Saw last night's Heroes.
Women in Refrigerators, anyone? Women hurt or killed as plot catalysts include: Nathan's wife, Eden, Jackie, Charlie, Mrs. Bennett, Simone, Mrs. Ted Sprague, and I'm not counting Dale because she was known only as a Sylar victim. Men hurt or killed as plot catalysts: Papa Suresh, Malsky, and a couple of Sylar vics.
Hmm.
I suppose you could beef up the male list with DL's gang and those poker players, but they're extras serving a very different purpose.
Don't get me wrong, I'm loving this show, but now that this trope has been identified, shouldn't someone be doing away with it?
On a more positive note, STAN LEE.