Honestly, I think we're splitting hairs with what does or doesn't count as the "line-up" - if TPTB consider Angell a major character, part of the "family" and the "line-up", then whether or not we agree is a moot point. This feels like exaggeration for the purpose of hyping the episode, but ultimately Angell
is a bigger character than anyone else that isn't in the opening credits (and considering how few people stick around on this show for more than three episodes, someone who has been around for three seasons is a pretty big deal).
But, nonetheless...
As much as I'd prefer to lose Angell than some of the other characters, now that it's looking like a real possibility rather than just a theory, I'm pretty sad.
She's a good character, portrayed by a good actress, with a lot of potential. Plus, she's half of the relationship on the show that actually
works.
But I guess they have their reasons if she is, in fact, the one that dies.
This doesn't automatically mean it's her, though - while it seems like a sure thing, I am not really assuming anything at this point. I mean, what if Eddie got his wish and they cast Brian Dennehy as Flack Sr? They wouldn't have to put out a casting call for him if that was the case, or if they'd already lined up any actor(s) to play a given character(s). So they could have Flack's father and sister in the episode after Flack is killed, and Angell is in the hospital fighting for her life (thus bringing her father into the picture) - without having to cast anybody for the dying character's family.
And while I know people don't like the idea of a main character dying (Flack or otherwise) and having a recurring character seem to take the 'focus' by fighting to live - if they were planning to
make said recurring character a reg next season, it would make more sense. (Like if they're replacing Flack with Angell as a reg, concentrating on Angell seems less strange.)
Just to be clear, it's
not that I think this has any likelihood of happening, but I'm just putting a theory out there.