10 Forgotten '90s Teen Drama Relationships That Will Take You Down Memory Lane

Summary

Dawson's Creek

's Joey and Jack may be forgotten by viewers, but their relationship paved the way for exploring Jack's sexuality.

Brenda and Stuart's engagement on

Beverly Hills, 90210

was short-lived and easily forgotten.

Willow and Kennedy's relationship on

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Many fans overlooked it due to the overshadowing presence of Willow and Tara's romance.

Teen romance can be quite tumultuous, particularly on '90s teen dramas. The characters would exchange secretive notes, have dramatic breakups in school corridors, and even engage in passionate encounters with vampires. It's no surprise that the world of TV drama was a whirlwind for teenagers in the '90s, and numerous relationships from the era's iconic series still hold significant popularity today.

The '90s were a treasure trove of memorable teen dramas, showcasing both the best and worst couples in television history. From the beloved pairing of Corey and Topanga in Boy Meets World to the iconic Joey and Pacey in Dawson's Creek, these shows left an indelible mark on our hearts. However, amidst the numerous relationships and love triangles, there were also some overlooked and unremarkable couples that slipped through the cracks. Even though the '90s is often hailed as television's golden age, it's easy for viewers to have forgotten some of the romances that transpired during this era.

9 Joey & Jack (Dawson's Creek)

The six-season journey of Dawson's Creek, a captivating coming-of-age drama, centers around the evolving relationship between close friends Dawson (James Van Der Beek) and Joey (Katie Holmes). From tackling issues such as mental health and death to delving into the realms of sex and gender, Dawson's Creek covers a wide range of compelling themes. In the second season, Joey finds herself torn between dating Dawson and exploring her own identity after a unexpected kiss from her coworker Jack (Kerr Smith), who later reveals his homosexuality. Although Joey and Jack's relationship may have been tumultuous and relatively brief, it played a pivotal role in allowing the show's writers to delve into the groundbreaking exploration of Jack's sexuality, a storyline that resonated with audiences during that time.

8 Brenda & Stuart (Beverly Hills, 90210)

In the midst of the glamorous setting of Beverly Hills, the television series Beverly Hills, 90210 depicted the journey of a close-knit group of friends transitioning from high school to college and eventually entering the real world. Within this captivating storyline, Stuart (David Gail), a 24-year-old heir to a business empire, encountered the protagonist Brenda (Shannen Doherty) when they were set up on a blind date. Their initial encounter proved to be extraordinary, leading Stuart to impulsively propose to Brenda shortly thereafter. Although they became engaged, their matrimony was short-lived, as Stuart's departure from the show during the same season marked the end of this relationship, destined to fade into obscurity.

7 Willow & Kennedy (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer, one of the most influential and controversial shows of its time, broke new ground in television, particularly with its portrayal of relationships. Among these groundbreaking moments was the introduction of the first long-term lesbian couple on the small screen, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson). However, tragedy struck when Tara's life was cut short by a stray bullet. Soon after, Kennedy (Iyari Limon) entered the picture. Fleeing to Buffy for safety, she connected with a newly single Willow, and a connection sparked between them. Unfortunately, their relationship often took a backseat to the enduring legacy and impact of Willow and Tara's love story. As a result, it remains underappreciated by many fans to this day.

6 Brian & Delia (My So-Called Life)

5 Lisa & Will (Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)

Airing in 1994, My So-Called Life featured Claire Danes in the role of Angela Chase, a runner who had a one-season stint on the show. While the primary focus of the series revolved around Angela's infatuation with heartthrob Jordan, some secondary teenage relationships unfolded in the background. In addition to her crush on Jordan, Angela's neighbor Brian harbored a secret love for her, despite briefly engaging in a romance with classmate Delia. However, this relationship between Brian and Delia primarily served as a plot device to create tension between Angela and Brian, ultimately making it the least memorable one of the series.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, an iconic sitcom that launched Will Smith's career, showcased his comedic talents as he portrayed a character closely resembling himself. The storyline revolves around Will, who is uprooted from his Philadelphia neighborhood and relocated to the affluent Bel-Air, where he lives with his wealthy extended family. Amidst the dynamics of four teenagers living under one roof, numerous relationships unfold throughout the series. Yet, one often overlooked romance is that of Lisa Wilkes (played by Nia Long) and Will. Lisa enters the scene as a headstrong character, aiming to tame Will's wild ways. Their relationship progresses and endures for an entire season, even coming close to the point of marriage. However, circumstances arise that lead to the cancellation of their wedding, ultimately resulting in Lisa's permanent departure from the show.

4 Lindsay & Nick (Freaks and Geeks)

Freaks and Geeks became an instant cult classic despite only running for one season. The show featured a star-studded cast including Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Jason Segel, and Seth Rogen, who portrayed a group of misfit teens. While Cardellini and Segel had a real-life romantic relationship, their on-screen connection as Lindsay and Nick often goes unnoticed. Their short-lived romance on the show came to an end when Lindsay realized that Nick was overly suffocating and heavily relied on smoking marijuana.

3 Zack & Tori (Saved By The Bell)

Saved By The Bell chronicled the escapades of Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and his clique of high school pals, much to the dismay of their long-suffering principal. Amidst the show's ample dose of drama, there were a few overlooked romances. Tori (Leanna Creel) possessed the potential to be a captivating character on her own, but her rather haphazard introduction occurred after the filming of the graduation episode.

2 Sabrina & Josh (Sabrina The Teenage Witch)

Creel was introduced as a love interest for Zack during the final season of Saved by the Bell. This caused a major conflict since Zack was already in a relationship with Kelly (Tiffani Thiessen), making it seem like he was secretly involved with both women. As a result, Creel and Zack became one of the most disliked couples on the show, and viewers were more than happy to overlook their existence.

Melissa Joan Hart celebrates her triumph as she portrays the lead role of Sabrina Spellman in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, a television series inspired by the popular Archie Comics. It is worth mentioning that Sabrina the Teenage Witch gained even more popularity after the success of the show Riverdale. Throughout the series, Sabrina develops three significant relationships, but one of them fails to leave a lasting impression. Sabrina's college boyfriend, Josh Blackhart, played by David Lascher, manages a coffee shop where they initially meet. Although Sabrina's relationship with Harvey ends with a kiss from Josh, their romance fails to flourish. Eventually, Josh moves away, never crossing paths with Sabrina again. This storyline raises questions among viewers about the purpose and significance of the character and their relationship.

1 DJ & Nelson (Full House)

The writers of Full House skillfully blended heartwarming '90s drama with light-hearted humor and the theme of found-family, intensifying the impact of emotional moments. Spanning eight seasons, Full House portrayed various relationships, but one of the most significant was the love story between DJ (Candace Cameron Bure) and Steve (Scott Weinger). Following Steve's departure from the show, DJ found herself in a lackluster and easily forgettable relationship. Although Nelson (Jason Marsden) was a nice guy, his clueless privilege ensured that he would never live up to the heartbreaking departure of Steve. Additionally, DJ's apparent lack of affection towards Nelson rendered them another unremarkable '90s couple.