OTP (One True Pairing)–Best TV Couples

Since I got all of the bad couples out of the way, how about we move on to better and brighter things? Like the TV couples that give us the warm & fuzzies (or make our hearts go pitter-patter whenever I utter their names to those who probably think I’ve lost my mind).

Note: I originally was going to do 10, but I have so many favorites, I had to up it to 20. My apologies for such a long post. So much needs to be said about these beautiful couples! And if you disagree with any of them, I won’t take offense (well, except Lucy & Ricky. I may have to cut you).

1. JACK & KATE (“Jate”) / LOST

LOST ended 5 years ago and I still think about these two constantly. Before Jate, I had never “shipped” a couple as much as I did these two (before them, I had never even heard the word “ship” used as a verb). And it all started in season 3 with the “The Man From Tallahassee” episode. That genius game room scene covered more emotions in a 3-minute scene than all the Sully & Dr. Quinn scenes combined. This scene had romance, anger, sadness, a sprinkle of happiness, protectiveness, and sacrifice. Pretty much all the angst we enjoy with our favorite couples.

People ask me why Jack & Kate were it for me (rather than the dozens of other LOST couples I could have shipped–Sawyer & Juliet, Jin & Sun, Desmond & Penny, Charlie & Claire…) and the gist of it is: emotional chemistry. Matthew Fox & Evangeline Lilly just had it (and with Matthew’s intensity, he doesn’t have chemistry with every woman). Of course, they had the looks and the fact that they acted like a married couple in real life (“brother and sister relationship” my ass), but never have watched a couple where they could look into each other’s eyes and know exactly what one another was thinking. As the years went on, they even developed the same facial expressions, the same movements, and if Kate would start to form tears, Jack would follow right along with her. All it took was just a quick look and their tough exterior would fall down; they would melt into each other if they were butter (a sappy analogy, but still). Evi once said in an interview that they both made sure that they were always on the same page when rehearsing. Yes, Matthew might be a perfectionist and probably drove Evi crazy at times by demanding rehearsal time, but it was for the best. They both showed such a wonderful sensitive side for two characters who wanted to protect and care for each other. Though Jate technically did not “end up” with each other (RIP, dear Jack), they did in the afterlife; that’s all that matters. Jack and Kate were set up to end up together from their first momentous “stitch up” scene. And that’s one thing Damon & Carlton got right as writers. As they would say, just like all Jaters do, “Jate is Fate.”

Award: Fated Couple

2. CLARK & LOIS (“Clois”) / LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN

What I loved about this show was it focused more on Clark than Superman. The movies and comic strips were all about the “truth, justice and the American way” superhero and Clark was just his disguise. But, by the show’s title, Lois’ name comes first; mostly because this show was created and written by women. Nevertheless, we could tell this show would be a more of a romance than a sci-fi, superhero show (after all, the special effects for Superman were sometimes laughable).

These two come VERY close to beating Jack & Kate as the best OTP of all time. I can’t get over the romantic comedy chemistry Dean & Teri had; no one else will ever come close. Teri Hatcher & Dean Cain still deny they ever dated in real life, but really? Maybe they were just really good actors, which could’ve been true, too. What more to say, but I think everyone agrees with me on this one; they were simply the best (and cutest) Lois and Clark ever.

Award: Best Chemistry

3. RICKY & LUCY / I LOVE LUCY

I mean, how can I not put these two on this list when I Love Lucy’ is my favorite comedy?! Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz started this show to save their own marriage. And it kept them going for 9 years until they divorced the day after the last episode aired. Lucille & Desi both said in interviews that they received letters from fans saying, “You saved my marriage.” Who knew a fun, screwball comedy could be that powerful? But it still is and even to this day, people still love and adore this show. I think this is the most popular show of all time that has had the most staying power. “The Handcuffs” is in my opinion, one of the best Lucy & Ricky episodes. I believe Lucy ad-libbed “Don’t tickle my feet” because she seemed surprised and started to laugh (this was back when they didn’t do many reshoots; if you messed up, too bad!). The first couple of seasons were great because the scenes were mainly just the two of them (interspersed with our favorite next door neighbors). But once they got out of the apartment and traveled, the guest starts flooded in (which was great, too). This is always my go-to show when I’m feeling down and it immediately cheers me up. What would the world have been like without Lucille Ball? With the help of Desi, this show really was the pioneer of television.

