Superhero TV series are renowned for their exciting action. Their emotional depth has a profound effect. Some plots from different superhero TV series explore superheroes' struggles, tragic transformations, and terrible losses. Additionally, these tragic moments reminded us that even the strongest heroes have to deal with loss, suffering, and tough decisions. For example, Wanda’s grief over Vision and her children remains one of the top heartbreaking moments from the superhero TV shows.
Here is the list of the 10 most heartbreaking superhero storylines we see in TV Shows.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
10. Jason Todd's transformation to Red Hood (Titans)
Jason is Batman's second partner and a vicious vigilante who was once the second Robin. Jason's tragic story is a heartbreaking experience for any superhero lover. After the Joker brutally killed him, his life fell apart. After being brought back to life by Jonathan Crane, Jason abandoned the Titans with his heroic principles. He did this after becoming corrupted by hopelessness and betrayal.
Jason took on the vicious persona of Red Hood under Crane's influence. This transformation from a beacon of hope to the Titan's relentless adversary is utterly catastrophic. However, the transformation put the fans in a difficult position to distinguish between a villain and a vigilante. In episode 5, Jason panicked in front of Jonathan and uttered,
"Ruth!"
He continued,
"Where am I?"
Dr. Jonathan Crane said that there's no Batman here, and continued,
"You're in the only place in Arkham that a fella can get on the modicum of privacy."
In the scene, the audience sees Jason awaken in Arkham after being killed by Joker. Crane reassures him, saying their evil collaboration began when he brought Jason back to life following his deadly confrontation with Joker.
9. Jonathan’s struggles with power (Superman & Lois)
In Superman & Lois, Superman's son, Jonathan Kent, learns about his abilities. He finds it difficult to manage his personal life, his newfound superhero powers, and the demands of holding Superman's heritage. This moment is heartbreaking for DC fans because it reveals the psychological cost of having high expectations and the isolation that comes with having a lot of responsibility.
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Superman & Lois depicts his internal struggle and the hardships of becoming a superhero while remaining loyal to himself.
8. Jefferson losing his father (Black Lightning)
The killer act of Tobias Whale sends Jefferson Pierce on a life-changing path when he kills his father. After experiencing this terrible ordeal, Jefferson's destiny to become a superhero is forever altered. He developed an intense feeling of justice following his father's fatal murder. Consequently, it steered him into becoming a combatant against corruption and a protector of Freeland citizens.
In this scene, DC's audience sees Jefferson's profound emotional state. They saw his inner power rise from the loss, but it continuously reveals his unending grieving of his father's death. It's very heartbreaking to see Jefferson keep fighting.
7. Rita Farr’s self-loathing (Doom Patrol)
In Doom Patrol, Rita Farr plays Elasti-Woman, who suffers greatly from self-loathing. The actress had a happy life in Hollywood before being exposed to poisonous gas, yet she developed disfigurements and unique stretching powers. She hides her face with embarrassment about her physical appearance, while she is hurt deeply inside because her professional life is gone. After that moment, she started suffering from depression.
Rita finds atonement by accepting her abilities and forming bonds with the Doom Patrol troops. Doom Patrol fans might not know this news. Those who knew the news caused pain since it shows how their favorite superheroes fought with inner demons and self-acceptance before Doom Patrol's acting career.
6. Oliver Queen’s sacrifice (Arrow)
In Crisis on Infinite Earths, Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) dedicates himself to saving the universe by giving up his life. Through his role as Spectre, he creates Earth Prime while restoring all lives that the Anti-Monitor had claimed. Through embracing sacrifice, Olive succeeds in creating a noble end, although his final moments sharing love with Barry Allen and Sara Lance brought powerful emotions.
After Oliver's death, Mar Novu said,
"You have suffered a horrible loss, but you .........reason not to lose hope. Seven in fact. Across .......time exist seven heroes, Beings of the purest will, who can ultimately defeat the Anti-Monitor, and help save the multiverse. They are known as Paragons."
