History KnightOfCerebus / LiveActionTV

* ''Franchise/PowerRangers''' source-material ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' has its own Knights of Cerebus. These characters usually appear just after the half way point of the series or in the final arc, shaking up the dynamics of the already existing antagonists.
** ''Series/DaiSentaiGoggleFive'': The two [[EvilGenius Evil Geniuses]] known as Dr. Zadoriya and Dr. Iguana were portrayed as the BumblingHenchmanDuo of the series. However, [[SixthRanger Grand Marshal Deathmark]] killed and replaced them, thus paving the way for darker episode plots.
** ''Series/DengekiSentaiChangeman'' is DarkerAndEdgier than most, if not all, of the series that came before it, and [[BigBad Star King Bazeu]] is a big reason behind that. Compared to the majority of the villains that came before him, Bazeu is much more ruthless, remoreless, and cruel.
** ''Series/ChoushinseiFlashman'' wasn't exactly LighterAndSofter than the previous series, but [[HiredGuns Sir Cowler]], leader of the Alien Hunters, delivered a royal CurbStompBattle to the Flashman and the destruction of Flash King, '''BOTH IN HIS FIRST EPISODE'''!
** ''Series/ChikyuuSentaiFiveman'' has two Knights: [[TheCharmer First Captain Chevalier]] and the FinalBoss.
*** First appearing in episode 28, [[LightIsNotGood Chevalier]] arrives on Earth and gives the Fiveman hell, [[NearVillainVictory nearly defeating them multiple times]] and actually [[HeroKiller killing [=FiveRed=]]], causing his siblings to rewind time to undo it.
*** [[BigBad Galactic Empress Meadow]], [[spoiler:or should we say, Galactic Super Beast Vulgyre completely evaporates any good feelings once his [[GodhoodSeeker true nature]] is highlighted in the last three episodes. He even sent Billion, Chevalier, and the forced fusion of Doldora and Zaza on suicide missions in a last-ditch effort to destroy Earth once and for all.]]
** ''Series/ChoujinSentaiJetman'': Tranza brings the comic relief of the series to a screeching halt, but even worse is Radiguet. Although it's quite arguable Empress Juuza is the best example (her EvilPlan involved ''crystals gouging themselves out of people's skin''). Even after she died, [[DarkerAndEdgier that was when the episodic plots got a lot less silly and it was clearer the heroes were in serious danger when they went out to fight]].
** ''Series/KyoryuSentaiZyuranger'', like ''Jetman'', had three.:
*** The first Knight is the SixthRanger of the franchise: Yamato Knight Burai. His introduction provides an arc that's much more serious than the earlier episodes, and his approaching death provided for some more serious episodes leading up to it.
*** Next up is Dai-Satan, which is all the more impressive given he's a GenericDoomsdayVillain. Every episode he's involved in has much higher stakes, forcing the Zyurangers to up their game.
*** Lastly is Kai, Bandora's son and Dai-Satan's herald. His presence in the four-episode endgame results in the Guardian Beasts being sealed and almost helping Dai-Satan win at the end.
** ''Series/NinjaSentaiKakuranger'': For the first several episodes, this Sentai is established as being DenserAndWackier than most, with the first batch of Youkai mostly operating independently of each other and the general tone being largely comedic. Then comes Young Noble Junior/Gashadokuro. Almost immediately, the stakes are raised upon his arrival: The Youkai become more organized and formidable, we see the introduction of the Flower Kunoichi Gumi, a band of PsychoRangers who consistently test the Kakurangers, Junior's plots see the rangers come close to defeat on several occasions, and when he assumes his Gashadokuro form to confront the rangers directly, he easily tosses them around (as demonstrated when Jiraiya and Sasuke separately try to fight him 1-on-1). To drive home just how much of a threat Junior becomes, the Kakurangers have to split up on a quest to gain their Hidden Scrolls to unlock Kakure Daishogun, an entirely new mecha, just to finally deal with him. And even then, [[spoiler: despite his defeat, the Kakurangers are unable to prevent Junior from summoning his father, Daimao, who takes over as BigBad for the remainder of the series.]] It should be noted that the show still manages to balance comedy and drama, and Junior himself still has some quirks (just see him jam out on his guitar), but the fact remains that when Junior shows up, the comedy definitely takes a back seat.
** ''Series/NinpuuSentaiHurricaneger'' starts off a wacky and fun show about ninjas, and for the most part keep that's tone up in spite of the occasional serious moment. That light-hearted tone comes to a screeching halt however when Seventh Spear, Sandaaru arrives and ruthlessly plows through the Hurricanegers and Gouraigers, racks up a series of victories for the villains and enables them to achieve their goal.
** Several villains are portrayed this way in the very goofy ''Series/EngineSentaiGoOnger'', forcing the Go-ongers to up their game. Land Pollution Vice-Minister Hiramechimedes was so dangerous that the Engines[[labelnote:*]]Basically a sentient race of giant animal/vehicle hybrids, serving as this series' mecha.[[/labelnote]] hide in fear at the mere mention of his name. This forces the [[SixthRanger Go-On Wings]] to play their hand and join the battle. Another noteworthy villain is Yogoshimacritain, who is a real threat compared to the goofy antics of the other villains. He even managed to turn the majority of the rangers and Engines into tiny atoms. Were it not for a conveniently placed literal DeusExMachina, they would really be lost.
** ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger'': Basco ta Jolokia. Not only is he presented as more competent and dangerous than his employers, but under his personal philosophy of "you have to sacrifice something to get something else", he's willing to do ''anything'' in order to get what he wants, from threatening the lives of children to betraying his allies, like he did with the Red Pirates [[spoiler: and his MoralityPet.]]
** ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGoBusters'': Enter, after Messiah's destruction returns with a more dangerous personality, scaring Escape into submission, and stepping up to the position of BigBad.
** ''Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger'': The Many-Faced High Priest takes things FromBadToWorse whenever he faces the heroes, effortlessly outpacing them.
** While the events of its DownerBeginning could still be felt, ''Series/MashinSentaiKiramager'' was one of Sentai's more optimistic -- borderline whimsical -- entries in its history, with alot more humorous, uplifting, and cartoonish moments than [[Series/DoubutsuSentaiZyuohger the]] [[Series/UchuSentaiKyuranger previous]] [[Series/KaitouSentaiLupinrangerVSKeisatsuSentaiPatranger four]] [[Series/KishiryuSentaiRyusoulger entries]] of the franchise. However, the episode Yodonna is properly introduced is when the series had a ''very'' sharp turn in tone, trading alot of its comedy and lightheartedness for ever increasing drama, dangerous situations, and stakes. This only gets turned up to eleven with the reveal that Yodonna [[spoiler: is a SplitPersonality of Emperor Yodon, the BigBad of the series.]]
** ''Series/OhsamaSentaiKingOhger'' could already be considered the darkest entry in the Reiwa era of ''Super Sentai'' given its heavy focus on the sociopolitical aspects of its setting telling an more overtly morally gray and complex story than most others in the franchise. However, the arrival of Galactinsects straight-up causes a GenreShift into LovecraftLite as the show puts much emphasis on the severe havoc they wreak upon Tikyū's population and institution, with their debut revealing that the planet is just the latest of ''many'' worlds they've traveled to and done this to as the conflict of humans and Boggnarok that was the center of Part I gets recontextualized as apart of this "game" they've been playing that resulted in the complete genocide of said worlds with Tikyū simply being their lastest target. [[spoiler: It gets worse in #34 when its shown that Tikyū has been turned into a VillainWorld with the monarchs being usurped from their thrones and needing to liberate their kingdoms.]]