Award: Funniest couple

4. PETER & OLIVIA (“Polivia”) / FRINGE

Though it is quite sad that Joshua Jackson & Anna Torv didn’t get along much in real life (towards the end they didn’t and we don’t know why), Polivia is the definition of an “epic” couple. I’m not sure if the writers actually planned to get Peter & Olivia together (in the first season, they wrote them as more of a sibling relationship), or if it was the fans who wanted it more than they did. Nevertheless, the second season finale made history when Olivia told Peter to come back with her to our universe “because you belong with me.” And that line (including a sweet, brief kiss) is what made me jump on the Polivia bandwagon and I became obsessed with this show. It’s hilarious when people ask Fringe fans what this show is about. There is a long pause, and a fan like me goes, “Uh…it’s about science, time travel, alternate universes, romance, father and son relationships, and a bunch of gross stuff…” Pretty much. This show was always called “The Little Engine That Could” by the cast and crew because it had a small cult following, but the fans are what saved the show for 5 seasons.

Peter & Olivia remind me a lot of Jack & Kate. JJ Abrams sure knows how to pick OTPs, doesn’t he? Ben & Felicity, Sydney & Vaughn, Jack & Kate, Peter & Olivia…such epic couples. But like Jack & Kate, Peter & Olivia were not overly lovey-dovey because it took them so long to open up to each other; both couples were tough, had difficult pasts, and therefore, put up walls. It was a shock when they would finally open up to each other and say something halfway romantic. The romance was a bit easier with Peter & Olivia because towards the end of season 3, Peter & Olivia took a little bit of time to examine their relationship every once in while. And in my opinion, some of the most romantic scenes on TV happened between Peter & Olivia (as brief as they were). When you have two amazing actors like Josh & Anna who have such heartfelt dialogue (thank you, writers), their scenes together just tugged at my heartstrings.

Award: Meant to Be in any universe

5. VAUGHN & SYDNEY / ALIAS

“We’ll find each other. We always find each other.” = best line ever. Like Jack & Kate and Peter & Olivia, these JJ Abrams couples are so epic, I just can’t handle it. They overcame so much– Sydney’s disappearance, Vaughn’s wife (don’t get me started), Vaughn’s so-called “death,”(whose name really wasn’t Vaughn), and a baby. Yeah, the last season sucked big time because Vaughn was supposedly dead for most of it while Sydney had to raise their child on her own. And they killed Vaughn off mostly because in real life, Jennifer Garner & Michael Vartan had broken up (dating your co-star: not always a good thing). But because fans were understandably outraged, the writers brought him back. And, surprise! He didn’t die after all. Let’s just pretend that entire 5th and final season didn’t happen at all.

Award: Best kick-ass couple

6. FINN & RACHEL (“Finchel”) / GLEE

This is the couple that could have been (both on TV and in real life) had it not been for a tragic death. Yes, Finn and Rachel were supposed to end up happily ever after (Ryan Murphy said so), but sadly, Cory Monteith made one fatal mistake one night in a Canada hotel room when he overdosed on drugs. He had just gotten out of rehab, too. I still don’t understand how a nice, good guy like Cory got messed up on drugs in the first place, but perhaps it’s best we don’t know the details of his constant battles with drugs and alcohol. Finn/Cory’s “The Quarterback” tribute episode was more about celebrating his life than focusing on death. So, let’s remember Finn & Rachel’s amazing duets (“Pretending” was when EVERYONE knew their relationship would change forever–both on the show and in real life) and how Rachel/Lea made Finn/Cory a leading man for the first and only time. RIP.

