How I Met Your Mother Archives

Though there is nothing to laugh about or love about sexism in real life, it is a character trait that keeps rearing its head in a bunch of characters, both old and new. Sometimes it is a deliberate choice by the writers, other times it is not quite as clear.

Still, as terrible as it is there are instances we find ourselves drawn to, or even sympathetic towards these characters. After all, what is good television if not good escapism, right?

For that reason, we have compiled a list of a few of those characters who, though would be the cause of a lot of complaints to HR in real life, are quite likable onscreen even if they are a bit problematic.

1. The Vulture (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

He may have acquired his nickname because of his penchant for swooping in and stealing cases from the detectives at the 9-9 right at the death, but he also is unrivaled in his ability to drop hilariously sexist comments practically anytime he sees a woman.

2. Barney (How I Met Your Mother)

Funny, charming and highly charismatic. But over the course of the show's run, Barney showed a tendency to treat the women he was involved with as nothing more than objects for his own gratification.

3. Tony DiNozzo (NCIS)

Ever the infantile prankster and general deadweight, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything special Tony brings to the team other than movie references and a strong whiff of arrogance and chauvinism. The logical half of our brain is telling us not to like this guy, but somehow we do, and that is why he got to stay on for over a dozen seasons.

4. Ari Gold (Entourage)

He may have been a faithful husband, despite his tendency to makes empty boasts in front of his friends about sleeping with models, Ari has taken every opportunity to lambast or grope any woman that happens to be around him at that time, including an imaginary sister.

5. Serena Joy (The Handmaid's Tale)

As one of the chief architects of the dystopian hellhole that is Gilead, Serena's situation captured the very essence of karmic retribution after she was pushed aside in favor of the men. In spite of her colossal missteps, it's hard not to feel sorry for her when Fred physically abuses her.

6. Christian Troy (Nip/Tuck)

If we were to make a list of Christian's sexual partners it'd be longer than the Nile, but that fact alone, in and of itself isn't the problem. It's the way Christian exploits his position as a doctor to get his patients into his bed without a hint of remorse, and that's just the tip of this iceberg. The writers decided to not only use his sex addiction as a crutch, but they also added an unnecessarily dark backstory just to make him sympathetic. In hindsight, it kinda worked because we were rooting for him in spite of his many atrocities.

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The best thing about television ships is that they're all unique and different. There's something for everyone and just like real life, no single relationship is exactly the same.

But sometimes you just find yourself drawn to a certain kind of story or dynamic and end up looking for another one like it. And to be honest, a lot of our favorite ships remind us of our other faves.

No matter if it's big or small, there's usually a similar trope or element that draws us in.

Whether they have a common story, vibe, or simply just remind us of one another, we created a slideshow below of 13 similar ships you should take for a sail!

1. Jake and Amy (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) & Lily and Marshall (How I Met Your Mother)

Jake and amy brooklyn nine nine and lily and marshall how i met

Jake and Amy and Lily and Marshall are the two purest and healthiest relationships on television. They are both 1000% committed to their significant other and wouldn't even dream of looking at anyone else. Their disagreements are resolved with respect and they both support each other unconditionally. There has never been a time where we doubted their devotion or intentions.

2. Bellamy and Clarke (The 100) & Rick and Michonne (The Walking Dead)

Bellamy and clarke the 100 and emma and hook once upon a time

Neither of these post-apocalyptic pairings liked each other at first. In fact, they started off as enemies. But an antagonist relationship slowly turned to trust which later developed into a strong partnership. It took seasons of build up for Rick and Michonne to realize they were in love with their best friend. Bellamy and Clarke are still working on the realization part, but we've got our fingers crossed!

3. Angel and Buffy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) & Stefan and Elena (The Vampire Diaries)

Angel and buffy buffy the vampire slayer and stefan and elena th

Angel and Stefan are two vampires who would do just about anything for the love of their life. They both have a very guilty conscience, but the person they love helps them see the good in themselves.

4. Eleanor and Chidi (The Good Place) & Jess and Nick (New Girl)

Eleanor and chidi the good place and jess and nick new girl

Both of these couples consist of a rather irresponsible character who uses humor to hide their emotions and eventually falls for the precious and postive cupcake. Cheleanor and Ness both have the best scenes in their series and became an official couple in the third season of their show. They're also hilarious comedian soulmates.

5. Dan and Blair (Gossip Girl) & Joey and Rachel (Friends)

Dan and blair gossip girl and joey and rachel friends

Dair and Roey were supposed to be the "side" ship whose sole purpose was to serve as an obstacle for the show's "epic" couple. But they actually became even better than the main couple and turned out to be one of the healthiest relationships on their respective series.

