A Death in the Limelight: Difference between revisions

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{{examples}}
{{examples}}
== Anime and Manga ==
== Anime and Manga ==
* ''[[One Piece]]'' built an entire arc on Luffy and Whitebeard trying to rescue Ace. In the end though, [[Not Quite Saved Enough|they were unsuccessful,]] with both Ace and Whitebeard dying in the ensuing battle against the Marines.
* ''[[One Piece]]'' built an entire arc on Luffy and Whitebeard trying to rescue Ace. In the end though, [[Not Quite Saved Enough|they were unsuccessful,]] with both Ace and Whitebeard dying in the ensuing battle against the Marines.
* ''Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex'' has this for the cute and quirky Tatchkoma's. The robots have their brief day in the limelight, before dying their tragic demise. [[What Measure Is a Non-Human?|Poor Robots]].
* ''Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex'' has this for the cute and quirky Tatchkoma's. The robots have their brief day in the limelight, before dying their tragic demise. [[What Measure Is a Non-Human?|Poor Robots]].
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** A recurring theme as far as villainous characters are concerned:
** A recurring theme as far as villainous characters are concerned:
*** Sasori, Deidara, Nagato and Konan all got flashbacks shortly before their deaths (in Nagato's case, he actually narrated his), as did the aforementioned Danzo.
*** Sasori, Deidara, Nagato and Konan all got flashbacks shortly before their deaths (in Nagato's case, he actually narrated his), as did the aforementioned Danzo.
*** Kisame did not, but that turned out to be a hint that he was [[Faking the Dead]] and not long after he played it straight.
*** Kisame did not, but that turned out to be a hint that he was [[Faking the Dead]] and not long after he played it straight.
*** Gaara did not die, but he got a [[Heel Face Turn]] after his, while Zaku was murdered offscreen shortly after his, though his teammates averted this.
*** Gaara did not die, but he got a [[Heel Face Turn]] after his, while Zaku was murdered offscreen shortly after his, though his teammates averted this.
*** Its played with with the Edo Tensei undead army, where the enslaved zombies usually do not die but sometimes get one shortly before their defeat (not all of them are villains, but they are antagonists, regardless this trope applies).
*** Its played with with the Edo Tensei undead army, where the enslaved zombies usually do not die but sometimes get one shortly before their defeat (not all of them are villains, but they are antagonists, regardless this trope applies).
*** Orochimaru and Itachi have averted this, as they get or appear in numerous flashbacks before and after their respective "deaths", but oddly not during (Oro got a very bried one in his fight with Sasuke, though he wasn't technically dead- and still isn't); in both cases their character arcs and influence on the story continued afterwards, and they were major if rarely seen recurring characters.
*** Orochimaru and Itachi have averted this, as they get or appear in numerous flashbacks before and after their respective "deaths", but oddly not during (Oro got a very bried one in his fight with Sasuke, though he wasn't technically dead- and still isn't); in both cases their character arcs and influence on the story continued afterwards, and they were major if rarely seen recurring characters.
*** To the annoyance of many fans, averted with Hidan and Kakuzu, and less controversially the Sound 4.
*** To the annoyance of many fans, averted with Hidan and Kakuzu, and less controversially the Sound 4.
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** In all fairness, [[Kill'Em All|we ARE talking about]] ''[[Battle Royale]]''.
** In all fairness, [[Kill'Em All|we ARE talking about]] ''[[Battle Royale]]''.
* The ''[[Trigun]]'' episode "Paradise" focuses on Nicholas D. Wolfwood and ends with his death.
* The ''[[Trigun]]'' episode "Paradise" focuses on Nicholas D. Wolfwood and ends with his death.
*** In the manga he gets two whole volumes to himself, with Vash only appearing right at the end. Needless to say, following the full reveal of his tragic backstory and the resolution of said backstory, he winds up dying after overdosing on the same chemicals that aged him and gave him his enhanced skills.
*** In the manga he gets two whole volumes to himself, with Vash only appearing right at the end. Needless to say, following the full reveal of his tragic backstory and the resolution of said backstory, he winds up dying after overdosing on the same chemicals that aged him and gave him his enhanced skills.
*** Legato also gets one of these in the manga, focusing on his traumatic past as a sex slave in a town of criminals and cowards, where he was rescued by Millions Knives and pledged himself to his service. Shortly after this spotlight story, Legato winds up dead.
