History HeroicSacrifice / LiveACtionTV

** In ''[[Recap/DoctorWhoS12E5RevengeOfTheCybermen Revenge Of The Cybermen]]'', one of the men carrying a boobie-trapped bomb deliberately sets it off as a weapon against the Cybermen.

* ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' has a rather heart-wrenching subversion. Commodore Decker and his crew are facing an unbeatable foe, so he beams his crew down to a nearby planet and intends to go down with the ship. Except it doesn't play out like that. The enemy in question is a PlanetKiller, and his ship isn't what it's after.

* ''Choudenshi Bioman'': After being hit with a ray that was already starting to kill her Mika/Yellow Four 1 took the rest of the shots saving the other four team members as well as rendering the weapon useless.

* ''PowerRangersInSpace'': Andros destroys Zordon's tube so Zordon's energy will be released, stopping the attacks on the world by destroying the villains or turning them good.

** At the end of ''The Peacekeeper Wars'', Crichton arguably knew that both the universe and he might not make it if [[spoiler:he used wormhole weapons to stop the war. And he did it anyway. Granted, he came out fine, but he very well might not have.]]

** [[TheCaptain John Sheridan]] pulls one of these when he detonates a nuclear warhead in the capitol city of the Shadows ... using his own position to guide it in.

* Two different starships Enterprise get this in the ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "Yesterday's Enterprise". Short version: A Captain Picard from a timeline where the Federation is losing a war against the Klingons pulls a [[YouShallNotPass You Shall Not Pass]] against a squadron of Klingon battlecruisers, sacrificing the ''Enterprise-D'' in order to allow the ''Enterprise-C'' to return to her own time and get destroyed defending a Klingon outpost from a Romulan attack, cementing the Federation's status as a [[FireForgedFriends Fire Forged Friend]] to the Klingon Empire.

** [[spoiler:The 10th Doctor]] in the second part of 'The End Of Time'. [[spoiler:He switches places with Wilf in a box-thing which was going to fill with radiation when opened. Cue {{Tear Jerker}} as The Doctor comes out dying, and then proceeds to say goodbye to all his friends and/or companions from throughout the series]].

* Eden, of ''{{Series/Heroes}}'', who kills herself to prevent Sylar from gaining her influencing abilities.

* On ''[[TwentyFour 24]]'', George Mason (the former director of CTU) is accidentally exposed to radiation early in the second season, and slowly begins to die. He secretly stows away on a plane that contains a nuclear bomb, and is being piloted into the Mojave Desert by Jack Bauer. He ends up convincing Jack to let him fly the plane on a suicide run, letting Jack parachute out and live, as well as saving millions of innocent people.

* ''{{Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future}}'': In the series finale, Corporal Jennifer "Pilot" Chase sacrifices herself to manually activate the Power Base's self-destruct mechanism, taking TheDragon and its invading horde down with her.

** This isn't the only time Daniel's sacrificed himself by far. He [[TakingTheBullet took a staff blast]] for Jack in the original film, pulled a {{You Shall Not Pass}} at the end of the first season (but managed to make it back), entered the virtual reality where he keeps getting "killed" to save Teal'c in ''Avatar'', got killed by [=RepliCarter=] after stopping the Replicators long enough for the rest of the team to kill them all, prepares to send himself to the Ori galaxy with the Sangraal in order to destroy the Ori (although his friends intervene and beam him off the ship before it goes through the supergate, leaving the Sangraal onboard to activate after it gets through), and so on. This guy really likes his heroic sacrifices.

* ''StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' has a rather heart-wrenching subversion. Commodore Decker and his crew are facing an unbeatable foe, so he beams his crew down to a nearby planet and intends to go down with the ship. Except it doesn't play out like that. The enemy in question is a PlanetKiller, and his ship isn't what it's after.

* Two different starships Enterprise get this in the ''[[StarTrektheNextGeneration Star Trek the Next Generation]]'' episode "Yesterday's Enterprise". Short version: A Captain Picard from a timeline where the Federation is losing a war against the Klingons pulls a [[YouShallNotPass You Shall Not Pass]] against a squadron of Klingon battlecruisers, sacrificing the ''Enterprise-D'' in order to allow the ''Enterprise-C'' to return to her own time and get destroyed defending a Klingon outpost from a Romulan attack, cementing the Federation's status as a [[FireForgedFriends Fire Forged Friend]] to the Klingon Empire.

