Travicity
02-16-2011, 10:40 PM
Split-Screen: The Most Horrible TV Breakups
Just when you thought it was save to love again, UGO steps all over your romantic dreams with The Most Horrible TV Breakups.
30
Buffy and Angel
Unhappily Ever After: Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Cause of Death: Oh god, which one? Was it where she slept with him, activated a gypsy curse and turned him evil, the one where he moved to LA to spin-off, er...help the helpless and prevent causing her any more pain? Or how about when he undid an entire day of loving happiness to get his powers back? Sheesh.
Future Reconciliation?: Angel continued to show up now and again, well into both the seventh season and even the eighth comic season as Twilight, where the reconciliation was equally short-lived. And he tried to end the world. Again.
29
Dylan and Brenda
Unhappily Ever After: Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty of Beverly Hills 90210
Cause of Death: You just can't cage Luke Perry! Dylan and Brenda's on-again, off-again relationship came to a definitive close when she rejected his proposal, and eventually moved away to study theatre in London while he went on the hunt to avenge his father's murder. Life is dramatic in California.
Future Reconciliation?: Dylan mentioned in a letter that the two briefly reconciled in London, but ended things again. The 2009 re-launch of the series implies that the two have a son together, but still stay their separate ways.
28
Michael Scott and...Everyone.
Unhappily Ever After: Steve Carell, Melora Hardin, Nancy Walls and Amy Ryan of The Office
Cause of Death: Oy. For Michael Scott, even the happiest relationships end in cringe-worthy horror, lest we forget the events of his and Jan's " Dinner Party." Prior to that was the horrible awkwardness of his over-eager relationship with Carol (Steve Carell's actual wife) or his tearfully reluctant release of the long-distance Holly.
Future Reconciliation?: With Holly and Michael reconciled just in time for Steve Carell's imminent departure, we're counting on a happy ride off into the sunset for the two.
27
Angela and Hodgins
Unhappily Ever After: T.J. Thyne and Michaela Conlin of Bones
Cause of Death: This happy couple turned to bones (couldn't resist, mate) after their wedding found itself running afoul of Angela's first technical husband, who refused to sign papers. Angela herself broke things off believing Hodgins didn't trust her, and the awkwardness went on, and on...
Future Reconciliation?: Boom! Happily married after a few key moments in between other relationships, false pregnancies, and a lengthy chat sharing a prison cell. I know...what?
26
Stan and Wendy
Unhappily Ever After: Trey Parker and Mary Kay Bergman of South Park
Cause of Death: Wendy breaks up. So sayeth Bebe. Well, we all remember the painful speed with which adolescent relationships came and went. Perhaps tired of his group's near-constant global shenanigans, Wendy decides Token the better mark.
Future Reconciliation?: Success! The events of "The List" seem to have firmly entrenched the pair back together, meaning we no longer need endure the gothic hold over Stan.
25
Peter and Olivia
Unhappily Ever After: Joshua Jackson and Anna Torv of Fringe
Cause of Death: Okay, so it's a new relationship and fairly fresh breakup to be sure, but it'd be tough for any budding romance to survive having inadvertently spent weeks falling for your significant other's undercover alternate-universe duplicate instead. Star Trek never prepared us for that one.
Future Reconciliation?: Maybe! Our Olivia's still having a few issues getting over the ick factor of having her life and love invaded by her counterpart. Not to mention that whole "Peter-powered universe destroyer" and Faux-Livia's pregnancy surely complicating things.
24
Ted and Robin
Unhappily Ever After: Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders of How I Met Your Mother
Cause of Death: Something of a cross between Jerry and Elaine and Ross and Rachel (without the happy ending), Ted and Robin's relationship fell apart near as quickly into the second season as it began, the two realizing they had different future goals in mind. Plus, the series would have a fairly misleading title were the two to stay together.
Future Reconciliation?: Despite the devastating, sadness-beard inducing split, the two DO live together and occasionally share a random sexual encounter, though Robin's relationship with Barney and other of Ted's acquaintances has safely put the matter to bed. And did we mention that she's not the mother?
