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The saddest moments in TV

I have been re-watching The West Wing, and I just watched the episode Posse Comitatus. It makes me cry every time. It got me thinking about the other episodes that have left me utterly inconsolable.

(WARNING: There could be spoilers here for Futurama, Angel, Sports Night, ER, SG1, & The West Wing).

Futurama
The first one that comes to mind is the episode of Futurama with Fry's dog. Fry discovers his fossilised dog of the 20th century in a museum. When he learns that his dog lived for another 12 years after Fry was frozen, he thinks that his dog would have forgotten about him. Later, we discover that the dog waited in front of the pizza place every day until he died... just waiting for Fry to return. Seriously, I'm crying now just typing about this episode.

Angel
The episode Hero when Doyle died. *cries*

Sports Night
The episode The Apology had me in tears. Dan is making a public apology for a comment about drugs, and then he pauses. After a long pause, he tells the story of his younger brother. When he was younger, Dan enjoyed getting high... his brother copied him, and drove when drunk and on drugs. Dan says:

"He never saw that red light that he ran. And he probably never saw the 18-wheel truck that put him in to the side of a brick bank, either. *pause* That was 11 years ago tonight. And I'd just like to say, I'm sorry , Sam. You deserved better in my hands. And I apologize."

The way the speech is delivered, and the expression on Dan's face just about killed me.

ER
I don't remember most of the details of this one... I just remember that the head doctor's son died, and they played the Greenday song, Good Riddance (Time of your Life). I cried like a baby!

SG1
I also cried like a baby in the episode where Daniel Jackson 'died' (Meridian).

The West Wing
And finally, the episode of The West Wing that started this post: C.J. had been getting death threats, and had been assigned a secret service agent (the guy from NCIS). To cut a long story short, the guy is killed in an armed robbery, and its just incredibly sad. They play Jeff Buckley's version of hallelujah,... and its just... too sad...

So, in your opinion, what are the saddest moments in television?

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Farscape - "DIE ME, DICHOTOMY" I admit I cried at the end of that episode -and not only because it was the last episode they aired in german free-tv.

Angel - "Billy" Wesley alone in his appartment, blaming himself for the things he said and did under Billy's influence, thinking he'll turn into his dad.*sniff*

Also, question: Which season of ER was that? Old or new-ish?

It was a LONG time ago, so I think it must have been one of the very first few seasons.

*googles it*

I think it was the season 4 episode, "Shades of Grey". So so sad. :(

Season 4? I was still watching back then, but there are so many sad scenes in a show that is in it's 13th(ß) season, it gets a bit blurry.

Yeah, there have been hundreds of heart breaking moments on that show. Have you seen the episode with David Hewlett? That one is pretty heart breaking too.

I haven't seen Farscape, so I can't comment on that.

I completely agree with you about that episode of Angel. Poor Wesley. :(

Ditto-ing TWW, Angel and SG1. "Meridian", in particular, never fails to have me bawling my eyes out. Doesn't matter how many times I watch it. Gah!

Mind if I snurch this for my journal?

Yeah, all three of those make me cry every time I see them.

And yep, no worries at all about you taking it for you journal! :)

*is way aging herself here...*

Hill Street Blues when Joe Coffey (played by Ed Marinaro) was shot and then a couple seasons later when Det. Harry Garibaldi (played by Ken Olin) was stabbed...he crawls to his car and radios in...'Officer down. Officer needs assistance.' Fade to black. *eep*

ER when Mark Greene died.

MASH when Henry Blake went home, but got killed before getting there.

When Law & Order posted the 'in memory of' for Jerry Orbach (Det. Lenny Briscoe)--who died for real.

Ummm...gosh, I think I watch too many cop shows....

I totally second the MASH vote.

Oh yes, Mark Greene's death was incredibly sad. :(

I haven't seen the others though...

Yes, yes. The MASH moment was so sad. I hat unhappy endings.*pouts*

*MASH when Henry Blake went home, but got killed before getting there.*
OMG, That scene, Radar coming into OR, and reading the cable... *cries*

Okay so let's see if my TV memory is going strong or not:

SGA: Sunday which just aired in the US...I don't want to spoil it if people haven't seen it, but I still get misty eyed when I think about it.

ER: I know someone else mentioned it, but the episode where Mark died gets me everytime. A friend of mine died of cancer right before it aired so it was hard to watch.

Buffy: Sacrifice was hard to watch b/c Buffy died. The reactions of everyone else around her was just so touching. And then in Once More With Feeling (the musical episode) when she said by bringing her back they pulled her from heaven I just wanted to cry. She was in hell and couldn't really give up.