* In ''Primeval'', Series 5 Episode 6, Phillip Burton realises that his anomaly chanelling power station is out of control. Matt is with him in the control centre when Phillip tells him to leave, and that he will shut down the machinery holding the artificial anomaly open. He says "Hey, I'm the bad guy." He shuts down the machine, but the artificial anomaly no longer needs it, and it is large enough that it destroys the building. Phillip is killed as the building collapses. This is distinct from a Redemption Equals Death because Phillip neither intended the destruction, nor did he die following rather than during it.

** Simon Tam in ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' was a very good one. He does not just die quickly as in most Heroic Sacrifices. He quite literally gives up his entire life, fortune and safety and lives the life of an outlaw just to be able to comfort his little sister in her distress.

** Don't forget when [[spoiler:Talyn!Cricthon exposes himself to radiation to save everyone, knowing that he will die for it.]]

* In ''{{Stargate SG-1}}'', [[AdventurerArchaeologist Dr. Jackson]] exposes himself to a fatal dose of radiation to deactivate a nuclear device and dies. Of course, dying has never actually stopped anyone in the ''Stargate'' universe (and most especially not Daniel Jackson, to the extent that other characters joke about it while he's alive and wait expectantly for his return when he's not), so one year later, he was BackFromTheDead.

* In the pilot of ''Series/StargateUniverse'' [[spoiler:the senator]] seals a damaged shuttle through which they were losing oxygen, though doing so means being trapped inside and asphyxiating. His daughter got to watch.
** [[spoiler:Of course he was going to die anyway from either internal bleeding or a heart condition, so he was just [[TakeAThirdOption choosing a third option]]]].

** Not to mention Sam's season 4 HeroicSacrifice which is averted when his own attempt to sacrifice his soul to save Dean is ''rejected''. His resulting decision to [[DrivenToSuicide damn himself slowly]] by [[ThisIsYourBrainOnEvil using his powers]] ''seems'' like a noble act - until you get to the end and realize that Sam's efforts have been fueled by [[PsychoSerum demon blood]] that intensifies pride in his own abilities and a sense of superiority to the point where he believes he is TheOnlyOne who can stop the Apocalypse. While Sam is genuine in his desire to help his brother and save the world (see When The Levee Breaks for his huge inner conflict), he goes about it [[IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight in a]] [[IDidWhatIHadToDo very]] [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech destructive]] [[HeroicRROD (especially]] [[SuicideMission self-]][[TheDarkSide destructive)]] [[DeathEqualsRedemption way]]. He can't know that [[spoiler:killing [[ApocalypseMaiden Lilith]] starts the [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt Apocalypse]]; the angels hid that so he would [[SignsOfTheEndTimes kickstart]] the Apocalypse by doing what he thought would prevent it.]] The goal is noble, even with the horrible outcome. It's part of the show's [[DeconstructedTrope deconstruction]] of this trope that everything turns out so badly.

* In the ''{{Sliders}}'' episode "The Exodus", Professor Arturo steps in front of Quinn Mallory and takes a bullet meant for him. Of course, at this point Arturo is already severely brain-damaged thanks to Colonel Rickman, but he still sacrifices himself so that Quinn can live to get the others home.

* GameOfThrones: "What do we say to the God of death? Not today! Now go!"

* ''SonsOfAnarchy'' has [[spoiler: Hale]] trying to stop a van with shooters at Half-Sack's funeral... But unfortunately, ''[[HighOctaneNightmareFuel they run over his head]]''.

* In ''{{Community}}'' episode "[[Recap/CommunityS2E06Epidemiology Epidemiology]]" Abed allows himself to become infected in order to allow Troy time to escape.

** Doyle in ''{{Angel}}'''s first season.
** Darla on ''{{Angel}}'' as well, in order to allow her son to be born.
** [[spoiler: Wesley]] in the grand finale of ''{{Angel}}''.

** Sam in season five finale Swan Song: [[spoiler:Throwing himself [[FightingFromTheInside (and Satan,]] [[HeroicWillpower who's possessing him)]] into [[SealedEvilInACan hell's solitary confinement]] in order to [[SelfSacrificeScheme prevent the planet from being razed]], with certain knowledge that Lucifer's going to [[FateWorseThanDeath spend eternity torturing him]], is a pretty [[BeAllMySinsRemembered heroic]] thing to do.]]

* In ''{{lonelygirl15}}'', [[spoiler:Bree Avery]] does the Ceremony to stop the Order chasing her friends, and [[spoiler:Gina Hart]] takes a bullet to save Jonas.