6. Oliver and Felicity (Arrow) & Barry and Iris (The Flash)

This one is pretty obvious considering that they exist in the same universe, but there's a lot of things about them that are rather different. However, if you're looking for a superhero that has a kickass woman as his partner and his equal, you can't go wrong with either of these ships.

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Some of the best jokes on television are the ones that just won't die. In long-running shows, the funniest and most nostalgic parts simply revisit quips that just won't stop coming.

The jokes keep building on and on until they become an irreplaceable part of the series that we love and look out for it. In fact, it can even shed light on a show that is otherwise serious and dramatic.

We've created a slideshow below of 17 of our favorite running gags on television!

1. Greenberg - Teen Wolf

To this day we still wish we knew who Greenberg was. Instead, he remains the faceless student who always got on Coach Finstock's nerves.

2. Robin vs. Patrice - How I Met Your Mother

The Slap Bet was definitely a funny one, but for us, the Robin and Patrice feud takes the cake. Mostly because it wasn't actually a feud and Robin was basically feuding with herself.

3. Ross' (many) marriages - Friends

We considered putting, "WE WERE ON A BREAK!" on here but really, that was just more annoying than funny. Instead, we went with Ross' many marriages and engagements and how many times the group liked to make a joke out of it.

4. "Title of your sex tape." - Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Any time Amy makes a remark that could somehow possibly be said during sex, Jake immediately yells "title of your sex tape!" But now that they're a married couple he's altered the phrase slightly to "title of our sex tape!" Is it weird to find that kinda adorable?

5. Cussing - The Good Place

The inability to cuss in The Good Place has created new unofficial curse words all across social media. Instead of dropping an F-bomb, try saying "What the fork?" instead. It's surprisingly just as satisfying.

6. "How rude!" - Fuller House

Stephanie Tanner's famous catchphrase on Full House was always "how rude!" She may no longer be a kid in the reboot, but she really hasn't changed a bit.

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If you're an avid TV watcher, it's almost impossible not to have that one ship that deserved better. No matter what the circumstance was, that couple should've ended up together yet they didn't.

In fact, we can think of a lot more than one couple that we wish had a different ending than they got.

Check out 33 couples below that were robbed of their endgame!

1. Scott and Allison - Teen Wolf

Whether you shipped them or not (and how could you not?) everyone believed they were going to end up together. And they definitely would have had Crystal Reed decided to stay on the show. Instead, Allison died in Scott's arms and declared her love for him once last time. And nope, nothing will ever be okay again.

2. Lanie and Espo - Castle

The drew them together and tore them apart mostly off screen. They could have been fantastic together but the show barely allowed enough time on screen to acknowledge their existence before breaking them apart once again.

3. Mike and Susan - Desperate Housewives

They really made us sit through eight seasons of Mike and Susan's ups and downs just for him to be shot in a drive-by seconds after professing his love to Susan. Talk about a giant let down.

4. Tommy and Lindy - Eye Candy

Canceling the series after that cliffhanger was just cruel. Tommy spent the entire season being head over heels in love with Lindy only for them to end the show with so much more to explore between them.

5. Amy and Karma - Faking It

The entire premise of the show was about Amy realizing she was in love with her best friend. But after seasons of Karma trying to figure out her own feelings, the show was canceled before they got the chance to try and make it work.

6. Abbie and Ichabod - Sleepy Hollow

Their chemistry was out of this world and they pretty much behaved like a married couple. Abbie and Ichabod were literally brought together by fate and went to hell and back for each other, but they killed Abbie without them sharing so much as a kiss.

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Love is in the air! Whether you're spending Valentine's Day with a loved one or by yourself, just remember you always have television to keep you company. If we're being honest, sometimes television is our greatest love.

When it comes to TV, a lot of Valentine's Day moments are big romantic gestures, and others are just fun to watch play out.

On Cupid Day, things always seem to go very right or very wrong.

We put together a slideshow below of 11 of the best Valentine's Day Gestures to get you ready for the holiday!

1. Ben gives Leslie a playboy otter - Parks and Recreation

It was Ben and Leslie's first Valentine's Day together, and it was pretty eventful to say the least. Leslie sent Ben on a scavenger hunt, and Ben gave Leslie the playboy otter stuffed animal she always dreamed of.

2. Schmidt and Cece sleep together - New Girl

This may not be a "gesture" exactly but it really kicked off the relationship between Schmidt and Cece. Where would we be without that one eventful Valentine's Day?

