
The Breakout Kings billboards, posters and commercials said as much: “A King Will Fall.” Plus, the title of this Season 2 premiere is, appropriately, “An Unjust Death.” So, we knew it was coming. Someone major was going to die. During the episode, let’s just say it wasn’t hard to guess who it was going to be. Having said that, I remained in complete denial the whole time. I wouldn’t let myself go there in my mind — not for too long anyway.
When the moment finally came, it was a shock. Escaped psychopath, Damien, shot Charlie Duchamp from behind. The U.S. Marshal never saw it coming. It was devastating for the team and for me. I didn’t want to see anyone go but especially not Charlie. For me, this was a heartbreaking loss.
However, while he was lying on the ground dying, I loved how Charlie asked for Erica to come closer because he didn’t want Lloyd’s ugly face to be the last thing he sees before he dies. Charlie wasn’t what you’d call the funniest person alive but I liked him showing a little humor before he closed his eyes for the last time.

At the beginning of the episode, things were good for Charlie. He was being offered a promotion that would take him to D.C. Sure, it was going to put him back behind a desk, but he was being rewarded for a job well done. The task force was a successful venture and, as a result, he had the opportunity to further his career. Once everyone found out about Charlie’s potential career boost, they immediately overreacted. They (including Ray) thought he was being selfish. The cons briefly entertained the notion of sabotaging the case so it would ruin his chances of getting the promotion and he would have to stay with the team. The thought of having someone new come in and take over was out of the question. Even Ray thought everyone was benefiting from this situation but him. The cons were getting their sentences reduced with each collar; and Charlie was getting the chance at more money and a better job.
They should have known that Charlie wasn’t like that. He’s always thinking about the big picture. He made sure to include a couple conditions upon taking the promotion. And even though he told Ray he decided to turn it down, he didn’t have time to let the powers that be know. So, Charlie’s plan came to fruition anyway. With him gone, he arranged for Ray to get his badge back and he becomes the leader of the team. Charlie tried to make sure this was a win-win situation for everyone. There was nothing win-win about the way things ultimately went down.
In the end, it wasn’t his heart condition that did Charlie in, it was a bullet through the heart. That’s probably the way he would want to go out — in the heat of battle. In losing Charlie, I feel like the team loses a lot of its heart. He was a flawed leader but I am so glad Charlie was able to break out from behind the desk and make an impact in the field. He truly was a Breakout King.

As for Laz Alonso, I’m really sad to see him go. I know his movie career is taking off (I saw Jumping the Broom), but I really enjoyed him on Breakout Kings. He played one of my favorite characters on the show. I wish him well. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of him in the near future but I’m not going to lie. He’s going to be missed — terribly. Will you continue to watch the A&E series now that Charlie’s gone? This is a big question I’m asking myself right now.
The team will go on without Charlie, but I hope the show will continue to depict the impact of losing its leader. We know they have revenge on their minds. Damien escaped so they have a mission. Only, they’ll probably have to break a lot of rules to get it done. They currently do not have clearance to bring Damien in — the case was assigned to a different group. So, you know. they’re going to do whatever it takes to avenge Charlie’s death and put Damien back where he belongs — prison. Hopefully, they won’t break too many rules and put this task force in jeopardy.
A&E created a video goodbye to Alonso — hear from Laz himself as well as his (now) former castmates.
Breakout Kings airs Sundays at 10/9c on A&E.
Related posts
Classics
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People, which US audiences still have not been able…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
Catching Up with Ted Lasso and Previewing Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] The not so dirty little secret about how I approach a new series is that I sometimes make a call based on the headspace I’m in at the time. It’s been a minute since I’ve picked up a show after the first season and then binge…
Interview: Henri Esteve on Grown-ish Season 3
An interview with Henri Esteve, who plays Javi on Freeform’s Grown-ish. He talks about his season three experience.
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…