Warning: contains discussion of major spoilers!
Continuing in the vein of thebest last stand scenes in moviesthat cinema has to offer, television has also played host to a number of standout examples capable of giving their silver screen contemporaries a run for their money. Blending electrifying high stakes with evocative displays of courage, defiance, and selflessness, a number of said standouts have preceded some of thesaddest deaths on television, compounding the unforgettable nature, emotional heft, and lasting impact of these moving dramatic sequences.
Whether the character in question stays behind to hold off a horde of enraged pursuers, forfeits their life to save others in a courageous act of sacrifice, or simply goes down swinging enthusiastically in one epic final gesture of rebellion, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to a perfect last stand. Scattered throughout many of thebest television shows of all time, these immortal sequences come in all shapes and sizes but never fail to produce memorable results when executed correctly.
Blake’s 7
Cast
Blake’s 7 is a British science fiction television series created by Terry Nation. It follows a group of renegades and outcasts led by Roj Blake, who wage a resistance against the totalitarian Terran Federation. The series, which aired from 1978 to 1981, combines space opera elements with themes of rebellion and explores the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by its diverse cast of characters.
An acclaimed low-budget sci-fi television show from the BBC,Blake’s 7ran for four seasons before concluding with a last stand for the ages. The show is renowned for a finalseason that kills off the main characters, with the majority of these deaths taking place during Kerr Avon’s blockbuster blaze of glory in the Series 4 finale.
Paul Darrow’s charge concludesBlake’s 7in unforgettably shocking style with a last stand for the ages, voluntarily choosing to be gunned down by his foes rather than surrender.
In an explosive finale that saw the show’s eponymous character killed in a case of mistaken identity, the Scorpio crew are betrayed to the Federation by sleeper agent, Arlen. After most of the crew are shot in the ensuing struggle,Avon finds himself outnumbered and surrounded at gunpoint with no way out.Paul Darrow’s charge concludesBlake’s 7in unforgettably shocking style with a last stand for the ages, voluntarily choosing to be gunned down by his foes rather than surrender.
9Bodie Broadus
The Wire
One of the acclaimed crime dramaThe Wire’sbest characters, Preston “Bodie” Broadus, became a fan favorite across the course of four seasons. Unfortunately for J.D. Williams' charge, he was ultimately killed after he was caught chatting with Dominic West’s Jimmy McNulty, effectively signing his death warrant and causing him to bow out in tragic fashion during the show’s fourth installment.
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Marked for death by Jamie Hector’s Marlo Stanfield, Bodie goes out in a memorable last stand that simultaneously highlights his courage while poignantly exemplifying the futility of a life of crime.Refusing to abandon his street corner through some warped sense of pride even as his would-be killers close in,Broadus stands his ground fearlessly, firing into the night at his tormentors until he is shot through the head from behind by Darrell Britt-Gibson’s O-Dog.
The Last Of Us
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama series set two decades after a global catastrophe. It follows Joel, a seasoned survivor, who is tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl, across a desolated United States, transforming into a harrowing journey of survival and companionship.
HBO’s live-action adaptation of Naughty Dog’s wildly successful video game series of the same name,The Last of Ushas received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Praise has been directed towards the manner in which the show deftly walks the line between being faithful to its source material and adding inspired new touches to elevate the story for a live-action rendition, with the death of Joel’s partner Tess in an epic last stand serving as a superb example.
While Tess has a courageous last stand in the video games after being infected off-screen, she is unceremoniously gunned down by FEDRA soldiers.HBO’s heart-pounding take sees Anna Torv’s charge manage to take a few of her tormentors with her this time as she heroically covers Joel and Ellie’s escape,with the added twist that the show’s antagonists take the form of the infected, rather than soldiers. Having covered the room with gasoline, Tess' valiant final act is to blow herself and the horde of infected humans sky-high.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
WhileHouse of the Dragon’ssecond seasonconcluded in decidedly underwhelming style, the show’s sophomore outing featured an unforgettable last stand for the ages to console fans. This took the form of the second season’s most spectacular blockbuster sequence during the Battle for Rook’s Rest; the jaw-dropping aerial showdown between Rhaenys Targaryen and her nephews, Aemond and Aegon, that saw the warring factions of the Targaryen families bring the full might of their dragons to bear.