3. Mark and Lexie (and Jackson) have Valentine's Day dinner - Grey's Anatomy

Even though Lexie and Mark are broken up, Lexie brings her niece to his apartment to offer a playdate with his son. She sees that Mark has company over, but he refuses to let her leave. They end up having dinner, but Jackson's presence may have messed with the romance factor.

4. Monica attempts to give Chandler porn - Friends

Monica attempts to get chandler porn friends

Okay, this wasn't all that romantic but it was hilarious. Chandler mistakes a tape sitting on the table for porn, which Monica did actually get him. However, it was actually a birthing tape which killed the mood for the rest of the night. But hey, it was a solid Valentine's Day effort on Monica's part.

5. Finn gives Rachel a vocal Valentine - Glee

In honor of Valentine's Day, Finn had their friends sing "Stereo Hearts" to Rachel in the courtyard. It's impossible not to be in love after being serenaded like that.

6. Maggie surprises Alex - Supergirl

Even though Valentine's Day was never important to Maggie, she understands how much it means to Alex. Despite not caring about the holiday, she cares about her girlfriend and throws her a Valentine's Day prom as a surprise.

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Television has an interesting way of making you see the good in people and completely disregarding the bad.

Whether they use comedy or love as a buffer, a completely horrible character can somehow still come off as a great one.

This is pretty common when it comes to male characters on television. Either the show portrays their offensive actions as comical or makes you forget all about the horrible things they've done because they did it in the name of love.

Frankly, there is no excuse for being a bad person, but television does a really good job at making you see shades of gray when it comes to certain men.

We've created a slideshow below of 17 toxic male characters that TV tried to disguise.

1. Barney Stinson - How I Met Your Mother

Barney would literally lie to girls to get them to sleep with him, steal their vehicles after he slept with them, and he once even admitted to selling a woman. But somehow the fact that he was in love with Robin and did nice things for her made everything else okay.

2. Faustus Blackwood - Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

This guy has mastered the art of manipulation. He puts his own needs above literally everyone and doesn't seem to care if he hurts the people around him. Father Blackwood is just a big no.

3. Chuck Bass - Gossip Girl

Chuck Bass is probably one of the worst characters on television. He tried to rape two main characters in the first episode of the show, and even traded the "love of his life's" body for his hotel. Not to mention how he always emotionally abused Blair and once got physical with her when he was drunk. Chuck never got better, but Gossip Girl did get better at hiding how horrible he was from the audience.

4. Sheldon Cooper - The Big Bang Theory

Sheldon is supposed to come off as funny but really he's just offensive, especially when it comes to women. He constantly degrades most female characters and believes that there's no way they could be as smart as he is.

5. Jimmy Shive-Overly - You're the Worst

There's a lot of pretty sucky characters in You're the Worst, but Jimmy really takes the cake. It's not surprising that a lot of other characters don't like him. He's pretty rude, insulting, and can be just all around mean.

6. Joe Goldeberg - YOU

The show didn't necessarily try to hide just how toxic Joe was, but it did tread a thin line. It's almost like some of his behavior was supposed to seem justified because most of the series was told in his point of view. It was hard not to picture things the way that he did which built him quite a fanbase in the audience.

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Love triangles can be interesting to watch when done right, but there's no denying that they do their fair share of damage.

They test friendships and put an unnecessary strain on potential romances.

Thankfully, some friendships are strong enough to survive even the most annoying and dreaded love triangles on television.

Sometimes we're lucky enough to not even experience a problem between characters despite two friends being into the same person.

Check out our list below of 31 friendships that weren't ruined by a love triangle!

1. Miley and Lily - Hannah Montana

This is quite the throwback, but does anyone remember Miley and Lily's vicious battle over heartthrob actor Jake Ryan? These two really got into it at the school dance all those years ago. But at the end of the day, love won. And by love, we mean the love between Miley and Lily, obviously.

2. Jess and Reagan - New Girl

Despite being in love with Nick, Jess never once tried to lead Regan astray. She even flew Reagan in to see Nick as a special surprise. Reagan hadn't had a lot of luck with friends in her life, but she does admit Jess was the best girlfriend she has ever had.

3. Peyton and Brooke - One Tree Hill

They may have had their fair share of fights because of Lucas, but it turns out that nothing could keep these best friends apart for long.

4. Betty and Veronica - Riverdale

Things got a little awkward when Veronica ended up dating Betty's long-time crush and best friend, but they were able to move past it and grow even closer.

5. Alex and Nico - Marvel's Runaways

This one's a little unique considering Alex and Nico actually dated. When Nico realized she had feelings for Karolina things got a little weird between all of them but they managed to stay good friends who have each other's back.

