Who’s the TV couple of the Noughties?

by Lauredhel on June 25, 2008

in entertainment, fun & hobbies, media, relationships

[Images and links may include spoilers.]

The turn of the century seems only moments ago to me, but it’s 2008 already. And I’ve been contemplating who is the TV romantic pairing of the decade.

In the seventies, we had Joanie and Chachi. In the eighties, we had Brendan and Molly in Wandin Valley. (Who didn’t bawl? Who?) Maybe Scott and Charlene were more your thing. Or, if you weren’t in Australia, maybe you switched on every week to agonise about whether Maddie Hayes and David Addison would ever get together. The nineties inflicted Ross and Rachel on us, though we closed with Buffy and Angel: things were already starting to look up.

joaniechachi, scottcharlene, davidaddison, rossrachel, buffyangel

So: who’s your current favourite for TV Pairing of the Noughties? They might be your OTP, or the couple you love to hate, or the couple whose shenanigans generated the most talk around the (virtual) watercooler. Here are a few candidates – both canon and non-canon. Vote, discuss, or add your own.

Doctor and Rose?

tenrose

Captain Jack and Ianto?

jackianto

Pam and Jim or Tim and Dawn?

officecouples

Willow and Tara?

willowtara

Buffy and Spike?

buffyspike

Meredith and McDreamy?

meredithderek

Starbuck and Apollo?

starbuckapollo

Adama and Roslin?

adamaroslin

Kate and Sawyer?

katesawyer

Laura and Diver Dan?

lauradan

Zoe and Wash?

zoewash

David and Keith?

davidkeith

Servilia and Octavia?

serviliaoctavia

J.D. and Eliot?

jdelliott

Amaar and Rayyan?

armaarrayyan

Sam and Annie?

samandannie

Wilson and House?

wilsonhouse

Spike and Angel?

angelspike

Denny and Alan?

alandenny

Hiro and Ando?

hiroando

John and Rodney?

johnrodney

Hoydenizen additions:

Logan and Veronica?

loganveronica

Lorelai and Luke?

lorelailuke

JD and Turk?

turkjd

Robin and Much?

robinmuch

Michelle and Tony?

michelletony

Elizabeth and Mr Darcy?

elizabethdarcy

Joey/Dawson?

joeydawson

Booth/Bones?

bonesbooth

And another late addition.

Since it was such a major omission, I bring you a full songvid of the West Wing’s OT3, Josh/Sam/Donna:

So spill. Who’s your fave? Who do you think we’ll still be talking about in a decade or two?

Similar Posts:

{ 2 trackbacks }

The TV Couple of the Noughties « Ideologically Impure
June 25, 2008 at 10:50 am
Where did I put that Darn Reputation? « HellOnHairyLegs
December 17, 2008 at 2:59 pm

{ 36 comments }

1
hendo June 25, 2008 at 9:32 am

1. For the 90s, gotta love Laura and Diver Dan. (Not Laura and Max, so ner, Max.)

2. OMG OMG I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU FORGOT *THE* TV COUPLE OF THE FIRST DECADE OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY:

Logan and Veronica – from the most awesome TV show of the decade – Veronica Mars.

3. I also think there are a few different couples you could take from the Gilmore Girls – my favourite pair being Lorelai and Luke.

4. Also, I <3 Buffy and Spike. But only because of Spike.

2
Beppie June 25, 2008 at 9:38 am

For me personally, it’s gotta be Jack and Ianto, though not as an OTP (personally I consider Jack to have MTPs– “Many True Pairings”– although “pairings” is probably too limiting a word for him).

But more generally I think it’d have to be one of the BSG ships, or JD/Elliot, since those couples are far more well known.

You didn’t mention the pairing that will always define the 90s for me– Lois and Clark. :P

3
Klaus K June 25, 2008 at 10:26 am

The most important couple in Scrubs is JD and Turk, not JD and Eliot!

Ah yes, Buffy and Spike. Hendo is right, though, it’s only because of Spike. Willow and Tara has that tragic aspect, if that’s what you’re looking for.

4
QoT June 25, 2008 at 10:29 am

Too many options!!!

