Alright, Prepare To Uncouple...

Is the Odd Couple pairing as unbreakable a trope as it used to be? In the evolving world of television storytelling, the OTP (One True Pairing) may be in the throes of evolution.

With the Odd Couple procedural drama Castle kicking off next season minus one of the leading pair (Stana Katic as Kate Beckett), and Sleepy Hollow still a possible renewal despite killing off one of the OTP leads (Nicole Beharie as Abbie Mills) it would seem times are a changin'.

Sexual tension/possible romance between lead characters has long been an audience drawcard. "Shipping" is a term used to describe viewers' emotional investment in the idea of a couple. Many a showrunner will tell you messing with an established "ship" can impact ratings.

But these days TV is in a state of flux, with demand for new material at an all-time high. Programs willing to play with popular formats and tropes are catching the attention of viewers, and as a result networks are becoming more open to experimentation.

The question is, have we reached a point where a series can not just continue, but actually flourish after the loss of its original Odd Couple? 

One of the most notable partner replacement gone wrong in TV history was The X-Files back in the day. Mulder's departure, it can be argued, effectively rung the death knell for the series.

However it's worth noting Mulder was the quirky one in the partnership, and in the cases of Castle and Sleepy Hollow, each series' charismatic quirkster is remaining. Could this be a key factor when it comes to surviving the break-from-trope?

Another point to consider is whether the bold move of ending an Odd Couple pairing onscreen is a reflection of changing times and shifting cultural attitudes. Our belief in HEA (Happily Ever After) isn't what it used to be. 

Are audiences becoming okay with a sparks-fly couple not working out onscreen - or not even getting together in a romantic sense in the first place? Whether death or more mundane life choices lead to a separation, chances are we've become familiar with the bittersweet transience of finding that elusive synergy with another person.

Maybe, as audiences, we're ready to watch and empathize with characters dealing with life once a Grand Love, or the potential for such, has passed. Moving on: is that where the next small screen storytelling trend is at?