The 12 Most Emotionlessly Rational TV Deaths

      Here are some of the most coldly logical deaths on television.

      While sad, they made sense.

      Spoilers ahead.

      Eddard Stark on Game of Thrones

      HBO – Credit: C/O

      Eddard (Ned) Stark once stated, “The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword.” He was correct, but his executioners opted for a cowardly method instead.

      For those unfamiliar with the books, Ned's (Sean Bean) demise came as a complete shock; nevertheless, it effectively paved the way for the ensuing chaos: If the protagonist of Game of Thrones could be killed, then anyone was at risk. Viewers continued to watch through their fingers, hoping that at least some wedding episodes would offer a break from the tragedies.

      Not happening!

      Walter White on Breaking Bad

      AMC

      It's hard to feel too sorry for Walter White, as his fate seemed inevitable from the very first episode of Breaking Bad. He committed numerous terrible acts.

      Nonetheless, he exited on a high note by eliminating his foes, freeing Jesse, ensuring his family would be taken care of, and terrifying his friends-turned-betrayers Elliott and Gretchen. Walt had nothing left to prove, making his death one of the most logical and least tragic on TV.

      Rita Bennett on Dexter

      Showtime – Credit: C/O

      Rita (Julie Benz) was wed to a serial killer who targeted other killers, and in a critical mistake during the fourth season of Dexter, he left her vulnerable while confronting the Trinity Killer (brilliantly played by John Lithgow).

      Rita never really stood a chance. It's surprising she lasted as long as she did.

      Tony Soprano on The Sopranos

      HBO – Credit: C/O

      Let’s be honest here; we’re all adults. Tony Soprano died at Holsten’s. If he hadn’t (but he did), he would have met his end soon after at the hands of another gunman in a Members-Only jacket. Live by the sword and gun, die by the sword and gun.

      Sopranos creator David Chase pretty much confirmed Tony Soprano’s death in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 15 years post-finale: “What was annoying was how many people wanted to see Tony killed. That bothered me,” he remarked.

      We all have to go eventually, and there are worse ways to end than sharing onion rings and listening to Journey with loved ones. Tony Soprano’s death was oddly one of the more peaceful ones.

      While we miss James Gandolfini, we appreciated watching his son, Michael Gandolfini, portray a young Tony Soprano in The Many Saints of Newark.

      Everyone on Six Feet Under (Tie)

      Bidding farewell on Six Feet Under. HBO – Credit: C/O

      The entire show revolved around death and coping with it, so it was only fitting that Six Feet Under concluded with death — and what a stunning montage of it it was.

      Perhaps the best, most poignant ending of any TV series, and yet, strangely enough, also the most logical.

      The Sia song, “Breathe Me,” that plays during the final sequence truly resonates.

      Gale Boetticher on Breaking Bad

      AMC – Credit: C/O

      Gale (David Costabile) was sweet and somewhat naïve for a meth producer.

      Once Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) placed him directly in Walter White’s path, his death became a certainty, sparking a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase between Walt and Gus in Season 4 of Breaking Bad, which could have easily tipped either way.

      That's why Fring’s death isn't on this list of the most coldly logical TV deaths: he could have just as easily won as lost.

      Adriana LaCerva on The Sopranos

      HBO – Credit: C/O

      Adriana may be gone, but her impeccable style continues to linger.

      There’s an unspoken rule about TV deaths: the most innocent character amidst a group of dangerous individuals is likely to die young. Adriana (Drea de Matteo) was fundamentally a good person, despite her involvement in money laundering and other questionable activities, and the FBI mercilessly exploited her affection for a weak man. Her death was tragic, yet it made sense within the context of The Sopranos.

      Moreover, her last name translates to “the doe” in Italian, and the show ends her life in the woods. This is undeniably one of the most heartbreaking TV deaths.

      Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos

      HBO – Credit: Michael Imperioli in The Sopranos, HBO

      Chrissy (Michael Imperioli), with his substance abuse issues, fiery temperament, and overall unreliability, made it impossible for Tony not to have him killed. After he allowed what happened to Adriana to occur, his departure wasn’t met with much