Why won’t you just die?!
No, this isn’t a rant about someone I wish would leave this mortal coil. Rather, it deals with the phenomenon present in television shows and movies where it seems a character cannot be killed. It doesn’t matter how many bullets they have been riddled with; nor how many times they have been bludgeoned.
Often referred to as Hollywood Healing, this ensures that our intrepid hero can suffer incredible injuries but still beat the bad guy in the end. Often, gunshot and stab wounds are shrugged off with little more than a grimace, and the protagonist continues on in their quest. I somehow doubt that injuries of that nature would really be so inconsequential in real life, and I have no inclination to find out.
This trend features prominently in action films, with the prime example being John McClane from the Die Hard franchise. Notable examples from TV are Jack Bauer in 24 and Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop.
However, one show takes not dying to the extreme – Alias. Like the above, the show does include the characters living through serious injuries – however, the recoveries tended to need medical treatment, and weren’t particularly miraculous.
Where Alias stood out was that many characters simply did not stay dead. Despite seeming to have met a nasty fate, it would later be discovered that their demise was not real – otherwise known as Faking the Dead. It wasn’t as if the characters only appeared lifeless – funerals were held, as were state executions. We even witnessed Irina being shot in the head; later it was revealed that the woman was actually a double. For those unfamiliar with the show, the revolving door of death must seem to verge on the ridiculous. For fans however, it created a fantastic uncertainty, and always kept us guessing.
Do you know of any other characters that just would not die? Do you think that this trope can be used successfully, or is it disingenuous?
[Note - as Season 5 of Alias has yet to air in its entirety in Australia, please be mindful when discussing its plot points]
*Image courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification of subject matter in question
Often referred to as Hollywood Healing, this ensures that our intrepid hero can suffer incredible injuries but still beat the bad guy in the end. Often, gunshot and stab wounds are shrugged off with little more than a grimace, and the protagonist continues on in their quest. I somehow doubt that injuries of that nature would really be so inconsequential in real life, and I have no inclination to find out.
This trend features prominently in action films, with the prime example being John McClane from the Die Hard franchise. Notable examples from TV are Jack Bauer in 24 and Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop.
However, one show takes not dying to the extreme – Alias. Like the above, the show does include the characters living through serious injuries – however, the recoveries tended to need medical treatment, and weren’t particularly miraculous.
The almost indestructible cast of Alias*
Where Alias stood out was that many characters simply did not stay dead. Despite seeming to have met a nasty fate, it would later be discovered that their demise was not real – otherwise known as Faking the Dead. It wasn’t as if the characters only appeared lifeless – funerals were held, as were state executions. We even witnessed Irina being shot in the head; later it was revealed that the woman was actually a double. For those unfamiliar with the show, the revolving door of death must seem to verge on the ridiculous. For fans however, it created a fantastic uncertainty, and always kept us guessing.
Do you know of any other characters that just would not die? Do you think that this trope can be used successfully, or is it disingenuous?
[Note - as Season 5 of Alias has yet to air in its entirety in Australia, please be mindful when discussing its plot points]
*Image courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification of subject matter in question
I have to admit that I love the Die Hard movies, primarily because they are pure fantasy, and that Willis seems invincible...
But I know what you mean, if someone gets shot in the head, you'd assume they'd stay dead!
LOL
My personal film nemesis is Agent Smith from the Matrix...I just wish someone would kill that guy once and for all...
Great post!
Take care,
Nick
Nina
Film & TV on DVD
This is a syndrome that has been around since film & TV began. The John Wayne films are a great example so are the TV westerns like Bonanza and Rawhide.
The A-Team has to be mentioned just for its OTT survival rate, though this was always part of the in joke.
Shows like 24 and Alias seem to really treat the audience like morons because they take themselves seriously, then have ridiculous survival for the hero. I find this more annoying than the fantastical Die Hard style where the tongue is in cheek from the start....
The whole resurrection thing is a lame duck, really enjoyed the Kiss Kiss bang bang explanation.
Rugby World Cup 2007
Main culprit...Bond, James Bond.
...and the Zoe (or Gia?) Carides character in 'Austen Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me'!...when Powers first meets Agent Shagwell in the club.
On TV...'Lost'...everyone!
It is cheating...that deus ex machina stroke
Certainly 'Alias' is the master at this. I sad sack that I am, have cheated...it took so long to get here! I got impatient. And oh boy...won't give spoilers but seriously...
Hope you are well Ninabelle...it's good to see you hon.
big hug
Dusk
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Nice Post.
Special mention must go to JR (Larry Hagman) from Dallas (as in "Who Shot JR). While we all thought he was dead and buried - two seasons on - didn't we have the whole 'dream sequence thang' - delightfully informing viewers that the past two and a bit years didn't really happen and that it was all a horrible, horrible nightmare?
Cheers
MNG
Movies and Life
It's hilarious that Hollywood devised a name for people that come back from the dead. I was also thinking of Dallas like Mr Nice Guy said, that was ridiculous and memorable.
Then I thought of the soapies like The Bold and the Sweaty, how many times has Taylor died and come back and now she has fish lips and her cheeks are all sucked in....
Byee
Celebrity Obsession
Like Tracy, when I think of characters who won't die, I automatically think of soap operas. Did you ever watch Days of Our Lives? I think Marlena has been killed about 7 times. I saw an episode where she was holding a photo frame that was actually a bomb. IT went off in her hand, but a couple years later she turned up on some island where she'd been brainwashed.
The other show that kind of springs to mind is MacGyver. Not that he got injured so often, but is didn't matter what life threatening situation he ended up with, good ol' Macgyver would get out of it using nothing more than a straw, a pen and battery!
I love love love the Die Hard movies. But at least they do approach the situation with a sense of humour. Everyone knows that John Maclane is bulletproof!
Hope you're doing well and school work isn't getting you down!!!
Kylie
Flick Wit
As for the others... I am in total agreement! Alias and soaps are the worst for it. I actively encourage the deaths of characters whenever I watch. I believe my little contribution of positive thought and encouragement might just help one day.
Michaelie
Even though Alias doesn't generally take this approach, I don't mind it because it fulfils all the technology and abilities that people like to believe super-secret spy agencies have, however unrealistic they seem.
I haven't seen that - I'd love to know their explanation.
Lost can't seem to make up its mind on this one - they off characters at every turn, yet others with similar injuries all but shrug it off. The mystery of the island, I guess...
You certainly know how I feel about deus ex machina usage
It's great to 'see' you too, Dusk.
Nina
Then again, if it was the first show to run with such a concept, then I guess they should probably be given marks for originality...
That sounds utterly hilarious! Perhaps I should start watching some soapies...
John McClane is bulletproof... and crash proof... and explosion proof... and any other proof you can think of! I really don't like action movies that take themselves too seriously; the sense of humour in Die Hard makes it so enjoyable.
Take care,
Nina
I have to admit that there may have been a few occasions where I screamed at the TV for a character to die already. Lauren from Alias Season 3 comes to mind. As do Kate and Jack from Lost (but I doubt that will ever happen)...
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
I used to like Alias but this dying, living, dying thing is also driving me crazy.
Mum's Word
Jack Bauer is the 21st century MacGyver. It's amazing what he can fashion out of a bit of paper and some string.
Love & stuff
Mrs M