*** Legato also gets one of these in the manga, focusing on his traumatic past as a sex slave in a town of criminals and cowards, where he was rescued by Millions Knives and pledged himself to his service. Shortly after this spotlight story, Legato winds up dead.
* Although L is a major character in ''[[Death Note]]'', his death episode is the first glimpse the viewer gets of his childhood. The episode also focuses more on his thoughts, feelings and doubts than ever, whereas before he was single-mindedly devoted to exposing Kira. You just know something bad is about to happen!
* Although L is a major character in ''[[Death Note]]'', his death episode is the first glimpse the viewer gets of his childhood. The episode also focuses more on his thoughts, feelings and doubts than ever, whereas before he was single-mindedly devoted to exposing Kira. You just know something bad is about to happen!
* Used ''very'' frequently in ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]''. If a minor character is given his/her own episode, chances are they'll die ''very, very'' soon.
* Used ''very'' frequently in ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]''. If a minor character is given his/her own episode, chances are they'll die ''very, very'' soon.
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** Although it was subverted for a little bit. {{spoiler|The next chapter after Kana's death is Jun's, so everybody figures, okay, he's gonna die next. Then Yoko makes the contract, something she wasn't supposed to be able to do, and the next few chapters after that are her [[Day in The Limelight]] - [[Wham! Episode|then she gets shot in the head.]] After that the focus goes straight back to Jun.}}
** Although it was subverted for a little bit. {{spoiler|The next chapter after Kana's death is Jun's, so everybody figures, okay, he's gonna die next. Then Yoko makes the contract, something she wasn't supposed to be able to do, and the next few chapters after that are her [[Day in The Limelight]] - [[Wham! Episode|then she gets shot in the head.]] After that the focus goes straight back to Jun.}}
* Maes Hughes in ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]''.
* Maes Hughes in ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]''.
* How do we not mention Nuriko of ''[[Fushigi Yuugi]]'' fame? The infamous Episode 33 (or manga volume 8). And Episode 34, which was mostly spent eulogizing Nuriko.
* How do we not mention Nuriko of ''[[Fushigi Yuugi]]'' fame? The infamous Episode 33 (or manga volume 8). And Episode 34, which was mostly spent eulogizing Nuriko.
* ''[[Sailor Moon]] R'' has Sapphire. He never mounts any attacks against the Sailor Scouts at all, unlike Rubeus and Emerald before him. He is only seen talking to Emerald and Diamond. In the episode "Brotherly Love", he discovers Wiseman's plans, is injured by Wiseman, and revealed to have been in love with Prizma, and essentially does a [[Heel Face Turn]], before he attempts to warn his brother about Wiseman's treachery and is killed by Wiseman.
* ''[[Sailor Moon]] R'' has Sapphire. He never mounts any attacks against the Sailor Scouts at all, unlike Rubeus and Emerald before him. He is only seen talking to Emerald and Diamond. In the episode "Brotherly Love", he discovers Wiseman's plans, is injured by Wiseman, and revealed to have been in love with Prizma, and essentially does a [[Heel Face Turn]], before he attempts to warn his brother about Wiseman's treachery and is killed by Wiseman.
* Episodes Twelve and Thirteen of ''[[Code Geass]]'' R2, with Episode Twelve acting as a breather; and contrast, to {{spoiler|Shirley's death.}}
* Episodes Twelve and Thirteen of ''[[Code Geass]]'' R2, with Episode Twelve acting as a breather; and contrast, to {{spoiler|Shirley's death.}}
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== Comic Books ==
== Comic Books ==
* ''Countdown to [[Infinite Crisis]]'': The Ted Kord [[Blue Beetle]], who'd undergone [[Flanderization]] to the point he was a [[Flat Character]] and then barely seen for a few years, is suddenly brought back in a story that highlights his positive character traits and strengths as a hero, specifically to make his death at the end actually mean something (as opposed to the characters who were [[C-List Fodder]] for the upcoming [[Crisis Crossover]] event).
* ''Countdown to [[Infinite Crisis]]'': The Ted Kord [[Blue Beetle]], who'd undergone [[Flanderization]] to the point he was a [[Flat Character]] and then barely seen for a few years, is suddenly brought back in a story that highlights his positive character traits and strengths as a hero, specifically to make his death at the end actually mean something (as opposed to the characters who were [[C-List Fodder]] for the upcoming [[Crisis Crossover]] event).