Top five, though (especially for stimulating conversation between me and the significant other):
- Hiro and Ando
- Adama and Roslin
- House and Wilson
- Denny and Alan
- Servilia and Octavia

… Man, I have the most eclectic taste.

5
Rebekka June 25, 2008 at 11:11 am

Buffy and Spike. Oh yes, Buffy and Spike.

And not just because of Spike. I actually thought SMG was perfect as Buffy.

6
Klaus K June 25, 2008 at 11:25 am

Don’t get me wrong, SMG was very good at being Buffy – a role that was utterly necessary for lots of reasons – but for me it’s Spike that marks that ‘relationship’ as one of the TV greats. Although, I suppose it couldn’t have had that particular dynamic had she been an ordinary human character (or another vampire, for that matter).

7
Anna June 25, 2008 at 11:44 am

A-hem.

Where is my Robin/Much from BBC’s Robin Hood? Their love is so Historically Inaccurate!

8
Rebekka June 25, 2008 at 1:23 pm

“I suppose it couldn’t have had that particular dynamic had she been an ordinary human character (or another vampire, for that matter).”

Of course it couldn’t! If she’d been an ordinary human, Spike could have dominated her. If she’d been another vamp, Spike wouldn’t have had the impetus to be good/get his soul back. There wouldn’t have been the dynamic of good/bad with the aspects of both in both of them.

Although I also liked the Spike/Drusilla relationship, truth be told.

9
su June 25, 2008 at 1:36 pm

I guess the kiss fight between Cap’n Jack and Marsters doesn’t really elevate them to a couple – shame.

I kind of like Skins when I remember to watch it so I’ll nominate Michelle and Tony.

10
Mindy June 25, 2008 at 1:43 pm

It will always be Elizabeth (Jennifer Ehle) and Mr Darcy (Colin Firth) for me.

11
Lauredhel June 25, 2008 at 2:42 pm

Someone else likes Roslin/Adama! Whee!

Buffy/Spike lost it for me at That Scene.

Would you believe I considered Lorelai/Luke and Veronica/Logan and discarded them? Mostly because I have this visceral ick reaction to Logan (though I quite liked him in Moonlight).

Why did I toss out Lorelai/Luke? I can’t quite remember. Possibly because it was so pedestrian and uninteresting when they got together, even at the moment when they got together. But for watercooler will-they-or-won’t-they talk, they should definitely qualify.

Robin Hood and Skins I don’t know, but I’ll search for a photo. (If you have one handy, please send it in).

JD/Turk and Elizabeth/Darcy should obviously have been there from the start.

12
Lauredhel June 25, 2008 at 3:08 pm

OK, I’ve added the new couples – and another one that should have been there from the start. (If I’ve got your pairing wrong in a fandom I’m unfamiliar with, please let me know!)

13
orlando June 25, 2008 at 5:58 pm

They aren’t a couple yet, but Bones and Booth rock the URST.

14
Zarquon June 25, 2008 at 6:41 pm

Sigourney & Dr Rudi.

15
Lauredhel June 25, 2008 at 6:41 pm

HOW did I forget Bones/Booth? That shall be rectified with all speed.

I’ve been casting my brain over The L Word, Desperate Housewives, Big Love, and Ugly Betty, but nothing grabs me.

The only ER couple that I think could qualify is Doug/Carol, and they were 90s. (Anyone for Carter/Greene, or is that just me?)

Does anyone have a My Name Is Earl ship?

16
Lauredhel June 25, 2008 at 7:03 pm

That’s a big whoosh for me, Zarquon – do you have a favourite screencap?

17
Zarquon June 25, 2008 at 7:27 pm

Here. S & Dr R are on the right.

18
Zarquon June 25, 2008 at 7:31 pm

Darn it, it turns out the show started in 2001.

19
tigtog June 25, 2008 at 8:12 pm

So it makes it in with a whole year to spare.

20
Rayedish June 25, 2008 at 9:02 pm

Starbuck and Apollo are awesome but Roslin and Adama have to win because their rel/ship seems like it would comfortably last years, but Starbuck and Apollo are way too volatile. (Battle Star Galactica thrills me, although I was disappointed that the second season was not quite as brilliant as the first I can’t wait for the third).