Award: Musically talented 

7. PRINCE CHARMING (DAVID) & SNOW WHITE (MARY MARGARET) (“Snowing”) / ONCE UPON A TIME

They are living proof of a couple who ended up getting together in real life (a baby and marriage all in one year), and they are another one of those classic, OTP couples that were destined to end up together from the very first episode. Though they both don’t have the classic movie star look (OK, maybe Josh Dallas does), they are cute just the same. As a LOSTie, they also remind me a little of Jack and Kate. Both couples at one point or another got “caught in a net” , Kate/Snow White were on the run and wanted for murder, and both couples said some of the same lines (“I hope you find what you’re looking for”). I guess Once writers Adam & Eddie, who also wrote for LOST, are still Jaters at heart. But let’s not forget Snowing’s most repeated line, “I always find you.”

Award: Dreamiest couple

8. CASTLE & BECKETT (“Caskett”) / CASTLE

Though I bet Nathan & Stana are not that great of friends in real life (I just have a sense), they sure do play a realistic, likable married couple. Like many of my other favorite couples, they were never overly lovey-dovey (unlike Lois & Clark), which I actually like better. It leaves fans wanting more; am I right? Even though it’s more than time for this show to end (all we need is a baby and we Caskett shippers are good), it has been a great run. I “always” (Caskett’s magic word) wanted them together, but I didn’t obsess over them until that episode when the first boss (AKA “Sir”) died. Beckett knew her best boss was going to die and Castle literally had to drag her out of that dark garage. I had never seen Castle be so sweet, attentive to her, and whisper “I am so sorry” when he had to cover her mouth to keep her from hysterically crying/screaming to save her life. Both Nathan and Stana have had some wonderful acting moments (especially Stana), but yet, not a one Emmy nomination–seems to be a theme for most of my shows & couples.

Award: Most supportive

9. LUKE & LORELAI / GILMORE GIRLS

I couldn’t get into this show until just a year ago– and I really only watched for Luke & Lorelai. Rory gets on my nerves and I never cared for any of her boyfriends; they made her stupid. But who doesn’t love Lorelai and her quick, witty humor (with a dose of pop culture mixed in)? This is another couple that took forever to get together. And they did for one brief shining season. Then it got all mixed up again. I mean, really? Luke has a daughter that shows up out of nowhere? Lorelai marries Christopher? The writers were really desperate to find ways to break the two of them up (perhaps because it’s rumored that Lauren Graham & Scott Patterson didn’t get along in real life). Well, at least they had one final kiss in the finale, even if we never got a Luke & Lorelai wedding. I demand a new finale for this show!

Award: Best witty banter

10. SULLY & MICHAELA / DR. QUINN: MEDICINE WOMAN

Sully was the only guy I liked with long hair. And now that he’s cut it, he doesn’t look the same 🙂 What can I say about these two, but another epic OTP. They were set up from the pilot to end up together when Sully glanced at Dr. Mike who had fallen in the mud in her pretty Boston dress. Jane Seymour actually admitted that she and Joe Lando dated briefly early on. And it totally shows; these two, for a family show, had some pretty risqué make-out scenes. And let’s not forget that wedding night scene on the train (“Sully, it’s not even dark yet”). These two are one of many couples that prove that opposites attract.

Award: Best Hair

11. NED & CHUCK / PUSHING DAISIES

For a couple who could never touch, Ned and Charlotte (or as he called her, “Chuck”) had such sweet chemistry. I hate that this show only lasted 2 seasons but I think people have come to appreciate it more in recent years since it’s been off the air. I miss this show everyday because it was so damn creative. No other show has come close to trying the fantasy-romantic comedy-murder mystery genre. Well, who could, really? As a writer, I love that the creator of this show thought outside the box. So thank you, Bryan Fuller.

