Whether it's drama, comedy or something in between, TV show writers have never been afraid to surprise audiences with a memorable character death. Back in March 1975, M*A*S*H became a TV death pioneer when Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) died in the season 3 finale. The character was headed home after being honorably discharged from the army, but before he could make it, he was killed by enemy fire. Some 21st-century shows, however, make M*A*S*H's surprise death look tame.