Summary
Romantic relationships on TV shows can be some of the most compelling and controversial aspects of a series. Rooting for a couple with explosive chemistry can make even the most lackluster episodes of a show dramatic and intriguing. However, this means that when a pairing is bad, it can come close to ruining a series altogether.The worst examples of these unfortunate partnerships are between actors who don’t have a strong dynamicand characters who suffer a setback because of the relationship they enter into. A mistake in the romantic department can undo years of character development and careful plotting.
It’s always disappointing to see a character’s story sacrificed for the sake of an unpopular romance.
Occasionally, an unexpected pairing can work wonders for a TV show and end up being the most popular ship of the series. This was the case withMonica and Chandler’s relationship inFriends. However, these happy accidents are few and far between on television.With any luck, these bad relationships are short-lived and last a few episodes at most,but sometimes writers and showrunners will string along this doomed couple across multiple seasons. In these cases, it’s always disappointing to see a character’s story sacrificed for the sake of an unpopular romance.
10 Worst TV Couples That Should Never Have Happened
These TV couples range from having no chemistry or being outright toxic. Whatever the reason, these characters should not have been together.
8Britta & Troy - Community (2009–2015)
Their relationship was part of the most poorly received season of the series.
This undermined the much more compelling and emotionally resonant friendship between Troy and Abed.
Communityseason 4 is not well remembered and is regarded as the weakest seasonof a show with a devoted fan base. The romantic relationships between characters were never the most important part ofCommunity, as the series was more concerned with morals about friendship and growing up. However, one of theCommunitymoments that made viewers quit the showwas when the flirtation between Troy and Britta became an established relationship in season 4. This undermined the much more compelling and emotionally resonant friendship between Troy and Abed.
The hints of a romance between Troy and Britta were sprinkled throughout season 3, but it’s likely that if Dan Harmon had remained on the show for season 4, their courtship would’ve been quite different.Communitywas good about leaving the budding relationships between their characters open-ended,as was the case in the will-they-won’t-they dynamic of Annie and Jeff. However, it didn’t take long for the series to realize that having a committed relationship between two of the core group members altered the show’s rhythm.
Community
Cast
Community is a comedic television series that chronicles the lives of diverse students at Greendale Community College, a fictional and notoriously underperforming educational institution in Colorado. Released in 2009, the show explores the quirky interactions and relationships among the eclectic group navigating their academic and personal challenges.
7Deb & Dexter - Dexter (2006–2013)
Though Dexter did have some interesting relationships, Deb’s attraction to him was just wrong.
Dexter is the ultimate anti-hero in many ways, but his serial killer tendencies didn’t stop him from engaging in some poignant and strong romantic relationships. His most important love interest was Rita, who was one of the most significant characters in the show through season 4. Though they get married and have a child together,Rita is tragically killed by one of Dexter’s rivals, leaving the door open for new love interestsin the future. Unfortunately, the creators ofDexterincluded an uncomfortable and confusing plotline because of this.
Deb is Dexter’s adoptive sister, and though the two don’t share any DNA, they’re siblings and treat each other as such throughout most of the series.Things change in season 6 when Deb realizes she’s in love with Dexterand later confesses her feelings for him. Although they never acted on this potential relationship, it was a shocking addition to the show and was too unbelievable within the context of the story. Luckily, it’s mostly forgotten about after Deb finds out Dexter’s secret, but it’s still a big part of the show viewers might wish to forget.
Dexter
Dexter is a television series following Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst for Miami Metro Police who secretly leads a dual life as a vigilante serial killer. Released in 2006, the show focuses on Dexter’s internal conflict as he hunts down criminals who elude justice within the legal system.
6Randy & Donna - That ‘70s Show (1998–2006)
There was no way that Donna would end up with someone besides Eric.
Eric leavingThat ’70s Showbefore the final series was a crushing blow for the story and the arcs of the characters. One of the most engaging parts ofThat ’70s Showwas the central relationship between Donna and Eric and the fact that even though they had their ups and downs, they were destined to be together. However,Eric’s leaving threw a wrench in this plan and led to the introduction of Randy,a poor stand-in for Eric. He went on to be Donna’s love interest but couldn’t fill the void.
Many unexpected couples developed that season, including Jackie and Fez, but in some ways, Randy and Donna were worse.
The mishandled romance between Donna and Randy is representative of the central problems withThat ’70s Showseason 8. Many unexpected couples developed that season, including Jackie and Fez, but in some ways, Randy and Donna were worse.It was obvious that Donna’s heart wasn’t in the relationshipand the writers were biding their time until Eric could return for the series finale. When they finally broke up, it was a relief for the characters, who made much more sense as friends.
5Izzie & George - Grey’s Anatomy (2005–Present)
What started as one of the show’s best friendships ended in disaster.
George and Izzie are two of the best early characters onGrey’s Anatomy,and neither of them got the endings they deserved. This was foreshadowed by their unsettling attempts at a romantic relationship in seasons 3 and 4 when the pair try and fail to rekindle the spark of a one-night stand. However, in the harsh light of day, it becomes clear that the explosive chemistry they felt when they first slept together was a fluke, and they have almost zero sexual chemistry in reality.