23
Carrie Bradshaw and...Anybody
Unhappily Ever After: Sarah Jessica Parker, John Corbett, Christopher Noth, and Ron Livingston of Sex and the City
Cause of Death: Well, there was one of the 18 breakups with Mr. Big over their committment issues, there was the breakup with Aiden over committment issues with Mr. Big, and finally, Berger. That guy just left a post-it. Awesome.
Future Reconciliation?: She already married Mr. Big in the movie, almost got back with Aidan in the sequel, maybe we can bring back Ron Livingston for the potential threequel? This time he could break up with her with a tweet.
22
Cristina and Burke
Unhappily Ever After: Sandra Oh and Isaiah Washington of Grey's Anatomy
Cause of Death: One of those unfortunate incidents in which real life writes the plot, Burke straight-up left Cristina at the altar, disappearing forever when an incident of homophobia between Isaiah Washington and co-star T.R. Knight alienated the former from the producers who chose not to renew his contract.
Future Reconciliation?: Outlook not so good. Besides, is this show even still on?
21
Cory and Topanga
Unhappily Ever After: Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel of Boy Meets World
Cause of Death: Cory briefly accepts a kiss from an interested instructor during a school skiing trip, initially lying to Topanga until she finds out and encourages him to take a day to test his feelings for her. I still maintain that she tricked him, but despite his re-assured love for Topanga she dumps him for even doubting it.
Future Reconciliation?: Psh, it's Cory and Topanga. Heartbreaking as the split was, the two would eventually marry. And let's not forget the honeymooooooooooooooon!!!!
20
Eric and Donna
Unhappily Ever After: Laura Prepon and Topher Grace of That '70s Show
Cause of Death: The first break-up over Donna's refusal to take the promise ring seriously got pretty rough, but wasn't half as bad as when Eric disappeared before their wedding or ran away to Africa and broke things off with a Dear John.
Future Reconciliation?: Expected stunt casting brought Eric back from abroad (cough, the Spider-Man 3 set) for the series finale, but unless we wanted to stick around for That '80s Show we'll never know for sure things lasted.
19
Finn and Quinn
Unhappily Ever After: Cory Monteith and Dianna Agron of Glee
Cause of Death: Well shucks, most high-schoolers don't react too well to the news that your girlfriend, head of the celibacy club has been sleeping with your best friend and consistently trying to trick you into raising the baby.
Future Reconciliation?: Scandal! The two seem to be canoodling quite a bit despite mutual ties to glee clubbers Sam and Rachel, proving that no one on the show learns anything, ever.
18
Sean and Julia McNamara
Unhappily Ever After: Dylan Walsh and Joely Richardson of Nip/Tuck
Cause of Death: Their marriage already on the rocks by the series' beginning, the silicone hits the fan after Sean discovers that their eldest child Matt actually belongs to his partner Christian Troy, and he kicks her out of the house.
Future Reconciliation?: Several attempted reconciliations took place, including their newborn son Conor and Sean's aiding her through retrograde amnesia, but Julia always seemed to find some new partner to move for and drag their kids along with her.
17
Kirk and Luann Van Houten
Unhappily Ever After: Hank Azaria and Maggie Roswell of The Simpsons
Cause of Death: The Van Houten breakup remained a brutal overstay of the series and Milhouse' un-ending torture, owing largely to their constant bickering and Kirk's Cracker Factory job failing to provide enough for the family.
Future Reconciliation?: The two almost reconciled over margaritas in "Milhouse of Sand and Fog," until actually re-marrying in "Little Orphan Millie." Who knows what future episode Milhouse puns could bring?
16
Charlie and Kirsten
Unhappily Ever After: Matthew Fox and Paula Devicq of Party of Five
Cause of Death: Involved since the second episode, Charlie and Kirsten's numerous breakups and reconciliations lasted across the span of the entire series, through aborted weddings, infidelity and even homelessness.
