TV shows have proven time and time again that they aren't afraid to kill off beloved characters. (House Of Cards Episode 4 Spoilers ahead!) Seriously, if I had a quarter for every time I wept uncontrollably over a character's death, then, well, let's just say I'd never want for vending machine snacks again. However, that in no way prepared my now-crumbled heart for what happened to Edward Meechum on House of Cards Season 4. I almost don't even want to put the words in writing for fear that it'll somehow make the statement more true, but here it goes: Meechum was shot and killed by Lucas Goodwin during his attempted assassination of Frank Underwood. And just in case you're wondering if Meechum is really dead or will miraculously pull a Doug Stamper and surprise us all, let me assure you that there's no way he's coming back from this.
It all happened so fast that I had to go back and re-watch it to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me, but as Frank was making the rounds on greeting protesters, shots rang out from the crowd and showed Lucas advancing on Frank, gun in hand. After pulling Frank down to the pavement for cover, Meechum hovered protectively over the President, got out his gun, and fatally shot Lucas in order to bring him down. But when the emergency vehicle came to collect Frank and tend to his gunshot wounds, Meechum remained on the ground, not moving. That's when someone nearby checked his pulse and walked away, confirming that our favorite bodyguard had saved his last life.
I'm not going to lie, it was a pretty emotionally devastating scene to watch, not just because gun violence is sadly still such a common occurrence in real life, but also because Meechum was one of the most loyal and likable characters on this show. He did not deserve to die, which is further proven by the fact that it happened while saving someone else's life. Usually, on this series, we're used to seeing lives get taken by force either because they know too much or screwed up in some big way. So to see Meechum give up his life willingly for the sake of someone else, is a true testament to his character.
I honestly can't imagine a House of Cards world without him in it, but at least the show paid tribute to him in the best way. It made him a hero and he wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
Image: Netflix