This was a frustrating, if ultimately good, turn of events, as the pair had both thrown away perfectly good relationships for each other. However,at leastGrey’s Anatomyhad the sense to split them upalmost as soon as their relationship could be out in the open. Unfortunately, it’s likely that George and Izzie got together for the sole purpose of creating drama and adding a level of intrigue to these episodes outside the relationship between Meredith and Derek.
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.
4Blaine & Karofsky - Glee (2009–2015)
It was shocking when Blaine betrayed Kurt by dating his biggest bully.
Karofsky was the bully who was so awful to Kurt in high school that Kurt had to transfer schools.
Gleewas a series that was never afraid to be messy and start drama between its characters. However, Blaine and Kurt had far from a perfect relationship, and they probably shouldn’t have ended up together. This was made clear by the fact thatBlaine began dating Dave Karofsky in season 6while Kurt was in New York. Karofsky was the bully who was so awful to Kurt in high school that Kurt had to transfer schools. It was Karofsky’s bullying that led to Blaine and Kurt meeting in the first place, and Blaine knew just how bad it was.
Karofsky was a nuanced character, and he did grow and change a lot in the seasons after his initial bullying of Kurt. Though the trope of a homophobic bully being secretly closeted is tired and has come under fire from critics, Karofsky did go on to accept himself and change. Despite this,there’s no excuse for Blaine hurting Kurt in this way, even if Kurt was the one who ended their relationshipearlier in the show. The audience lost a lot of sympathy and respect for Blaine after this relationship.
Glee
to escape the stressful reality of high school, a group of misfits decides to join William McKinley’s glee club. Fox’sGleewas created by Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk,and Ryan Murphy, with Leah Michele, Jane Lynch, and Matthew Morrison leading the cast. The series ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2015 and won six Primetime Emmys.
3Cordelia & Connor - Angel (1999–2004)
Cordelia’s character development was ruined by the last few seasons of Angel.
In bothAngelandBuffy The Vampire Slayer, Cordelia is the most interesting and well-developed character. Seeing her grow and become a vital part of Angel’s team in the spinoff show is beautiful, and it only makes what happened to her character towards the show’s end all the more tragic.There was no narrative purpose for Cordelia to sleep with Connorand then die, leaving the show forever. When Connor and Cordelia get together, Cordelia is possessed by an evil spirit, but this only makes their brief union worse.
There’s no question that Cordelia’s character deserved much better than this ending and that it would have been much more satisfying to see her act on her feelings for Angel. Thankfully,Angelseason 5 featured the best story arc on the show and redeemed itselfin many ways, but it’s a shame that Cordelia wasn’t a part of it. If she had gotten a redemption arc and been able to get back to herself, it might have made up for the fling with Connor.
Angel
A spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel is a drama series with supernatural elements that stars David Boreanaz, reprising his role as the titular vampire. An immortal cursed with his human soul returning to his body, which makes him susceptible to human emotions such as remorse. Angel lives in Los Angeles as a private detective, seeking redemption for his murderous past as a vicious warlord. Angel will face threats such as humans and demons that rival his own cruel potential as he ventures to help those in need.
2Jon & Daenerys - Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)
Not only did Jon and Dany lack chemistry, but they were also too closely related.
It’s no secret that the ending ofGame of Throneswas disappointing to viewers and critics alike for many reasons. Two of the most compelling characters of the series, Jon and Daenerys, finally joined forces towards the end of the show, which was an exciting development. However,after learning that Jon was a Targaryen and related to Daenerys, it was difficult to ship the couple.WhileGame of Thronesnever shied away from relationships between family members, it doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable to watch.
Their relationship tragically ended with Daenerys' character being ruined and Jon killing her to save Westeros.
Though there were stillamazing moments inGame of Thronesseasons 7 and 8, they didn’t justify the disappointing ending and the rushed relationship between Jon and Dany. Not only were they family, but they also didn’t make sense as a pair. They had different wants and experiences, andneither one of them needed a romantic partner at all.Their relationship tragically ended with Daenerys' character being ruined and Jon killing her to save Westeros.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
10 TV Couples That Only Got Together Because Fans Demanded It
Sometimes, when it isn’t in the original plan for a series, two characters will get together because fans are so outspoken about their chemistry.
1Jess & Robby - New Girl (2011–2018)
It seemed that New Girl would make Jess date anyone other than Nick.
From the start,New Girlpositioned Jess and Nick as the show’s central relationship.However, after letting the couple succumb to their chemistry in season 2, the series had them break up in season 3. It was an inevitable split, as there was already a decrease in tension and stakes since the pair got together. Unfortunately, this meant that for the next several seasons,New Girlwould have Jess date almost anyone else in the cast besides Nick. The worst example of this came when she tried to be with Robby.
Robby appeared in the early seasons of the show as a casual boyfriend of Cece, and he was a funny and likable character who would pop up occasionally throughout the show.It was immediately obvious that Jess and Robby were a little too similar,and the chemistry between them was off. The reason for this became clear when the pair realized they were third cousins and immediately called off their relationship. Though Jess and Robby were never going to be together for long,
New Girl
New Girl is a television series that debuted in 2011, centering on Jessica Day, an eccentric young woman. Following a breakup, she moves in with three single men, navigating her quirky personality and forming unexpected friendships in her new living situation.