Future Reconciliation?: The two finally settled together by series end, even expecting a child together, though disaster struck as Charlie's plane crashed on a mysterious Island in 2004.
15
Andy and Angela
Unhappily Ever After: Angela Kinsey and Ed Helms of The Office
Cause of Death: It might have been the fact that their relationship never found solid ground in the first place. Or that she spent most of her engagement cheating on him with Dwight. Ultimately, Andy and Dwight both rejected her upon realizing she'd lied to each in different ways.
Future Reconciliation?: Doubtful, considering Jack Coleman's burgeoning role as Angela's boyfriend and the writers shoving Andy and Erin down our throats.
14
Brooke and Lucas
Unhappily Ever After: Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray of One Tree Hill
Cause of Death: Jiminy Christmas, these two shared more back and forth than Kirstie Alley and Oprah Winfrey on a see-saw. Worse than all the teenage angst of their breakups and Lucas' many complications with Peyton, you'd have to actually watch One Tree Hill to keep up with it.
Future Reconciliation?: Lucas closes things out raising his baby girl with Peyton, and that's as far as we'd care to investigate.
13
Seth and Summer
Unhappily Ever After: Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson of The OC
Cause of Death: While it saddens all our nerdy hearts to see the geek lose the girl he'd attained so incredulously from the start, the on-again, off-again relationship reached its conclusive end about the same time Marissa Cooper did, their problem separating school and career paths already weighing down.
Future Reconciliation?: Despite Summer's evolution from materialistic to hippie, the series finale showed the two to eventually make it work in spite of pregnancy scares, four years into the future. This of course, happened in Californiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...
12
Phoebe and Cole
Unhappily Ever After: Alyssa Milano and Julian McMahon of Charmed
Cause of Death: Just...all...over the place. And which end could we even talk about? There was their marriage, any one of the fifteen times Cole became "too evil" and had to be vanquished by the sisters, or that time he changed reality only to find himself in a loveless marriage with her...
It was a complicated show.
Future Reconciliation?: Unless those Charmed comics decide to go for 16, we'll see this one in Hell.
11
Matt and Julie
Unhappily Ever After: Zack Gilford and Aimee Teegarden of Friday Night Lights
Cause of Death: Initially breaking up over Matt's stress to maintain his position as quarterback, and both her family problems and interest in her co-worker, the pair's brief reconciliation in later seasons was marred by his decision to leave her behind for Chicago and pursue his art career.
Future Reconciliation?: After an initial rejection during Matt's brief return to Dillon, by the (very recent) series end the two had reconciled, living together in Chicago. Aww.
10
Will and Terri Schuester
Unhappily Ever After: Matthew Morrison and Jessalyn Gilsig of Glee
Cause of Death: High school romances rarely blossom into successful adult marriages, and even without her fake pregnancy viewers saw the ways in which Terri prevented Will from following his showbusiness dreams, and ways in which he might be better suited for Emma. And oh yeah, SHE FAKED A PREGNANCY. It might have worked, if she didn't try to FAKE THE CHILD too.
Future Reconciliation?: Emma married to Uncle Jesse and Will lacking any real love interest aside, you'd be hard-pressed to think these two would ever get past the baby-drama.
9
Ben and Felicity
Unhappily Ever After: Scott Speedman and Keri Russell of Felicity
Cause of Death: There was their first post-Summer breakup, and subsequent haircut that many argue actually killed the show along with it, and later Ben's fathering a child with ex-girlfriend Lauren. Oh, and then she went back in time to be with Noel. What?
Future Reconciliation?: Felicity seemed to awake from her time in the alternate future and ultimately choose to move to Arizona to be with Ben...we think. Seriously, this show ended with time travel.
8
Zack and Kelly
Unhappily Ever After: Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tiffani Amber-Thiessen of Saved by the Bell
Cause of Death: Zack and Kelly first hit the rocks after she responded to his offer of goging steady too late for his brief infatuation with a young school nurse, but officially crashed and burned after her new job at The Max found her entangled with her boss Jeff.