The West Wing: When the Presidents assistant died it got me. I don't know why since she wasn't a huge character...

Those are the top ones I can think of right now. I'm sure there are others though.

Yeah, I agree with all of those.

I didn't cry until the very end of 'Sunday', when Rodney was expressing his guilt. David Hewlett did such a great job in that scene that I couldn't help but cry.

Mark Greene's death was also very sad, and that episode of Buffy gets me every time too.

The first time I saw that episode of The West Wing when Mrs Landingham died I was heart broken. She was such a great character. :(

Buffy: "The Body" mainly. It breaks me in half every damn time. When Buffy tells Dawn I lose it completely.

"The Gift" also makes me whimper too.

The Body! That one has me actually SOBBING every time!

Oh god - me too. Before I watched that I'd maybe shed a few tears or something over tv/films, but I actually had to use tissue because I was actively crying. Damn you Joss and your amazingness!

Yeah, I completely agree. "The Body" is so brilliantly done, but also so heartbreaking. Anya's speech gets me every time. :(

Oh yeah - Anya's speach and Willow's reactions and and and...that whole episode rips my still-beating heart out.

Farscape: The Locket

SG1: Heroes - when Janet dies, actually the whole 2 eppies

Lost: When Charlie dies

Ugly Betty: When we think Santos is dead

That's all I can think of at the moment.

Oh Heroes - yes. I was utterly inconsolable after that episode. I knew it was coming, but I was still so devastated. Janet was such an amazing character, and that new doctor wasn't anywhere near equal to her.

I haven't seen the others that you mention though...

Daniel. :(( :(( Yeah, 'Meridian' killed me so much. Same for Buffy's 'Sacrifice' and Doctor Who's 'Doomsday'.

I also agree about the Futurama and Angel episodes. And that ep of TWW is the last one I've seen. I have to catch up on s4-5, but that episode is so sad. (And not only because that guy was kinda hot.)

Yep - those moments were all terribly sad. I only watched Doomsday a few weeks ago, and because my whole friendslist had talked so much about how sad it was, I was expecting saddness, so I didn't think it would effect me. It still did. I was crying by the end.

And yes, that secret service guy was pretty hot. I felt so bad for C.J.

I agree with all your sad moments! Last night I was blown away by the new Studio 60 episode, K&R, Pt. 1. It's a shame now that the show is canceled, that Sorkin is really getting in touch with his "rip your heart out" writing. I was actually thinking about West Wing and Sports Night as I was watching it.

I second the West Wing episode where Mrs. Landingham dies, and the one where Mark Harmon dies.

Firefly, Objects in Space. It's just so sad when we think River's actually going to leave to save everyone from herself.

Farscape, the final episode (pre Peace Keeper Wars) where Crichton and Aeryn are blown up.

Stargate Atlantis - Sunday. I didn't realize that the hardest part about being spoiled for this episode was going to be that I was actually afraid to watch it. But I did, I cried.

Dark Angel - I just caught the rerun of the episode where Jessica Alba has to kill her brother, Ben, and he's Jensen freakin' Ackles! A multi-hankie moment.

Supernatural - Dean sells his soul to bring Sam back to life.

Stargate SG-1 - The first time Daniel dies and O'Neill is distraught. Also, the episode where O'Neill and Carter might die because they don't realize they're lying about the time he couldn't leave her behind.

Doctor Who - When the Doctor says goodbye to Rose.

I'm behind with Studio 60 - I really need to catch up. Sorkin is such a great writer that he always seems to tug at my heart strings.

That episode when Mrs Landingham died was heartbreaking.

And Sunday was very sad too. I didn't cry until the very end, during David Hewlett's brilliant speech to Carson. So so sad.

I haven't seen Dark Angel (I've been meaning to watch it for Jensen!)

And I agree with other other ones too. So many sad moments. :(

I blub at so many things, the ones that I get choked up just thinking about are -

The Simpsons The one with the Hockey, where Vart and Lisa are on different teams, and they're in the last match... they've been all competetive the whole time. And then at the end - Bart is moving towards the goal and Lisa moves aside, and he doesn't go for the shot. I'm seriously welling up just thinking about it.

Star Trek TNG The Measure of a Man, when Data comes in at the end to ask Riker why he's not at the party, and Riker says it's cause he was opposing council and nearly got Data 'killed'. Data then explains why he's wrong... (sorry, I actually can't type any more than that cause I'm getting very emotional!) This episode KILLS me!
Also, the one with Lal - Data's daughter, when she dies at the end! Oh my god, I SOB every time. There are many more, mostly involving Data...

Atlantis The Tao of Rodney, when he heals Ronon. The bits where he makes amends with the others are tear-inducing too, but it's mainly that bit that gets me every time I see it...