* ''[[Teen Titans (Comic Book)|Teen Titans]]'' #62: [[Superfriends|Wendy and Marvin]], teen geniuses who came on during the One Year Later plotline to repair Cyborg and maintain the Titans Tower gear, generally treated like background characters until needed for hostages. In this issue, they discuss their dissatisfaction with their minor roles, [[Mythology Gag|adopt a dog]], and are repeatedly assured by other characters that they're vital to the team's functioning. Then the dog turns into a monster that mauls Marvin to death and puts Wendy in a coma when none of the heroes are looking.
* ''[[Teen Titans (Comic Book)|Teen Titans]]'' #62: [[Superfriends|Wendy and Marvin]], teen geniuses who came on during the One Year Later plotline to repair Cyborg and maintain the Titans Tower gear, generally treated like background characters until needed for hostages. In this issue, they discuss their dissatisfaction with their minor roles, [[Mythology Gag|adopt a dog]], and are repeatedly assured by other characters that they're vital to the team's functioning. Then the dog turns into a monster that mauls Marvin to death and puts Wendy in a coma when none of the heroes are looking.
* ''The Invisibles'' features an entire issue dedicated to the life, good and bad, of one of the nameless henchmen gunned down by the heroes in a previous issue.
* ''The Invisibles'' features an entire issue dedicated to the life, good and bad, of one of the nameless henchmen gunned down by the heroes in a previous issue.



== Literature ==
== Literature ==
* In [[Dan Abnett]]'s ''[[Gaunt's Ghosts]]'' novels, individual Ghosts are brought forward, by name, with details for a scene or a few scenes before their deaths. This is not distinguishable from the characters who are named and developed to play more important roles in the books until the character dies.
* In [[Dan Abnett]]'s ''[[Gaunt's Ghosts]]'' novels, individual Ghosts are brought forward, by name, with details for a scene or a few scenes before their deaths. This is not distinguishable from the characters who are named and developed to play more important roles in the books until the character dies.
* The ''[[Honor Harrington]]'' novels have [[Memetic Mutation|over 9000]] [[Loads and Loads of Characters|characters]], but if the narrative abruptly switches to an unknown character, then it isn't really that hard to tell how they're going to end up. A specific example being the Havenite soldier on leave in ''At All Costs'' whose total experience in the limelight is getting in his air car and crashing it into a plot-relevant character's vehicle.
* The ''[[Honor Harrington]]'' novels have [[Memetic Mutation|over 9000]] [[Loads and Loads of Characters|characters]], but if the narrative abruptly switches to an unknown character, then it isn't really that hard to tell how they're going to end up. A specific example being the Havenite soldier on leave in ''At All Costs'' whose total experience in the limelight is getting in his air car and crashing it into a plot-relevant character's vehicle.
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* The twenty-second ''[[Warrior Cats]]'' book ''Night Whispers'' focused on [[Ensemble Darkhorse]] Flametail's attempts to unravel a mysterious prophecy. At the end, he drowns.
* The twenty-second ''[[Warrior Cats]]'' book ''Night Whispers'' focused on [[Ensemble Darkhorse]] Flametail's attempts to unravel a mysterious prophecy. At the end, he drowns.
* In ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', the POV character of every prologue and epilogue dies at the end of it. Granted, the series tends to practice [[Anyone Can Die]] in general.
* In ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', the POV character of every prologue and epilogue dies at the end of it. Granted, the series tends to practice [[Anyone Can Die]] in general.



== [[Live Action TV]] ==
== [[Live Action TV]] ==
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* ''[[Battlestar Galactica Reimagined|Battlestar Galactica]]'': "The Passage", with Kat, who had at least made a few appearances prior; "Razor", with Kendra Shaw, who within the span of a double-length episode is introduced, made one of the most important figures in the fleet, and killed off, never to be mentioned again; and "Sacrifice" with Billy Kekeiya, who had been an important secondary character since the beginning. Lastly, Gaeta {{spoiler|and Zarek start a mutiny}}, during which Gaeta, who is normally a significant background character, took the spotlight. {{spoiler|He was executed at the end}}.