Future Reconciliation?: Reconciling tumultuously in college, the two found themselves married in the TV Movie! Though if Zack's appearance on Jimmy Fallon holds any merit, the two might have divorced eventually.
7
Logan and Veronica
Unhappily Ever After: Jason Dohring and Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars
Cause of Death: A three-fer! First out of her growing concern for his enjoyment of the violence between the '09ers and PCH, then later at Hearst College for both being unable to change their mistrusting ways, and finally for his sleeping with Madison Sinclair in their time apart.
Future Reconciliation?: The series' cancellation left the relationship unresolved, but creator Rob Thomas believed "it will always be Veronica and Logan."
6
Don and Betty Draper
Unhappily Ever After: Jon Hamm and January Jones of Mad Men
Cause of Death: Could've been the quiet anxiety of being a housewife living in the shadow of Don Draper. Could have been his numerous infidelities. Could have also been the fact that he stole his entire identity from a fellow soldier in the Korean war, and lied about it for a decade. Take your pick!
Future Reconciliation?: It's Mad Men, so despite their respective re-marriages in the fourth season, we can probably expect the two to share at least one more night of passion before the '60s are out.
5
Sam and Diane
Unhappily Ever After: Ted Danson and Shelley Long of Cheers
Cause of Death: Numerous hits and near misses of Sam and Diane getting together finally culminated in boatside proposal (and about 10 proposals thereafter), but Diane ultimately opted to leave Boston (and the series) to pursue her own career.
Future Reconciliation?: Of course Diane's return for Cheers' series finale posed the question again, but ultimately the two decided against it. Their occasional re-appearances on Frasier did suggest hope for the future, however.
4
Willow and Oz
Unhappily Ever After: Alyson Hannigan and Seth Green of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Cause of Death: Having (technically, depending on your bestiality views) cheated on her and still unable to control the wolf inside, Oz decides it best to abandon Willow in search of inner peace. Even his brief return couldn't stifle her burgeoning relationship with Tara, again departing in defeat.
Future Reconciliation?: It's always possible we suppose, but the presence of Oz's wife and newborn child in the season eight comics would likely suggest otherwise.
3
Dawson, Joey and Pacey
Unhappily Ever After: James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, and Joshua Jackson of Dawson's Creek
Cause of Death: Joey left Dawson multiple times, first over her attraction to then-straight Jack, and later over his involvement in her ex-con father's second incarceration. But worse than their fate hanging over the entire series was her relationship with Pacey, which spectacularly crashed when he (nobly) dumped her at her own prom.
Future Reconciliation?: And the fandom cried out in horror when the final episode revealed that Joey and Pacey ended up together, rather than Joey and Dawson. Dawson found his true love however...Steven Spielberg.
2
Kevin and Winnie
Unhappily Ever After: Fred Savage and Danica McKellar of The Wonder Years
Cause of Death: Kevin and Winnie's relationship was filled with its ups and downs, but never ended so harshly as when Kevin fled his hometown in search of Winnie, only to find her making out with one of her fellow lifeguards at the resort she worked.
Future Reconciliation?: Despite reconciling by the end, Daniel Stern explained to us how she moved abroad, and despite writing to each other regularly the two ultimately maintained seperate lives and marriages. Poor bastard. Have you SEEN what Winnie looks like now?
1
Ross and Rachel
Unhappily Ever After: David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston of Friends
Cause of Death: Go ahead, it's on the tip of your tongue. You know you want to shout it. WE WERE ON A BREAK! A series of misunderstandings about Rachel's time with co-worker Mark put the two at ill-defined odds, during which Ross sleeps with copy-place girl Chloe and finds the two screaming about it for the rest of the series.