Meleys is the second dragon to die during the Dance of the Dragonsfollowing the death of Lucerys Velaryon’s mount, Arrax.
Rhaenys and her dragon, Meleys, valiantly fly the Black banner high, staying behind to attack the Greens' troops and tangling with the colossal Vhagar despite being afforded the opportunity to flee on multiple occasions. Finally leaving the battlefield under the impression that the enemy has been defeated, the bravery of the Queen Who Never Was and Meleys is made all the more heartbreaking whenVhagar and Aemond emerge from stage left to dispatch the duo and end this last stand in tragic fashion.
Spartacus
Spartacus is a Starz original series that ran for three seasons between 2010 and 2013. The TV show focused on the historical figure Spartacus, who was originally played by Andy Whitfield before his untimely passing in 2011. Liam McIntyre took over the role for the next two seasons, Spartacus: Vengeance and Spartacus: War of the Damned.
Loosely based on the exploits of a historical figure who led a failed slave uprising, it stands to reason that Starz’s swords-and-sandals dramaSpartacuswould end with a last stand befitting of a subtitle likeWar of the Damned.True to form,the titular character and the vast majority of his lovable band of rebels perish in a final act of defiance,fighting Marcus Licinius Crassus' forces in the doomed Battle of the Siler River.
Spartacus Rotten Tomatoes audience approval rating
Blood and Sand (2010)
88%
Gods of the Arena (2011)
93%
86%
War of the Damned (2013)
It’s a last stand of titanic proportions, one that sees main characters in the vein of Naevia and Gannicus finally defeated in stunning fashion before the eponymous character himself bites the dust. Filled with the usual stunning visuals and spectacularly graphic violence thatSpartacusfans knew and loved, the former gladiator and his army’s final stand constituted an epic conclusion to a fan-favorite show and a worthy demise for one of popular culture’s most iconic rebels.
His Dark Materials
Based on author Philip Pullman’s beloved novel trilogy, His Dark Materials is a fantasy/drama television series that follows Lyra, a brave young woman from another world. Lyra’s quest to find her kidnapped friend leads her to uncover a sinister plot of a secret organization, encounter extraordinary beings, and protect dangerous secrets. Lyra will find that her life is inextricably linked with another as they discover they may be the ones to change the world.
A tear-jerking sequence drawn straight from Phillip Pullman’s iconic novel series, Texan aëronaut Lee Scoresby and his daemon Hester meet their end in a stirring last stand during the second season finale of HBO’sHis Dark Materials.Laying down his life in the hopes of aiding Dafne Keen’s Lyra as he and Andrew Scott’s John Parry are pursued by Magesterium soldiers, Lin Manuel Miranda’s charge valiantly elects to remain behind and hold off their attackers to allow his companion’s escape.
One ofHis Dark Material’smost heartrending moments, Scoresby’s evocative personal Alamo does the show’s iconic source material justice and then some.
The vastly outnumbered Scoresby fights to the bitter end in a rousing swansong, using the cover of a gorge to take down as many Magesterium soldiers as he can. Despite successfully holding off their tormentors against all odds, Scoresby is fatally injured in the battle,leading to a gutting final conversation with his beloved daemon before the pair succumb to their wounds.One ofHis Dark Material’smost heartrending moments, Scoresby’s evocative personal Alamo does the show’s iconic source material justice and then some.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
A front-runner forGame of Thrones’best swordfighter,Ian McElhinney’s Barristan Selmy bowed out in a manner befitting of a warrior of his legendary status.The newest member of Daenaerys' Queensguard died in heroic fashion despite being completely outnumbered,chopping down numerous Sons of the Harpy in defense of Grey Worm in a last stand for the ages, before finally succumbing to his wounds.
