Non-endgame couples: 7 TV ships that shouldn’t have sunk
As a shipper, there are few things more painful than seeing your favourite pairings kept apart forever when a series comes to an end. Here are the top TV couples that were robbed of a happy ending
Stefan and Elena, The Vampire Diaries
When it comes to love triangles, the Vampire Diaries raised the bar. But while Elena was torn between the Salvatore brothers, my heart was always a fixed point: #TeamStelena all the way. And I know I’m not alone. Delena fans might be more vocal online, but the show’s co-creator, Kevin Williamson, admitted that he would have reunited Stefan and Elena in the series finale if Nina Dobrev had been available for a full season. Unfortunately, with only one episode to play with, an Elena/Damon endgame became the only options.
But Stefan and Elena were the couple that started it all. Their love story might not have been smooth sailing, but its beginning was beautiful. Stefan helped Elena come alive again after the loss of her parents, empowered her to make her own decisions and respected those choices no matter what - he even fought off compulsion to protect her! And for her part, Elena loved him even at his worst, when he was fighting his blood addiction, turning Ripper on the road with Klaus, and trying to deny his humanity. It’s undeniable; they brought out the best in each other and for me, they deserved to find their way back to each other. (Don’t worry about Damon; we all know he and Bonnie were a much better match!)
Jackie and Hyde, That 70’s Show
If there’s one couple that seemed destined to outlive the decade it’s Jackie and Hyde. The spoilt princess and the cynical burnout hooking up was an unexpected highlight of the show’s fifth season and it was hot! They say opposites attract, right? Well, these two found that being together could smooth out their rough edges. Jackie evolved and learned to be less selfish and Hyde discovered ambition, joy, and self-worth.
Every obstacle thrown their way was an opportunity for growth. They dealt with jealousy over Jackie’s past relationship with Kelso, Hyde’s (out-of-character) cheating, their wildly different backgrounds, and contrasting visions of the future. But despite it all, viewers could never doubt their love for each other. And no pair of actors has ever done such amazing background work - look out for Hyde and Jackie in the background of scenes when you rewatch and you’ll be rewarded with some very sweet interactions.
Nate and Serena, Gossip Girl
When your show has two actors as aesthetically pleasing as Chase Crawford and Blake Lively, it’d be a crime not to put them together! Nate and Serena were Gossip Girl’s golden couple but while they burned bright, they fizzled out quickly. And even more frustratingly, there were plenty of opportunities for them to get back together in the next three seasons (a much more satisfying conclusion than Serena ending up with the man who manipulated her for clicks).
Serena and Nate are often written off as boring, especially when compared to Blair and Chuck, but what’s wrong with two beautiful (and not that smart) people being happy in love? It’s not like they didn’t still face drama. I even enjoyed evil Jenny Humphrey stirring up trouble by trying to lure Nate away. They had great chemistry and one of the hottest breakfast sex scenes ever shown on mainstream TV (forget Rufus’ waffles!) Plus, giving them a happy ending would’ve brought the series full circle; a forbidden hook up at the Shepherd wedding leading to a happy ever after on the Upper East Side? They deserved that.
Buffy and Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy and Angel were the Romeo and Juliet of the 1990s. Their forbidden romance - vampire and slayer - was doomed from the start, but that didn’t stop them breaking my shipper heart. And the literal life and death stakes only made the emotions run deeper. I can see the flaws in their endgame; they could never have children, go outside in the daylight, have sex. But do we really want to think about the real world when a show’s set on the Hellmouth? Buffy was never going to have normal life, she could at least have spent it with the love of her life. It’s not like a magical solution couldn’t have solved at least one of those issues. Honestly? I wouldn’t have cared either way: I just wanted I Will Remember You without the teary ending.
Their break up in season three was necessary - and heart breaking - but every guy they tried to pair with Buffy afterwards just served to reinforce the importance of Angel in her life. Riley proved that a normal human couldn’t have the strength of character needed to deal with her calling and Spike showed that it wasn’t Angel’s darkness that made them special, it was his humanity. When Angel finally returned in the finale, the reasons for keeping them apart felt even more contrived and like a plot device to make sure losing Spike had emotional significance. But we know Buffy didn’t feel the same about Spike - he knew - and it didn’t make his sacrifice any less significant.