Future Reconciliation?: Truly heart-wrenching stuff, but the end of the series saw fit to re-unite the two. And there was also that "marriage" and "one-night stand pregnancy" thing, I guess
UGO
Just when you thought it was save to love again, UGO steps all over your romantic dreams with The Most Horrible TV Breakups.
30
Buffy and Angel
Unhappily Ever After: Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Cause of Death: Oh god, which one? Was it where she slept with him, activated a gypsy curse and turned him evil, the one where he moved to LA to spin-off, er...help the helpless and prevent causing her any more pain? Or how about when he undid an entire day of loving happiness to get his powers back? Sheesh.
Future Reconciliation?: Angel continued to show up now and again, well into both the seventh season and even the eighth comic season as Twilight, where the reconciliation was equally short-lived. And he tried to end the world. Again.
29
Dylan and Brenda
Unhappily Ever After: Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty of Beverly Hills 90210
Cause of Death: You just can't cage Luke Perry! Dylan and Brenda's on-again, off-again relationship came to a definitive close when she rejected his proposal, and eventually moved away to study theatre in London while he went on the hunt to avenge his father's murder. Life is dramatic in California.
Future Reconciliation?: Dylan mentioned in a letter that the two briefly reconciled in London, but ended things again. The 2009 re-launch of the series implies that the two have a son together, but still stay their separate ways.
28
Michael Scott and...Everyone.
Unhappily Ever After: Steve Carell, Melora Hardin, Nancy Walls and Amy Ryan of The Office
Cause of Death: Oy. For Michael Scott, even the happiest relationships end in cringe-worthy horror, lest we forget the events of his and Jan's " Dinner Party." Prior to that was the horrible awkwardness of his over-eager relationship with Carol (Steve Carell's actual wife) or his tearfully reluctant release of the long-distance Holly.
Future Reconciliation?: With Holly and Michael reconciled just in time for Steve Carell's imminent departure, we're counting on a happy ride off into the sunset for the two.
27
Angela and Hodgins
Unhappily Ever After: T.J. Thyne and Michaela Conlin of Bones
Cause of Death: This happy couple turned to bones (couldn't resist, mate) after their wedding found itself running afoul of Angela's first technical husband, who refused to sign papers. Angela herself broke things off believing Hodgins didn't trust her, and the awkwardness went on, and on...
Future Reconciliation?: Boom! Happily married after a few key moments in between other relationships, false pregnancies, and a lengthy chat sharing a prison cell. I know...what?
26
Stan and Wendy
Unhappily Ever After: Trey Parker and Mary Kay Bergman of South Park
Cause of Death: Wendy breaks up. So sayeth Bebe. Well, we all remember the painful speed with which adolescent relationships came and went. Perhaps tired of his group's near-constant global shenanigans, Wendy decides Token the better mark.
Future Reconciliation?: Success! The events of "The List" seem to have firmly entrenched the pair back together, meaning we no longer need endure the gothic hold over Stan.
25
Peter and Olivia
Unhappily Ever After: Joshua Jackson and Anna Torv of Fringe
Cause of Death: Okay, so it's a new relationship and fairly fresh breakup to be sure, but it'd be tough for any budding romance to survive having inadvertently spent weeks falling for your significant other's undercover alternate-universe duplicate instead. Star Trek never prepared us for that one.
Future Reconciliation?: Maybe! Our Olivia's still having a few issues getting over the ick factor of having her life and love invaded by her counterpart. Not to mention that whole "Peter-powered universe destroyer" and Faux-Livia's pregnancy surely complicating things.
24
Ted and Robin
Unhappily Ever After: Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders of How I Met Your Mother
Cause of Death: Something of a cross between Jerry and Elaine and Ross and Rachel (without the happy ending), Ted and Robin's relationship fell apart near as quickly into the second season as it began, the two realizing they had different future goals in mind. Plus, the series would have a fairly misleading title were the two to stay together.
Future Reconciliation?: Despite the devastating, sadness-beard inducing split, the two DO live together and occasionally share a random sexual encounter, though Robin's relationship with Barney and other of Ted's acquaintances has safely put the matter to bed. And did we mention that she's not the mother?
