The TV Characters We'll Miss the Most in 2012
When you raise your champagne flute at midnight on Dec. 31, may we respectfully suggest that you don’t just do so to celebrate the arrival of the new year? Instead, how about you think of the gesture as a toast to the characters we’ve loved and lost, and who won’t be starting 2012 with us. Such favorites as…
Gus Fring, Breaking Bad
Gotta hand it to him Â- he didnÂ't just go out with a bang, Giancarlo EspositoÂ's heaviest of heavies went out with a bang and then one of the most horrifyingly memorable last shots we (hope we) will ever see. Rest inÂ... um, pieces.
Piney Winston, Sons of Anarchy
Clay may be breathing easier now that heÂ's sent William LuckingÂ's biker god alter ego to hell Â- presumably on wheels. But us? All weÂ're doing is sighing forlornly.
Mags Bennett, Justified
Leave it to this badass to take herself out rather than wait for someone else to do the deed. And hey, at least portrayer Margo Martindale got an Emmy as a lovely parting gift.
Jimmy Darmody, Boardwalk Empire
Michael PittÂ's wannabe gangster was always a ticking time bomb, so cÂ'mon, it wasnÂ't a total shock when he finally went off Â- in his own face. Still, weÂ'll miss the crazy S.O.B.
Sheriff Graham, Once Upon a Time
We thought the show was as hateful as The Evil Queen when this heroÂ's heart was broken (well, crumbled to dust, technically). But at least we can still hope that his fairy tale alter ego, The Huntsman, will turn up in flashbacks. CanÂ't we?
The Taylors, Friday Night Lights
We already have Connie Britton back on screen (thank you, American Horror Story), and we will see Kyle Chandler in many more roles. But, for some of us, they will always be the Coach and Tami. And both that couple and their marriage were so breathtakingly realistic that thatÂ's probably even okay with the actors. Texas, forever!
Lisa Cuddy, House
Dr. Crankypants had one chance Â- just one Â- at being truly happy, and his boss lady was it. Aaand he blew it. There arenÂ't enough Vicodin in the world to dull the pain we feel over having to do without our weekly dose of Lisa Edelstein.
Elliot Stabler, Law & Order: SVU
With the departure of Chris Meloni, we lost not just an iconic L&O detective, we lost an iconic detective, period. Send him straight to the Hall of Fame, with Kojak, Columbo, Barney Miller, and Cagney and Lacey. Oh, and bring on the new season of True Blood Â- fast!
Erica Kane, All My Children
Not only did ABC break off a 40-plus-year relationship with its daytime audience when it killed off this beloved sudser, it left us hanging as to whether Susan LucciÂ's manipulative mantrap would finally settle down once and for all with her long-suffering sometime hubby, Jackson! So wrong!
Michael Scott, The Office
Whether you loved or loathed Steve CarellÂ's abusive buffoon, you couldnÂ't look away. For, well, ever, he just was this workplace comedy. And, while Â"under new management,Â" it may survive and even thrive, at least we can all agree it wonÂ't be the same. Give that man some Dundies!
Gus Fring, Breaking Bad
Gotta hand it to him Â- he didnÂ't just go out with a bang, Giancarlo EspositoÂ's heaviest of heavies went out with a bang and then one of the most horrifyingly memorable last shots we (hope we) will ever see. Rest inÂ... um, pieces.
Piney Winston, Sons of Anarchy
Clay may be breathing easier now that heÂ's sent William LuckingÂ's biker god alter ego to hell Â- presumably on wheels. But us? All weÂ're doing is sighing forlornly.
Mags Bennett, Justified
Leave it to this badass to take herself out rather than wait for someone else to do the deed. And hey, at least portrayer Margo Martindale got an Emmy as a lovely parting gift.
Jimmy Darmody, Boardwalk Empire
Michael PittÂ's wannabe gangster was always a ticking time bomb, so cÂ'mon, it wasnÂ't a total shock when he finally went off Â- in his own face. Still, weÂ'll miss the crazy S.O.B.
Sheriff Graham, Once Upon a Time
We thought the show was as hateful as The Evil Queen when this heroÂ's heart was broken (well, crumbled to dust, technically). But at least we can still hope that his fairy tale alter ego, The Huntsman, will turn up in flashbacks. CanÂ't we?
The Taylors, Friday Night Lights
We already have Connie Britton back on screen (thank you, American Horror Story), and we will see Kyle Chandler in many more roles. But, for some of us, they will always be the Coach and Tami. And both that couple and their marriage were so breathtakingly realistic that thatÂ's probably even okay with the actors. Texas, forever!
Lisa Cuddy, House
Dr. Crankypants had one chance Â- just one Â- at being truly happy, and his boss lady was it. Aaand he blew it. There arenÂ't enough Vicodin in the world to dull the pain we feel over having to do without our weekly dose of Lisa Edelstein.
Elliot Stabler, Law & Order: SVU
With the departure of Chris Meloni, we lost not just an iconic L&O detective, we lost an iconic detective, period. Send him straight to the Hall of Fame, with Kojak, Columbo, Barney Miller, and Cagney and Lacey. Oh, and bring on the new season of True Blood Â- fast!
Erica Kane, All My Children
Not only did ABC break off a 40-plus-year relationship with its daytime audience when it killed off this beloved sudser, it left us hanging as to whether Susan LucciÂ's manipulative mantrap would finally settle down once and for all with her long-suffering sometime hubby, Jackson! So wrong!
Michael Scott, The Office
Whether you loved or loathed Steve CarellÂ's abusive buffoon, you couldnÂ't look away. For, well, ever, he just was this workplace comedy. And, while Â"under new management,Â" it may survive and even thrive, at least we can all agree it wonÂ't be the same. Give that man some Dundies!
(((((
..Then after that, let all hell break loose. Tears will fall as they leave us. Not gonna lie.
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