Carla and Samuel, Elite
After Elite’s first season, no one would have predicted that Carla and Samuel would be the ship that stole the show in season two. The two barely shared a scene in the first eight episodes, but Samuel’s determination to prove that Carla had been involved in Marina’s murder brought them together. And what started as mutual manipulation blossomed into an unlikely love story. The writers confessed they were nervous of fans’ reactions but Itzan Escamilla and Ester Expositio have the kind of chemistry that brings intensity to every interaction (and creates some seriously hot sex scenes).
Which made it all the more disappointing when season three gave them less than ten minutes of screen time. I’m not saying I didn’t love the angst: stolen glances, miscommunication, and suffering in silence as they tried to navigate new relationships that couldn’t match their connection. But after eight episodes of pain - and Carla finally regaining her autonomy - we were robbed of a happy ending. We didn’t even get a goodbye kiss. And with season four featuring Samuel but no Carla (she’s off studying abroad), it seems likely that this star-crossed love story will end up a tragedy.
Annie and Jeff, Community
Annie and Jeff shouldn’t work as a ship. When their study group first forms at Greendale, Annie is a naive 18-year-old with a troubled high school history and Jeff is in his mid-30s, trying to rebuild his life after being exposed as an unqualified lawyer. The age and life differences alone should mean these two would never be paired romantically. And the show seemingly agreed at first, teasing an age-appropriate romance for Annie and Troy and a love-hate hook-up between Jeff and Britta.
But this is yet another case of chemistry winning out. The turning point was episode 9 when Jeff and Annie teamed up to win a debate. While studying and plotting together, they realise they’re attracted to each other and that romantic tension (broken with a handful of kisses) underlines their relationship for the rest of the series.
The show leans into the chemistry but never really goes there. There are subtle hints and emotional admissions - we know they love each other - but in the end, as Jeff says, he “let her go.” Sometimes feelings aren’t enough. But I’m not giving up yet #sixseasonsandamovie
Rachel and Joey, Friends
I know this one’s controversial, but Rachel and Joey are the hill I’d choose to die on. This late in the show ship had so much potential - and a seasons-long slow build - but the writers destroyed it all in less than three episodes! Forcing Rachel and Ross back together betrayed the growth all six friends had undergone over the past decade. They were a great couple in the early seasons but his controlling tendencies made the pairing toxic by the later years.
In contrast, Joey and Rachel’s connection was rooted in friendship. They were roommates who supported each other through tough times. And when Joey started to develop real feelings for her, it was refreshing to watch a character that had treated women as disposable conquests learn what true love is. His unrequited pining was painful but when Rachel woke up to him, it looked like they could really have something special.
The idea that they’d have no physical chemistry felt like a lazy get out and unfair to the characters. Instead of seeing Rachel and Joey get a relationship based on friendship, respect, and unconditional support, Rachel is forced to give up her dream career to be with Ross and Joey’s character is retconned to immature playboy again.
Honourable Mentions:
Barney and Robin, How I Met Your Mother
There were many, many things wrong with the ending of How I Met Your Mother but one of the big ones was breaking up Barney and Robin. These two had great chemistry, a supportive relationship and realistic struggles to overcome. Nobody wanted a Robin and Ted reunion.
John and Sara, The Alienist
The Alienist isn’t officially over yet but even a season three doesn’t guarantee John and Sara would be reunited. The unlikely pairing finally gave into their passion last season but Sara’s fear of losing her independence and John’s desire for a family look set to keep them on different paths.
Spencer and Caleb, Pretty Little Lies
The laws of teen drama meant these two could never be endgame but a post-time jump Caleb and Spencer felt like a much better fit than their high school beaux. They were both super smart, had connected during their European travels, and had great chemistry. It may have never satisfied Haleb fans but they just worked together.
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