* ''Franchise/KamenRider''
** In ''Series/KamenRiderRyuki'', Takashi Asakura/Kamen Rider Ouja was the embodiment of this trope (formerly he was a serial killer). The Rider War consisted of thirteen riders fighting each orher to the death for a single wish [[spoiler: that the real big bad planned to exploit for himself]] and it wasn't exactly puppies and sunshine, but before Asakura came on the scene, only one Rider -- a clearly evil one, at that -- had died, and the current 5 at that time weren't doing all that good a job at the whole killing each other thing. That changed once he became Ouja, and he's responsible for the bulk of the dead Riders. His first kill was Kamen Rider Gai/Jun Shibaura who was an AssholeVictim at best. The worst part came where on an attempt to kill Shinji/Ryuki, he killed off Kamen Rider Raia/Miyuki Tezuka, who along with Shinji were the nicest and actual heroic Rider OF THE SHOW. His third victim was Kamen Rider Imperer/Mitsuru Sano, who was tricked by Kamen Rider Tiger to attack Shinji, who (Tiger) literally stabbed him in the back, leaving him barely alive. Asakura found him (Imperer) and killed him just because his (Imperer's) Mirror Monster interrupted his revenge match against Tiger. (The worst part about this is that Sano had one of the worst [[DarkAndTroubledPast tragic backstories in Kamen Rider history]], and Ouja killed for just interrupting a fight. His last victim was his rival Kamen Rider Zolda/Kitoka who was an AntiHero at best [[spoiler: though it was revealed that Kitoka died due to his cancer, so his butler fought in his place]].
** His American counterpart in ''Series/KamenRiderDragonKnight'', Kamen Rider Strike/James Trademore/JTC was almost just as bad, minus the serial killer part, he was originally a hacker. As Strike, he had a few cameos, ultimately revealed to be Xaviax's [[TheDragon dragon]]. When he first stepped into the action, he chased Kamen Rider Torque/Drew throughout the city for [[TheStarscream attempting to betray Xaviax]] (it's unsure if he wanted to overthrow Xaviax/have a HeelFaceTurn/or [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness outlived his usefulness]]) with a [[CoolBike badass Advent Bike]]. When he caught up with Drew, the two fought at the same time Dragon Knight, Wing Knight, and Sting were fighting Kamen Rider Thrust/Brad Barett to convince him to join their side, [[ClearMyName since Brad was a good guy, (compared to his Japanese counterpart) was framed by Xaviax for sabotaging another motor cross racer's bike]]. Knocking Strike down, Drew decided to use his [[AlphaStrike ridicously powerful Final Vent]], which hit all five present riders. No one got vented, but Thrust was severely hurt since Strike used him as a shield. Strike/JTC, knowing that Thrust was GoodAllAlong, and would eventually perform a HeelFaceTurn, vented him. He caught with Drew again and in a epic battle, he was able to vent him. Five episodes later, he and the Cho Brothers [[CurbStompBattle effortlessly defeat Wing Knight and Sting]] and vent Sting when the latter [[HeroicSacrifice sacrifices]] himself to save Wing Knight. In the next two episodes, he kidnaps Kit's dad from the hospital to convince Kit to join Xaviax, vents Axe for disobeying Xaviax when he went after Kit/Dragon Knight for venting his brother, and 3/4 into the series, vents Len's girlfriend Kase/Kamen Rider Siren. JTC actually managed to vent more riders than his counterpart could kill. This guy only gets taken down when, [[spoiler: Len uses the Survive card to transform into his SuperMode, Survive Mode Kamen Rider Wing Knight, brutally combines a CurbStompBattle, RoaringRampageOfRevenge, and a awesome SingleStrokeBattle like clash of Strike's Sting Final Vent and a variation of Survive Wing Knight's Final Vent. It took that much to vent him.]]
** ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'' is a goofy series about a [[TheDrifter homeless man]] fighting greed, but it soon got crazy when we meet Dr. Maki, learn his backstory, and find out about the [[ForbiddenTechnique purple medallions]]. Before Maki's appearance, there were legitimate villains, but the episodes were still StrictlyFormula, and Maki is soon elevated to BigBad status. Also a case of CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass, as Maki is portrayed as a socially awkward man who is obsessed with a doll he carries on his arm, becoming distressed whenever someone touches it. No one would expect him to effortlessly kill the other Greed.
