Bobby Ewing’s resurrection has been discussed and dismissed. That leaves Romano vs. Blake. I saw both shows the first time they each aired. Romano’s accident was certainly shocking, but for stopping the viewers dead in their tracks, discuss the next day at work, total disorientation, emotional wreckage, I don’t think anything else ever had that impact, at that time. Although if Edith Bunker had not escaped her rapist (possibly the most frightening moment on a sitcom ever) or had died during the season on _All In the Family_, that would be my choice. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/45 "2014-12-08T00:23:07Z")
Well, it leaves Romano vs. Blake, and everything aired after 2005. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/46 "2014-12-08T00:51:07Z")
When Sonny Bono skied into a tree. Oh, wait . . . . ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/47 "2014-12-08T01:16:19Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > In fact, I’d argue Susan’s death [on _Seinfeld_] didn’t change the show one bit. I have to mildly disagree with you there. The callous manner in which Jerry, Kramer, Elaine, and George reacted to her death was meant to change how the viewers felt about the characters and drive home what truly awful people they really were. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/48 "2014-12-08T01:18:33Z")
> [@Eddie\_F](#): > > Only speaking for myself, of course, but Ned Stark’s death-by-beheading in _Game of Thrones_ shocked the right shit out of me. I agree completely. Obviously, people who’d read the books (I haven’t) knew that was coming, but I NEVER expected a TV series to kill off the star in the first season! ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/49 "2014-12-08T01:34:12Z")
I also gasped when the little girl walked out of the barn in Walking Dead. I was devastated and did not see it coming at all. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/50 "2014-12-08T01:36:48Z")
As a long-time Star Trek TOS fan, I eagerly awaited the premiere of Star Trek: TNG. Now, I knew from having read The Making of Star Trek and The World of Star Trek ( heh ) that the upper saucer could detach from the lower hull. Who the HELL expected it in the [opening scenes of the pilot episode](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_wznCVHHs) ?? To me, shocking and completely delightful. Here’s a whole new crew making new use of the ship. COOL ! 😃 My first thought was, as it was for many others, [Henry Blake’s death on M_A_S\*H.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g450eyrN7Pg) ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/51 "2014-12-08T01:55:16Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > It’s probably not THE the, but an example would be the death of Ed Coffey on\* Hill Street Blues\*. Wasn’t it JOE Coffey? ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/52 "2014-12-08T02:05:40Z")
You know, Henry Blake’s death wasn’t game-changing, even though it was shocking, because he was leaving anyway-- it was meant to drive home the futility of war. For game-changing, I’ll second the nomination of Lenny taking that drink and then catching a ride home with Claire on _L&O_. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/53 "2014-12-08T02:47:57Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Well, it leaves Romano vs. Blake, and everything aired after 2005. 😉 Point taken.😉 From a non “major character dying unexpectedly” point of view, how about Monica ending up in bed with Chandler on _Friends_? ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/54 "2014-12-08T02:52:31Z")
> [@Omega\_Glory](#): > > House of Cards > > Zoe’s death. I thought she was going to play a large role and be instrumental in bringing Frank down See now, for this one, having seen the original series, I was just waiting for it to happen and wondering how it would go down. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/55 "2014-12-08T03:00:47Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > [Serena Sutherland](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVjmXSS0wKA): I have to admit that was a stunner as it came out of just no \*\*\*\*ing where. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/56 "2014-12-08T03:20:49Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I came in to say Romano’s arm-chopping scene on ER. I think that was the only time I’ve ever yelled out “Holy SHIT!” when watching a TV show. Me, too. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/57 "2014-12-08T03:35:24Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > Wasn’t it JOE Coffey? And the actor was Ed Marinaro. Close enough an all that… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/58 "2014-12-08T03:37:40Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I also gasped when the little girl walked out of the barn in Walking Dead. > > I was devastated and did not see it coming at all. Seriously? I mean, they spent the better part of what… 2 or 3 episodes looking for the girl, and it didn’t occur to you that she was probably a walker and going to meet a grisly end? They couldn’t have telegraphed that one any more. Granted, the scene where she buys her farm was pretty gut-wrenching, but it’s not like they snuck it up on us or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/59 "2014-12-08T07:30:18Z")
On the old “Batman” tv show where Batman and Robin were climbing up a building and who but Colonel Klink from “Hogan’s Heroes” pops his head out and says he is looking for escape tunnels (like whats a WW2 German POW commander doing in 1969 Gotham City?). It also shocks the caped crusaders who say “tell Colonel Hogan hello from us”. ---
**Author:** ![Phyllida\_Dickinson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phyllida_dickinson/32/7313_2.png) [@Phyllida\_Dickinson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phyllida_Dickinson)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586/60 "2014-12-08T08:17:16Z")
> [@Eddie\_F](#): > > And from a historical perspective (so I’ve been told/read), Tony Soprano - the protagonist of the series _The Sopranos_ - killing a man with his own two hands. Great choice! I suddenly remembered how my sisters and I were hooked with this series. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-shocking-turn-on-series-tv-lots-of-open-spoilers-edited-title/706586.md?page=4)