* ''[[Battlestar Galactica Reimagined|Battlestar Galactica]]'': "The Passage", with Kat, who had at least made a few appearances prior; "Razor", with Kendra Shaw, who within the span of a double-length episode is introduced, made one of the most important figures in the fleet, and killed off, never to be mentioned again; and "Sacrifice" with Billy Kekeiya, who had been an important secondary character since the beginning. Lastly, Gaeta {{spoiler|and Zarek start a mutiny}}, during which Gaeta, who is normally a significant background character, took the spotlight. {{spoiler|He was executed at the end}}.
* ''[[Primeval]]'': Episode 4 did this for Tom, to a degree.
* ''[[Primeval]]'': Episode 4 did this for Tom, to a degree.
* Doyle in ''[[Angel]]''
* Doyle in ''[[Angel]]''
* In ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', Cordelia dies about halfway through her first [[Day in The Limelight]]. She got better, though.
* In ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', Cordelia dies about halfway through her first [[Day in The Limelight]]. She got better, though.
** The episode in which Tara dies isn't centered around her, but she finally gets her name added to the main cast in the opening credits.
** The episode in which Tara dies isn't centered around her, but she finally gets her name added to the main cast in the opening credits.
** Joyce's death could count in a sort of drawn-out way. Having previously been mostly "Buffy's mom," in season five she gets a subplot where she has to undergo surgery to remove a brain tumor. Then we finally have an episode where she's well again, gotten out of bed, and even begins dating a nice (though never-seen) man. The episode ends when Buffy gets home, [[Mood Whiplash|smiles at the bouquet of flowers said guy has sent, walks into the living room... and finds Joyce's pale,]] [[Funny Aneurysm Moment|unmoving body on the couch]], leading into the [[Crowning Moment of Sadness]] episode "[[Something Completely Different|The Body]]."
** Joyce's death could count in a sort of drawn-out way. Having previously been mostly "Buffy's mom," in season five she gets a subplot where she has to undergo surgery to remove a brain tumor. Then we finally have an episode where she's well again, gotten out of bed, and even begins dating a nice (though never-seen) man. The episode ends when Buffy gets home, [[Mood Whiplash|smiles at the bouquet of flowers said guy has sent, walks into the living room... and finds Joyce's pale,]] [[Funny Aneurysm Moment|unmoving body on the couch]], leading into the [[Crowning Moment of Sadness]] episode "[[Something Completely Different|The Body]]."
* Lt. Joe Carey on ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' was a recurring character in the first ten or so episodes, but then he fell off the radar. Near the end, they brought him back for a spotlight episode just to provide [[Wangst]] when they killed him off.
* Lt. Joe Carey on ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' was a recurring character in the first ten or so episodes, but then he fell off the radar. Near the end, they brought him back for a spotlight episode just to provide [[Wangst]] when they killed him off.
** The extreme [[Belated Backstory]] version is also seen in ''Voyager:'' two episodes had [[Red Shirt|Redshirts]] created ''just'' to be brought [[Back From the Dead]] in that episode. You gotta wonder why they did this instead of bringing back redshirts we'd ''actually seen die.''
** The extreme [[Belated Backstory]] version is also seen in ''Voyager:'' two episodes had [[Red Shirt|Redshirts]] created ''just'' to be brought [[Back From the Dead]] in that episode. You gotta wonder why they did this instead of bringing back redshirts we'd ''actually seen die.''
* In the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' eponymous [[Lower Deck Episode]] "Lower Decks", Sito Jaxa, one of the cadets from "The First Duty" who was reprimanded for unauthorized flight activity, was shown to have stayed on the straight and narrow and become an ensign on the Enterprise. She's then sent on a dangerous mission by Captain Picard...but doesn't survive.
* In the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' eponymous [[Lower Deck Episode]] "Lower Decks", Sito Jaxa, one of the cadets from "The First Duty" who was reprimanded for unauthorized flight activity, was shown to have stayed on the straight and narrow and become an ensign on the Enterprise. She's then sent on a dangerous mission by Captain Picard...but doesn't survive.
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* [[Reality TV]] does this often. If an episode is focusing on a contestant, chances are they are [[Catch Phrase|auf'd]] that episode. This is particularly true if their confessionals emphasize 1) How much winning the competition would mean to them; 2) How much they have come to appreciate their teammate/showmance partner; 3) How much they have learned / grown / matured because of their participation; 4) How wonderful the experience has been or how many new friends they've made; and 5) How much better / stronger / more skillful / better-liked / more in control of the game they are than one or more of their fellow competitors.
