Buffy The Vampire Slayer

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12. Terry Crowley, The Shield

Before you get all, "What about Lem and the hand grenade?" let us explain. Yes, Shane blowing his partner to bits was an amazing twist, but it came five seasons into one of the riskiest and most brutal TV series we’ve seen; we practically expected it. On the other hand, Vic Mackey popping a fellow cop to cover up his unit’s misdeeds in the series’ pilot caught us completely off guard, and provided a small taste of things to come.

11. Joyce Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

This one got to us simply because, in the context of an otherwordly battle between vampires and slayers, Joyce’s death by brain aneurysm is a little too real. Perhaps we just didn’t think the writers would off Joyce so quickly after she had begun recovering from a brain tumor.

10. J.R. Ewing, Dallas

OK, fine. We know his death(s) were always survived or explained, but you have to give Dallas credit for basically inventing the season-finale cliff-hanger. Have you ever seen a "Who Shot Mary Alice" T-shirt? Thought so.

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