** ''Series/KamenRiderGaim'' has multiple instances of this trope, as there are multiple moments in the show where the stakes raise even higher.
*** The New Generation Riders. While these characters are already present, them taking the center stage turns ''Gaim'' from a goofy show about dancing and Mon Battles to a show where the lead characters try to uncover a conspiracy involving the Yggdrassil corporation.
*** When the Overlords arrive, it also becomes clear the world is at the brink of an apocalypse that could wipe humanity from the face of the earth.
*** An inverted example is Demushu. The episode in which he is killed off is the episode in which the aforementioned apocalypse starts in full force.
** ''Series/KamenRiderBuild'': Blood Stalk starts the series as a seemingly AffablyEvil DragonWithAnAgenda. However, the series gradually reveals more about not only puts him in FauxAffablyEvil territory, but also raises the stakes. First, it turns out that he's been running around manipulating all the various villain factions [[spoiler: as well as the heroes]] into escalating the already brutal civil war that he helped start. Then it's revealed that he plans on completing the Pandora Box [[spoiler: which could wipe out all life on the planet like it did with Mars.]] [[spoiler: And it turns out that not only was he responsible for destroying Martian civilization, but also countless other planets for who knows how long. And the only reason he hasn't destroyed Earth yet is because he wants to gain a power which could let him destroy ''the universe'']]. Combine it with his utter lack of regard for all other life, the fact that he becomes one of the most powerful beings in ''the franchise'' and wracks up on-screen body counts just as large, and you have a villain that contributes heavily to making ''Build'' one of the darker ''Franchise/KamenRider'' series.
** ''Series/KamenRiderOutsiders'' is [[DarkerAndEdgier not for the faint of heart]], despite being a spin-off where the ''bad guys'' are [[VillainProtagonist the main characters]] who have their own fair share of comedic moments. On the heroes side, [[TheComputerIsYourFriend Zein]] and its host, on the other hand, '''are''' the reason behind the anthology's darker aspects:
*** [[spoiler:The [[Series/KamenRiderDenO Yuto Sakurai]] who transforms into Kamen Rider Zein is a [[BewareTheSuperman cold-blooded]], [[PayEvilUntoEvil murderous]], [[StrawNihilist nihilistic]] and [[TookALevelInCynic somber]] FallenHero who is a far cry from the [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold fiery temper and heart of gold]] of his prime counterpart]]. In his debut episode as Zein, Yuto viciously dominates Banno to the point he starts screaming in fear and terror before turning him into a HumanPincushion. [[spoiler:Shockingly enough, this Yuto is more willing to cross the line in the name of a greater good of which most heroic Riders are not supposed to. Had he killed both Horobi and the Ark without Brain protecting them, he could've crossed the MoralEventHorizon]]. This Yuto serves as a cautionary tale of how a great tragedy can turn a hero into [[HeWhoFightsMonsters becoming the same evil they're fighting]].
*** Zein itself is completely devoid of anything lighthearted and lacking the humor of returning villains like Kuroto Dan. As soon Rin explains to Kuroto why the threat of Zein must be taken seriously because Zein exists ''[[BigBrotherIsWatching everywhere]]''. Zein placed the entire world under surveillance to the point evil organizations like [[spoiler:Foundation X and Smart Brain]] end up on its watchlist, and it's just a mere indicator of what's to come. Zein finally cemented itself as this at the end of episode 4 by possessing its host, the aforementioned [[spoiler:Yuto Sakurai]] as it tricks Genm Corp. [[spoiler:into relaunching Kamen Rider Chronicle]] while impersonating [[spoiler:Nico Saiba]] so it can proceed with its FinalSolution to root out malice into motion, [[spoiler:[[TheBadGuyWins ending]] the first half of ''Outsiders'' with the entire human race [[DarkestHour under the mercy of a tyrannical artificial intelligence with little to no hope of opposing it]], unless the heroes and villains get their act together so they can join forces to oppose Zein]].

