Someone’s favorite TV shows don’t always have to be the ones that make them laugh on their feet. Sometimes, TV shows provide a lot of drama that can get one feeling a whole range of emotions that can be a favorite. Fans tend to be even more invested in the characters and storylines compared to TV comedies.
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Because of this, when a character departs, some added drama will bring the show to its peak or its downfall. Unfortunately, some TV dramas haven’t been able to recover their magic after certain characters leave.
1’Grey’s Anatomy' (2005-)
Over the years,Grey’s Anatomyhas been on the air, and viewers have watched multiple characters depart the series. However, fans felt that the show wasn’t the same after some of the original main characters left, including Cristina (Sandra Oh), Alex (Justin Chambers), Derek (Patrick Dempsey), and most recently, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) now leaving as a series regular.
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Reddit usershave discussed how all the character departures have affected the show. Especially with Meredith leaving as a series regular, some say that the show can’t go on without her. OtherReddit usersagree that the show should end with all these original characters leaving.
Not alldeaths fromThe Walking Deadwere satisfyingfor fans. Characters including Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Carl (Chandler Riggs) were among the ones that were killed off and saddened fans.
Reddit users discussed howThe Walking Deadkilling off characters that fans cared about killed off their interest in the show. For instance,u/jeanmelissasaidThe Walking Deadwent down majorly after those significant characters left, and they have zero interest in the show now.Another usersaid that the show’s atmosphere had changed.
3’The Vampire Diaries' (2009-2017)
Fans were surprised to hear that the main protagonist Elena (Nina Dobrev), was leaving the show. After all, she was the main female character in many big storylines, including her love triangle with the brothers Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley).
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u/bartturnersaid that they stopped watchingThe Vampire Diariesafter Elena left. AnotherReddit useragreed and said they loved the earlier seasons, but it wasn’t the same after Elena left. They had tried to finish the show, but it felt different watching now.
4’Suits' (2011-2019)
A college dropout Mike (Patrick J. Adams), works for one of New York’s best lawyers, Harvey (Gabriel Macht), makingSuitsanaddictive, thought-provoking drama. However, when Mike left the series, it changed the trajectory ofSuits.
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u/Ozzdosaid Mike was the dynamic that made the show unique and interesting. After all, Mike’s a fraud that was hired anyway, and the show revolved around Mike trying to hide his secret. They even said that without Mike,Suitsjust became every other show about lawyers.
5’House of Cards' (2013-2018)
One major character departure inHouse of Cardswas Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), as he was the show’s main star.Reddit userssay Frank made the show exciting, and his leaving led to its downfall.
OneReddit usernever watched the last season because of his departure. Putting aside the sexual assault allegations that led Kevin Spacey to leave in the first place, they say that his character was the one that kept the show captivating to watch.
6’CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2000-2015)
There are othercop shows other thanLaw and Orderthat fans enjoy, andCSI: Crime Scene Investigationis one of them. However, when the fan-favorite CSI supervisor Gil Grissom (William Petersen) left, some fans felt that the show wasn’t the same anymore.
u/cry0botsaid that after Grissom left, that special charm he brought to the show was also lost. Another user added thatCSI: Crime Scene Investigationlost its core when Grissom left and that they ended up losing interest in the show.
7’Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' (1999 - )
Law and Order: Special Victims Unitwas led by the dynamic detective duo Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay). However, when Elliot Stabler decided to leave, fans said the show wasn’t the same.
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One of the reasons, according to a fewReddit users, was that Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson were such a great dynamic that made the show good. After Stabler left, it felt like there was always something missing.
8’The 100' (2014-2020)
The 100is considered one ofthe best apocalyptic shows, and it has even reached exactly 100 episodes to match its name. Within those 100 episodes, there were character departures that fans felt affected the show before it reached episode 100.
Some notable character departures include Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) and Lincoln (Ricky Whittle), who were both killed off.u/brandeeddcomsaid that the show was different after both characters left. Plus, the way they were killed off was disappointing.
9’One Tree Hill' (2003-2012)
One Tree Hillwas thetypical teen drama showthat had love triangles that formed fan bases. Longtime viewers ofOne Tree Hillmay have thought about who Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) should end up with. Lucas ultimately ended up with Peyton (Hilarie Burton), and they left the show together.
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OneReddit usersays that Lucas and Peyton’s departures left a big hole in the series, and it got bland afterward. After all, Lucas and Peyton were part of many ofOne Tree Hill’sstorylines, so fans lost interest after they both left.
10’Scrubs' (2001-2010)
Even thoughScrubswas supposed to end after season eight with a series finale already being filmed, the show still continued anyway. However, most of the main cast members left, and brand-new ones were introduced. This did not sit well with many fans.
u/LittleBug088said that after almost the whole main cast left,Scrubsdidn’t need to be revived for another season. Other Redditors say they love rewatching the first eight seasons but stop watching on season nine. The show felt different without the other main characters, including Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) and Bob Kelso (Jenkins).
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