A few weeks ago saw the killing off of major female characters from popular mainstream popular shows. Like Arrow, Sleepy Hollow, Empire, Viking just to name a few.  The issues with using and killing off female characters as a plot device is something that should be addressed, and it will be but for now, we will talk about the issue of using Black characters as a sacrifice. Specifically in the genre of science fiction and fantasy, it is clear the sacrifice is a well-established trope. Lord of the Rings did it, Star Wars did it (twice), and Harry Potter had a whole battalion die for the cause. However, it seems that within this trope is another trope.

That TROPE is the one of the Black guide or mentor, who sacrifices themselves so that the white (protagonist) can live. Now I have noticed since I was old enough to comprehend that this is bullshit. However, this week… I don’t know maybe it was because I had been yearning for a popular Black female lead and Fox just took it all away from me that caused me to cry foul.

Admittedly, Sleepy Hollow has been hit or miss since season one but I have stuck with it and at times been pleased with the growth of all the characters and the plot. While I was not an Abbie/Crane shipper, I was happy to see Fox and Nicole Beharie (who plays Lt. Abbie Mills) creating a strong fluid, complex Black female lead.  With that being said I am here to say that Lt. Abbie Mills was not here to be anyone’s 21st-century spirit guide. Lt. Abbie Mills and Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) had chemistry bound by mutual friendship, support, and love. Each had their strengths and weakness. They each helped each other emotionally, mentally and pushed each other forward for the cause of saving the world. They were partners. Or at least that is what the viewing audience thought.

So how, in all the holy gods and hell did the writers of Sleepy Hollow think killing her off and giving her that farewell speech was ok? Undoubtedly, there was a quick backlash from fans. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram exploded with memes and 142-character angst over the shocking death.

I found myself asking how and why more than twenty minutes later after watching the episode. I gave a sigh and thought to myself why does the person of color always need to sacrifice themselves for the greater good?  Part of me saw it coming, and part of me hoped they would not do it. After processing the episode, I thought they always do this. This trope is not new in Sci-Fi, fantasy or much any genre of entertainment. The character of color whether Black, Latino or Asian becomes the white protagonist’s guide and mentor and then sacrifices themselves after giving all that they have to give to the lead character.

No Fox just no… Because it was my and many fans understanding that Abby Mills was a lead character and that she was important not as a sacrifice but as a partner and friend a witness down to fight the good fight not die to help Crane achieve his density.

To sum up “Ragnarok” it started with a team up with the crew and Pandora setting out to stop the Hidden One.  They do defeat the Hidden One yet at great cost. Pandora goes power hungry, Lt. Mills dies, Jenny is MIA and Crane is alone lost without his partner by his side. The episode was hard to watch harder to process and still hard to accept. While watching, I tried to give the show little credit when it allowed Crane and Lt. Mills to have a heartfelt goodbye. It was something within that goodbye and Lt. Mills words that stung me a little. Though the conversation on the porch swing was heartfelt and Crane somewhat admits his feelings “What is there for me in a world without you?” I was hoping at this point he would just say he loved her but hey it would not be his style and that once sentence says it all.

Lt. Mills pep talk, however, was a slap in the face to fans. Essentially the writers of the show told fans that Lt. Mills was only here as a stopping point, a waylay for Crane. This whole time her character was meant to take on the burdens of the world along with Crane’s burdens, give to him of herself mentally, and emotionally and then die while Crane continued the good fight.     Her talk of being at peace makes it seems as if she knew all along she was never the lead and was going to give her life for Crane.

This message breaks the hearts of many viewers who yes like me not only enjoyed the chemistry between Lt. Mills and Crane but also felt a sense of pride and elation when they tuned in every week to see a Black female character is not playing the mammy, Jezebel or wise/sassy best friend.

I mean to be honest, I have been “mammy” and called sassy. It hurts in the real world and hurts more when a favorite character is regulated to that role.  So often women of color have to assert that they are not here to hold hands, take on the world’s burdens, and give sage advice. (Think Nicki Minaj’s character Lydia in “The Other Woman”)  I can not speak for the multitude of fans but in my mind, this was not the role that Lt. Mills was meant to occupy. In the last episode, that is what the writers did. They told the demographic of viewers who connected to seeing a Black woman in the lead that her presence did not matter, and she only served one purpose.  That purpose was to sacrifice herself so that Crane could achieve his destiny.

“Our job was to carry you forward. My job is done” regulates her to not only a side player role but also to the role of spirit guide best friend, sacrifice.  Now this trope is not new, and I like to think of it as the “mammy” sassy /wise sage in a different form.  I do not deny Lt. Mills her noble sacrifice but why is this the plot device the writers fall on when it comes to POC characters? As if, there is no other role to be played. The role of “Mammy” historically has been seen as the caretaker confidant. Over the years, the image has transformed into the wise sage or the sassy best friend but at its core, the stereotype is the same. This black woman is there to give advice, support, and propel others forward at the sacrifice of her well being. Now this is not only the character of the “mammy”  but also defining characters placed upon many women of color.  That is what the writers did to Lt Mills in her partnering words (pep) talk they all but said her job all along was just to be a helpmate or a support system to get Crane through.  This is a trope that sadly keeps getting played out time and again think Cinna –“Hunger Games,”  Morpheus-“The Matrix”  Martha Jones-“Doctor Who” hell even the original slayer in the last episode of Buffy was a Woman of Color, who the slayer evoked to win the final battle.

Essentially Hollywood has a problem not only with dealing with female characters and using them as plot devices for male leads but also with characters of color and it seems not to be ending anytime soon.