23
Carrie Bradshaw and...Anybody
Unhappily Ever After: Sarah Jessica Parker, John Corbett, Christopher Noth, and Ron Livingston of Sex and the City
Cause of Death: Well, there was one of the 18 breakups with Mr. Big over their committment issues, there was the breakup with Aiden over committment issues with Mr. Big, and finally, Berger. That guy just left a post-it. Awesome.
Future Reconciliation?: She already married Mr. Big in the movie, almost got back with Aidan in the sequel, maybe we can bring back Ron Livingston for the potential threequel? This time he could break up with her with a tweet.
22
Cristina and Burke
Unhappily Ever After: Sandra Oh and Isaiah Washington of Grey's Anatomy
Cause of Death: One of those unfortunate incidents in which real life writes the plot, Burke straight-up left Cristina at the altar, disappearing forever when an incident of homophobia between Isaiah Washington and co-star T.R. Knight alienated the former from the producers who chose not to renew his contract.
Future Reconciliation?: Outlook not so good. Besides, is this show even still on?
21
Cory and Topanga
Unhappily Ever After: Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel of Boy Meets World
Cause of Death: Cory briefly accepts a kiss from an interested instructor during a school skiing trip, initially lying to Topanga until she finds out and encourages him to take a day to test his feelings for her. I still maintain that she tricked him, but despite his re-assured love for Topanga she dumps him for even doubting it.
Future Reconciliation?: Psh, it's Cory and Topanga. Heartbreaking as the split was, the two would eventually marry. And let's not forget the honeymooooooooooooooon!!!!
20
Eric and Donna
Unhappily Ever After: Laura Prepon and Topher Grace of That '70s Show
Cause of Death: The first break-up over Donna's refusal to take the promise ring seriously got pretty rough, but wasn't half as bad as when Eric disappeared before their wedding or ran away to Africa and broke things off with a Dear John.
Future Reconciliation?: Expected stunt casting brought Eric back from abroad (cough, the Spider-Man 3 set) for the series finale, but unless we wanted to stick around for That '80s Show we'll never know for sure things lasted.
19
Finn and Quinn
Unhappily Ever After: Cory Monteith and Dianna Agron of Glee
Cause of Death: Well shucks, most high-schoolers don't react too well to the news that your girlfriend, head of the celibacy club has been sleeping with your best friend and consistently trying to trick you into raising the baby.
Future Reconciliation?: Scandal! The two seem to be canoodling quite a bit despite mutual ties to glee clubbers Sam and Rachel, proving that no one on the show learns anything, ever.
18
Sean and Julia McNamara
Unhappily Ever After: Dylan Walsh and Joely Richardson of Nip/Tuck
Cause of Death: Their marriage already on the rocks by the series' beginning, the silicone hits the fan after Sean discovers that their eldest child Matt actually belongs to his partner Christian Troy, and he kicks her out of the house.
Future Reconciliation?: Several attempted reconciliations took place, including their newborn son Conor and Sean's aiding her through retrograde amnesia, but Julia always seemed to find some new partner to move for and drag their kids along with her.
17
Kirk and Luann Van Houten
Unhappily Ever After: Hank Azaria and Maggie Roswell of The Simpsons
Cause of Death: The Van Houten breakup remained a brutal overstay of the series and Milhouse' un-ending torture, owing largely to their constant bickering and Kirk's Cracker Factory job failing to provide enough for the family.
Future Reconciliation?: The two almost reconciled over margaritas in "Milhouse of Sand and Fog," until actually re-marrying in "Little Orphan Millie." Who knows what future episode Milhouse puns could bring?
16
Charlie and Kirsten
Unhappily Ever After: Matthew Fox and Paula Devicq of Party of Five
Cause of Death: Involved since the second episode, Charlie and Kirsten's numerous breakups and reconciliations lasted across the span of the entire series, through aborted weddings, infidelity and even homelessness.