* In ''Primeval'', Series 5 Episode 6, Phillip Burton realises that his anomaly chanelling power station is out of control. Matt is with him in the control centre when Phillip tells him to leave, and that he will shut down the machinery holding the artificial anomaly open. He says "Hey, I'm the bad guy." He shuts down the machine, but the artificial anomaly no longer needs it, and it is large enough that it destroys the building. Phillip is killed as the building collapses. This is distinct from a Redemption Equals Death because Phillip neither intended the destruction, nor did he die following rather than during it.

** [[TheCaptain John Sheridan]] pulls one of these when he detonates a nuclear warhead in the capitol city of the Shadows ... using his own position to guide it in. [[spoiler: {{He Got Better}}]]

** The entire team pulls this in ''2010'' in an alternate future. In ''Moebius'', they all sacrifice themselves in an alternate past. Both times, they [[IGotBetter fixed it.]]

** Not to mention Sam's season 4 HeroicSacrifice which is averted when his own attempt to sacrifice his soul to save Dean is ''rejected''. His resulting decision to [[DrivenToSuicide damn himself slowly]] by [[ThisIsYourBrainOnEvil using his powers]] ''seems'' like a noble act - until you get to the end and realize that Sam's efforts have been fueled by [[PsychoSerum demon blood]] that intensifies pride in his own abilities and a sense of superiority to the point where he believes he is TheOnlyOne who can stop the Apocalypse. While Sam is genuine in his desire to help his brother and save the world (see When The Levee Breaks for his huge inner conflict), he goes about it [[IKnowYouAreInThereSomewhere in a]] [[IDidWhatIHadToDo very]] [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech destructive]] [[HeroicRROD (especially]] [[SuicideMission self-]][[TheDarkSide destructive)]] [[DeathEqualsRedemption way]]. He can't know that [[spoiler:killing [[ApocalypseMaiden Lilith]] starts the [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt Apocalypse]]; the angels hid that so he would [[SignsOfTheEndTimes kickstart]] the Apocalypse by doing what he thought would prevent it.]] The goal is noble, even with the horrible outcome. It's part of the show's [[DeconstructedTrope deconstruction]] of this trope that everything turns out so badly.

** Not to mention Sam's season 4 HeroicSacrifice which is averted when his own attempt to sacrifice his soul to save Dean is ''rejected''. His resulting decision to [[DrivenToSuicide damn himself slowly]] by [[ThisIsYourBrainOnEvil using his powers]] ''seems'' like a noble act - until you get to the end and realize that Sam's efforts have been fueled by [[PsychoSerum demon blood]] that intensifies pride in his own abilities and a sense of superiority to the point where he believes he is TheOnlyOne who can stop the Apocalypse. While Sam is genuine in his desire to help his brother and save the world (see When The Levee Breaks for his huge inner conflict), he goes about it [[IKnowYouAreInThereSomewhere in a]] [[IDidWhatIHadToDo very]] [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech destructive]] [[HeroicRROD (especially]] [[SuicideMission self-]][[TheDarkSide destructive)]] [[DeathEqualsRedemption way]]. He can't know that [[spoiler:killing [[ApocalypseMaiden Lilith]] starts the [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt Apocalypse]]; the angels hid that so he would [[SignsOfTheEndTimes kickstart]] the Apocalypse by doing what he thought would prevent it. The goal is noble, even with the horrible outcome]]. It's part of the show's deconstruction of this trope that everything turns out so badly.

** Sam in Swan Song: [[spoiler: [[FightingFromTheInside Throwing]] [[HeroicWillpower himself (and Satan, who's possessing him]] [[SelfSacrificeScheme into hell]] in order to prevent the planet from being [[ApocalypseWow razed]], with certain knowledge that Lucifer's going to spend eternity torturing him, is a pretty [[BeAllMySinsRemembered heroic]] thing to do.]]

