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| Buffy and Angel. The definition of complicated. Buffy The Vampire Slayer |
Romantic love is an integral part of
scripted television. And not just in the traditional rom-com genre. Even in
procedurals there are couples to ship: two people kneel beside a murder
victim, their eyes meeting over the corpse, and they banter while discussing
lividity (a term in every cop show scriptwriter’s lexicon).
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| Odd Couple Maximus. Castle |
What’s interesting is how little interest
audiences have in the actual relationship. Sexual tension is where the party’s
at. Will they, won’t they, why haven’t they, when will they…. These not-quite-physical
relationships are a cornerstone of television writing.
 |
| Final season, finally almost a couple... Teen Wolf |
When it comes to sex onscreen,
networks have learnt it’s gratifying yet no true substitute for well-written
relationships. You can flash skinship, but in the end it’s still mostly
softcore porn. Without a complex connection between characters, audience
interest fades fast.
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| Seth, Summer, and the wonders of Chrismukkah. The O.C. |
Why are we hooked on eros?
 |
| These guys: too cute for words. Lovesick The Series |
Or more
accurately, in the context of a scripted television series, the evolution of
eros?
 |
| When your lover turns out to be a manga character. W Two Worlds |
Perhaps it’s because we live in a
world where physical intimacy is easier to obtain than emotional intimacy—or where
a true celebration of both is rare. People rely on their friends for personal
connection as much as, or sometimes more, than they do their partner.
 |
| When they don't match, but they really do. Friends |
Television love is convoluted, a
push and pull scenario whereby our leads edge closer together. The
not-yet-lovers OTP (one true pairing) on TV is usually written into a scenario
where the characters are forced to see each other and interact, rather than
drift apart when one of them becomes uncomfortable with the evolving intimacy.
 |
| Murdered friend Lily took these two from antagonists to lovers. Veronica Mars |
Discovery—maybe that’s the key? We’re
obsessed with the moment our experience of the world can spin and realign,
adding another person to our orbit. Tragedy or life changes (such as
relocating, new job) have a similar effect, but a deep, honest love is a
transition audiences view as akin to winning an emotional lottery.
 |
| The tragedy of lost love. Pretty Little Liars |
In real life, lots of things get in
the way of love, occasionally a love that could have been epic. On television,
every element is controlled to ensure the intended couple reaches that chance
at a relationship. Could that be why this element of visual storytelling is so
popular? Because connection is an accident most people are hoping will happen?
 |
| Chuck, Blair, and that limo scene. Gossip Girl |
Not to say all romances on
television are a great idea, from an outside perspective. A lot of them are
problematic tropes (i.e. My OTP Is A Supernatural Psycho; This Lover Is Rich
And Mean; We’re The Ultimate Odd Couple).
 |
| The ship that never got to sail. The Vampire Diaries |
Thing is, healthy, functioning
relationships generally go out the window because an element of wish fulfillment
is in play. The most popular TV love is the stuff of fantasy: grand, dramatic,
fiery, and most of all, fun to watch.
 |
| When your lover turns you to the dark side. Like, Queen of the Underworld dark. Charmed |
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