Ah, Valentine’s Day. While the definition of this occasion differs from person-to-person, there’s one word that unifies us all — love. We at GGA want to celebrate the romantic examples we see in media, specifically our favorite TV and film couples. Love is in the air, and today it’s everywhere we look around.
So, without further ado, here are GGA’s Top 10 couples in film and TV.
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James Holden and Naomi Nagata — The Expanse
James Holden (Steven Strait) and Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper) comprise one of my favorite couples in sci-fi. Hands down. The Expanse has crafted a wonderfully intricate relationship for the captain and engineer of the Rocinante. Their connection never feels forced or unnatural. They’ve organically evolved as a pairing over the course of the show’s five seasons. Despite everything that’s happened including an intergalactic war and battling the elements on an alien planet, Holden and Naomi are a constant. Space is hell, but these two are heaven. One highlight of their relationship that springs to mind is Holden’s ability to understand consent. When Naomi revealed that she planned on finding her son without him, he didn’t force his way onto her mission. He let her do what she had to do. It’s a breath of fresh air. Their love is unwavering in an ever-changing universe. — Melody McCune
Rick Grimes and Michonne Hawthorne — The Walking Dead
Richonne is the best couple in The Walking Dead universe. Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) met Michonne (Danai Gurira) during season three, but he didn’t want anything to do with her. She had to prove how trustworthy she was and did so by befriending Rick’s son Carl (Chandler Riggs). That friendship put Michonne in a different light to Rick. She became a mother figure for Carl and his sister, creating a much-needed family for Rick. For three seasons, the two were constantly in sync and putting each other in check when things got tough. And finally, in season six, episode 10, Richonne was born.
For the next few seasons, the couple stood side-by-side defending their home and their family. They set an example of what a respectful, trusting and healthy relationship looks like in the apocalypse. Rick went missing in season nine, leaving many to speculate that he was dead. Last season, Michonne received a sign that Rick was alive and left to find him. A lot of the fandom left with Rick and more left with Michonne. That’s how strong this couple is. Now we’re all just waiting for the Rick movies when Richonne will be reunited. What a happy day that will be! — Noetta Harjo
Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught — Wynonna Earp
One word: WayHaught. Wynonna Earp‘s Waverly Earp (Dominique Provost-Chalkley) and Nicole Haught (Kat Barrell) are proof positive that love is love is love is love. This is another instance wherein a couple’s union feels like it was meant to be. Their bond is written in the stars. Of course, their relationship has endured its fair share of turbulence and heartbreak. Exhibit A: Season Four. Nicole waited over a year and a half for Waverly to return from the Garden. During that time, she guarded the Homestead with her life. If that isn’t true love, I don’t know what is. They listen to each other and would fall on their respective swords to protect one another. It’s so refreshing to see LGBTQ representation in a genre setting. Wynonna Earp is paving the way for a more diverse future with WayHaught at the forefront. I’m totally here for it. — Melody McCune
Temperance Brennan and Seeley Booth — Bones
When I think about all of the TV couples I have watched come together, it’s Booth (David Boreanaz) and Brennan (Emily Deschanel) from Bones that remains one of my favorites. It took six seasons for the two to finally come together, but it never felt like wasted time. The two were partners who not only worked together but understood each other and looked out for each other. Their professional relationship is also one of my favorites on TV. Their different personalities mesh well together and add a bit of humor to an otherwise intense show.
We got the chance to watch Booth and Brennan go from strangers to friends before even jumping into relationship territory. They leaned on each other for support and saw each other as equals in the field. But that doesn’t mean they didn’t have more than a few moments where we got to experience the thrill of will-they-won’t-they. I can remember how my little shipper heart danced with glee when Caroline (Patricia Belcher) conned Booth and Brennan to kiss under the mistletoe during season three’s Christmas episode. — Julia Roth
Jemma Simmons and Leopold Fitz — Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
From teenage academic rivals to best friends to a married couple, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Leopold Fitz (Iain de Caestecker) and Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) have had quite the journey together. Introduced to audiences in the very first episode with their own ship name, Fitzsimmons became a fan-favorite pairing. And boy, did the show put them through the wringer across its seven seasons. From suspected unrequited love, a traumatic incident at the bottom of the ocean, planet-hopping, nefarious third party love interests, time travel and a literal death experience, it’s been hard going at times.
But fortunately, through it all, Fitzsimmons’ love and determination to beat the cosmos’ cruel intentions for them persevered. And by the end of it, the science-wonder pairing has each other, their love, (hopefully their dream cottage in Perthshire, Scotland), a gorgeous and inquisitive young daughter and a 1980s-loving himbo adult grandson to show for all their efforts. — Maisie Williams
Buffy Summers and Spike — Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Spike (James Marsters) from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are one of my favorite TV couples. Not because their relationship is the kind you’d like to emulate in real life, but because it evolved and got more interesting along the way. My favorite era is season six when Buffy has come back from the dead and is hiding the fact that her friends wrenched her out of heaven from everyone … except Spike. Spike is also the only one who knows that Buffy has lost some piece of her humanity by being reanimated, as fighting with her no longer triggers his chip. Their first sex scene literally brings the house down, which some viewers might find hot. (Ahem.)
I think what I like best about that period in their relationship is the fact that Spike’s crush matures to love when he sees something in Buffy that he empathizes with — he knows what it is to trade humanity for immortality. She hates him for seeing her as she actually is and loving her in her broken state, but his empathy is probably what draws her to him. — Leona Laurie
Chidi Anagonye and Eleanor Shellstrop — The Good Place
Sometimes you find true love in the afterlife. Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper) and Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) of The Good Place is one of the best couples in all of Jeremy Bearimy — especially the “i.” They’ve withstood Team Cockroach, the Brainy Bunch, the Soul Squad and beyond. What started out as a companionship blossomed into a full-fledged relationship with all the wind chimes (Sorry, Derek.) and whistles. Not only that but both of them evolved as people, growing and learning together. Eleanor became a better human because of Chidi and vice versa. At face value, they seem like total opposites: Eleanor’s a laid back party girl while Chidi’s an anxious student of academia. However, they fit like two peas in a pod. While their ending was bittersweet, Eleanor and Chidi made the most out of the time they had together. — Melody McCune
Betty Cooper and Jughead Jones — Riverdale
Will Riker and Deanna Troi — Star Trek
Nicky and Joe — The Old Guard
The Old Guard dropped on Netflix over the pandemic summer last year and brought a blockbuster into our homes. With it, came Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and Joe (Marwan Kenzari). Their love spans centuries and is beautifully presented. Though they are of two different backgrounds, they overcome their religious differences and ingrained hatred of one another and find a bond that transcends their many deaths (the perk of being immortals).
Nicky and Joe provide an example of a truly devoted couple, protecting each other and never shying from outward affection toward one another. Seeing their love portrayed as just another on-screen couple and not just a stereotypical gay couple was more than refreshing. The passionate speech Joe delivers when the pair are restrained is heartwarming and a truly high standard for all relationships. — Talyna Morrison
RELATED: Top 5 Relationships in Star Trek for Your Trekkie Heart
Who are your favorite TV/film couples? Let us know in the comments below!
This article was originally published on 2/14/21
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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