6. Lauren and Kaylie - Make It or Break It

Their friendship definitely wasn't ruined by a love triangle but it was put on a temporary hold. Lauren slept with Kaylie's boyfriend so we can't actually blame Kaylie for being upset. But at the end of the day, they were able to reconcile and both dumped Carter after he was exposed for the jerk he was.

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The primary love story on a series may not always be the best one.

Sometimes secondary romances turn out to be better than originally expected and can overshadow the main relationship.

The stress and emphasis placed on a series' main couple, often creates unnecessary drama that only serves to destroy the relationship rather than keep it afloat.

There are even moments where a relationship is so good, the audience starts to wonder who the primary couple of the show really is.

We've created a slideshow below of 19 secondary romances that surpassed expectations!

1. Alex and Maggie - Supergirl

Alex and Maggie were the best couple on Supergirl. Despite calling off their engagement, we've yet to find a relationship on the show that can compare to them.

2. Michael and Maria - Roswell

Michael and Maria had it all. Their relationship progression felt natural and they were the best couple on Roswell, no comparison.

3. Garrett and Dina - Superstore

Let's be real, it would be extremely hard to overshadow Jonah and Amy. They've earned their place as Superstore's primary romance. But the unlikely romance between Garrett and Dina was surprisingly successful. In fact, it's impossible not to root for them to just get together already.

4. Jason and Janet - The Good Place

Jason and Janet was a pairing we didn't see coming. Especially considering that Janet is technically a robot. But Janet started developing emotions of her own and now we're not really sure what she is. All we do know is that these two belong together.

5. Emily and Sylvia - The Handmaid's Tale

While we haven't gotten to see much of Emily and Sylvia's marriage, we love everything about them. They both deserve better than what happened to them.

6. Thea and Roy - Arrow

Thea and Roy surpass Oliver and Felicity no question. They are a pure and amazing couple and their chemistry has always been off the charts.

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Everyone needs security in their lives, especially shippers who watch a lot of television.

The on again, off again, couples can keep viewers on their toes, but sometimes the best relationships are the ones that get together and stick together.

Couples who are always all in with each other are actually far more appealing than those that have continuous drama and scandals.

Who wouldn't want a stable relationship that can make it through anything?

Check out our slideshow below of 21 of the most secure relationships on television.

1. Jane and Michael - Jane the Virgin

Poor Jane and Michael had to go through so much once Jane's accidental pregnancy came out. But the only thing that truly got in the way of their love was death. Or not death? What exactly was with that cliffhanger?

2. Ben and Leslie - Parks and Recreation

Once Ben quit his job to be with Leslie nothing could keep them apart. These two lovebirds will be together forever.

3. Randall and Beth - This Is Us

Although they went through some struggles, Randall and Beth came out the other side. They became both stronger and better from it.

4. Brad and Jane - Happy Endings

Some might say Brad and Jane might love each other too much. But really, how could anyone love too much? Their relationship is inspiring and we all want someone to love us as much as Brad and Jane love each other.

5. Magnus and Alec - Shadowhunters

Nothing, not even demons are keeping these two apart. We're not even a little bit worried that Magnus and Alec will break up. Their love is unconditional and all they want is to spend their life together. With Shadowhunters coming to an end, we've got our fingers crossed for a wedding in the future.

6. Nomi and Amanita - Sense8

Nothing can scare Amanita away from Nomi, not even the fact that Nomi is literally connected to a group of random people. We also can't get over the fact that they both proposed to each other at the same time. It doesn't get any cuter.

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Ships exist in all kinds of genres. Dramas, thrillers, and of course comedies.

Relationships on sitcoms can be a bit lighter than those on high stakes dramas, but that doesn't mean they can't be just as wonderful.

Sitcoms provide an opportunity for the characters to have fun with each other, and the audience experiences it in return. They provide a great escape for those days when you just need to smile.

We've created a slideshow below of 33 of the greatest ships from sitcoms!

1. Cory and Topanga - Boy Meets World

Cory and Topanga were the classic ship for anyone who grew up in the early 90s. Fans of the show were in luck when Disney created a spinoff that featured Cory and Topanga happily married with their two kids.

2. Lucy and Ricky - I Love Lucy

Lucky and Ricky were probably the purest couple of their time. Ricky dealing with Lucy's shenanigans was always hilarious to watch, and there was no doubt how much they loved each other.

3. Jim and Pam - The Office

Jim and Pam are probably one of America's favorite couples to date. Since Pam was engaged at the beginning of the show, it took them a while to finally get together, but we couldn't be happier that they did.

