Bardock is technically a minor character in Dragon Ball Z, since he was already dead before the events of the series even began. However, being the father of the show’s hero, Goku, makes him fairly notable despite his limited screen time.

Even though both of his sons were considered lower-class Saiyans by birth, Bardock held a somewhat important place in the Saiyan hierarchy. In the English dub, Vegeta once mentioned that Bardock was a scientist, while a later movie gave him the unique ability to foresee the future. Most notably, Bardock was the only Saiyan who knew to confront Lord Frieza on the edge of Planet Vegeta.

Unfortunately, he severely underestimated the galactic emperor—Frieza, who effortlessly produced a miniature sun from his fingertips and annihilated the planet.

Despite Bardock’s best efforts, he was horrified to witness the obvious fact of his inevitable doom.

Before dying in the explosion, Bardock briefly mentions his son—presumably Goku—even though he had another son, Raditz, as well. A later movie, which shows Bardock having a prophetic vision of Goku defeating Frieza, helps this moment make more sense, though it’s still a bit of a head-scratcher.