** ''Series/KamenRiderOutsiders'' is [[DarkerAndEdgier not for the faint of heart]], despite being a spin-off where the ''bad guys'' are [[VillainProtagonist the main characters]] who have their own fair share of comedic moments, Zein and its host, on the other hand, '''are''' the reason behind the anthology's darker aspects:
*** On the heroes' side of all people, [[spoiler:the [[Series/KamenRiderDenO Yuto Sakurai]] who transforms into Kamen Rider Zein is a [[BewareTheSuperman cold-blooded]], [[PayEvilUntoEvil murderous]], [[StrawNihilist nihilistic]] and [[TookALevelInCynic somber]] FallenHero who is a far cry from the [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold fiery temper and heart of gold]] of his prime counterpart]]. In his debut episode as Zein, Yuto viciously dominates Banno to the point he starts screaming in fear and terror before turning him into a HumanPincushion. [[spoiler:Shockingly enough, this Yuto is more willing to cross the line in the name of a greater good of which most heroic Riders are not supposed to. Had he killed both Horobi and the Ark without Brain protecting them, he could've crossed the MoralEventHorizon]]. This Yuto serves as a cautionary tale of how a great tragedy can turn a hero into [[HeWhoFightsMonsters becoming the same evil they're fighting]].

** ''Series/KamenRiderOutsiders'' is not for the faint of heart, despite being a spin-off where the ''bad guys'' are [[VillainProtagonist the main characters]], with [[TheComputerIsYourFriend Zein]] and its host being the reason why:

