TV characters have disappeared from shows without explanation, including seemingly important supporting characters involved in a romantic subplot with a member of the main cast. This gives the impression that they are just a passing fling in the life of someone who frequently dates casually. While this is representative of real life,it is still irritating when a love interest character with a lot of potential in their own right is unceremoniously dropped from the show.
Manygreat female TV characters don’t get what they deservewhen they are treated as a side note in a male character’s storyline. Occasionally, the show implies that they are the start of a bigger story, but never follows through.It is most frustrating when this person could have been the perfect match for one of the TV show’s main characters,but they were only envisioned as a one-off arc. Half ofTed Mosby’s girlfriendscould have been"the one"if the story weren’t so committed to him getting in his own way.
10Scott Rosson (Chris Riggi)
Gossip Girl (2007-2012)
Finding out that series regulars, major love interests, and future spousesSerena and Danshare a half-brother through Serena’s mother and Dan’s father would be a major event for a show likeGossip Girl. During his time as part of the show,Lily and Rufus' love child Scott has a romance with Vanessa, another major recurring character.Scott’s appearance causes a lot of drama among Lily and Rufus' other children and the rest of the cast, kicking off a cycle of"who knows what"shenanigans.
Gossip Girl
Set in New York, 2021’s Gossip Girl chronicles the lives of a new generation of private school teenagers who navigate social dynamics and scandals. Through the pervasive influence of social media, their secrets are exposed, while the anonymous titular blogger reveals the complexities of their intertwined relationships.
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Gossip Girl gave fans iconic couples like Chuck and Blair, Dan and Serena, and Rufus and Lily, but which couples dominated in each of the six seasons?
Scott is last seen inGossip Girlafter supposedly resolving his family drama before leaving for Boston, on which occasion Lily invites him back. He accepts and is then never seen again. Whileit is safe to say thatGossip Girlcan create plenty of dumb drama without Scott,viewers are still puzzled by his abrupt departure. He seems to be on good terms with his siblings but never appears at any of their weddings.
9Cynthia Sanders (Tania Raymonde)
Malcolm In The Middle (2000-2006)
InMalcolm in the Middle, Cynthia is Malcolm’s longtime friend who forms a crush on him at first sight. She first appears in season 2, having recently moved from Manhattan. Initially annoyed by her,Malcolm eventually comes to consider Cynthia his friend and has a crush on her in return.While they almost kiss several times, this never happens. Cynthia is absent for a while in season 3, said to be because she is on vacation in Europe. However, Cynthia returns and attends high school with Malcolm in season 4.
Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle tells the story of an average dysfunctional American family. When Malcolm, one of four children, learns that he possesses a genius-level intellect, his whole young world is turned upside down. Still desperately trying to fit in with his friends and family despite his extraordinary gifts, Malcolm finds that though his life might have changed, it’s still just as chaotic as ever.
This is when she tells everyone that she had sex with Malcolm to raise his social status and, in turn, destroy hers. It is implied that she was forced to change schools because of this, and she is never seen again. Cynthia has her own storyline about feeling awkward as she grows up, making her departure insulting.The show misuses Cynthia by ruining her life only for a popularity boost for Malcolm,before dropping her instead of doing the work of resolving things for her.
8Jake (Ryan Guzman)
Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017)
Jake ended up being a weird one-off love interest, only intended to distract from Aria’s long-term romance.
Aria ended up in a different on-and-off romance while carrying on her on-and-off romance with Ezra. Aria meets Jake, a martial arts instructor, when she takes it upon herself to learn self-defense; they swiftly begin dating, during which time she is pushed to reveal her past with Ezra when they run into him.They eventually break up because Aria decides to get back together with Ezra,although Jake expresses his concerns about him.
Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars is a Teen Drama and Mystery series based on the novel by Sara Shepard. The show was created by Marlene King and stars Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, and Holly Marie Combs. The series revolves around four friends who meet back up with one another and begin to receive strange threats from an unknown source simply labeled “A.”