* [[Reality TV]] does this often. If an episode is focusing on a contestant, chances are they are [[Catch Phrase|auf'd]] that episode. This is particularly true if their confessionals emphasize 1) How much winning the competition would mean to them; 2) How much they have come to appreciate their teammate/showmance partner; 3) How much they have learned / grown / matured because of their participation; 4) How wonderful the experience has been or how many new friends they've made; and 5) How much better / stronger / more skillful / better-liked / more in control of the game they are than one or more of their fellow competitors.
** ''[[America's Next Top Model]]'' is an [[Egregious]] offender. Whenever a girl shows up who isn't one of the handful of prominently featured girls in each cycle, she's either getting called first that week or being sent home. Expect her to be suddenly struggling with the judges' critiques, even though she's never been shown doing so before that point.
** ''[[America's Next Top Model]]'' is an [[Egregious]] offender. Whenever a girl shows up who isn't one of the handful of prominently featured girls in each cycle, she's either getting called first that week or being sent home. Expect her to be suddenly struggling with the judges' critiques, even though she's never been shown doing so before that point.
** ''[[Survivor]]'' has a bad habit of doing this to its more under-the-radar players, particularly in later seasons.
** ''[[Survivor]]'' has a bad habit of doing this to its more under-the-radar players, particularly in later seasons.
*** Once a contestant is revealed to the audience to be a homosexual in the same episode he is voted out. One of the most famous examples would be the episode of Tocantins where Coach is voted out, after being sent to Exile Island, finding a "Dragon Slayer Cane", and (presumably) faking a back injury when losing the immunity challenge to JT.
*** Once a contestant is revealed to the audience to be a homosexual in the same episode he is voted out. One of the most famous examples would be the episode of Tocantins where Coach is voted out, after being sent to Exile Island, finding a "Dragon Slayer Cane", and (presumably) faking a back injury when losing the immunity challenge to JT.
* This has become a way for ''[[The Amazing Race]]'' fans to determine who will be eliminated at the end of the episode.
* This has become a way for ''[[The Amazing Race]]'' fans to determine who will be eliminated at the end of the episode.
** The most egregious example has to be from Season 15, when the other eight teams were ignored in favor of devoting an entire episode to Zev & Justin. Zev & Justin had more airtime, both on the course and in interviews, than the other eight teams combined. Then again, considering how quickly the season went downhill after they were gone, this was probably justified.
** The most egregious example has to be from Season 15, when the other eight teams were ignored in favor of devoting an entire episode to Zev & Justin. Zev & Justin had more airtime, both on the course and in interviews, than the other eight teams combined. Then again, considering how quickly the season went downhill after they were gone, this was probably justified.
* [[Doctor Who]]: Father's Day.
* [[Doctor Who]]: Father's Day.
** And Earthshock.
** And Earthshock.
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** "Abandon All Hope" counts for Ellen and Jo Harvelle. They haven't been seen for quite a while and then they come back after their appearance in the beginning of season 5 only for Jo to be wounded by a hellhound, and her and Ellen volunteering to stay behind and blow up a store to help the Winchesters escape. There's also "Hammer of the Gods" for Gabriel/The Trickster who had a big reveal about him in "Changing Channels", but then was murdered by his brother while doing exactly what the aforementioned duo had done.
** "Abandon All Hope" counts for Ellen and Jo Harvelle. They haven't been seen for quite a while and then they come back after their appearance in the beginning of season 5 only for Jo to be wounded by a hellhound, and her and Ellen volunteering to stay behind and blow up a store to help the Winchesters escape. There's also "Hammer of the Gods" for Gabriel/The Trickster who had a big reveal about him in "Changing Channels", but then was murdered by his brother while doing exactly what the aforementioned duo had done.
** In Season 7 we have "At Death's Door", which is all about a comatose Bobby (who was shot at the end of the previous episode), trapped in his own head and trying to evade the [[The Grim Reaper|Reaper]] chasing him and trying to find a way to wake up, in order to give some vital information to Sam and Dean about the Leviathans, all while running through his memories (telling us more about him than we'd learned in the past). At the end, he's given the choice of either moving on with the Reaper or staying behind and becoming a ghost -- either way, he's dead.