Those who watched this scene from Crisis on Infinite Earths were traumatized as it revealed the absolute sacrifice made by heroes. The moment emphasized Oliver Queen's bravery & the trauma of losing a legendary hero.
5. Homelander’s childhood trauma (The Boys)
Homelander's childhood trauma in The Boys serves as a chilling reminder of his terrible upbringing. This superhero TV show reveals Homelander's condensed version of his childhood suffering, which remains an enduring reminder of all he experienced.
Her childhood passed under the harsh conditions of Vought Labs. Consequently, it drove him through numerous cruel tests and mind-disturbing mistreatment. He grew into an adult without any affectionate care because he was not given the necessary childish tenderness during his early years. His past experiences of control & psychological pain produced the dark behavior that defined him.
Audiences who have started to watch The Boys will feel sadness because this scene reveals how a strong superhero could suffer from an abusive and abandoned childhood experience.
4. Kilgrave’s psychological torture of Jessica (Jessica Jones)
Kilgrave from Jessica Jones uses his mental control abilities to commit psychological abuse on Jessica. Jessica is permanently emotionally damaged as a result of the villain forcing her to commit unimaginable acts. Kilgrave uses his mind control ability to deprive Jessica Jones of her autonomy and leave her feeling completely powerless. His activities follow Jessica after she flees because she struggles with thoughts of remorse and emotional distress.
Such emotional trauma hits superhero enthusiasts and resonates with ordinary people because it illustrates that superheroes must confront severe internal emotional struggles.
3. Barry losing his mother (The Flash)
In The Flash Season 1, Barry Allen discovers that his mother (Nora Allen) was murdered while he was just a child. During the time travel, Barry watches his mother's murderer during his childhood years, although he is unable to help her. Barry's life takes its direction from losing his mother and creating his destiny as a superhero who fights for justice.
Those who love their superheroes from DC were hurt when they witnessed this stunning scenario. The scenario exposed the enormous cost of heroes' efforts and explained how severe personal grief becomes the driving force behind them.
2. Elektra’s death and resurrection (Daredevil)
Elektra Natchios is a skilled assassin and ally of Daredevil who faces a tragic death in Daredevil. Elektra chooses death to safeguard her lover, Matt Murdock, during her combat with the Hand. Matt feels deep sorrow after Elektra's demise, although she performed her final acts heroically. After the resurrection, Elektra becomes The Black Sky through Hand rituals, which turn her into a destructive weapon.
Superhero fans, particularly Marvel fans, experience deep sorrow when witnessing this moment because it demonstrates that heroes must endure massive suffering while dealing with ethical issues. Elektra changes after being used as a tool by dark forces, illustrating the psychological effects of heroism and the challenge of reclaiming one's identity.
1. Wanda’s grief over losing Vision and her children (WandaVision)
Wanda Maximoff experiences an intense path of grief in WandaVision. The loss of Vision drives her to build a fake reality in Westview to dull her suffering. Wanda exists in a peaceful fake reality with Vision while living with their children, yet the entire existence is artificial.
Wanda faces the truth of her losses while undergoing the process of accepting the death of her family. She communicates her intense pain while saying farewell to Vision and her offspring because she knows that restoring reality requires her to relinquish her happiness.
Every superhero fan, particularly Marvel fans, feels disoriented when they watch a moment. The moment depicts superheroes experiencing loss and suffering, making Wanda's agony genuinely relevant and dramatic.
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We can conclude that all heroes (DC or Marvel) encountered severe suffering due to a combination of personal tragedy, psychological distress, and horrifying life changes. Fans reacted with deep sorrow during these moments because they watched their beloved heroes experience grief, traumatizing events, and sacrifices.
The superhero stories about pain and loss forever affected viewers because they showed that heroism exists only by paying costs. Despite their immense powers, superheroes usually face mental obstacles within themselves during their missions.
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