My Top 10 TV Couples
Something about television couples has always captivated me. I don't know what it is - I'm rarely drawn in the same way by movie couples (everything tends to seem so rushed to me in the typical 90-minute-ish movie, and I'm left feeling unconvinced that the couple-in-question is "meant to be"). But with TV shows, on the other hand, the romantic pairings, sexual tension, and the will-they-or-won't-they drama is often times what keeps me coming back for more. Watching a TV show from week to week (or simply from episode to episode) truly gives you a chance to fall in love with certain characters, and to really see the potential for certain pairings - plus, there's much more of an opportunity for writers/producers to let things build up over time, and to really get the audience excited about the possibility of a particular romantic couple. I've compiled a list of my own personal favorite TV couples - some ended up together, some didn't, and for some, the story isn't yet over...
10. Cappie & Casey, Greek -
There's something so sweet and simple about first love. Cappie's feelings for Casey were made evident from the very first episode, and it seems that Cappie has the potential to loosen Casey up and bring a bit of fun (back) into her life. There are a few current roadblocks standing in the way of these two (namely, other people), but no matter who each of the two seems to be dating at any given moment, the show doesn't let us forget that Cappie and Casey, time and time again, seem to wind up being drawn back together.
9. Sarah & Bailey, Party of Five-
Jennifer Love Hewitt absolutely shined in the role of Sarah Reeves, the quiet, sweet, and lovable girl whose schoolgirl crush on Bailey Salinger developed into one of the show's most tender relationships. She stood by him through everything from cheating to alcoholism, but somehow, instead of coming across as foolish or pathetic, her character just seemed all the more real and human.
8. Ross & Rachel, Friends-
From the show's pilot episode, when the gang was still fresh-faced and rocking the 90's look, these two were set up as the show's central romantic couple. We watched Ross's loving (and sometimes charmingly pathetic) infatuation with Rachel, the first kisses (one in the coffeehouse after a huge fight, and another, episodes later, after she watches an old high school prom video), the "we were on a break!" extravaganza, and many "almosts" and "what-ifs" after that. A final R&R plot played a key role in the series finale (yes, they did end up together...), and even though keeping up with who-was-feeling-who over the ten years did get a little exhausting, these two certainly were a great couple who, despite being plagued by perpetually bad timing (or maybe because of it), it was hard not to root for.
7. Seth & Summer, The OC-
Okay, so this list definitely serves as proof that I've been hopelessly suckered in to many shows within the teen-dramedy genre. I didn't want to like The OC - I really didn't. I scoffed at it, and completely turned my cheek during the height of the phenomenon. But with the advent of TV shows on DVD, I discovered the first season, and became unashamedly impressed. I love "the-geek-gets-the-girl" storylines, and through Seth & Summer's relationship, we were able to see a tender, compassionate character develop out of the once one-dimensional Summer. While Ryan and Marissa were busy breaking-up-and-making-up every other episode, these two were writing their own unconventional love story. And the episode in which they each lose their virginity to each other? Awkward love at its finest.
6. Felicity & Noel, Felicity-
Yeah, yeah, I know - she ended up with Ben at the end of the show. But from the start, Noel was the one whose feelings for her could never be questioned, who cared for her in the most tender of ways, and who always looked at her with an expression that simply read "I love this girl more than life itself." The outcome of the show is simply proof that "nice guys finish last" - but it doesn't mean that it's how it SHOULD HAVE been.
5. Nancy & Conrad, Weeds-
I'm not a big fan of when shows way-too-eagerly push a couple into the viewers' faces. I much prefer when subtle affection is allowed to slowly develop - simply put, give us a little time to realize that we really want a certain couple together! In the first couple seasons of Weeds, we saw that maybe there was a little something special between Nancy and Conrad. He protected her on a few different occasions, and as Heylia points out, she just opens her "big brown eyes," and he's pretty much a goner. We're treated to a very sexy Conrad/Nancy kiss at the end of season 2, but it's not until the end of season 3 that things really heat up. My favorite little detail of season 3 has to be the fact that, after the two finally have sex at the end of an episode, the credits, which are typically black-screen-with-white-font randomly become white-screen-with-black-font (as angelic music plays in the background). Coincidence? I think not.
4. Chandler & Monica, Friends-
What? Ranked above Ross and Rachel? Before you scoff too heavily, let me take a moment to explain my unconventional ordering. Sure, Ross and Rachel were the original couple on Friends. But Chandler and Monica's union was perfectly relatable, with the two friends being brought together during desperate times in what I still (call me crazy...) consider one of the best TV cliffhangers/surprises of all time. Seasons 4-5 were arguably Friends' finest, and I largely credit the hilarious fooling-around-in-secrecy between Chandler and Monica which slowly but surely developed into genuine romantic feelings. While Ross and Rachel were being overly dramatic with their feelings for each other, the producers let Chandler and Monica just have fun, and eventually the chemistry spoke for itself (the writers never intended for them to be an actual long-term couple, but the fan response was so positive, that one thing led to another...). The episode where "everyone finds out" is an absolute classic, leading to a heartfelt declaration of love between the two. Sure, the later seasons of married life between Chandler and Monica grew tiresome (as did the show as a whole), but we never questioned their love for each other - and props to the producers for allowing these two to be together without feeling the need to throw in a "very special" breakup episode. Sometimes it's okay to just let characters be happy together.
