Viewers are quick to fall into the will-they-won't-they romance of our favorite TV couples. We love to watch these characters get close, only to have something get in the way of their true love. Here's the problem: some of these couples were always better off in any other relationship, despite what the hearts of viewers wanted.
We often get so swept away by couples like Ross and Rachel on Friends that we never stop to think how terrible they are to each other. Now that some time has passed, it's good to reflect on some of our favorite TV couples and wonder why we ever wanted to see these two together in the first place.
From Jim and Pam to Carrie and Big, let's take a deep dive into three TV couples who actually kind of sucked.
Rachel Should Have Moved to Paris, Right?
The most famous TV couple of all time is most likely Ross Geller and Rachel Green from the uber-popular sitcom, Friends. In the '90s, millions of viewers couldn't get enough of this couple's up-and-down relationship, and arguments about whether they were on a break happened at every water cooler.
Ross and Rachel's relationship was chaotic and toxic. Ross was constantly jealous and insecure, and worked to sabotage Rachel's independence and career aspirations. Rachel, on the other hand, wasn't the best communicator (remember, the 19-page letter, front and back).
They broke up repeatedly in ways that hurt each other and their friends. The worst part is that their eventual reunion felt more based on nostalgia and giving into the audience than on emotional growth.
Big Was One Big Red Flag
Sex and the City viewers always dreamed of Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big ending up together despite their tumultuous relationship. Unfortunately, Big was riddled with red flags. He always played emotional games with Carrie, keeping her at arm's length whenever he wanted.
Carrie wasn't an innocent bystander in this relationship. She built her self-worth around Big's inconsistent affection, and kept the unhealthy cycle of their love turning. Their dynamic normalized the phobia around commitment and emotional unavailability.
The highs of their relationship often proved that they didn't learn the lessons from their past, and despite the glamor and banter of their time together, they seemed to be more about obsession and getting what you can't have than pure love.
Jim Halpert Was a Home Wrecker
When we first met Jim and Pam, they seemed destined to be together. Their sweet, flirty relationship was easy to root for. It wasn't until after they got together that this famous TV couple lost its charm.
Firstly, Jim worked hard to break up Pam's longstanding engagement to Roy. As things progressed, Jim was quick to dismiss Pam's ambitions and exclude her from major life decisions. Honestly, who buys a house without telling their partner? Probably, the same guy who takes a new job in a different city without consulting the person he's spending his life with.
Pam also had her issues. She was passive and then passive-aggressive, and was always scared to take even the smallest leap. She hid behind the comfort of her relationship with Jim. This TV couple was complacent and, in a sense, held each other back.
We fall head over heels with TV couples, looking beyond their flaws and faults in a search to possibly fill the lack of love in our own lives. While some TV couples were the perfect match, the most popular were messy and imperfect. They showcased more dysfunction than devotion.