*** Zein itself is completely devoid of anything lighthearted and lacking the humor of returning villains like Kuroto Dan. As soon Rin explains to Kuroto why the threat of Zein must be taken seriously because Zein exists ''[[BigBrotherIsWatching everywhere]]''. Zein placed the entire world under surveillance to the point evil organizations like [[spoiler:Foundation X and Smart Brain]] end up on its watchlist, and it's just a mere indicator of what's to come. Zein finally cemented itself as this at the end of episode 4 by possessing its host, [[spoiler:Yuto Sakurai]] as it tricks Genm Corp. [[spoiler:into relaunching Kamen Rider Chronicle]] while impersonating [[spoiler:Nico Saiba]] so it can proceed with its FinalSolution to root out malice into motion, [[spoiler:[[TheBadGuyWins ending]] the first half of ''Outsiders'' with the entire human race [[DarkestHour under the mercy of a tyrannical artificial intelligence with little to no hope of opposing it]], unless the heroes and villains get their act together so they can join forces to oppose Zein]].

** ''Series/KamenRiderBuild'': Blood Stalk starts the series as a seemingly AffablyEvil DragonWithAnAgenda. However, the series gradually reveals more about not only puts him in FauxAffablyEvil territory, but also raises the stakes. First, it turns out that he's been running around manipulating all the various villain factions [[spoiler: as well as the heroes]] into escalating the already brutal civil war that he helped start. Then it's revealed that he plans on completing the Pandora Box [[spoiler: which could wipe out all life on the planet like it did with Mars.]] [[spoiler: And it turns out that not only was he responsible for destroying Martian civilization, but also countless other planets for who knows how long. And the only reason he hasn't destroyed Earth yet is because he wants to gain a power which could let him destroy ''the universe'']]. Combine it with his utter lack of regard for all other life, the fact that he becomes one of the most powerful beings in ''the franchise'' and wracks up a on-screen body count just as large, and you have a villain that contributes heavily to making ''Build'' one of the darker ''Franchise/KamenRider'' series.
** ''Series/KamenRiderOutsiders'' is not for the faint of heart, despite being a spin-off where the ''bad guys'' are [[VillainProtagonist the main characters]]. On the heroes' side of all people, [[spoiler:the [[Series/KamenRiderDenO Yuto Sakurai]] who transforms into Kamen Rider Zein is a [[BewareTheSuperman cold-blooded]], [[PayEvilUntoEvil murderous]], [[StrawNihilist nihilistic]] and [[TookALevelInCynic somber]] FallenHero who is a far cry from the [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold fiery temper and heart of gold]] of his prime counterpart]]. In his debut episode as Zein, Yuto viciously dominates Banno to the point he starts screaming in fear and terror before turning him into a HumanPincushion. [[spoiler:Shockingly enough, this Yuto is more willing to cross the line in the name of a greater good of which most heroic Riders are not supposed to. Had he killed both Horobi and the Ark without Brain protecting them, he could've crossed the MoralEventHorizon]]. This Yuto serves as a cautionary tale of how can a great tragedy can turn a hero into [[HeWhoFightsMonsters becoming the same evil they're fighting]].

