A good romantic subplot often proves to be one of the most compelling parts of any TV show. It can elevate the show from just entertaining to an unforgettable take on the nuances and variety of love out there. These subplots can give audiences a couple to really root for and keep them invested in the TV show as they are Watch the highs and lows of love Appearing before their eyes.
The great romantic subplots add an intriguing dynamic to an already compelling story, even when the plot isn’t entirely centered around it. Every relationship brings with it something uniqueWhether it’s humor, tragedy, or a combination of both. Whether it’s the doomed love of two people on opposing sides of a war, or a 10-season long slow burn, TV shows really know how to write some of the best romantic subplots in history.
10
Sheets creek
David and Patrick (voiced by Dan Levy and Noah Reid)
The relationship between David Rose (Dan Levy) and Patrick Brewer (Noah Reed) quickly became the beating heart of the comedy series, Sheets creek. From their first awkward business meeting, to their wedding in the series finale, Sheets creekDavid and Patrick are one of the most heartwarming couples in television history. After years of not really knowing what he wanted from a relationship, It was a real pleasure to see David end up with the right person.
Schitt’s Creek is a sitcom series created by and starring Dan and Eugene Levy. When the Rose family’s business manager embezzles money from their fortune, they discover that their money is gone except for one last piece of property – a small town called Schitt’s Creek that they bought for fun years ago. Now forced to settle for an average, borderline impoverished life, the Rose family will attempt to make do with what they have while trying to revitalize the town.
- Figure
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Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, Noah Reid, Emily Hampshire, Tim Rozon, Dustin Milligan, Eugene Levy, Jennifer Robertson, Chris Elliott, Annie Murphy
- Release date
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January 13, 2015
- Seasons
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6
Both David and Patrick helped to challenge, and eventually change each other. Sheets creek is able to offer viewers a truly authentic view of their relationship while focusing on other subplots at the same time. The Amazing chemistry these two have On screen has made David and Patrick one of the most celebrated gay couples in television history, and it’s easy to see why.
9
Parks and Recreation
Ben and Leslie (voiced by Adam Scott and Amy Poehler)
The relationship between Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) and Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is the primary romantic crux of Parks and Recreation. While Ben and Leslie broke up briefly in season four due to Chris’ rule of no fraternizing in local government, their relationship was able to survive the blow.
Their defiance of the rules, and their mutual understanding of each other’s personal ambitions, is what makes Ben and Leslie’s relationship one of the best TV romantic subplots in history.
Their marriage in season five became One of the best television weddings of all time, and proved that the politics of local government is no match for their love. Their defiance of the rules, and their mutual understanding of each other’s personal ambitions, is what makes Ben and Leslie’s relationship one of the best TV romantic subplots in history.
This political sitcom full of humor and heart follows the adventures of Leslie Knope, deputy director of the Parks Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Every week is a new crisis of small-town politics, but Leslie and her friends work tirelessly to make Pawnee—and the world—a better place.
- Release date
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April 9, 2009
- Seasons
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7
Their relationship does not detract from the other compelling stories in play Parks and RecreationBut the audience is constantly aware that they are always there. Their evolution from strained professional partnership to marriage is heartwarming to watchAnd is a reflection of the love and joy of their romance.
8
The Muppet Show
Kermit and Miss Piggy
The love-hate relationship between Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show (and further!) became One of the most iconic romances in pop culture history. Their on-again, off-again relationship, coupled with the undeniable chemistry at play, cemented Kermit and Miss Piggy’s relationship as one of the greatest television has ever seen. The way Miss Piggy’s personality interacts with Kermit’s laid-back attitude plays an especially large role in the promotion. The Muppet Show.
The Muppet Show, created by Jim Henson, features Kermit the Frog and his oddball ensemble of Muppet friends as they attempt to stage a weekly variety show. The series showcases comedy sketches, musical performances and the backstage antics of its diverse, often chaotic cast of characters.
- Figure
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Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Richard Hunt, Eren Ozker, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Steve Whitmire, Karen Prell, Brian Muhl, Bob Payne
- Release date
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September 5, 1976
- Seasons
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5
Miss Piggy’s relentless pursuit of Kermit often provides some of the funniest moments The Muppets Franchise has seen everything. Kermit’s caution when it comes to Miss Piggy is the perfect foil for this, leading them to become one of the most hilarious yet heartwarming couples in television history. While they may break up and often reconcile, the heart of their relationship is one of true tenderness, and Kermit’s quiet affection for Piggy is genuineDespite the many other imperfections of their romance.