21
Klaus K June 25, 2008 at 9:05 pm

SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star: I know they started fairly well into the ’90s, but only hit their peak popularity in the ’00s.

22
Purrdence June 25, 2008 at 9:20 pm

Shouldn’t it just be Captain Jack and *insert name here*?

23
Beppie June 25, 2008 at 9:26 pm

There’s definitely something very sweet about Roslin/Adama– definitely my favourite BSG ship.

24
baroquestar June 25, 2008 at 9:56 pm

Captain John/Poodle? :D

Watching some early Buffy the other day, I was reminded of the cuteness of Willow/Oz.

25
Lauredhel June 26, 2008 at 1:34 am

And baroquestar was the first to remember The West Wing. I’ve added a Josh/Donna/Sam songvid to the post.

26
Deus Ex Macintosh June 26, 2008 at 4:18 am

For me personally, it’s gotta be Jack and Ianto, though not as an OTP (personally I consider Jack to have MTPs– “Many True Pairings”– although “pairings” is probably too limiting a word for him).

“Ladies, when I said we should get a room I meant one with linen!”

27
orlando June 26, 2008 at 8:12 am

I have this theory that each decade produces an URST-based, two-person-investigative-team drama series that perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the decade. In the 60s it was The Avengers, in the 70s it was probably Cagney and Lacey (any other contenders?), in the 80s it was Moonlighting, in the 90s it was definitely The X Files, and for the noughties I think it’s Bones. What this ultimately means I do not pretend to know.

28
fergus June 26, 2008 at 10:04 am

Jim and Pam obv!

Or maybe Caroline and Mac from Green Wing.

29
hendo June 26, 2008 at 10:17 am

Hmm, perhaps that explains the difference for us, Lauredhel. I have a major crush on *both* Jason Dohring and Kristen Bell (Logan and Veronica).

Can’t believe I forgot Elizabeth and Darcy. Oh my.

30
tigtog June 26, 2008 at 10:24 am

Can’t believe I forgot Elizabeth and Darcy. Oh my.

Well, they are Nineties rather than Noughties. 1995 was the Ehle/Firth version.

Or maybe Caroline and Mac from Green Wing.

Oh, deffo. Fab pair.

31
Rachel June 26, 2008 at 9:07 pm

Homer and Marge Simpson- they’ve been together for over twenty years, and after numerous adventures and temptations, still love each other.

32
blue milk June 26, 2008 at 11:29 pm

From the 90s – you must include Mulder and Scully. From the 00s, maybe Tony Soprano and Dr Jennifer Melfi.

33
Anna June 27, 2008 at 12:18 am

That’s such a great photo of Robin & Much! <3 One day, Robin will see Much’s true love for him, and stop pining after Guy. I believe it in my soul.

Annas last blog post..Busses, Seating, Community Building, and Advocacy – Help?

34
Deus Ex Macintosh June 27, 2008 at 12:37 am

1960s – Napoleon Solo & Ilya Kuriakin

1970s – Starsky & Hutch, Tony Curtis & Roger Moore in The Persuaders, original Starbuck & Apollo, Bodie & Doyle from The Professionals

(oh dear, so far so slash…)

1980s – Dempsey & Makepeace

1990s – Fitz & Panhandle from Cracker

35
Kirsten June 28, 2008 at 4:03 am

Jane Eyre and Rochester from the 2006 BBC .

Also Sue Trinder and Maude Lilly from Fingersmith. Mmmmm.

36
tina December 8, 2008 at 4:07 pm

i would choose mederith and derek(mc dreamy)………i also like amaar and rayyan, though they aren’t a couple, not yet that is

Comments on this entry are closed. If you wish to re-open this discussion, please leave a comment on the latest Open Thread.

Previous post:

Next post:

  • Random Quote

    For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?
    Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1811
  • The Quintessential
    Hoyden About Town


    Emma Peel - Hoyden About Town

    Read more

    Affiliate Program

    How smart is your Theme?  How good is your support? Check out ThesisTheme for WordPress.