Barristan Selmy’s death is a creative choice adopted by the show; the legendary swordsman is still alive in George R.R. Martin’s novel series.
It’s an epic last dance for McElhinney’s charge, with Selmy demonstrating his jaw-dropping sword-fighting abilities against the backdrop of a triumphant score. The only area this memorable last stand loses marks in is the wider significance of the flashpoint in the show’s canon. While Barristan goes out a hero, there’s an argument to be made that dying in a Mereeneese alley at the hands of common cutthroats may have come across as a slightly ignominious end for a character and warrior of his standing.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
Contentiously television’s most heavy metal last stand,Eddie Munson covers himself in glory throughout the climactic act ofStranger Things’fourth season before the bell tolls for Joseph Quinn’s charge. The enigmatic leader of the Hellfire Club goes out in stirring fashion, attempting to distract the Demobats away from his friends and the gate to the Upside Down in one of the show’s most moving instances of self-sacrifice.
97%
94%
89%
Season 4 (2022)
Surrounded by a horde of Demobats, Munson goes down swinging. Taking as many of his winged antagonists with him before being mortally wounded, Quinn’s charge has time for a devastating goodbye with Dustin before croaking in one ofStranger Things’saddest moments. Tragically, the heartbreaking nature of Eddie’s sacrifice is compounded in the aftermath of the fourth season’s final showdown, with Munson posthumously regarded as a depraved Satanist by most of Hawkins as opposed to a hero who laid down his life for the town.
Vikings
Vikings, released in 2013, chronicles the legendary exploits of Ragnar Lothbrok and his Viking comrades. As Ragnar rises to power, becoming King of the Viking tribes, the series explores his devotion to Norse traditions and his familial connections, portraying him as both a warrior and a leader with divine lineage.
Unsurprisingly for a character possessing a moniker like"Ironside,“Vikings' mainstay Bjorn does not go meekly into the night after being mortally wounded by Alex Høgh Andersen’s Ivar the Boneless. Alexander Ludwig’s charge capped off his five-season run on the acclaimed historical drama with an unforgettable last stand that justified his epithet,facing down a entire Russian army despite barely being able to draw breath.
Propped on his white horse like the embodiment of Death itself, the dying Bjorn manages to raise his sword despite being shot with several arrows, mentally breaking the enemy forces and rallying the Viking forces to defeat their invaders. Going out in endlessly stirring fashion with his final living act, Bjorn’s epic demise is one of the high points in the final season and justifies what many argued was afrustrating cliffhanger for the showposed by his purported death in the previous episode.
Sons of Anarchy
Sons of Anarchy is centered around the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO), exploring the tensions between President Clay and Vice President Jax in the town of Charming. The narrative focuses on their differing visions for the club’s operations, blending legal and illegal enterprises.
One of the most beloved characters on Kurt Sutter’s motorcyle epic Sons of Anarchy, the death of Opie Winston was one of those polarizingmoments that make viewers quit shows, such was the controversial and shocking nature of the cast mainstay’s demise. Jax’s best friend bit the dust in horrifyingly heroic fashion, sacrificing his own life to save Jax, Chibs, and Tig after Damon Pope forces the SAMCRO leader to choose one of the quartet to die.
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To compound the unforgettably harrowing nature of his death, Opie goes out in brutal fashion. Ryan Hurst’s hulking biker is thrust into a fight to the death against three formidable jail inmates, locked in a room with only a metal pipe to defend himself. Despite a valiant effort, Opie is overpowered and killed in an abjectly desolating fashion. Deftly balancing fearless heroism with heartbreaking tragedy, the biker’s courageous demise protecting his beloved brothers representstelevision’s best last stand scene.