7
Brooklyn no-no
Jake and Amy (played by Andy Samberg and Melissa Fumero)
The relationship between Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) is a slow burn at first, but eventually turns into one of Brooklyn no-nos most compelling and delightful subplots. While Jake and Amy are initially depicted as rival detectives working for the same police commission, their dynamic is built on mutual respect and friendly competition.
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It’s the powerful dynamic that sets the foundation for their relationship, which sparks midway through the first season. As Jake takes Amy on the “worst date ever” as part of a bet. What makes Jake and Amy’s relationship so special is how it plays such a big role in Brooklyn no-nos story without overwhelming the narrative.
From the creative minds of Dan Goor and Michael Schur comes Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a police comedy series set in the NYPD’s fictional 99th precinct. Led by the comedically serious Captain Raymond Holt and protagonist Jake Peralta, the detectives of the 99 deal with burglaries, drug deals, and oddities in New York City, occasionally steering into real-world issues surrounding police perception and social concerns in the 2010s and earlier. Each detective has their own unique personality that makes them stand out, creating likable dynamics that have helped the show thrive for eight seasons.
- Release date
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September 17, 2013
- Seasons
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8
Jake helps Amy show her more quirky and childish side, while Amy brings out Jake’s hidden maturity. They are, undeniably, a perfect match for one another. As they navigate their personal and professional lives together, Jake and Amy still retain the pinch of friendly competition that made the characters so compelling from the pilot.
6
Game of Thrones
Jon And Ygritte (played by Kit Harington and Rose Leslie)
At a glance, the world of Westeros depicted in Game of Thrones does not seem like a ripe place to nurture a healthy relationship. Whether it’s Jaime and Cersei’s incest, or Joffrey’s sadism towards Sansa, it’s almost impossible to find a consistently loving couple on the show. However, the relationship between Jon Snow and Ygritte stands out One of the more surprising romantic highlights of Game of Thrones.
They meet north of the wall in the second season, and it is clear from the beginning that the two have a spark that will overcome their differences. Jon is a man of the Night’s Watch, the worst enemy of the Wildings from whom Ygritte comes. It is a typical Romeo and Juliet scenario, with Jon eventually giving in to his desires and falling in love, despite their relationship being forbidden by the oath he swore.
Ygritte’s iconic line, “You know nothing, Jon Snow” encapsulates the playfulness of their relationship, and their romance stands out as a deep romantic subplot amid the chaos of Westeros. However, like Romeo and Juliet, Their relationship ends in tragedy when Ygritte is struck by an arrow and dies in Jon’s arms.
5
The Walking Dead
Glenn and Maggie (played by Steven Yeun and Lauren Cohan)
While The Walking Dead Offering audiences a variety of romantic subplots to get attached to, none are more tender and enduring than between Glenn and Maggie. In the second season of the show, Glenn and Maggie are only there to offer physical comfort to one another During the apocalypse. However, it is clear that Glenn is harboring stronger feelings and begins to fall in love.
Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, AMC’s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series, developed for television by Frank Darabont, follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain who truly become the walking dead. The Walking Dead lasted for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
- Release date
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October 31, 2010
- Seasons
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11
- Directors
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Greg Nicotero
It’s a romantic subplot that offers a glimpse of what true love would be like in a world overrun by the undead. It is a rare image of hope and humanity In a world that seems to have no need for any of these. Glenn’s death at the hands of Negan in season seven is tragic to watch, especially Maggie’s gut-wrenching reaction, and his final line, “Maggie, I will find you“. However, their love continues beyond that, as Maggie is portrayed as a grieving widow, who eventually forgives Negan for his actions, but never forgets how strong her love for Glenn was.
4
Fleabag
Fleabag and the Hot Priest (played by Andrew Scott and Phoebe Waller-Brick)
fans of Fleabag were thrown into the deep end when the second season introduced a love interest for the titular character. Fleabag is sitting next to the hot priest, the man who will officiate Fleabag’s father’s upcoming wedding while she goes to dinner with her awkward family. The episode where Fleabag and the Hot Priest meet is one of the best TV episodes of all timeAnd set up a romantic subplot for the ages.
The chemistry between Fleabag and the priest makes their relationship such a compelling part of Fleabags narrative
The chemistry between Fleabag and the priest makes their relationship such a compelling part of Fleabags narrative. Amid the swirling themes of feminism, trauma and guilt, a love story could have derailed the entire show. Instead, it made it one of the biggest TV shows of all time.