Jake’s last scene in the series shows him working out in his dojo; when he kicks a punching bag, he discovers that knives have been placed inside it. Whilethis incident would only have increased Jake’s concern for Aria,had he suspected that Ezra or someone else related to her placed the knives, he never talks to her about it. Jake ended up being a weird one-off love interest, only intended to distract from Aria’s long-term romance.
7Cathy Mueller (Abbie Cornish)
Jack Ryan (2018-2023)
Jack Ryan’s wife Cathy is an established part of the series, sowhen Abbie Cornish debuted as his girlfriend Cathy Mueller in season 1, it was natural to assume that she would be a regular for a long time.Cathy has a story outside the relationship, as she is an accomplished doctor. Cathy is directly involved with the main conflict of season 1, throughout which she and Jack are dating. However, she vanishes for a while after that.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan
A new adaptation of the popular book series, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan follows the titular character as he goes from CIA analyst to being thrust into the middle of a conspiracy that threatens to uproot the world and its status quo. When Jack stumbles upon strange bank transfers during routine analysis, he’s tossed from the comfort of his desk job into the world of action, espionage, and political intrigue to investigate. But, unfortunately, Jack’s search for answers will take him to the heart of a dangerous terrorist ring that seeks to destabilize the U.S. and its allies.
Jack is busy with other dangerous missions during seasons 2 and 3 and may have broken up with Cathyto keep her safe. However, she then suddenly reappears at the beginning of season 4, back in a relationship with Jack.Cathy’s absence inJack Ryanseasons 2 and 3isn’t properly explained, when she deserved more exposition than being a love interest who could be shelved and brought back at any given time.
6Danny Kessler (Byron Fox)
Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004)
For a brief time,Danny is the ultimate heartthrob of the 7th grade, just one of the characters utilized byLizzie McGuireto illustrate Lizzie’s coming-of-age experience. Disney Channel shows still haven’t done anything as clever as Lizzie’s animated alter ego more truthfully narrating her daily adventures. Byron Fox plays Danny for three episodes ofLizzie McGuire: “Rumors,” “When Moms Attack,” and “Pool Party.”
Lizzie McGuire
Lizzie McGuire follows the everyday and extraordinary adventures of a junior high student navigating school and adolescence. Accompanied by her two best friends, Lizzie deals with issues of popularity, family dynamics, and personal growth, with her cartoon alter ego expressing her unspoken thoughts.
The show then effectively replaces Danny with Ethan,another boy who is the object of all the girls' affection in their grade, with no explanation. The writers probably thought that any teenage crush would work in this context; there only needed to be one boy for Lizzie and all her peers to obsess over. However, it is a little bit strange when Danny and Ethan both seem to be the most popular guy in the 7th grade, but are completely interchangeable.
5Bernadette Rostenkowski (Melissa Rauch)
The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
Bernadette first appears in season 3 due to Leonard and Howard’s pactthat when one of them got a girlfriend they would have her set the other one up with one of her friends. Penny begrudgingly arranges a date for Bernadette and Howard. The other characters and the audience expect that Howard is going to mess it up somehow. However, season 3 features a storyline with Howard deciding to make an effort in the relationship before Bernadette disappears.
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory: This sitcom follows a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with each other and the people around them. Centered on physicists Sheldon and Leonard, the series humorously explores friendship, romance, and the quirks of life among an eclectic group of academics.
Bernadette hasn’t been seen for a few episodes when Howard reveals that they broke up, as an argument for Raj to let him have a very horny female colleague to himself. However,Bernadette returns in season 4, kicking off her storyline with Howardthat lasts for the rest of the series. She is also promoted to regular status along with Amy in season 5, although this does not erase her disappearance in season 3.
4Veronica Duncan (Isabel May)
Young Sheldon (2017-2024)
Veronica is initially introduced as the latest party girl Georgie is interested in dating, prompting him to use Sheldon’s connection to her (he is tutoring her) to secure an evening out.Georgie thinks Veronica is going to sleep with him when she is moved by Mary’s"Heck House"ventureand decides she wants to change her life. After this, Veronica cleans up her act and focuses on school and religion, while Georgie repeatedly scrambles to get another chance with her.
