In movies, there are often genre-driven stories that don’t need and don’t have any romance, while even television series that are not about love frequently use the narrative device of introducing love interests. Whether it’s a romantic show or not, writers create couples as part of an overarching storyline that sometimes demands the characters break up. But, for the audience invested in the development of the relationship, it’s disappointing to feel like a TV couple’s narrative potential was wasted. At the same time, some viewers also feel like certain TV romances end too soon simply because the couple is doing great when a tragedy sets them apart.
The doomed romance between Rory and Jess in Gilmore Girls, for example, is famously one of the main topics of discussion among fans of the show. With the series often revolving around the question of who Rory and Lorelai are going to end up with, it’s no wonder the writers kept toying with Jess’ possible return to Rory’s life up until the revival spinoff. Even the best TV romances end too soon sometimes.
10 Jess and Rory Date as Teenagers in Gilmore Girls
He Grows Out of His Bad Boy Phase, so She Picks Logan
Gilmore Girls‘ initial seasons are marked by the messy love triangle between Dean, Rory and Jess. Despite his initial bad boy attitude, Jess was arguably Rory’s most compelling love interest because they had the most in common. Unlike the innocence of her first relationship with Dean, Rory and Jess expressed a real sense of connection. Unfortunately, Jess’s personal struggles and inability to fully open up to Rory created a rift between them. His sudden departure from Stars Hollow left things unresolved, with Rory unable to fully explore what could have been a deeper bond.
Though they reunited briefly in later seasons, Rory was again in a relationship with someone else — Logan, this time. Fans felt like Jess’s growth as a character in Gilmore Girls and in A Year in the Life made it clear that, of all of Rory’s love interests, Jess is the one who matured the most. His development from a troubled, misunderstood teenager to a successful professional and thoughtful friend revealed how perfect they could have been together, had Rory opened her eyes. Instead, she went for Logan, so maybe bad boys are her type.
9 Bonnie and Enzo Needed a Happy Ending in the Vampire Diaries
Enzo Was Suddenly Killed Off, and Bonnie Deserved Better
Bonnie went through a lot in The Vampire Diaries. The romance between Bonnie Bennett and Enzo St. John ended far too soon, robbing them of the happy ending they deserved. Bonnie had endured immense loss and heartbreak throughout the series, and finally found love and solace in a boyfriend who genuinely cared for and supported her. However, Enzo’s sudden death near the end of the series in Season 8 shattered their hopes for a future together, leaving fans devastated and feeling that Bonnie in particular deserved more.
Evil Stefan didn’t exactly need to kill Enzo. His death felt abrupt and unfair, and it only worked as a plot device to hurt Bonnie. Fans were left mourning the loss of what could have been, as Bonnie was deprived of the love and happiness she had finally found in Enzo. The lack of closure for their relationship made Enzo’s death even more painful, as it felt like the show cut short one of its most meaningful and heartwarming romances just as it was blossoming for no reason. Enzo even came back as a ghost in an underwhelming fan service moment to let viewers know he’ll always be with her in spirit.
8 Adam and Eric Were Not Meant To Be in Sex Education
Eric Had His Reasons, But Maybe Adam Deserved a Second Chance.
Sex Education‘s Adam and Eric felt like a relationship full of potential that ultimately ended before it could truly flourish. Adam was initially a bully to Eric, but undergoes tremendous personal growth over the course of the series. Eric helps Adam open up emotionally, which is objectively already a bad way to start a relationship. Eric understandably broke up with Adam because Adam’s personal growth was not yet complete, seeking something more fulfilling for himself. While Eric had valid reasons for moving on, fans were left wondering whether Adam deserved a second chance later on, since it seemed like he still loved Eric and had improved.
Eric’s decision to break things off with Adam came at a time when Adam was trying his best to change, leaving many viewers feeling as though the relationship ended prematurely. Adam’s awkwardness and struggles with expressing his emotions were understandable given his background and the late start to his journey of self-acceptance. Eric had already grown confident in his identity and needed someone who matched that energy. Fans hoped that with more time, Adam could have caught up with Eric. However, their breakup was final. They didn’t even interact much after that.
7 Rosa and Adrian Were Strange but Funny in Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Pimento Is a Walking Red Flag, But His Love Language Is Hilarious.
Rosa Diaz and Adrian Pimento’s relationship in Brooklyn Nine-Nine was an odd yet hilarious pairing. Adrian seemed like the last person the stoic Rosa would fall for. Yet, their shared intensity and love of chaos created a strange but fitting dynamic. Their romance was full of ridiculous moments, from their explosive chemistry to Adrian’s over-the-top declarations of love and his paranoia about not being loved. While Pimento is clearly a walking red flag for everyone else, Rosa could easily handle him.
Rosa is usually guarded, but found a sense of freedom with Adrian and embraced the absurdity of their relationship. While their romance wasn’t destined for the long haul, it was a quirky highlight of the series. Rosa definitely deserved better than Adrian, but their relationship was so fun that fans wouldn’t have minded if it lasted for another season of the comedy series.
6 Roy and Keeley Were the Big Romance in Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso Is All About the People
Ted Lasso may have soccer in the background, but it’s a show about people and how complex the decisions people make are. It explores how insecurities and confidence play into life’s outcomes for different characters. While romance is not a big part of the main character’s arc, Roy and Keeley are the couple that represent the romantic side to Ted Lasso‘s message. Their relationship is beautiful, but ultimately ends because Roy is too insecure to be with a girl-boss like Keeley.