Created by and starring Pheobe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag follows its titular main character through her life in modern London. After the death of her best friend and the imminent demise of their joint business venture, the show deals with Fleabag’s grief over the loss, her struggle to maintain the business and her complicated relationship with her immediate family. The show is known for its use of the fourth-wall break and is based on Waller-Bridge’s award-winning one-woman show that debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013.
- Release date
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June 21, 2016
- Seasons
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2
- Directors
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Harry Bradbeer
The priest’s attempt to reconcile his love for Fleabag and his religious teachings is one of the most unique takes on love ever, and emphasizes the human desire for connection. Very Tragic parting of the ways in FleabagThe series finale is heartbreaking, with the priest delivering a simple phrase of advice as Fleabag confesses her love for him – “It will pass“.
3
Modern family
Jay and Gloria (played by Ed O’Neill and Sofia Vergara)
yes, Modern family is a sitcom that has some particularly terrible romance subplots, such as Dylan and Hayley ending up together, or Cam’s toxicity to Mitch. But, it is One pair that consistently stands the test of time Like one of the best TV romances ever – Jay and Gloria. Jay is a grumpy man, set in his ways, and Gloria is a vibrant young woman with a fiery personality.
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At a glance their relationship may seem like a stereotypical pairing of a rich man with a younger woman, but Modern Family flips this trope on its head. It becomes clear very quickly that Gloria is not interested in Jay for his money, but for who he is as a person.
Modern Family is a comedy series that follows the unconventional Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family as they redefine what makes a family in their modern times. Broken into sub-families, the three diverse groups shake up the nuclear formula with empty nesters, adopted children, gender neutrality, and more as they attempt to navigate the various pitfalls and comedic misadventures of their dysfunctional but warm-hearted family dynamic.
- Release date
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September 23, 2009
- Seasons
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11
Despite their deeply embedded cultural differences, their relationship is built on mutual respect, love and affection. Gloria brings out Jay’s spontaneity and passion, while Jay embraces Gloria’s culture, going so far as to learn Spanish in the series finale. This subsite exists throughout Modern familys 11 seasons, and is Arguably the strongest romance in the show.
2
The office
Jim and Pam (played by John Krasinski and Jenna Fisher)
While The office It may have ended its nine-season run with the wedding of Dwight and Angela, but it is the romantic subplot of Jim and Pam that provides the sitcom with one of the best overarching stories. It’s obvious from the start that there’s something more than friendship between Dunder Mifflin Scranton’s receptionist and sales representative, but the relationship seems to be going nowhere as Pam gets engaged.
It is clear to the audience that Jim and Pam are meant to be togetherAnd the build to their relationship is often more compelling than their relationship itself. The stolen glances and inside jokes of the earlier seasons are some of the most subtle moments of romantic foreshadowing in television history, and helped lay the foundations for Jim and Pam’s relationship.
From the emotion of their marriage, to the birth of their child, Jim and Pam are a perfect blend of humor and heart. While the subplot about their long-distance challenges may be unnecessary, it does very little to detract from the strong romantic narrative that fans of The office Grown to love.
1
Friends
Ross and Rachel (played by David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston)
Undeniably the most iconic sitcom romance of all time, and a masterclass in how to pull off slow-burn television, the relationship between Ross and Rachel is a major part of Friends‘ narrative over all 10 of its seasons. Ross and Rachel are a couple who have become a cultural phenomenonTheir relationship is filled with countless memorable moments that have cemented their places in television history.
Ross and Rachel are a couple who have become a cultural phenomenon
Ross has an unrequited crush on Rachel. They get together. They go on a break. Ross cheats. They break up. They have a baby together. They finally reconcile in the series finale. Their chemistry is undeniable, and is a major part of what makes Ross and Rachel so endearing to audiences.
Friends is the popular sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, released back in 1994 and ran for ten seasons. The show follows a group of six twentysomethings through their lives in New York City and their time spent between their two apartments and their local coffee shop. The show features the group navigating tricky relationships with one another and comical misadventures.
- Release date
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September 22, 1994
- Seasons
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10
- Directors
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David Crane, Martha Kauffman
Friends creates a sense that, despite the ups and downs, despite the break, despite their many romantic partners, Ross and Rachel are meant to be together. It’s an impressive feat of TV writing to keep audiences hooked on a potential relationship for 10 seasons, and make their relationship The greatest romantic TV subplot of all time.