4. Sabrina and Harvey - Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Sabrina always belonged with Harvey and it was obvious. It's not easy being a teenage witch, but it didn't scare Harvey away from the girl that he loved.

5. Nick and Jess - New Girl

Jess started off as Nick's new quirky roommate, but he even admitted that he fell in love with her the moment she walked through the door. Nick and Jess were always there for each other and even became best friends. Ending the series with a wedding between them was the perfect way to say goodbye.

6. Rob and Laura Petrie - The Dick Van Dyke Show

Despite having a house full of kids, Rob and Laura were the most entertaining and comedic part of the series. It was hard not to have fun just watching them together.

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Friends becoming more than that is a favorite ship trope, both on screen and in real life.

Getting to see that growth between characters as they learn about each other, learn to trust each other, and then learn to romantically love each other is everything we could ever ask for from a fictional relationship.

27 Heartbreaking Looks of Romantic Longing

And while it may feel like sometimes our favorite shows don't commit to the slow burn that a friends to lovers trope requires, there are so many quality friendships that turned into something more.

In fact, this slideshow is just a sample of the many connections that were built on platonic love first before it grew into more because of its potential.

What TV friendship that turned romantic over time was your absolute favorite?

1. Monty and Harper (The 100)

These two deserved more time together as friends and as lovers. We deserved more time to spend with them at every point of their lives together. But even if The 100 couldn't give us that, it did give us a couple that was built off innocence and love for one another. Monty and Harper always looked out for each other and wanted nothing but peace, which in a way they were able to instill until their last days. And while we may not be lucky enough to have them on the show anymore, their memory lives on in the form of their son Jordan who embodies all the positivity that Monty and Harper created on The 100.

2. Quentin and Eliot (The Magicians)

This was a surprise because it was almost unbelievable that fans would get this lucky to see a full Quentin and Eliot story being played out after all this time. It seemed like the perfect next step after falling in love with their friendship, and the show delivered exactly that in some of the most well-written progression from platonic to romantic potential.

3. Cameron and Kirsten (Stitchers)

These two defined what friends with banter could progress to if given enough time, attention, and care. The writers behind Stitchers achieved what many shows dream of when they have a couple with so much potential. Allowing natural growth to do its thing, along with a show that acknowledged how valuable romance was meant that fans got a ship for the ages.

4. Lucy and Wyatt (Timeless)

The only regret with these two is that there wasn't more time to explore them. But they got their happiness and even if we would have enjoyed seeing more of the walk it took to get there, these two can make any endgame story work.

5. Barry and Iris (The Flash)

Barry and Iris are really showing every other couple how to make it work. They went from friends to lovers to endgame and it never felt more obvious. These two were destined for a happy ever after, and they taught us plenty about a good connection with a friend along the way.

6. Dan and Blair (Gossip Girl)

Dan and Blair should have stayed together, their friendship was too great not to let that continue on. This might be an unpopular opinion but this ship stood out because of how friendship was prioritized before romance kicked in.

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With time comes aging right? A few more wrinkles, a few more greys, and a slower metabolism. Apparently, this is not always the case for the following TV characters, and it's something that goes far beyond a good makeup artist.

It's amazing watching certain characters grow, especially characters that started off young and mature with the show.

It can be easy to forget that a season of a show is equivalent to another year passed. So here's our compilation of characters who prove that physicalities are like fine wine, they only get better with age.

Leave your comments below on our list or any added characters you feel should've been included!

1. Jude Foster - The Foster

He was originally an adorable, sweet, little boy, but grew into a tall, handsome young man.

2. Rebecca Bunch - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

A new look for a new self-discovery.

3. Rachel Berry - Glee

From preppy schoolgirl in knee-high socks and sweaters to sexy city girl.

4. Alex Alvarez - One Day At A Time

A bit taller, a lowered voice, and a teenage fashion sense.

5. Callie Torres - Grey's Anatomy

"Straight" Callie to queer Callie.

6. Rachel Green - Friends

That mid-90s perm gone forever.

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While there's always going to be someone out there that doesn't like a TV relationship, there are those rare couples that essentially everyone who watches the show loves.

A mutual love of a pairing within a fandom could be for a variety of reasons. Sometimes there's just no competition, and other times the relationship is just that awesome.

Although it's impossible for everyone to agree completely, we put together a list of ships that are universally loved by the majority of the fanbase.

1. Elena and Syd - One Day At a Time

Elena and Syd are one of the cutest and purest couples a sitcom has ever created. Not to mention how important they are and everything they represent.