** ''Series/OhsamaSentaiKingOhger'' could already be considered the darkest entry in the Reiwa era of ''Super Sentai'' given its heavy focus on the sociopolitical aspects of its setting telling more overtly morally gray and complex story than most others in the franchise. However, the arrival of Galactinsects straight-up causes a GenreShift into LovecraftLite as the show puts much emphasis on the severe havoc they wreak upon Tikyū's population and institution, with their debut revealing that the planet is just the latest of ''many'' worlds they've traveled to and done this to as the conflict of humans and Boggnarok that was the center of Part I gets recontextualized as apart of this "game" they've been playing that resulted in the complete genocide of said worlds with Tikyū simply being their lastest target. [[spoiler: It gets worse in #34 when its shown that Tikyū has been turned into a VillainWorld with the monarchs being usurped from their thrones and needing to liberate their kingdoms.]]

** ''Series/OhsamaSentaiKingOhger'' could already be considered the darkest entry in the Reiwa era of ''Super Sentai'' given its heavy focus on the sociopolitical aspects of its setting with a setting more overtly morally gray than most other stories in the franchise. However, the arrival of Galactinsects straight up causes a GenreShift into LovecraftLite, with the show putting much emphasis on the severe havoc they wreak upon Tikyū's population and institution, with their debut revealing that the planet is just the latest of ''many'' worlds they've traveled to and done this to - with the conflict of humans and Boggnarok that was the center of Part I recontextualized as apart of this "game" they've been playing that resulted in the complete genocide of those worlds. [[spoiler: It gets worse in #34 when its shown that Tikyū has been turned into a VillainWorld with the monarchs being usurped from their thrones and needing to liberate their kingdoms.]]

** ''Series/OhsamaSentaiKingOhger'' could already be considered the darkest entry in the Reiwa era of ''Super Sentai'' given its heavy focus on the sociopolitical aspects of its setting with a setting more overtly morally gray than most other stories in the franchise. However, the arrival of Galactinsects straight up causes a GenreShift into LovecraftLite, with the show putting much emphasis on the severe havoc they wreak upon Tikyū's population and institution, with their debut revealing that the planet is just the latest of ''many'' worlds they've traveled to and done this to - with the conflict of humans and Boggnarok that was the center of Part I recontextualized as apart of this "game" they've been playing that resulted in the complete genocide of those worlds. It gets worse in #34 when its shown that Tikyū has been turned into a VillainWorld with the monarch being usurped from their thrones and needing to liberate their kingdoms.

** ''Series/OhsamaSentaiKingOhger'' could already be considered the darkest entry in the Reiwa era of ''Super Sentai'' given its heavy focus on the sociopolitical aspects of its setting with a setting more overtly morally gray than most other stories in the franchise. However, the arrival of Galactinsects straight up causes a GenreShift into a LovecraftLite, with the show putting much emphasis on the severe havoc they wreak upon Tikyū's population and institution, with their debut revealing that the planet is just the latest of ''many'' worlds they've travelled to and done this to - with the conflict of humans and Boggnarok that was the center of Part I recontextualized as apart of this "game" they've been playing that resulted in the complete genocide of those worlds. It gets worse in #34 when its shown that Tikyū has been turned into a VillainWorld with the monarch being usurped from their thrones and needing to liberate their kingdoms.

