Best death in a Joss Whedon show

[Ethros]

I do love The Body, but apart from my childhood pet dog, I've never really lost anyone close to me yet.
I do however think of the episode most days. You know that scene where Willow is trying to pick out something to wear to the hospital and says "God, why do all my shirts have such stupid things on them?" Haha, that's what I say to myself nearly everytime I go out. I only own one normal T-shirt, the rest all of either band names, TV shows, films, etc logos splattered all over them. I can never resist buying them when I see them, but then feel slightly self-conscious when I wear them out.
So I can relate to Willow's pain

 

[CorporalClegg]

To me, the two scenes that epitomize "The Body" are:

Hearing the sound of Sarah gaging over the wind chimes and the cheery kids in the background.

When Dawn collapses and the camera pulls back and you see all her classmates with their inquisitive noses pressed up against the window glass.

Both pretty much transcend all TV, or even dramatic film, for that matter. It's a crime Joss wasn't given an award for that.

 

[Forbin]

I hear ya. That episode deserved Emmies for direction, writing, cinematography, and a couple of performances. But I bet the committee didn't even consider checking it out due to preconceptions of the nature of the show.

To this day I'd put that ep up against any other as an example of perfection in the craft.

 

[I am not Spock]

^It was brilliantly directed, written, and performed, for sure. A masterpiece, really. No cheesy music or anything. It was just...cold and empty, grieving. No fantasy at all. Tough to watch, but so good. As said, SMG and Michelle Trachtenberg stole the show in this one.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Buffy season eight spoiler (cover to next issue)

 

[saturn5]

Best death that we see is Doyle on Angel. Best we don't see is Joyce which is just so heartrending

 

[Admiral_Young]

Joyce
Walsh
Fred
Penny
Doyle

The death of a parent on a series that deals with a teen hero is always an important character development moment for the main character. It changed Buffy's world and made it more darker than ever in my opinion. Much like Clark in Smallville Buffy lost focus and guidance and needed to grow up fast when maybe she wasn't ready yet. One of Sarah's best acting moments too.

 

[FormerLurker]

Ballard's is unforgettable.

"Where's Mr. Ballard?"
"We lost him."
"When did this happen?"
"About five minutes ago."

 

[Sci]

I haven't seen Dollhouse yet, but for me, the best Joss Whedon death is a three-way tie between Joyce's in "The Body," Fred's in "A Hole in the World," and Wesley's in "Not Fade Away."

"Mommy?"

"Why can't I stay?"

"All my love..."

 

[Jack Bauer]

I thought Ballard's death was too reminiscent of Wash's so it was kind of unshocking and not that interesting.

 

[DigificWriter]

Here's my Top 5:
1. Fred and Wes (tied)
2. Tara
3. Wash
4. Book
5. Jenny

 

[mimic]

1. Joyce
2. Fred
3. Wesley
4. Jenny
5. Buffy (2nd one)

Just missing my list would be Ben/Glory and Principals Snyder and Flutie.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

Walsh

You mean Wash getting impaled with a spike in Serenity or Professor Walsh getting impaled with a spike in "The I in Team"?

 

[I am not Spock]

I haven't seen Dollhouse yet, but for me, the best Joss Whedon death is a three-way tie between Joyce's in "The Body," Fred's in "A Hole in the World," and Wesley's in "Not Fade Away."

"Mommy?"

"Why can't I stay?"

"All my love..."

That is probably my top three as well. 'The Body' is SMG's finest hour when it comes to acting. It's just heartbreaking to watch.

As is Fred in 'Hole In The World'. Amy Acker acts the hell out of that scene.

Wes is just tragic. 'Would you like me to lie to you again?'

Joss' death scenes are often so hard to watch, and heartbreaking, but so well done. Trek could take a few lessons on how to do death scenes from Joss Whedon. Jenny Calender, Jonathan, and Tara are all tragic ones, too

 

[I am not Spock]

Walsh

You mean Wash getting impaled with a spike in Serenity or Professor Walsh getting impaled with a spike in "The I in Team"?

Both were very unexpected shocks. However, I actually cheered when Maggie Walsh bought it, and I was devastated by Wash.

 

[Ethros]

Buffy season eight spoiler (cover to next issue)

After the recent covers that came out spoiling who Twilight is and the debacle that followed, I'd be surprised if they'd make the same mistake again and spoil a major plot point in the same way.

 

[Admiral2]

Cordelia, in "You're Welcome", because her ghost essentially saved Angel's ass.

Anya,, in "Chosen", mainly because she was my favorite character in Buffy and I was sad to see her go.

I pretty much don't care about anyone else.