2. Schmidt and Cece - New Girl

Schmidt and Cece were meant to be from the very first episode. It's hard for anyone to watch their scenes without a smile on their face.

3. Jake and Amy - Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Jake and Amy are one of the healthiest relationships on TV (if not the healthiest) and everyone can see it. If you don't hardcore ship it, you have to at least appreciate it for what it is.

4. Cheryl and Toni - Riverdale

Whether you ship Bughead, Barchie, or Veggie, almost everyone in the Riverdale fandom has a love and appreciation for Cheryl and Toni's romance.

5. Jim and Pam - The Office

Jim and Pam are the world's favorite couple. Literally. If you don't ship them you're probably from another planet.

6. Jonah and Amy - Superstore

If you love Superstore than you automatically love Jonah and Amy. They've always been the heart and soul of the show and it's nearly impossible to be invested in the series without also being invested in Jonah and Amy's relationship.

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When there are couples who should have ended up together, there are also couples who shouldn't have ended up together.

In some cases, they actually weren't supposed to be a couple when the series finale came around, but when actors leave the show, writers can only work with what they've got.

There's also the occasions when a relationship is just the worst and we can't believe they were together at the show's conclusion.

We put together a list of 17 TV couples who shouldn't have been endgame.

1. Amy and Reagan - Faking It

No matter what the writers say, we know Amy and Karma were meant to be from the start. Reagan and Amy definitely weren't meant to be endgame, but unfortunately, the show never got a fourth season.

2. Ted and Robin - How I Met Your Mother

To be honest, Barney and Robin weren't a very great relationship either, but it didn't make much sense to make the entire last season about their wedding just to break them up and put her with Ted. We also can't forget that the main point of the series was supposed to be about Ted meeting the mother of his kids.

3. Sookie and her human husband - True Blood

The whole premise of True Blood was about Sookie and her vampire love interests, so the fact that she ended up with a random human is pretty disappointing.

4. Ryan and Taylor - The O.C.

Ryan was always supposed to be with Marissa until the actress left the show. Her death was heartbreaking, and it felt like Ryan only ended up with Taylor just so he wouldn't be alone.

5. Riley and Lucas - Girl Meets World

Riley and Lucas's story was dull and predictable, even for a Disney show. Riley had a lot more chemistry with Farkle, and Lucas was meant to be with Maya.

6. Bay and Travis - Switched at Birth

Travis was a great guy and he did deserve a happy ending. But his relationship with Bay came out of nowhere and didn't make much sense since the whole series was building to Bay and Emmett. If they were going to put Travis and Bay together at the end, they should have started developing them earlier on.

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Whether it's a comedy or drama, without a positive character development TV shows can feel bland and boring. It can take seasons or episodes for a character to develop and mature.

Most often these changes are prompted by love, life-changing events, or even age. These elements are what humanizes characters and make them all the more relatable.

The growth of these characters is pertinent to us feeling more attached and ultimately more invested in the show. Continue on and learn which characters we found contained the strongest developments. Don't forget to comment below any of your thoughts!

1. Eddie Saville - A Million Little Things

A Million Things is only one season in and the characters have already done their fair share of developing! In the beginning, Eddie was stuck in an unhappy marriage and cheating with his best friend's wife. By the end of the season, he's learned that sometimes the best thing to do is walk away. He figures out that communication is key and he understands the mistakes he made and the sacrifices Katherine gave for their family.

2. Axl Heck - The Middle

Originally Axl is portrayed as a lazy, ungrateful son who holds zero potential. His parents are excited if he simply leaves the house dressed properly. After his trip abroad he comes back a changed man who is ready to find his own job and life beyond the comfort of his doting parents.

3. Sutton Brady - The Bold Type

Gone are the days of Sutton's coffee fetching, phone answering, and paperwork filing. After her friends are successfully moving up the career chain, she begins questioning her potential. She finally chases after her dreams in fashion and becomes a force to be reckoned with. She no longer allows herself to be hidden away by her boyfriend and instead fights for the respect she deserves.

4. Eddie Huang - Fresh Off the Boat

Eddie started the show as a little boy, focused only on himself and his cool factor. Years later, a few inches taller, and voice a few octaves lower he's finding his way in the world beyond the label of Asian-American. He begins realizing the impact he could have on his life and those around him, and that his mother's seemingly strict mannerisms are rooted in love.

5. Mark Sloan - Grey's Anatomy

Mark Sloan, a true silver fox, who was once known as the paramour who slept with Derek's wife. By the time of his tragic and sad death on the show, he had gained the respect of the fandom and this turnaround in character made his loss so much harder. I only wish he had realized his love for Lexi much sooner because his love for her made him change for the better.