** Not to mention Sam's season 4 HeroicSacrifice which is averted when his own attempt to sacrifice his soul to save Dean is ''rejected''. His resulting decision to damn himself slowly by using his powers ''seems'' like a noble act - until you get to the end and realize that Sam's efforts have been fueled by [[PsychoSerum demon blood]] that intensifies pride in his own abilities and a sense of superiority to the point where he believes he is TheOnlyOne who can stop the Apocalypse. While Sam is genuine in his desire to help his brother and save the world (see When The Levee Breaks for his huge inner conflict), he goes about it in a [[DrivenToSuicide very]] [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech destructive]] [[HeroicRROD (especially]] [[PsychoSerum self-]][[TheDarkSide destructive)]] [[KickTheMoralityPet way]]. He can't know that [[spoiler:killing [[ApocalypseMaiden Lilith]] starts the [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt Apocalypse]]; in his mind, he's stopping it from happening. The goal is noble, even with the horrible outcome]]. It's part of the show's deconstruction of this trope that everything turns out so badly.

** Sam in Swan Song: [[spoiler: [[HeroicWillpower Throwing himself]] [[SelfSacrificeScheme into hell]] with the Devil in order to prevent the planet from being [[ApocalypseWow razed]], with certain knowledge that Lucifer's going to spend eternity torturing him, is a pretty [[BeAllMySinsRemembered heroic]] thing to do.]]

* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': In the second season, John did this for his comatose son, Dean (who was surely about to die, or at least never wake up), causing the fandom to actually like him for once. Dean also did this for Sam, who died (and got better) in the finale, but the fanbase are torn between this being a true HeroicSacrifice or something to do with being DrivenToSuicide. In a subversion, the show treats these as destructive, selfish acts instead of noble sacrifices.

** Not to mention Sam's season 4 HeroicSacrifice which is averted when his own attempt to sacrifice his soul to save Dean is ''rejected''. His resulting decision to damn himself slowly by using his powers ''seems'' like a noble act - until you get to the end and realize that Sam's efforts have been fueled by [[PsychoSerum demon blood]] that intensifies pride in his own abilities and a sense of superiority to the point where he believes he is TheOnlyOne who can stop the Apocalypse. While Sam is genuine in his desire to help his brother and save the world (see When The Levee Breaks for his huge inner conflict), he goes about it in a [[DrivenToSuicide very]] [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech destructive]] [[TheCorruption way]]. He can't know that [[spoiler:killing [[ApocalypseMaiden Lilith]] starts the [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt Apocalypse]]; in his mind, he's stopping it from happening. The goal is noble, even with the horrible outcome]]. It's part of the show's deconstruction of this trope that everything turns out so badly.

** Sam in Swan Song: [[spoiler: Throwing yourself into hell with the Devil with certain knowledge that he's going to spend eternity torturing you in order to prevent the planet from being raised is a pretty heroic thing to do.]]

** Not to mention Sam's season 4 HeroicSacrifice which is averted when his own attempt to sacrifice his soul to save Dean is ''rejected''. His resulting decision to damn himself slowly by using his powers ''seems'' like a noble act - until you get to the end [[spoiler:and realize that Sam's efforts have been out of pride in his own abilities and his own innate sense of superiority, not an honest desire to do the right thing]].
*** That's not entirely true. While Sam does certainly have his pride, he is also genuine in his desire to help his brother and save the world (see When The Levee Breaks for his huge inner conflict). He can't know that [[spoiler:killing Lilith starts the Apocalypse; in his mind, he's stopping it from happening. The goal is noble, even with the horrible outcome]]. It's part of the show's deconstruction of this trope that everything turns out so badly.

* In ''Primeval'', Series 5 Episode 6, Phillip Burton realises that his anomaly chanelling power station is out of control. Matt is with him in the control centre when Phillip tells him to leave, and that he will shut down the machinery holding the artificial anomaly open. He says "Hey, I'm the bad guy." He shuts down the machine, but the artificial anomaly no longer needs it, and it is large enough that it destroys the building. Phillip is killed as the building collapses.

** A few episodes later, [[spoiler: Fiona turns herself in]] to make Anson's leverage over Michael worthless.

** Gleefully subverted, however, in a ''DoctorWhoMagazine'' comic strip; the Eighth Doctor is about to make a heroic sacrifice by crashing a military helicopter filled with canisters of gas into a slime creature, and makes a moving farewell speech to his friends. One of them -- the spymaster whose helicopter it happens to be -- sardonically points out that, whilst he appreciates the nobility of the gesture, if the Doctor just looks up he'll see a button that will allow him to eject to safety, thus negating the need for said sacrifice.

** Dr. Janet Fraser in the series 7 episode "Heroes".

* In ''{{Community}}'' episode "[[Recap/CommunityS2E06Epidemiology Epidemiology]]" Abed allows himself to become infected in order to allow Troy time to escape.