20 Characters Who Were Perfectly Written Off TV Shows

    It's been years, but some of these goodbyes still hurt.

    Kat Pickhardt
    by Kat Pickhardt

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about a character who was ~perfectly~ written off their TV show. Here are some of the best send-offs!

    🚨WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.🚨

    1. In The Office, when Michael Scott got engaged to his "soup snake," quit his job at Dunder Mifflin, and moved to Colorado so Holly could care for her sick father.

    Michael Scott telling the office that "Holly has to go back to Colorado. I'm going with her; I'm leaving"
    NBCUniversal

    "There were so many loose ends tied up leading up to his exit. There was the 'Threat Level Midnight' episode that included old cast members along the way. There was a final 'Dundies' ceremony. There was also the final happy ending we all knew Michael deserved with a great, equally quirky significant other. It was a great exit!"

    —Sara45

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    2. In Game of Thrones, when Olenna Tyrell accepted her fate of dying by poison and revealed to Jaime that she killed his son Joffrey Baratheon at the Purple Wedding.

    HBO / Via youtube.com

    "Her death was so dignified and quiet, and she was so vindictive and petty. That was an amazing and fitting end to her character."

    —yukioaqualinekirko

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    HBO / Via youtube.com

    3. In Shameless, when Fiona Gallagher finally left the South Side, but not before setting up her siblings with $50,000 and telling off Frank one last time.

    Frank saying, "You did a good job; Monica wasn't up to it. You stepped in and helped; thanks," and Fiona saying, "Helped? I did it all, Frank"
    Showtime / Via youtube.com

    "She did so much for that family and went through some pretty intense and wild BS. She deserved to get away and focus on herself."

    —beachysummersunset

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    Showtime / Via youtube.com

    4. In Brooklyn Nine-Nine, when Gina Linetti moved on from the precinct with a bang to pursue life as an influencer.

    Gina Linetti saying, "I wanted to make one final grand entrance. I've decided to leave the Nine-Nine, which is why I'm handing in my two weeks' notice"
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    "She started her influencing platform and we see her a few times, so we know she's still alive in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine universe."

    —mikaelajswanson

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    5. In Bones, when Lance Sweets was beaten to death in a parking garage trying to obtain an important FBI document for Agent Booth and forensic anthropologist Dr. Brennan.

    Lance Sweets saying, "Tell Daisy not to worry; she worries too much. I fought back; you'd be proud" and Brennan saying, "He's gone, Booth"
    Fox / Via Hulu

    "I feel like it was put into the storyline so well because it showed the reality of being an FBI agent and how risky their jobs are every day."

    —lapoozle28

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    Fox / Via youtube.com

    6. In Community, when Troy Barnes set sail around the world with LeVar Burton on the Childish Tycoon, a reference to Donald Glover leaving to pursue his music career using the stage name "Childish Gambino."

    LeVar Burton saying, "Captain Barnes, we should probably set sail while the wind is still in our favor; don't you think?"
    NBCUniversal

    "He was my favorite character, and obviously I didn't want him to leave, but his last episode being centered on his relationship with Abed whilst also being a fun, apocalyptic adventure really was the best possible way to send off his character. The episode was great, even if I bawled for an hour after."

    —shae

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    7. In Orange Is the New Black, when Poussey Washington stood up for Suzanne during a peaceful demonstration, only to be suffocated by a correctional officer.

    Netflix

    "Yes, her death was cruel and it seemed unnecessary, BUT without such an event, those last three seasons would not have happened the way they did."

    —Jani

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    Netflix / Via youtube.com

    8. In Grey's Anatomy, when Cristina Yang left Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital to 3D-print organs at a hospital gifted to her by Dr. Preston Burke, aka her ex-fiancé.

    Dr. Burke saying, "I don't want you to work for me; I want you to take over for me," and Cristina Yang saying, "Wait, you're offering me your hospital, like you're Willy Wonka and you're handing me a chocolate factory?"
    ABC

    "Cristina had the best exit in Grey’s: She fulfilled her dream by having her own hospital. So proud of her!"

    —Dee

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    ABC / Via youtube.com

    9. Also in Grey's Anatomy, when George O’Malley joined the Army, only to get hit by a bus in Seattle trying to save a stranger's life.

    Dr. Meredith Grey saying, "Oh god! Oh god!" as a bandaged George O’Malley dies
    ABC

    "Way too many people on Grey’s survive unsurvivable situations (drowning, plane crash, internal bleeding following a C-section, mass shootings, COVID, being attacked by a patient — all Meredith!), and George's death was a great reminder that life is random and medicine can’t fix everything, and bad things happen to good people all the time. I miss Shonda Rhimes; she really knew how to kill somebody off."

    —annpricot 

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    ABC / Via youtube.com

    10. In Superstore, when Amy Dubanowski took a corporate job at Zephra in California, even though it meant ending her relationship with Jonah.