6. Haley Dunphy - Modern Family

Haley was always the airheaded daughter with zero prospects. She was always seen fighting with her brother and sister, but after 10 seasons she has finally grown into an adult. Although she will always be seen by her parents as their little girl, she will finally be something more than that making them proud as she takes on motherhood.

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Pining can be the most satisfying and the most heartbreaking part of a television romance.

One one hand, it's fulfilling to see part of your ship crushing on their friend while they are completely oblivious, but on the other hand...well, pain.

But secrets have a way of coming out, and on television, feelings are always addressed at some point.

We put together a list below of 23 characters who were secretly crushing on their friend!

1. Niles Crane - Frasier

Niles was hopelessly in love with Daphne for seasons, but he never summed up the courage to tell her. In fact, it took almost 8 years for everything to come to light. Once it did, however, Niles discovered that Daphne felt the same way about him, and they ended up getting married.

2. Jonah Simms - Superstore

Jonah was crushing on Amy ever since the pilot. He didn't find out she was married until a couple of episodes into the season, but you can't just shut off your feelings. The two became incredibly close friends and Jonah spent all that time secretly in love with her. In fact, the constant stuttering and inability to form sentences when Jonah finds out Amy likes him back deserves all the awards.

3. Simon Lewis - Shadowhunters

Simon was head over heels in love with his childhood best friend, Clary. Needless to say, it didn't work out because the chemistry between them was little to none. It's all okay though since Simon is slowly discovering that Isabelle Lightwood is the love of his life.

4. Gert Yorkes - Marvel's Runaways

Anyone could see that Gert was crushing on Chase despite him originally not showing much interest. She tried her best to deny it, but it was to easy to see right through her. Thankfully, Chase eventually realized that he had feelings for Gert as well.

5. Clarke Griffin - The 100

This one isn't actually proven, but it's pretty obvious how Clarke feels about her best friend. The amount of close-ups there are of Clarke looking longingly over at Bellamy while he's with his girlfriend is getting excessive.

6. Eleanor Shellstrop - The Good Place

When Chidi admitted to not having feelings for her, Eleanor tried to play it cool and say she felt the same way. But poor Eleanor was a goner for Chidi and has been for centuries. Literally.

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Crush confessions can be one of the most anticipated parts of a series.

After waiting patiently, all you want is for that one character to finally admit to the other how they feel.

More often than not, your ship eventually ends up riding happily into the sunset, but putting yourself out there is always a risk that may not have the outcome you're hoping for.

We've created a slideshow of 13 confessions of love that ended in rejection.

1. Winn's confession to Kara - Supergirl

The moment Kara pulled away from Winn's kiss, her face said everything we needed to know. It was kind of hard not to feel bad for Winn considering how head over heels he was for his best friend, but the two are better off as just that.

2. "Sebastian's" confession to Clary - Shadowhunters

This was all types of horrible. Honestly, we kind of wish Shadowhunters had left this part of the story out. But, Clary's brother disguised himself as Sebastian and kissed Clary. It was weird, and we're glad that she didn't want to be romantically involved with either Sebastian or her brother.

3. George's confession to Meredith - Grey's Anatomy

Right after George confessed his love for Meredith, she kisses him and they sleep together. But the rejection actually comes in the middle of sex when she starts crying since she knows she doesn't have feelings for George. This scene was equal parts cringe-worthy and heartbreaking.

4. Chase's confession to Karolina - Marvel's Runaways

Karolina didn't outright reject Chase, more like she just refused to be around him after he kissed her. As it turns out, Nico was the one she wanted to be with all along.

5. Bloom's confession to Reynolds - New Amsterdam

This one's a bit complicated. Reynolds originally rejected Bloom because when she confessed her feelings, he said that he wanted to marry a black woman. However, the two had been sleeping together, and he tries to kiss her later on, but she rejects him right back.

6. Eleanor's confession to Chidi - The Good Place

Although Eleanor fell for Chidi in every reboot we've seen, decision's aren't Chidi's strong suit so there were some occasions where he didn't think he felt the same way. And considering that they're soulmates, it was painful to watch.

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Sometimes the kisses that don't happen are even better than the ones that do.

In fact, the buildup to a kiss can be more satisfying to watch than the actual kiss itself.

There's instances where characters had a change of heart, others times they were interrupted, and once in a while there's a kiss that happened in an alternate reality.

We created a list of 21 of the best kisses that never happened!