Future Reconciliation?: The two finally settled together by series end, even expecting a child together, though disaster struck as Charlie's plane crashed on a mysterious Island in 2004.
15
Andy and Angela
Unhappily Ever After: Angela Kinsey and Ed Helms of The Office
Cause of Death: It might have been the fact that their relationship never found solid ground in the first place. Or that she spent most of her engagement cheating on him with Dwight. Ultimately, Andy and Dwight both rejected her upon realizing she'd lied to each in different ways.
Future Reconciliation?: Doubtful, considering Jack Coleman's burgeoning role as Angela's boyfriend and the writers shoving Andy and Erin down our throats.
14
Brooke and Lucas
Unhappily Ever After: Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray of One Tree Hill
Cause of Death: Jiminy Christmas, these two shared more back and forth than Kirstie Alley and Oprah Winfrey on a see-saw. Worse than all the teenage angst of their breakups and Lucas' many complications with Peyton, you'd have to actually watch One Tree Hill to keep up with it.
Future Reconciliation?: Lucas closes things out raising his baby girl with Peyton, and that's as far as we'd care to investigate.
13
Seth and Summer
Unhappily Ever After: Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson of The OC
Cause of Death: While it saddens all our nerdy hearts to see the geek lose the girl he'd attained so incredulously from the start, the on-again, off-again relationship reached its conclusive end about the same time Marissa Cooper did, their problem separating school and career paths already weighing down.
Future Reconciliation?: Despite Summer's evolution from materialistic to hippie, the series finale showed the two to eventually make it work in spite of pregnancy scares, four years into the future. This of course, happened in Californiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...
12
Phoebe and Cole
Unhappily Ever After: Alyssa Milano and Julian McMahon of Charmed
Cause of Death: Just...all...over the place. And which end could we even talk about? There was their marriage, any one of the fifteen times Cole became "too evil" and had to be vanquished by the sisters, or that time he changed reality only to find himself in a loveless marriage with her...
It was a complicated show.
Future Reconciliation?: Unless those Charmed comics decide to go for 16, we'll see this one in Hell.
11
Matt and Julie
Unhappily Ever After: Zack Gilford and Aimee Teegarden of Friday Night Lights
Cause of Death: Initially breaking up over Matt's stress to maintain his position as quarterback, and both her family problems and interest in her co-worker, the pair's brief reconciliation in later seasons was marred by his decision to leave her behind for Chicago and pursue his art career.
Future Reconciliation?: After an initial rejection during Matt's brief return to Dillon, by the (very recent) series end the two had reconciled, living together in Chicago. Aww.
10
Will and Terri Schuester
Unhappily Ever After: Matthew Morrison and Jessalyn Gilsig of Glee
Cause of Death: High school romances rarely blossom into successful adult marriages, and even without her fake pregnancy viewers saw the ways in which Terri prevented Will from following his showbusiness dreams, and ways in which he might be better suited for Emma. And oh yeah, SHE FAKED A PREGNANCY. It might have worked, if she didn't try to FAKE THE CHILD too.
Future Reconciliation?: Emma married to Uncle Jesse and Will lacking any real love interest aside, you'd be hard-pressed to think these two would ever get past the baby-drama.
9
Ben and Felicity
Unhappily Ever After: Scott Speedman and Keri Russell of Felicity
Cause of Death: There was their first post-Summer breakup, and subsequent haircut that many argue actually killed the show along with it, and later Ben's fathering a child with ex-girlfriend Lauren. Oh, and then she went back in time to be with Noel. What?
Future Reconciliation?: Felicity seemed to awake from her time in the alternate future and ultimately choose to move to Arizona to be with Ben...we think. Seriously, this show ended with time travel.
8
Zack and Kelly
Unhappily Ever After: Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tiffani Amber-Thiessen of Saved by the Bell
Cause of Death: Zack and Kelly first hit the rocks after she responded to his offer of goging steady too late for his brief infatuation with a young school nurse, but officially crashed and burned after her new job at The Max found her entangled with her boss Jeff.