** Both pale in comparison to '''Zoom'''. Sure, the Reverse-Flash was a HumanoidAbomination, but the key word there is ''Humanoid''. Zoom is perhaps the most evil villain to appear on the show, completely in lacking compassion, he's managed to intimidate most of Earth-2's meta-humans into working for him. Zoom also has one of the highest (if not the highest) body counts of any antagonist. His appearance in "Enter Zoom", in the span of one commercial break, turns an especially quippy episode into pseudo-''ComicBook/{{Knightfall}}''.

** Both pale in comparison to '''Zoom'''. Sure, the Reverse-Flash was a HumanoidAbomination, but the key word there is ''Humanoid''. Those who have crossed Zoom's path use such descriptions as "demon" and possessing the "face of Death". In flashback, he effortlessly defeats Jay Garrick, who's been established as scaring the Reverse-Flash. His appearance in "Enter Zoom", in the span of one commercial break, turns an especially quippy episode into pseudo-''ComicBook/{{Knightfall}}''.

** This trope is somewhat inverted with the Nerd Trio in Season 6. Season 6 is the darkest season as many bad things happen to the protagonists, but when the Trio are around, despite being the villains of the season they seem to lighten the story up with their comic relief and pop culture references. Although Warren soon proves to be just as evil as the previous [[BigBad Big Bads]] of the series, if not more.
* ''Series/{{Castle}}'': Though the killers’ motivations are often played seriously, many of them may still get ButtMonkey status in the show’s usual comedic nature when they attempt to escape and HilarityEnsues. However, when the show doesn’t have a villain of the usual light nature, the contrast in how dark they can get is pretty sharp.

* The show ''Series/LasVegas'' was fairly light in tone despite several dramatic moments such as Danny's shellshock and the episode's typical villains were usually thieves, cheaters and con artists. Then comes Vince Petersen in Season 4, who quickly establishes himself as the most twisted and horrifying one when he is revealed as a rapist and serial killer when he abducts Sam Marquez to do the same to her. After Sam kills him she suffers from PTSD in the next season and spends most of it trying to cope with the trauma.

* The show ''Series/LasVegas'' was fairly light in tone despite several dramatic moments such as Danny's shellshock and the episode's typical villains were usually high-profile thieves, cheaters and con artists. Then comes Vince Petersen in Season 4, who quickly establishes himself as the most twisted and horrifying one when he is revealed as a rapist serial killer when he abducts Sam Marquez to do the same to her. After Sam kills him she suffers from PTSD in the next season and spends most of it trying to cope with the trauma.

** Of course, all of them pale in comaparison to [[BigBad Vecna.]] Arguably the most the terrifying villain of the series. [[spoiler:Crissy's]] gruesome murder at his hands during the season 4 premiere cements the darkest entry of the story yet, and things only get worse after this.

*** [[BigBad Galactic Empress Meadow]], [[spoiler:or should we say, Galactic Super Beast Vulgyre completely evaporates any good feelings once his [[GodhoodSeeker true nature]] is highlighted in the last three episodes. He even sent Billion, Chevalier, and the forced fusion on suicide missions in a last-ditch effort to destroy Earth once and for all.]]

* ''Series/{{Charmed}}'' had earlier serious threats like [[StarterVillain Rex Buckland and Hannah Webster]], [[HeroKiller Inspector Rodriguez]], and Litvack; they all had implied or outright stated ties to the [[GreaterScopeVillain Source of All Evil]] and posed serious threats, often for the span of several episodes, but they were still pretty consistent with the series' [[MonsterOfTheWeek Demon of the Week]] format. Come Season 3, however, the introduction of [[spoiler:Cole Turner]] / Belthazor implements in full force the idea of a well-organised Underworld whose leader is out to kill the Charmed Ones, shifting the show from episodic to arc-based, setting up a darker tone for the season and paving the way for an even darker Season 4.