1. Prairie and Homer - The OA

They were separated by a glass wall for seven years. Always close, but never close enough. Right when they're finally able to touch for the first time they are violently pulled apart.

2. Chidi and Eleanor - The Good Place

This one is an interesting situation because even though the kiss technically did happen, it didn't. We love you Michael, but the repercussions of your reality altering reboots are still frustrating to this day.

3. Lucas and Maya - Girl Meets World

In all honesty, the only reason why Lucas and Maya didn't kiss is that the show aired on Disney Channel. With the way these two were looking at each other, it was a bit puzzling that Girl Meets World left us hanging.

4. Rosie and Villa - Rosewood

All we wanted was for Rosie and Villa to finally admit how they felt about each other. The number of teases between them before they officially entered the romantic territory were just plain painful.

5. Jake and Amy - Brooklyn Nine-Nine

All Jake and Amy wanted to do was kiss, but the world just was not having it. It took several attempts for them to finally smooch after being separated from each other for months.

6. Oliver and Felicity - Arrow

Did this kiss really happen? Considering this scene was cut from the episode and then released as a deleted scene, does it count?

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It's hard to convince your OTP that they belong together when they can't hear you through the television screen.

Therefore, we have to give a special shoutout to those characters who do what we cannot.

We may not be able to get through to our ship, but there's usually someone on the show who's just as invested as the audience.

Check out our list of 13 TV relationships that came with an onscreen shipper!

1. Chidi and Eleanor - Michael (The Good Place)

Sometimes we wonder if the only reason Michael kept rebooting everyone was to watch Chidi and Eleanor fall in love all over again. Thankfully, he was there to be their cheerleader and tell them the truth about their feelings for each other. We also can't forget the fan video he made about them in the Season 3 finale.

2. Jim and Pam - Michael (The Office)

As much as we all love Jim and Pam, no one loves them as much as Michael Scott. Michael may have been wrong about a lot of things, but he was absolutely right about this.

3. Barry and Iris - Joe (The Flash)

Even when Barry gave up all hope that Iris would ever be with him, Joe did not. Joe wanted what was best for his daughter, and he knew that was Barry Allen.

4. Stiles and Lydia - Scott (Teen Wolf)

Stiles' best friend always knew where his heart truly lied. Considering that Stiles and Lydia were both too stubborn to admit their feelings, we're lucky Scott was there to help push them in the right direction.

5. Simon and Isabelle - Becky (Shadowhunters)

Thank goodness for Rebecca Lewis. Viewers knew that Simon and Isabelle belonged together from day one, but the two struggled to see what was right in front of them. As soon as Becky decided to play matchmaker and call Simon out on his feelings, they both became very aware of what was going on between them.

6. Amy and Jonah - Sandra (Superstore)

To be fair, all the Cloud 9 employees ship Amy and Jonah as they have stated on multiple occasions. But Sandra deserves a special mention because she is the one who went above and beyond and made a "Team Amy" shirt.

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Most gay characters in movies and TV shows are portrayed by straight actors. This can be unfortunate if you happen to be queer and seek out queer characters only to find their counterpart is straight in reality.

At the end of the day TV and movies are all acting, and being able to convincingly portray a lovey-dovey relationship or a character as different from you as possible is a part of a job well done.

So it's understandable that straight characters and gay characters are portrayed by actors who may not identify the same way sexually

Here is a short list of the most well-known and lower key actors portraying queer characters. Some may come as a shock while others are easily forseeable.

Don't forget to leave a comment below, and let us know if there are any we may have left out!

1. Cheyenne Jackson

Although only a small role on Glee, his character Dustin Goolsby had a temptation for Holly Holiday.

2. Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore's character on The Santa Clarita Diet is happily married to a man. Drew Barrymore may be a lesser-known queer actress, but she does identify as bisexual despite being married to a man.

3. David Burtka

David Burtka portrays Lily's obsessive ex-boyfriend Scooter. Ironically, he's Neil Patrick Harris' real-life husband.

4. Johnathan Bennett

Johnathan Bennett sometimes is more well known as the love interest of Cady Heron on the popular movie Mean Girls. It was only recently that he was accidentally outed as gay by a costar.

5. Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga's character in A Star Is Born is in a heterosexual relationship with Bradly Cooper. Her brand is blurring the lines between normalcy, or at least what is considered normal in society, so her bisexuality is not something that might come as a shock to most people. She stands up for bisexual visibility.

6. Matt Dallas

Matt Dallas was the star of the TV show Kyle XY where he was romantically involved with only women, Jessi and Amanda. Later to find out Matt is completely gay and married with children.

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