Roy’s transformation in Ted Lasso from a tough, retiring footballer to a man willing to communicate his feelings and Keeley’s drive to build her career while maintaining their relationship created a partnership that felt genuine and relatable. Their love story was less about grand gestures and more about the everyday moments of support, trust and vulnerability, and it was a central element of Ted Lasso. With the love triangle between Jamie, Keeley and Roy as a big part of their storyline as well, it was ultimately nice to see Keeley choose herself. Still, she might have stayed with Roy if he hadn’t messed it up so soon.
5 Aidan and Carrie Got Away From Each Other in Sex and the City
And Just Like That… Had To Change Things
Aidan is all about marriage, he wants to start a family. By the time he’s introduced in Sex and the City as Carrie’s love interest, the audience already knows the fashionista well and how she’s not the marrying type. But despite the couple seeming doomed from the start because she’s too attached to the single life, Carrie apparently starts to change her mind. They move in together and eventually get engaged, only to break up a couple of episodes later. Carrie was mostly to blame since she cheated with Big and had serious commitment issues, but it was brutal watching her run into him with his new family soon after the breakup.
After their Abu Dhabi kiss in the second Sex and the City movie, the revival series And Just Like That… is making the point that Carrie and Aidan were always meant to be together. However, the main series had originally painted Mr. Big as the love of her life. Watching the series finale of Sex and the City makes one “can’t help but wonder:” wasn’t Aidan a better partner for Carrie than Big and Aleksandr Petrovsky combined? Maybe it would have been better to give Carrie and Aidan some extra time in Sex and the City, so it would have made more sense for him to be her soulmate decades later in And Just Like That…
4 Marissa and Alex Deserved a Better Story in The O.C.
Marissa and Ryan Needed To Be Apart for a While Longer
The O.C. had a refreshing change of pace when Marissa and Alex met, which was unfortunately cut short and written with the closed mindset of the early 2000s. Their romance could have been an important step in Marissa’s journey, since it offered her time away from her tumultuous on-and-off relationship with Ryan. Alex brought a new dynamic to Marissa’s life, allowing her to explore a side of herself that felt authentic. Their chemistry was undeniable, and it seemed like their relationship could have been a pivotal turning point for Marissa’s character. However, their storyline felt rushed. This wasted potential is especially sad considering they were bisexual female characters who brought much-needed representation as a queer couple.
Alex brought out a different, more confident side to Marissa. Their relationship wasn’t weighed down by the same emotional baggage that constantly plagued her and Ryan. If given more time, Marissa and Alex’s romance could have developed into something more meaningful, but Marissa was still in love with Ryan the whole time she was with Alex. The quick return to Ryan also felt like a missed opportunity for the show to delve deeper into Marissa’s personal growth while single, leaving fans wishing she had matured more before her untimely death.
3 Jon Snow and Ygritte Had the Best Chemistry in Game of Thrones
Their Relationship Is Short-Lived Yet Unforgettable
Jon Snow and Ygritte’s romance in Game of Thrones was one of the show’s most memorable, despite being tragically short-lived. From their initial hostility to falling in love and ultimately breaking up, Jon and Ygritte’s relationship had many unforgettable moments filled with humor, passion and heartbreak. In a show packed with various couples, they stood out for the raw, natural chemistry they shared and the forbidden nature of their love.
Their relationship wasn’t about power or alliances. It was just two people from different worlds finding a connection despite the odds. However, their romance was cut short by the brutal realities of war and Ygritte died while fighting the Night Watch. Though their time together was fleeting, the impact of their relationship resonated throughout Jon’s character arc.
2 Lavon and Annabeth Made Sense in Hart of Dixie
At Least Wade and Zoe Ended Up Together.
Lavon and Annabeth in Hart of Dixie made perfect sense, even though they didn’t get the ending some fans hoped for. Lavon had always been caught up in his complicated feelings for Lemon, but Annabeth brought a refreshing, uncomplicated love into his life. Their connection was genuine, and they soon became one of the show’s most endearing couples. However, Lavon ended up with Lemon and AB with George, of all people.
Lemon and Lavon had their history, but some fans argue that Lemon ultimately needed someone as intense as her. Lavon and Annabeth matched each other’s energy a lot more. Fans were at least comforted by the fact that Wade and Zoe ended up together.
1 Jack and Rebecca Never Grew Old Together in This Is Us
This Is One of the Saddest Endings to a Romance of All Time
Years after playing Jess Mariano in Gilmore Girls, Milo Ventimiglia played another half of a couple that ended too soon in This is Us opposite Mandy Moore. But Jack and Rebecca’s untimely split came with Jack’s tragic death. Of course, this event doesn’t mean the viewers stop seeing him, since This is Us jumps around in the narrative timeline. But the entire series took on a whole new meaning when it finally confirmed exactly when and how Jack had died. Jack and Rebecca were an absolutely perfect couple who started a beautiful family, so watching everything the Pearsons went through was devastating.
This TV romance ending within the story did not disappoint fans in terms of writing, it just broke their hearts. While it’s beautiful how Rebecca and Miguel found their way to each other later on, Miguel is well aware that Jack was the true love of Rebecca’s life. Rebecca and Jack had the show’s best love story, overcame a lot of obstacles and would probably have stayed together until their old age if not for the tragic fire in the Pearson home.