The West Wing Basically every episode involving Jed/Leo friendship - He Shall, From Time to Time, and the two with the Bartlett for America bits (sorry, can't remember the names), and of course - Reqium.
But, most of all, the 'Charlie Episodes'. When Bartlett gives Charlie the carving knife made by Paul Revere, when he buys Charlie a DVD player cause he didn't get his tax rebate, when Charlie brings the guy who sent a Roosevelt a letter to the White House and he asks for a picture with Charlie (even though he just had one taken with the President!). I could go on, but I'll finish off with the best one of all - In Excelsis Deo - when Toby arranges the funeral for the homeless veteran... KILLS me...

SG1 Cor'ai - What can I say? Most of the episode gets to me, but the end, when the guy says that he was mistaken 'you didn't kill my father, that man is dead, you killed him' - I blub. A lot.

wow, that's really put me in the mood for watching something sad and having a really good cry, thanks for posting that!

sorry - i was trying out 'bold formatting' for the series names, and i got it wrong...

No problems! I regularly make mistakes like that with the html coding! :)

I didn't actually realise how many different episodes have made me cry until this post!

The Simpson: That episode was very sad.

Star Trek TNG: I have never seen Star Trek, so I can't comment on that one.

Atlantis: Oh yes, I teared up a little in Tao of Rodney too. I just loved seeing that part of McKay.

The West Wing: Sorkin is such an amazing writer that I seem to want to cry at the tiniest things on The West Wing. The timing, acting and dialog is always so perfect. I cried in Excelsis Deo too.

SG1: Yeah, that episode is very sad too. I can only just remember it, so I really need to rewatch my Stargate dvds! :)

1. When Doyle dies is one of the bliddy saddest scenes EVER.
2. So, maybe this isn't TV, but when Wash died I cried. Seriously.
3. Richie dying in Highlander.
4. Sam 'dying' in the SPN S2 finale.

OMG!! Wash and Richie!! *bawls*

THOSE WERE SOME REALLY UNNECESSARY PLOT DEVICES THERE

*meeep* RICHIE! The scene with Duncan at the end broke my heart.

Soo, did Dean's reaction to Sam's death.

*nods*

1. I was inconsolable when Doyle died. :(
2. I had to choke back the tears when Wash died.
3. I haven't seen that one...
4. Oh yes, that was so sad. Dean's reaction was so raw ... I couldn't help but cry...

There's this episode of Grey's Anatomy where this guy comes into the E.R. after a car crash and he's basically dead and Bailey makes George keep trying to revive him and he doesn't understand the point... until the end of the episode when the guy's family shows up and George is like, "Now I realize why we keep trying... so we can tell the family we did everything we could." I don't think I explained it very well, but it's very moving and it makes me cry to watch it.

I also second the votes on Firefly's "Objects in Space" and the moment in "Tao of Rodney" when Rodney heals Ronon. Actually, I didn't really cry at SGA, but I got all choked up and it's certainly the closest SGA has ever come to making me cry.

Meridian is also a heartbreaker, and even though I must have seen that episode of Futurama a billion times, it STILL makes me bawl like a baby and I have to hide my eyes from whoever I'm watching it with.

Another episode of Futurama that never fails to make me cry is the one where Leela discovers her parents.. it's not exactly sad, but that montage at the end where you see how her parents have been taking care of her in little ways her whole life makes me tear up.

I haven't seen that episode of Grey's, but I agree that it sounds very sad. :(

SGA has never made me cry properly, but in "Tao of Rodney" I got a bit choked up, and there may have been a couple of tears in "Sunday".

I think that I might have also cried in that episode of Futurama with Leela's parents. I hadn't realised until this post that I have cried at so many tv moments!

Futurama: Didn't so much cry like a baby, but I had the sniffles and the classic guppy mouth.

Angel: I cry just thinking about it.

Sports Night: I remember staring at the tv with my mouth hung open for a few minutes before bursting into tears.

ER: Don't think I saw that one.

SG-1: I cried like a baby, mom did too. Dad just bit his lip really hard and blinked several times.

West Wing:Never saw that one.

Ohhh, that's so sweet that you're Dad had to stop himself from crying during SG1! You know it's good TV when the males in the room are trying hard to stop themselves from crying!

I was coming by for the icons/mood themes, but saw this post and got all thinky about it. Hope you don't mind.

SGA- Tao of Rodney. David Hewlett saying "Blue Skies, okay I will be quiet now." I don't know why, where in the entirety of this episode had sad moments, but really that moment actually broke my heart. He was just broken, and ready and ... wow. I am tearing up RIGHT now.

