It’s that time of year again when we fixate on all things love—as if February is the one and only month we fantasize about our perfect person and then proceed to buy ourselves flowers. And what do people do to drown out the love around them? Why, by watching their favorite TV and movie couples, of course! Here are some of the best on-screen television couples for your Valentine’s, Galentines, and guy-friend group equivalent get-togethers.
Starting the love train, one of the best couples on TV is Chandler Bing and Monica Geller. You can’t call yourself a TV buff if you haven’t seen “Friends.” From the moment the possibility of Chandler and Monica appeared on our screens, the fans couldn’t get enough. After the “we were on a break” debacle between Ross and Rachel, the unproblematic Chandler and Monica were a breath of fresh air. Sure, they had their problems. What couple doesn’t? But in the end, they supported, cared for, and loved one another enough to be together forever. They weren’t the back-and-forth, “will they, won’t they” that Ross and Rachel put us through. Chandler and Monica gave us hope that relationships can be fun, silly, and humorous while also being seriously into one another.
This next couple is quite controversial, partly because the girl was in a love triangle with two brothers who, in all honesty, were unhealthily obsessed with this 17-year-old. The only reason it was okay was because these two brothers were vampires and extremely good-looking. If you’re not catching my drift, it’s the Damon, Stefan, and Elena debacle from “Vampire Diaries.” As dramatic and chaotic as that plot line was, we all fell hard for the bad boy, Damon Salvatore. His tough exterior slowly faded with each moment he spent with Elena Gilbert. Their toxic yet, iconic fight where Damon yells, “Then stop loving me!” to which Elena replies, “I can’t!” lives on in the minds of “TVD” fans everywhere. As completely irrational and toxic as their relationship was, Damon and Elena’s passionate love and fighting for one another is what makes them a great couple. All someone wants is someone to fight for them, after all.
Moving on to two personal favorite couples of mine, both very different but equally special. David Rose and Patrick Brewer from “Schitt’s Creek” were a breath of fresh air when it comes to TV show couples. Not only were they extremely adorable, but their problems were of this world. It wasn’t hard to believe their confrontations or mishaps. Patrick serenaded David with Tina Turner’s “The Best” in the cutest scene. If it were any other show, it would’ve been extremely cringey. If you’re a “Schitt’s Creek” fan, then you know David Rose is an interesting, quirky character. He’s bold, witty, sarcastic, and sometimes hard to handle. Patrick knew all of that and loved him for all that he was. They proved that people can love each other for all their little quirks and what makes them different. As Patrick said to David, “You’re my Mariah Carey.” The second couple I mentioned is one with an unfortunate tragic ending. We were sent into cardiac arrest from episode one of this series knowing they would eventually be endgame.
The start of their “relationship” was as complicated. We should have known that Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd were too good to be true. It started as a one-night stand, seeping into a love triangle between Meredith, Derek, and the wife we didn’t know he had, Addison. We all remember the iconic scene where Meredith finally breaks. She says to Derek, “…Derek, I love you. In a really, really big, pretend to like your taste in music, let you eat the last piece of cheesecake, hold a radio over my head outside your window, unfortunate way that makes me hate you, love you. So pick me, choose me, love me.” Meredith Grey, the original “pick me” girl, showed she wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable. In the end, Meredith and Derek do get married with their famous post-it note wedding, and they eventually adopt a little girl after many painful hard moments. It is unfortunate their endgame was cut short by that stupid truck. Nonetheless, they are one of the best on-screen couples to develop before our eyes.
If you want to watch two of the slowest slow burns ever, then “New Girl” couple Jessica Day and Nick Miller and Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly from “The Office” are your perfect matches. Both these couples were endgame from day one, with those small glances and silences where everyone knew it was bound to happen. Jess and Nick’s personalities meshed most unusually, but for them, it worked. Picturing that series without the hilarious “weird scene” in season two seems wrong. As for Jim and Pam, well, they were certainly worth the wait. If you know and love “The Office,” then Jim and Pam’s relationship is one of the most cherished couples in the show. It doesn’t get any more heartfelt than Jim confessing his feelings for Pam at Casino Night.
Here are honorable mention couples for your viewing pleasure! Carrie Bradshaw and John James Preston (a.k.a. “Mr. Big”) from “Sex and the City” will have you rolling on the floor in laughter. Props to the writers for nailing many real-life aspects of that show.
Luke Danes and Lorelai Gilmore from “Gilmore Girls” are a must-watch if you love witty banter. Who doesn’t love a small-town, slow-burn romance? In that same show, we have Rory Gilmore and Logan Huntzberger, one of my favorite couples in the entire series.
If you like a period-piece romance drama, then “Bridgerton” on Netflix is something you’ll love. The first season features Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset. They marry for, let’s just say, convenience, which turns into something more. Trust me, you’ll burn for this romance.
Last but certainly not least, is Jack and Rebecca’s love story in “This Is Us.” Just when you thought it couldn’t get any sadder than Derek Shepherd, this one will truly knock you out. This is not the type of show you can watch more than once, but you can certainly binge it. Unplug your crockpots and hunker down!
So if you’re that person wallowing alone this Valentine’s Day looking for the Conrad Fisher to your Belly Conklin, turn on one of these TV shows and be reminded that you’ll get your happily ever after just like these characters one way or another.
