Is This the Hot, New, Totally Outrageous Paradigm?

I was talking to my friend Al the other night about the curious coincidence among the network TV shows I make a point to watch. Granted there are only five of those, so small sample size warnings are in effect, but every single one of them killed off a recurring character in the last couple of weeks of the season. Is this the hot, new, totally outrageous paradigm? Something edgy... in your face... biz-zay...

( Remember when it seemed like only Joss and Tim killed off characters? )