** In Season 7 we have "At Death's Door", which is all about a comatose Bobby (who was shot at the end of the previous episode), trapped in his own head and trying to evade the [[The Grim Reaper|Reaper]] chasing him and trying to find a way to wake up, in order to give some vital information to Sam and Dean about the Leviathans, all while running through his memories (telling us more about him than we'd learned in the past). At the end, he's given the choice of either moving on with the Reaper or staying behind and becoming a ghost -- either way, he's dead.
* ''[[Harpers Island]]'' did this quite a lot. Particularly with Booth, Kelly, Richard, Maggie, and Beth. They had so many characters that they didn't have time to properly let us get to know them first.
* ''[[Harper's Island]]'' did this quite a lot. Particularly with Booth, Kelly, Richard, Maggie, and Beth. They had so many characters that they didn't have time to properly let us get to know them first.
* In ''[[Burn Notice]]'', Victor died almost as soon as we found out what his deal was.
* In ''[[Burn Notice]]'', Victor died almost as soon as we found out what his deal was.
* In "[[Desperate Housewives]]", the episode where Martha Huber dies begins with saying how much she wanted her life to be exciting and to be famous, and at the end, she was famous for her horrific murder.
* In "[[Desperate Housewives]]", the episode where Martha Huber dies begins with saying how much she wanted her life to be exciting and to be famous, and at the end, she was famous for her horrific murder.
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* In ''[[Flash Forward 2009]]'', the character of {{spoiler|Al Gough}} receives this as his send-off episode. In fact, it is the first time that {{spoiler|more than a few moments is devoted to his flash-forward and the mental turmoil he is experiencing}} although it is hinted at every so often in the previous episodes.
* In ''[[Flash Forward 2009]]'', the character of {{spoiler|Al Gough}} receives this as his send-off episode. In fact, it is the first time that {{spoiler|more than a few moments is devoted to his flash-forward and the mental turmoil he is experiencing}} although it is hinted at every so often in the previous episodes.
* Claude on ''[[Degrassi High]]'' plays this trope completely straight; he had appeared in a couple episodes in the first season (though he did have a significant amount of screen time in them) before [[Driven to Suicide|committing suicide]] near the end of Season 2.
* Claude on ''[[Degrassi High]]'' plays this trope completely straight; he had appeared in a couple episodes in the first season (though he did have a significant amount of screen time in them) before [[Driven to Suicide|committing suicide]] near the end of Season 2.
* An episode of ''[[The Mentalist]]'' had the minor character of a medical examiner take an active part in an investigation which is something the character never did before. He intentionally put himself into the limelight because he needs Jayne to help him. He is dying of cancer and wants to kill himself but needs a law enforcement officer to witness the suicide so there is no need for an autopsy.
* An episode of ''[[The Mentalist]]'' had the minor character of a medical examiner take an active part in an investigation which is something the character never did before. He intentionally put himself into the limelight because he needs Jayne to help him. He is dying of cancer and wants to kill himself but needs a law enforcement officer to witness the suicide so there is no need for an autopsy.
* When Waruzu Giru from ''[[Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger]]'' started getting character development beyond being the "emperor's idiot son", it was clear he didn't have long to live.
* When Waruzu Giru from ''[[Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger]]'' started getting character development beyond being the "emperor's idiot son", it was clear he didn't have long to live.
** [[The Dragon]] Damaras as well, getting offed at the end of the two-parter when he finally steps into the battlefield.
** [[The Dragon]] Damaras as well, getting offed at the end of the two-parter when he finally steps into the battlefield.
* [[Fringe]] did this to {{spoiler|the Alternate Lincoln}} after giving us a much wanted episode with the two {{spoiler|Lincoln's}} trying to figure out how they ended up so different from each other. {{spoiler|The obvious guess would probably be Altlivia's influence in his life.}}
* [[Fringe]] did this to {{spoiler|the Alternate Lincoln}} after giving us a much wanted episode with the two {{spoiler|Lincoln's}} trying to figure out how they ended up so different from each other. {{spoiler|The obvious guess would probably be Altlivia's influence in his life.}}



== [[Video Games]] ==
== [[Video Games]] ==
* The ''[[Call of Duty]] Modern Warfare'' series does this at least once in each game. In the first one, it's the just-got-ousted President of the generic Arab Country, whom you get to play as during the moments leading up to his execution. In the second, it's {{spoiler|1=SatCom 1, who you use to watch Price's plan unfold. When it does, the resultant [[Fridge Logic|space-shockwave]] destroys the station you're on, killing you in the process.}}
* The ''[[Call of Duty]] Modern Warfare'' series does this at least once in each game. In the first one, it's the just-got-ousted President of the generic Arab Country, whom you get to play as during the moments leading up to his execution. In the second, it's {{spoiler|1=SatCom 1, who you use to watch Price's plan unfold. When it does, the resultant [[Fridge Logic|space-shockwave]] destroys the station you're on, killing you in the process.}}
* Happens multiple times in the Story Mode of ''[[Mortal Kombat 9]]'', in which a character will be killed immediately once his chapter in the story ends.