Award: Most Delicate

12. ROSS & RACHEL / FRIENDS

Ross and Rachel were the “it” couple of Friends. After all, they were set up in the pilot to end up together. I mean, how else can you scream to the audience, “OTP!” when Ross says, “I just wanna be married again” and Rachel comes barging in the coffee house in a wedding dress?! There were a lot of fans who liked Monica and Chandler better (after all, they had a much smoother relationship), but I didn’t. I don’t think Monica or Chandler were every the same (or funny) once they got together. But Ross and Rachel were always the couple who the audience adored and wished would get over their “we were on a break” nonsense and get it together. They dated in season 2, broke up in season 3, and didn’t “officially” get back together (even a daughter didn’t change anything) until the last couple of minutes in the season 10 finale. Dang. It really did take Ross 20 years total to “end up” with his crush.

Award: The one with the longest crush

13. BATES & ANNA / DOWNTON ABBEY

I have many favorite couples on this show–Matthew & Mary, Branson & Cybil, Lord & Lady Grantham, and (newly added!) Carson & Hughes, so it was hard to choose my absolute favorite. Though pretty much everyone would say, “why didn’t you choose the obvious–Matthew & Mary?”, what I loved about Anna & Bates from the pilot was when Anna showed such kindness to Bates from the beginning when no one else from the downstairs people would. As opposed to Matthew & Mary who bickered at first, Anna and Bates cared about each other since day one; this is one couple who did not take long at all to fall in love. However, I would say this couple takes the cake on TV couples that have had the most tragedies happen to them; with one season left, it’s hard for us to find any more hope on them finding lasting happiness in their marriage. Murder trials, rape…geez louise, how much more can this couple go through?! But, I suppose that’s why I love these types of couples. No matter how much crap they put between two people, they always find a way to make it through–and love each other every step of the way.

Award: Tragic couple

14. DEREK & MEREDITH (“Merder”) / GREY’S ANATOMY

He was nicknamed McDreamy for a reason. He’s every girl’s dream guy; a cute doctor with great hair? Yes please! Though I didn’t like that this relationship started with a one-night stand, Derek was patient with our “dark & twisty” Meredith and waited for her to get over her commitment, trust, and mommy and daddy issues. They eventually got married (via post-it) and had 2 kids. Out of all my favorite couples, these two definitely had the most steamy scenes (the exam room scene at the prom?! We all needed a splash of cold water after that). I think it helped that they had such explosive chemistry because Patrick Dempsey & Ellen Pompeo were great friends in real life. Too bad Shonda Rhimes decided to kill off Derek this season when Patrick asked to get out of his contract; thank God I don’t watch this show anymore. I hate it when they kill off one half of the main couple. And in American television, that’s when ratings go down; mark my words, this show will last one more season. Look what happened to ALIAS. Killed off Vaughn=end of show.

P.S. This Derek monologue makes me melt every time. Now HE is a romantic hero!

Award: Hottest couple

15. JIM & MAGGIE / THE NEWSROOM

Yes, Don and Sloan & Will and Mackenzie were great, too. But I’m picking Jim & Maggie because we got a first meeting in the pilot; and I knew it was going to be something great. Plus, they were the characters that were immediately likable for me; it took me a few episodes to warm up to the others. What helped Jim & Maggie’s instant chemistry was that John Gallagher Jr. & Alison Pill had already done movies together, so it didn’t take them long to warm up to each other. Of course, Jim & Maggie dated around a little, but they finally came around in the finale and were like, the cutest (and smartest) couples ever. After all, they can nail the quick banter as much as Luke & Lorelai.

