‘I Couldn’t Breathe’: 15 TV Scenes That Were Both ...

“Not in a long time have I watched an episode that truly moved me.”

To celebrate 2024, we recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which TV scenes were the most heartbreaking this year. Here are some of their top responses:

There are obviously MASSIVE — and I mean, MASSIVE — spoilers for a ton of shows ahead!

And #4 mentions an eating disorder and #7 mentions abuse.

1. First, on Agatha All Along, when Lilia sacrificed herself at the end of her trial on the Witches’ Road so Agatha, Billy, and Jen could continue on.

Marvel / Disney+

“The Agatha All Along scene with Lilia brought me to tears.”

—atfsims1

2. And on Agatha All Along, in a flashback, when Agatha begged Rio, aka Death, to spare her baby while she was giving birth.

Marvel / Disney+

“Agatha, in the midst of labor, brokenly, desperately begging Rio, aka Death, to let their son live. Kathryn Hahn’s anguished delivery of, ‘Please let him live! Please, my love…PLEASE!’ coupled with the way Aubrey Plaza conveyed quiet heartbreak all over her face before closing her eyes BROKE ME. I actually felt a physical ache in my chest as my eyes welled up with tears. Such a powerful scene and so masterfully acted.”

—ravenbard

3. On Young Sheldon, when Sheldon and the rest of his family were informed that his dad, George, had died. Then, everything that also happened when the series depicted George’s funeral.

CBS

“Not in a long time have I watched an episode that truly moved me.”

—meganlovegoodp

4. On Heartstopper, when Nick sobbed to Tao during the Halloween party after Charlie was away at an inpatient clinic for his mental health and eating disorder.

Netflix

“Most of it was heartbreaking, but when Nick breaks down on Tao’s shoulder, knowing the history between those two and how Nick had been trying so hard to be strong for Charlie when he finally breaks down, it’s just devastating. Kit Connor acted the hell out of that episode.”

—cclmyers

“The entirety of Episode 4 (‘Journey’) of Season 3 was heartbreaking in such a beautiful and powerful way. Seeing Charlie’s mental health in such a terrible state was so tragic to me, but the fact that he had a support system so amazing made the whole episode really sad yet heartwarming at the same time.”

—gogolovesevermore

5. On Shōgun, when Mariko defied Ishido and stood in front of the door of the storehouse just as an explosion blew open the doors, with this all happening in front of Blackthorne.

FX / Hulu

“The entire episode leading up to the tragic ending was so, so well done and heartbreaking. Mariko’s beautiful poetry, strength, and sacrifice. Anjin stepped up and accepted what she was doing when she needed him most. I didn’t expect what happened at the end, and I was in shock and then cried. Mariko has become one of my favorite characters of all time.”

—banana_bebop

“When Mariko dies in an act of self-sacrifice. It devastates Blackthorn. Also, in Shōgun, when the gardener is used as a scapegoat for taking down the pheasant. That show was heartless. I loved it!”

—christinel498dfecab

6. On Dead Boy Detectives, when Simon revealed to Edwin that he’s actually been in love with him for years.

Netflix

“For me, it was Episode 7, the scene with Edwin and Simon, where Edwin learns that Simon — the boy that sacrificed him to a demon in 1916 and thus caused him to be ripped apart over and over again for 73 years in Hell — had been in love with him and scared about being gay. The prank was real, but Simon didn’t think the sacrifice ritual was and was trapped in his own version of Hell, where he had to live quietly with his shame as he tore pages from the sacrifice book for eternity.

So much was said about intent versus impact, forgiveness, growth, and the freedom that comes with letting go of anger. So good. And then the scene shortly thereafter on the staircase out of Hell, where Edwin is able to confess his feelings for Charles.”

—fiercetrout581

“Episode 7 was also an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end. I was literally on the edge of my seat and blubbering like a baby at some points. Literally one of the best shows that came out this year!”

—atfsims1

7. And on Dead Boy Detectives, when Charles must re-live through traumatic events from his life, namely when he is forced to relive a moment when his dad abused him.

Netflix

“Actually, there were SEVERAL scenes in Dead Boy Detectives that struck a deeply personal and emotional chord with me. In Episode 4, Charles Rowland is forced to relive traumatic events from his life, and the scene with his father haunts me. Absolutely devastating.”

—atfsims1

“When Charles has a mental breakdown After seeing all his worst memories. It shows so much of the pain and feeling of not being enough, and this scene deserves so much more consideration.”

—cheesyalligator453

8. On X-Men ’97, when Gambit shockingly sacrificed himself to destroy the Master Mold, which ultimately left Rogue absolutely devastated.

Marvel / Disney+

Suggested by: goosethekitty

9. On Arcane, when Isha loaded Jinx’s pistol with a Hextech gem and sacrificed herself in order to destroy Vander and the Noxian soldiers before they could hurt Jinx.

Netflix

“Honestly that and the beast’s whole plotline. It was heartbreaking to see that beloved character come back this way.”

—mariep452f709e5

10. On Power Book II: Ghost, when Monet was killed during a shoot out with Noma right in front of her children.

Starz

“Although she did some shady shit as a queen pin, she died protecting her kids from Noma and her crew. She didn’t deserve to go out like that.”

—smellytortoise841

11. On The Legend of Vox Machina, when Percy used his dying breath to call out to Vex, and then when Vex wept over his body after finding him.

Prime Video

“This moment in Critical Role Campaign 1 was devastating — coupled with Percy’s later resurrection, too — so to see it animated in Season 3 was incredible but hurt just as much. Laura Bailey is just so talented.”

—noradominick

12. On The Boys, when Hughie sadly had to end his father’s life after he was injected with Compound V and began terrorizing a hospital and killing people.

Prime Video

“When Hughie had to kill his father after everything he went through to keep him alive. Jack Quaid and Simon Pegg really shined in that episode.”

—rnd13001

13. On Only Murders in the Building, when Sazz and Charles said goodbye to each other after Charles, Oliver, and Mabel solved her murder.

Hulu

Suggested by: tnh24

14. On Outer Banks, when Groff stabbed and killed JJ after demanding that JJ give him “The Blue Crown” in exchange for Kie’s life.

Netflix

“JJ dying ruined me. I know he won’t, but I hope he comes back. Like, maybe the writers make it a dream sequence, and he’s still alive. Sorry I’m so delusional. This ending ruined what was my favorite show.”

—mellowcaptain29

15. And finally, on One Day, just everything that happened in the very end after Emma suddenly died and Dex had to learn to live without her.

Netflix

“Even if you know what’s going to happen, it’s devastating.”

—francescao3

We can’t fit everything into one post, so which other heartbreaking moments from 2024 were devastating? Tell us in the comments below!

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