Young Sheldon
A spinoff of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon follows the youth and coming-of-age of Sheldon Cooper during his childhood in Texas as he pursues science and academia. The show also follows his parents, siblings, and Mee-Maw, painting a picture of the world where Sheldon grew up.
Georgie eventually starts dating Jana, prompting some jealousy from Veronica. However, she then disappears asthe writers change direction with Georgie’s storyline when he drops out of school and eventually meets Mandy,who will end up having his child. Veronica’s storyline already wasn’t handled particularly well as Georgie is just fantasizing about her while she is dealing with a difficult home life and preparing for her future. However, the last time she is seen, she is working to save for college and has moved in with her grandmother, so at least things are working out for her.
3Alex Lesman (Billy Burke)
Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
In season 3 ofGilmore Girls,Lorelai meets businessman Alex through Sookiewhen Alex and his friend Joe are looking into opening a coffee shop chain. Alex and Lorelai begin dating, having the common experience of being parents (Alex mentions that he has two young daughters and is separated from their mother). Alex is also an outdoorsman and takes Lorelai fishing (despite her disinterest). In general, he is kind and considerate, turning out to be one ofLorelai’s better boyfriends inGilmore Girls.
Gilmore Girls
In the fictional town of Star’s Hollow, single mother Lorelai Gilmore raises her high-achieving teenage daughter Rory. Mother and daughter rely on each other throughout their own life changes, romantic entanglements, and friendships.
Lorelai mentions that she is dating Alex when she runs into Max. However, Alex is never seen again in the show itself. At some point,Lorelai starts her next romantic arc, leaving people to only assume that she and Alex broke up.Their breakup is never clarified on-screen. Alex might have been intended as the start of a more series relationship storyline, especially because he is a father. However, something went wrong, and he was strangely dropped from the show.
2Tabitha Hayes (Caitlin FitzGerald)
Succession (2018-2023)
Successionalready dropped a love interest for Roman with no explanation as he has a wife and children in the pilot,but once the writers decided to pursue a different storyline for him, they completely disappear. Midway through season 1, Roman meets Tabitha after she has a sexual encounter with Tom at his bachelor party. Roman does the most annoying thing possible, which is to bring Tabitha as his date to Tom and Shiv’s wedding.
Succession
Succession is a Black Comedy and Satire television show created by Jesse Armstrong. It stars Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, and Kieran Culkin and follows the story of an aging conglomerate owner as he deals with his declining health and the sudden realization that one of his children will soon inherit his position and run his company.
Roman and Tabitha date for a little while,with her being a recurring character in season 2. However, she disappears after this, most likely getting tired of Roman’s issues. Namely, Roman has no interest in having sex with her and only wants to pursue an inappropriate sexual relationship with Gerri, the general counsel of his family’s company. Tabitha could have carried a more developed individual storyline, but most viewers are probably just happy for her that she escaped the Roy family drama.
1Coat Check Girl (Jayma Mays)
How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
She is cute, friendly, and quirky, actually very similar to the woman Ted does eventually marry.
Early on inHow I Met Your Mother,Robin gets Ted and Barney into an exclusive club, leading Ted to the conclusion that clubs suck and him spending the night hanging out with the young woman working the coat check.Their interactions are adorable: They immediately hit it off over minor things, and she gives him her number at the end of the night. She is cute, friendly, and quirky, actually very similar to the woman Ted does eventually marry. Ted has every reason to call this woman and take her on a date…but he doesn’t.
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is a television series that follows a father telling his children about his past. Released in 2005, it explores his experiences and adventures with four close friends, leading up to meeting their mother, as depicted through a series of flashbacks.
How I Met Your Mother: The 10 Best Couples, Ranked
How I Met Your Mother showcased a string of relationships involving Ted, Barney, and co during its run. Here are the 10 very best ones, ranked.
“Coat check girl"appears one more time inHow I Met Your Motheralmost eight seasons laterwhen Ted imagines what it would be like if she happened to walk into his bar. This character was intentionally written as a one-off encounter, but she stands out more than most of Ted’s love interests as someone who could have made him happy. However, the tradition ofHow I Met Your Motheris that Ted is distracted by Robin throughout the series, leading to another love interest for him being dropped after one episode.
