I agree that a playable character should die again sometime soonish. It would also be neat to see people who are playable for a long time become unplayable while still alive for some reason - or even continue to be playable but be different. For example, someone could lose an arm or their sight or even their mind (which would be cool). Something like having the main player's love interest lose their mind to the point of amnesia, forgetting (and not willing to continue with) any romance would be tragic on a whole different level.

But still, death! C'mon!