3. Luke & Lorelai, Gilmore Girls-
There have only been a few times when I have actually physically felt a desire for a couple to get together (a gentle aching, if you will). For me, Luke & Lorelai were the strongest example of this. The set-up for these two was picture-perfect - yet another case of a slow-but-steady build-up between two characters who clearly have that chemistry but aren't exactly upfront in confronting the situation. We have the quick-witted, over-caffeinated Lorelai Gilmore, who starts off as completely oblivious to the possibility of romance with the equally-sarcastic (but slightly more grumpy) Luke Danes. Their flirting continues for a number of seasons, with their friendship growing stronger by the years, withstanding a number of fights, and ultimately bringing them much closer together. Their first kiss is red-hot, and after many ups-and-downs with their relationship, these two are finally brought back together again in a pivotal moment during the show's last episode. Their early years, however, are when these two truly were at their best - he made her a santa burger, after all (see: my default user icon)!
2. Pam & Jim, The Office-
The most lovable couple currently on TV, these two managed to do the unthinkable - they flawlessly transitioned from their will-they-won't-they era into life as an actual couple, without becoming any less adorable together (it's a feat rarely achieved in TV-Land). Jim's teary-eyed confession of love and the kiss that followed back in the office, moments later, remains one of the show's finest moments - pure and tender, amidst the comedy that typically characterizes the show. Their relationship over the years has been perfectly paced - we were given three years to exclaim "Why can't Pam & Jim get together already!??!" while watching the two share dozens of pranks, jokes, glances, and impeccable chemistry, before the deal was finally sealed in the season 3 finale.
1. Laverne & Lenny, Laverne & Shirley-
Yes, in this admittedly biased list, these two get my top billing. In spite of the fact that the show's writers/producers probably never intended for them to come together as a legitimate couple, just about anyone who has seen this show can't deny that there was something there. Lenny's feelings for Laverne were pretty clear (and are particularly evidenced by the episode "Lenny's Crush"), and the show continuously humors us with hints that perhaps Laverne feels the same way as well (in the tag of this same episode, Laverne is clearly jealous of the next girl that Lenny shows an interest in). They were the couple that was never really meant to be - and in fact, never did come together as anything that was officially more-than-friends - but in a way, this made them even more engaging as a couple. Satisfaction is overrated - even though Laverne/Lenny fans never did get their happy ending, we were given plenty of sweet exchanges, sexual-tension-filled glances, and a handful of kisses to (over)analyze, all of which left us wanting more (which is, in my opinion, a far better boat to be in than TV-Couple-Overkill). Sometimes imagination makes a far better reality, anyhow. :)
10. Cappie & Casey, Greek -
There's something so sweet and simple about first love. Cappie's feelings for Casey were made evident from the very first episode, and it seems that Cappie has the potential to loosen Casey up and bring a bit of fun (back) into her life. There are a few current roadblocks standing in the way of these two (namely, other people), but no matter who each of the two seems to be dating at any given moment, the show doesn't let us forget that Cappie and Casey, time and time again, seem to wind up being drawn back together.
9. Sarah & Bailey, Party of Five-
Jennifer Love Hewitt absolutely shined in the role of Sarah Reeves, the quiet, sweet, and lovable girl whose schoolgirl crush on Bailey Salinger developed into one of the show's most tender relationships. She stood by him through everything from cheating to alcoholism, but somehow, instead of coming across as foolish or pathetic, her character just seemed all the more real and human.
8. Ross & Rachel, Friends-
From the show's pilot episode, when the gang was still fresh-faced and rocking the 90's look, these two were set up as the show's central romantic couple. We watched Ross's loving (and sometimes charmingly pathetic) infatuation with Rachel, the first kisses (one in the coffeehouse after a huge fight, and another, episodes later, after she watches an old high school prom video), the "we were on a break!" extravaganza, and many "almosts" and "what-ifs" after that. A final R&R plot played a key role in the series finale (yes, they did end up together...), and even though keeping up with who-was-feeling-who over the ten years did get a little exhausting, these two certainly were a great couple who, despite being plagued by perpetually bad timing (or maybe because of it), it was hard not to root for.
7. Seth & Summer, The OC-
Okay, so this list definitely serves as proof that I've been hopelessly suckered in to many shows within the teen-dramedy genre. I didn't want to like The OC - I really didn't. I scoffed at it, and completely turned my cheek during the height of the phenomenon. But with the advent of TV shows on DVD, I discovered the first season, and became unashamedly impressed. I love "the-geek-gets-the-girl" storylines, and through Seth & Summer's relationship, we were able to see a tender, compassionate character develop out of the once one-dimensional Summer. While Ryan and Marissa were busy breaking-up-and-making-up every other episode, these two were writing their own unconventional love story. And the episode in which they each lose their virginity to each other? Awkward love at its finest.
