TV's Toxic Ties: Unveiling the Most Sinister Friendships Ever
Unbreakable bonds or toxic ties? Explore the dark side of friendship in TV history as we unveil the 10 most treacherous alliances ever Brace yourself for backstabbing, betrayal, and heart-wrenching drama in the ultimate countdown of TV's most toxic friendships
Summary
Toxic TV friendships span genres, genders, and age groups, proving that unhealthy relationships can exist in any setting.
Friendships like Brooke and Peyton from
One Tree Hill
may seem fine on the surface but are actually full of betrayal and heartache.
From Sherlock and John in BBC's
Sherlock
to Walter and Jesse in
Breaking Bad
, these TV friendships are full of deceit, manipulation, and toxicity that keep viewers hooked.
The driving force behind any good TV show is the relationship between its characters. However, some TV friendships are too toxic to provide support. A healthy friendship should be based on mutual admiration, trust, and support, where all participants feel uplifted rather than dragged down. Unfortunately, this cannot be said for every friendship depicted on TV, even when the show attempts to portray it as a "strong" friendship.
Toxic TV friendships can be found in various genres, genders, and age groups, ranging from teen dramas like One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl to comedies like Friends and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or even more serious shows like Sherlock and Breaking Bad. Much like in real life, these friendships can be inherently harmful from the start or gradually develop into an unhealthy dynamic over time. These toxic TV friendships will undoubtedly leave viewers pondering the significance of having such friends and questioning, "Who needs enemies with friends like these?"
10 Brooke & Peyton (One Tree Hill)
Throughout the first six seasons, Brooke and Peyton are billed as each other's closest friends, and the two share many good moments, but rewatching One Tree Hill can reveal a harsh reality: Brooke and Peyton's friendship falls short as they develop stronger bonds with other characters. The discord arises when Brooke sleeps with Nathan right after his breakup with Peyton, leading to an abhorrent slut-shaming campaign against Brooke. The situation worsens when the Brooke-Peyton-Lucas love triangle ensues.
9 Rachel & Monica (Friends)
Although it can be argued that none of the main six characters qualify as top-quality friends, there are numerous instances in Friends that establish Rachel as the worst. Throughout the series, it becomes apparent that Monica bears the brunt of Rachel's negative actions, which indicates that their friendship, although lasting since their teenage years, was not always filled with harmonious moments. An entire episode titled "The One With Monica's Thunder" revolves around Rachel stealing Monica's spotlight by kissing Ross at her engagement celebration, which is not an isolated incident and highlights the toxicity present in their relationship.
8 John & Sherlock (Sherlock)
While the pair are an iconic television duo, John and Sherlock's friendship in BBC's Sherlock is notably unhealthy. The bond they formed over the first two seasons, predominantly characterized by Sherlock exploiting John's vulnerabilities to boost his own ego, reaches its climax when the genius orchestrates his own death, leaving John devastated. Adding insult to injury, when the detective finally reappears in John's life, he manipulates John into exposing his raw emotions without offering any remorse or apology. Holmes and Watson may be one of popular culture's most renowned male friendships, but its depiction in Sherlock is rife with toxicity.
7 Blair & Serena (Gossip Girl)
Blair and Serena's friendship in Gossip Girl remains unparalleled in its toxic levels. Their constant scheming and betrayal towards each other make them the epitome of terrible individuals. They had no reservations about using each other's past against one another and resorted to backstabbing tactics to gain the upper hand. Dating exes and even cheating with current partners became common occurrences, disregarding any sense of loyalty or respect. Despite a few fleeting moments of sweetness, it would have been best for Blair and Serena to put an end to their friendship.
6 Jake & Charles (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
5 Alex & Jessica (13 Reasons Why)
: The dynamic between Jake and Charles in Brooklyn Nine-Nine reveals an interesting contrast to Jake's carefree nature. Although they may not truly be friends, it is evident that Charles looks up to Jake with a hint of obsession and possessiveness. On the other hand, Jake often dismisses Charles but takes advantage of his affection when convenient. This complex co-worker relationship in Brooklyn Nine-Nine lacks a healthy foundation.
The characters Alex and Jessica in the TV show 13 Reasons Why experience significant trauma, leading their friendship and eventual romantic relationship to become toxic and detrimental to all involved. Despite their shared catchphrase "FML forever," they initially aim to support each other through their individual and collective struggles, particularly their grief for Hannah. However, their actions, such as infidelity and deceit, ultimately inflict further anguish upon one another.
4 Nancy & Barb (Stranger Things)
Nancy and Barb's friendship in season 1 is marked by toxicity, ultimately resulting in Barb's untimely and controversial demise in Stranger Things. In the first season, Nancy's sole focus is on popularity, causing her to consistently neglect Barb's feelings and fail to defend her at the ill-fated house party. Despite Nancy's significant character growth since Stranger Things season 1, Barb was denied the opportunity for the same development due to Nancy's own actions, leaving viewers deprived of witnessing the potential transformation of their friendship from toxic to something more positive.
3 Klaus & Stefan (The Vampire Diaries)
In The Vampire Diaries, Stefan's encounter with Klaus brings out his darkest side. Their relationship is centered around Stefan's Ripper arc, starting in the 1920s when Stefan was consumed by his savage instincts as a Ripper vampire. It was during this time that Klaus first encountered Stefan, and their connection grew. In a manipulative move, Klaus pushes Stefan to embrace his Ripper nature once again in season 2 because he found the twisted version of Stefan more entertaining. This perfectly encapsulates the toxic dynamic between Stefan and Klaus.
2 Walt & Jesse (Breaking Bad)
The relationship between Walter White and Jesse Pinkman is the driving force behind much of the plot in Breaking Bad. However, their friendship is a toxic one that frequently teeters on the brink of danger. Throughout the series, Walt and Jesse engage in a constant power struggle, employing deceit, manipulation, and mind games to outsmart each other. This tumultuous dynamic captivated viewers for five seasons, cementing their friendship as one of the most toxic in television history.
1 Alison, Aria, Emily, Hanna, & Spencer (Pretty Little Liars)
The toxic friendship group portrayed by the four young women in Pretty Little Liars is widely recognized as one of the most intertwined and harmful relationships in TV history. While Alison stands out as the primary offender due to her manipulative and controlling behavior, all five women exhibit toxic traits and engage in damaging dynamics throughout the entire series. These characters experience a range of toxic friendship elements, including codependency and isolation, as they mercilessly torment each other for a staggering seven seasons.