    Amy saying, "Jonah, what if I'm wrong? What if I get out there and I realize I made a mistake?" And Jonah says, with his hands on his hips, "I'm guessing you'll know where to find me"
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    "Amy from Superstore had a really unexpected exit, which made it better, in my opinion. They didn't go with her ending up with Jonah, as everyone assumed, and it was refreshing not to have a typical TV show cliché."

    —ahsoka400

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    11. In Parks and Recreation, when Ann Perkins and Chris Traeger left Pawnee to raise their baby near Ann's family, but Leslie made sure Ann got to see her park being built first.

    Ann says, "Alright, I got my park; that's all I wanted from you. Friendship over," and Leslie says, "Don't even joke about that, Ann"
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    "They did a really great job of acknowledging the relationships that the characters shared with the rest of the cast, and it was just a very sweet goodbye."

    —mollyconnelley

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    12. In Blue's Clues, when Steve Burns left for college and handed the show, and his trusty dog, Blue, over to his brother, Joe.

    Steve says "I'm gonna miss you"
    Nickelodeon / Via youtube.com

    "Though I loved Blue's Clues as a kid and struggled to imagine the show without Steve, I thought Nickelodeon handled the actor's departure very gracefully."

    —hiitsnicetomeetyou

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    Nickelodeon / Via youtube.com

    13. In The Vampire Diaries, when Elena Gilbert went under a sleeping spell that would keep her in a comatose state as long as her friend Bonnie was alive.

    Elena tells Damon things won't be dull "without her" because he's not going to sit around waiting for her and she needs him to live his life, enjoy himself
    The CW

    "The love triangle was played out, and her exit was well done. Plus, it was exactly the kind of thing Kai Parker would have done!"

    —ir1993

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    The CW / Via youtube.com

    14. In Criminal Minds, when Derek Morgan left the BAU after being kidnapped in order to spend more time with his newborn son and future wife.

    Derek telling Penelope, "Everything you and I do together has been magic since the minute we met." She says, "But it's ending and I'm scared. You make me feel super brave," and he says, "You make me feel safe"
    CBS / Via youtube.com

    "Derek Morgan leaving Criminal Minds couldn’t have been written any better."

    —averykenslow

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    CBS / Via youtube.com

    15. In Home Improvement, when Randy Taylor left home at age 16 for an environmental study program in Costa Rica.

    Randy hugging his mother, who tells him to write and to call...BEFORE he gets there, and he responds, "Or I could open the emergency door and just yell out the plane"
    ABC / Via youtube.com

    "I thought the way Randy was written off Home Improvement was very fitting for his character. As Randy grew up, he became very eco-conscious, so it wasn't out of the realm of possibility for him to go off on a trip like that."

    —egc26

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    ABC / Via youtube.com

    16. In The Good Wife, when Will Gardner was shockingly shot and killed by his client in the courtroom.

    Will lying with a pool of blood behind his head as Kalinda and Diane look on, weeping
    CBS / Via youtube.com

    "There were no rumors, no hints, no nothing. I refused to believe he was actually dead until I saw him on that gurney in the hospital."

    —bridgetann

    Here's a fan edit of the tragic scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    CBS / Via youtube.com

    17. In Arrow, when Thea Queen left Star City with Roy and Nyssa al Ghul to locate and destroy the League of Assassins' Lazarus Pits.

    "I'm going to miss you so much," and "You'll be with me at all times"
    The CW / Via Netflix

    "I thought her exit was really well done."

    —imafangirl54

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    The CW / Via youtube.com

    18. In M*A*S*H, when Lt. Col. Henry Blake's plane home was tragically shot down over the Sea of Japan just hours after he left his retirement party from the 4077th.

    Hearing the news about the plane shot down over the Sea of Japan during a surgery
    CBS / Via Hulu

    "Earned enough points for a discharge, was finally headed home, and his plane was shot down."

    —zeemczed

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    CBS / Via youtube.com

    19. In The West Wing, when Sam Seaborn ran for (and lost) a congressional seat in a special election to replace a candidate, elected posthumously, in Orange County.

    Toby saying to Sam at the bar, "You're gonna lose, and you're gonna lose huge. They're gonna throw rocks at you next week, and I wanted to be standing next to you when they did," and then they hug
    NBCUniversal

    "It was both an excellent send-off for Sam Seaborn and a perfect introduction for Will Bailey. So many character departures get really sad and sappy, but this one was just full of classic West Wing heart and idealism, and it was really well written and fun to watch."

    —stella93 

    Here's President Bartlet campaigning for Sam:

    View this video on YouTube
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    20. And in ER, when Lucy Knight was stabbed and died on the table despite Dr. Corday's and Romano's best efforts to save her.

    Dr. Corday telling Lucy, "I'm going to get you through this, alright?" and then saying, "Time of death, 2:56"
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    "Yes, it was terrible and sad, but it was one of the best episodes of the show."

    —Dani257

    Here's the scene:

    View this video on YouTube
    NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

    Let us know your favorite TV character exit in the comments below!

    Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.