6. Felicity & Noel, Felicity-
Yeah, yeah, I know - she ended up with Ben at the end of the show. But from the start, Noel was the one whose feelings for her could never be questioned, who cared for her in the most tender of ways, and who always looked at her with an expression that simply read "I love this girl more than life itself." The outcome of the show is simply proof that "nice guys finish last" - but it doesn't mean that it's how it SHOULD HAVE been.
5. Nancy & Conrad, Weeds-
I'm not a big fan of when shows way-too-eagerly push a couple into the viewers' faces. I much prefer when subtle affection is allowed to slowly develop - simply put, give us a little time to realize that we really want a certain couple together! In the first couple seasons of Weeds, we saw that maybe there was a little something special between Nancy and Conrad. He protected her on a few different occasions, and as Heylia points out, she just opens her "big brown eyes," and he's pretty much a goner. We're treated to a very sexy Conrad/Nancy kiss at the end of season 2, but it's not until the end of season 3 that things really heat up. My favorite little detail of season 3 has to be the fact that, after the two finally have sex at the end of an episode, the credits, which are typically black-screen-with-white-font randomly become white-screen-with-black-font (as angelic music plays in the background). Coincidence? I think not.
4. Chandler & Monica, Friends-
What? Ranked above Ross and Rachel? Before you scoff too heavily, let me take a moment to explain my unconventional ordering. Sure, Ross and Rachel were the original couple on Friends. But Chandler and Monica's union was perfectly relatable, with the two friends being brought together during desperate times in what I still (call me crazy...) consider one of the best TV cliffhangers/surprises of all time. Seasons 4-5 were arguably Friends' finest, and I largely credit the hilarious fooling-around-in-secrecy between Chandler and Monica which slowly but surely developed into genuine romantic feelings. While Ross and Rachel were being overly dramatic with their feelings for each other, the producers let Chandler and Monica just have fun, and eventually the chemistry spoke for itself (the writers never intended for them to be an actual long-term couple, but the fan response was so positive, that one thing led to another...). The episode where "everyone finds out" is an absolute classic, leading to a heartfelt declaration of love between the two. Sure, the later seasons of married life between Chandler and Monica grew tiresome (as did the show as a whole), but we never questioned their love for each other - and props to the producers for allowing these two to be together without feeling the need to throw in a "very special" breakup episode. Sometimes it's okay to just let characters be happy together.
3. Luke & Lorelai, Gilmore Girls-
There have only been a few times when I have actually physically felt a desire for a couple to get together (a gentle aching, if you will). For me, Luke & Lorelai were the strongest example of this. The set-up for these two was picture-perfect - yet another case of a slow-but-steady build-up between two characters who clearly have that chemistry but aren't exactly upfront in confronting the situation. We have the quick-witted, over-caffeinated Lorelai Gilmore, who starts off as completely oblivious to the possibility of romance with the equally-sarcastic (but slightly more grumpy) Luke Danes. Their flirting continues for a number of seasons, with their friendship growing stronger by the years, withstanding a number of fights, and ultimately bringing them much closer together. Their first kiss is red-hot, and after many ups-and-downs with their relationship, these two are finally brought back together again in a pivotal moment during the show's last episode. Their early years, however, are when these two truly were at their best - he made her a santa burger, after all (see: my default user icon)!
2. Pam & Jim, The Office-
The most lovable couple currently on TV, these two managed to do the unthinkable - they flawlessly transitioned from their will-they-won't-they era into life as an actual couple, without becoming any less adorable together (it's a feat rarely achieved in TV-Land). Jim's teary-eyed confession of love and the kiss that followed back in the office, moments later, remains one of the show's finest moments - pure and tender, amidst the comedy that typically characterizes the show. Their relationship over the years has been perfectly paced - we were given three years to exclaim "Why can't Pam & Jim get together already!??!" while watching the two share dozens of pranks, jokes, glances, and impeccable chemistry, before the deal was finally sealed in the season 3 finale.
1. Laverne & Lenny, Laverne & Shirley-
Yes, in this admittedly biased list, these two get my top billing. In spite of the fact that the show's writers/producers probably never intended for them to come together as a legitimate couple, just about anyone who has seen this show can't deny that there was something there. Lenny's feelings for Laverne were pretty clear (and are particularly evidenced by the episode "Lenny's Crush"), and the show continuously humors us with hints that perhaps Laverne feels the same way as well (in the tag of this same episode, Laverne is clearly jealous of the next girl that Lenny shows an interest in). They were the couple that was never really meant to be - and in fact, never did come together as anything that was officially more-than-friends - but in a way, this made them even more engaging as a couple. Satisfaction is overrated - even though Laverne/Lenny fans never did get their happy ending, we were given plenty of sweet exchanges, sexual-tension-filled glances, and a handful of kisses to (over)analyze, all of which left us wanting more (which is, in my opinion, a far better boat to be in than TV-Couple-Overkill). Sometimes imagination makes a far better reality, anyhow. :)