Firefly- The Message. The very end. Possibly because I knew that that was when they had been told it was all over, but the scene on the planet at the end was broken. Oh, the sadness that was laying that man to rest, and saying goodbye. The music also was just pain put into melody.

House- One Day, One Room. The entire plot of House and the girl. For those who haven't seen it I won't spoil but it literally was the finest hour of television that I have seen in an entirely long time.

Grey's Anatomy- Last season's finale. Okay, yea, I am a sappy little girl but Denny dieing did me in. Not his actual death, or even the heartbreaking scene of Izzie laying with him, but the scene in the elevator as she went up to show him her dress. She looked so genuinely happy and warm and I just saw it unfold and my heart hurt. I cried more in the two hour finale then I think I have ever cried for a TV show. (And that is saying something, as I am a crier). Also, the scene with the dog? Cruel. I am not the hugest fan of Meredith, but that was well played. Emotional and painful and OW.

I will shut up now. I am prone to ramble. ;)

Hi! I don't mind you responding at all - it's always nice to hear what other people have to say. (I must also apologise for taking so long to respond - I've just had a busy week)

SGA - I didn't actually cry in that episode, but I have to hold back the tears in that moment, and when he healed Ronon.

Firefly - I agree with you about that one too. It has been a while since I've seen the episode, so I can only vaguely remember it, but I remember the music being very sad.

House - I haven't seen that one yet, but I have just started watching season 3, so I have the tears to look forward to.

Grey's Anatomy - I haven't seen that one either. I have only seen the first season of Grey's, but I have been meaning to watch more of it.

Thanks for passing by and leaving your thought! :)

SG-1: Meridian. I saw it about... ten zillions times and I cry every single time

Buffy: Yes, The Gift, The Body... all of them are terrific episodes, but what really make me utterly sad is a little tiny bit in Season 6, I can't remember which one right now, but she's ask Tara to find if she come back wrong, and then just all the Spike thing come out, and she's asking Tara don't forgive her... For some reason, is just in that moment when I finally get it: she's broken.

Angel: Doyle dying. Wesley dying. Lorne walking away after kill Lindsay

Starsky & Hurch: Hutch clinging at Starsky when he discover Gillian was killed. Also, in Sweet Revenge, Hutch slowly sitting at Starsk's bed

SGA: Tao of Rodney, when he told John the bit about "going down fighting" and the look at John teary eyes

Highlander: Not exactly Richie dying, but Duncan offering his head to Methos, and his horrified: Absolutely not" And Joe sobbing in Methos arms... And at the end of Revelations..., when Methos, answering Duncan's question about Cassandra says: One of thousand regrets

MASH: Henry's death, man so unfair!

ST TNG: When Ro Laren is forced to make a choice between her beliefs and her loyalty to Picard. I love Picard, but I still can forgive him for what he did to her :(

ST ENT: Trips' death

And I'm gonna stop here, because, shees! I watch too much TV!

I completely agree with you about SG1, Buffy, Angel and SGA. I haven't seen the other ones though.

I must add that it wasn't until this post that I realised how many TV moments have made me cry! And here I was thinking that I wasn't the sort of person who regularly cries during TV!! :)

I must add that it wasn't until this post that I realised how many TV moments have made me cry!

Oh, I always knew I were a TV!crying person. And a Movie-Books-Fics-Music!crying person. What I'm not is a real life crying person =D Guess why?

Hi there, I just happened by and would like to add my two pennies worth.
The Doctor saying "Goodbye" to Rose in the parallel 'verse was definitely a hankie job. Firefly-they killed Wash *WAAH*!..and poor Zoe saying "Baby, get up!" When she knew he wasn't going to. *blubbers*
Have you seen a British Comedy called "Blackadder". There were 4 series, each one set in a different time period, starring Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean). The last was set in WW1 in the trenches in France, and for all of the series except the last 5 minutes was played as broad farce as Blackadder and his greasy henchman Baldrick try to cunningly plot their way out of certain doom by "going over the top".
Finally they *can't* wriggle out of it, they shake hands and go out.
Colour fades to B+W and the whole thing becomes a cinema verite recreation of the Flanders fields, the two of them still charging forwards into slowmo and then disappearing into a misty fadeout onto what appears to be actual footage of an empty battlefield. Colour fades in as does sound. Birdsong comes up as you see the poppies waving in what seems to be the present-day version of the same field. They ran the credits in silence.There was *no* more.
I can honestly say that I have *never* been hit so hard by televisual imagery.It was shown nearly 17 years or so and I still tear up when I think about it.

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The saddest moments in TV

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oops

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*random passer by*

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