Top 9 Troubling TV Couples That Seem Toxic in Retrospect

1. Ross & Rachel

Ross and Rachel's relationship on Friends is one of the most famous on-again-off-again romances in sitcom history. Their constant fighting and accidental relationship milestones paint their happiness at the end of Friends in a troubling light.

Homer and Marge in The Simpsons

It's not difficult to imagine Ross' jealousy causing problems in the future, especially after Rachel gave up her dream job for him.

Ross and Rachel at the hospital with a newborn Emma in Friends

2. Homer & Marge

Homer and Marge's marriage on The Simpsons is complicated, with Homer's inattentiveness and unforgivable errors. Despite his attempts to gain forgiveness, some versions of the future timeline have them living separately.

David Schwimmer As Ross Trying to Avoid a Kiss from Jennifer Aniston As Rachel In Friends Season 7

Homer tends to find a way to gain forgiveness, but it's no surprise that some versions of the future timeline have them living separately.

David Schwimmer As Ross And Jennifer Aniston As Rachel After Having A Fight About Ross' CheatingIn Friends Season 3

3. Carrie & Aidan

Aidan, from Sex and the City, has major red flags in his relationship with Carrie, trying to preserve a certain image of her rather than loving her for who she is.

Carrie and Aidan Break Up After She Cheats on Him on Sex and the City

Carrie isn't blameless either, repeatedly going back to Big when things get serious.

Gilmore Girls Rory and Dean standing outside in season 5

4. Leonard & Penny

Leonard and Penny's relationship in The Big Bang Theory had them both feeling inferior and insecure at times, reflecting the downside of the 'opposites attract' trope.

Leonard Hoftstadter and Penny in The Big Bang Theory copy

Their relationship had them both feeling inferior and insecure at times.

Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) stare at each other in Grey's Anatomy

5. Ted & Robin

How I Met Your Mother shows Ted's possessiveness and interference in Robin's happiness, presenting their relationship flaws and the controversial ending of the show.

HIMYM Pilot Ted and Robin

Ted is too possessive of Robin when they are together, getting in the way of her happiness at times.

Josh Radnor & Cobie Smulders as Ted Mosby & Robin Scherbatsky from How I Met Your Mother

6. Rory & Dean

Dean's bad habit of getting upset whenever Rory is too busy to spend time with him in Gilmore Girls reflects his demanding and pressuring behavior.

Robin and Ted hand gesture joke in How I Met Your Mother

Dean is too demanding of Rory, even trying to pressure her into saying 'I love you' before she feels ready.

Ted and Robin looking at the sun in How I Met Your Mother

7. Finn & Rachel

Rachel's jealousy and Finn's struggle to deal with the shift in their relationship dynamic on Glee indicate their toxic relationship dynamics.

Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson and Lea Michele as Rachel Berry Holding Hands in the Hallway in Glee

Rachel pines after Finn as a status symbol, and Finn struggles with the shift in their relationship dynamic once they become serious.

Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders as Ted Mosby and Robin Holding Hands in the Grass in How I Met Your Mother

8. Schmidt & Cece

Schmidt's racially insensitive comments and deceitful behavior toward Cece on New Girl reflect his toxic actions in the relationship.

Eric and Donna sit in the kitchen in That '70s Show

Schmidt tries to undermine Cece's happiness when they are apart, showing a troubling aspect of their relationship.

Schmidt and Cece Smiling at Their Wedding in New Girl

9. Eric & Donna

Eric's extreme possessiveness and pressure on Donna into committing to their relationship in 'That '70s Show' reflects their troubled teenage romance.

Donna cries in front of Eric in That '70s Show Finale

Eric tries to give Donna a promise ring as a placeholder for an engagement ring and pressures her into committing to their relationship.

Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon) in Eric's prom fantasy on That '70s Show.