* Happens multiple times in the Story Mode of ''[[Mortal Kombat 9]]'', in which a character will be killed immediately once his chapter in the story ends.



== Webcomics ==
== Webcomics ==
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* A brief story arc in ''[[Something Positive]]'' focused on Faye and Fred, with Fred planning to tell Faye about his Alzheimer's diagnosis at the end of a day they spent together but losing his nerve. The next morning, he woke up - and Faye did not.
* A brief story arc in ''[[Something Positive]]'' focused on Faye and Fred, with Fred planning to tell Faye about his Alzheimer's diagnosis at the end of a day they spent together but losing his nerve. The next morning, he woke up - and Faye did not.
* ''[[Homestuck]]'' did this for several deaths in a row, giving characters lots of screentime in a flash page right before killing them. First "Kanaya: Return to the core" gave Eridan and Feferi a lot more screentime than they're used to and dove into developing Eridan's character for pretty much the first time ever, just before Eridan murdered Feferi, and himself getting killed soon after. Not much later, "Equius: Seek the highb100d." was nothing but Equius and Nepeta getting the most screentime and character development either had ever had, and was shortly followed by both of their deaths.
* ''[[Homestuck]]'' did this for several deaths in a row, giving characters lots of screentime in a flash page right before killing them. First "Kanaya: Return to the core" gave Eridan and Feferi a lot more screentime than they're used to and dove into developing Eridan's character for pretty much the first time ever, just before Eridan murdered Feferi, and himself getting killed soon after. Not much later, "Equius: Seek the highb100d." was nothing but Equius and Nepeta getting the most screentime and character development either had ever had, and was shortly followed by both of their deaths.



== [[Web Original]] ==
== [[Web Original]] ==
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* ''[[Dragon Ball Abridged|Dragon Ball Z Abridged]]'' started doing this about Episode 17, when they killed Zarbon. Although it's more obvious from Episode 19 on, you could add Episode 18 if you count the death of Vegeta's sanity.
* ''[[Dragon Ball Abridged|Dragon Ball Z Abridged]]'' started doing this about Episode 17, when they killed Zarbon. Although it's more obvious from Episode 19 on, you could add Episode 18 if you count the death of Vegeta's sanity.
** 17) Zarbon. 18) Vegeta's sanity. 19) Guldo. 20) Recoome (dies in 21). 21) Burter. 22) Jeice (dies in 23). 23) Ginyu. 24) Super Kami Guru. 25) Nail. 26) Dende. 27 and 28) Vegeta (fatal blow in 27, dies in 28). 29) Krillin.
** 17) Zarbon. 18) Vegeta's sanity. 19) Guldo. 20) Recoome (dies in 21). 21) Burter. 22) Jeice (dies in 23). 23) Ginyu. 24) Super Kami Guru. 25) Nail. 26) Dende. 27 and 28) Vegeta (fatal blow in 27, dies in 28). 29) Krillin.



== [[Western Animation]] ==
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* ''[[Beast Wars]]''' second season gives Dinobot a major role in two or three episodes leading up to "Code of Hero" where he's seen at his best, and then bites it at the end.
* ''[[Beast Wars]]''' second season gives Dinobot a major role in two or three episodes leading up to "Code of Hero" where he's seen at his best, and then bites it at the end.
** Seeing as season two of ''Beast Wars'' had 12 episodes, those three episodes do form 1/4 of the entire season, so it may not be a negligible amount of time.
** Seeing as season two of ''Beast Wars'' had 12 episodes, those three episodes do form 1/4 of the entire season, so it may not be a negligible amount of time.
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