Award: Smartest couple

16. MIKE & RACHEL / SUITS

Mike & Rachel have had their ups and downs, but compared to Harvey & Donna (who still refuse to admit their true feelings for each other and I’ve given up hope), they’ve had a fairly stable relationship the past couple of years. Let’s just pretend the horrid Rachel “cheating” storyline did not happen. I don’t know who would win between the best hot “did it” scene– Mike & Rachel or Derek & Meredith! But other than those couple of times in the file room, Mike & Rachel try to keep it professional at work. It’s a no-brainer that the award for this couple should be “Best Dressed.” Mike finally knows how to wear an expensive, stylish suit (no more skinny ties!) and Rachel…well, she always looks good in any dress she wears. I love the scene where they first meet. Rachel insists she is not interested in him in that way, but that changes pretty quickly. Plus, Mike’s “I Love You” whisper is hilarious.

Award: Best Dressed 

17. NOEL & FELICITY / FELICITY

This is one of just a couple of my favorite couples who actually did not end up together. When I watched this show in high school, I was young and thought Felicity should end up with Ben (as she did) because let’s face it, what girl my age did not have a crush on Scott Speedman? But, after I matured and made my friends watch the series with me in my dorm room in college, I thought, “Wait a minute. Noel is her soulmate (or perhaps my soulmate?!). He treats her right, always had feelings for her, and is so much like her.” However, this is probably the only love triangle in TV history where I actually liked both guys. Ben & Noel were good for Felicity in different ways, and even though I still hope the ending will turn out differently in that Felicity decides it’s Noel she should be with, I stop and think, “well, Felicity WAS in love with Ben from day one.” And if Ben had signed my high school yearbook that way, I would have followed him to New York, too! However, Noel was better at the witty banter scenes with Felicity that Ben was. It was a fun ride while it lasted (whenever I think of Boggle, the Magic 8 ball, dart guns and time capsules, I think of Noel). I still don’t think Noel ended up 100% happy since Felicity chose Ben for the hundredth time over him. Yeah, he married Zoey, but eh…they had to give Noel someone to end up with. But she was a dud.

Award: Most Alike

18. PAUL & JAMIE / MAD ABOUT YOU

One of my favorite married couples! I love Paul & Jamie so much; they’re funny, romantic, a bit neurotic, and clicked from day one. But they can also pull off serious scenes, too. I only watch the first 5 seasons because the show changed once they had a kid (and suddenly the show wasn’t funny anymore). I can’t be the only one who once believed Paul Resier & Helen Hunt were married in real life; they were just that believable as a married couple. Such passion for each other! This show was Paul Reiser’s baby (he created it, produced, wrote, and directed at times), but unfortunately, he never won an Emmy for best actor (which is insane). Helen won, and even though she was funny too, Paul was the greatest. Paul Reiser put both of them on the map; too bad neither of them have done much of anything memorable since.

Award: Most romantic

19. CLIFF & CLAIR / THE COSBY SHOW

Let’s put aside Bill Cosby’s allegations and focus on his character and relationship with Clair. Another favorite married couple, Cliff & Clair were, in Theo’s words, “all over each other.” Indeed they were! 5 kids and they hardly ever fought; if they did, they made up by the end of the episode. This was the first show (and correct me if I’m wrong) that changed the African American television show. Cliff Huxtable was a successful doctor and Clair a successful lawyer. Several other shows depicted African Americans differently, but this show was the pioneer. Cliff & Clair, childhood sweethearts, were always adorable and amazing parents. I hope when I am older and married, I have a relationship just like theirs.

Award: The Old-Timers Who Still Got It

20. FITZ & SIMMONS (“FitzSimmons”) / AGENTS OF SHIELD

This is a fairly new show and I probably shouldn’t be putting these two on this list (especially since FitzSimmons have been on the outs this current season), but they are pretty much the only reason I watch this show (sad, I know). While we’ve had several occasions where Fitz has told/showed Simmons that he cares about her, Simmons has stated on several occasions that he is only a friend. Boo. But watch THIS and tell me if he’s really “just a friend” to her. Because I don’t see it. They are just on cuteness overload–perhaps also because of the accents.

Award: Cutest couple