Future Reconciliation?: Reconciling tumultuously in college, the two found themselves married in the TV Movie! Though if Zack's appearance on Jimmy Fallon holds any merit, the two might have divorced eventually.
7
Logan and Veronica
Unhappily Ever After: Jason Dohring and Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars
Cause of Death: A three-fer! First out of her growing concern for his enjoyment of the violence between the '09ers and PCH, then later at Hearst College for both being unable to change their mistrusting ways, and finally for his sleeping with Madison Sinclair in their time apart.
Future Reconciliation?: The series' cancellation left the relationship unresolved, but creator Rob Thomas believed "it will always be Veronica and Logan."
6
Don and Betty Draper
Unhappily Ever After: Jon Hamm and January Jones of Mad Men
Cause of Death: Could've been the quiet anxiety of being a housewife living in the shadow of Don Draper. Could have been his numerous infidelities. Could have also been the fact that he stole his entire identity from a fellow soldier in the Korean war, and lied about it for a decade. Take your pick!
Future Reconciliation?: It's Mad Men, so despite their respective re-marriages in the fourth season, we can probably expect the two to share at least one more night of passion before the '60s are out.
5
Sam and Diane
Unhappily Ever After: Ted Danson and Shelley Long of Cheers
Cause of Death: Numerous hits and near misses of Sam and Diane getting together finally culminated in boatside proposal (and about 10 proposals thereafter), but Diane ultimately opted to leave Boston (and the series) to pursue her own career.
Future Reconciliation?: Of course Diane's return for Cheers' series finale posed the question again, but ultimately the two decided against it. Their occasional re-appearances on Frasier did suggest hope for the future, however.
4
Willow and Oz
Unhappily Ever After: Alyson Hannigan and Seth Green of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Cause of Death: Having (technically, depending on your bestiality views) cheated on her and still unable to control the wolf inside, Oz decides it best to abandon Willow in search of inner peace. Even his brief return couldn't stifle her burgeoning relationship with Tara, again departing in defeat.
Future Reconciliation?: It's always possible we suppose, but the presence of Oz's wife and newborn child in the season eight comics would likely suggest otherwise.
3
Dawson, Joey and Pacey
Unhappily Ever After: James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, and Joshua Jackson of Dawson's Creek
Cause of Death: Joey left Dawson multiple times, first over her attraction to then-straight Jack, and later over his involvement in her ex-con father's second incarceration. But worse than their fate hanging over the entire series was her relationship with Pacey, which spectacularly crashed when he (nobly) dumped her at her own prom.
Future Reconciliation?: And the fandom cried out in horror when the final episode revealed that Joey and Pacey ended up together, rather than Joey and Dawson. Dawson found his true love however...Steven Spielberg.
2
Kevin and Winnie
Unhappily Ever After: Fred Savage and Danica McKellar of The Wonder Years
Cause of Death: Kevin and Winnie's relationship was filled with its ups and downs, but never ended so harshly as when Kevin fled his hometown in search of Winnie, only to find her making out with one of her fellow lifeguards at the resort she worked.
Future Reconciliation?: Despite reconciling by the end, Daniel Stern explained to us how she moved abroad, and despite writing to each other regularly the two ultimately maintained seperate lives and marriages. Poor bastard. Have you SEEN what Winnie looks like now?
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Ross and Rachel
Unhappily Ever After: David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston of Friends
Cause of Death: Go ahead, it's on the tip of your tongue. You know you want to shout it. WE WERE ON A BREAK! A series of misunderstandings about Rachel's time with co-worker Mark put the two at ill-defined odds, during which Ross sleeps with copy-place girl Chloe and finds the two screaming about it for the rest of the series.
Future Reconciliation?: Truly heart-wrenching stuff, but the end of the series saw fit to re-unite the two. And there was also that "marriage" and "one-night stand pregnancy" thing, I guess
UGO