Unforgettable TV Couples: Journey Through the Best of Bellamy and Echo, Veronica and Archie, and More!

From The 100 to Riverdale, many TV couples fail to create a convincing love story, leaving viewers feeling unsatisfied.

When The CW transformed the beloved Archie Comics into a teen drama in 2017, fans were taken on a rollercoaster of emotions. The series revolved around a close-knit group of friends determined to unravel the hidden mysteries of their town. However, amidst their adventures, the four main characters found themselves entangled in complex love triangles.

According to Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the creator, his main goal was to present a united friend group and avoid creating a divide among the audience.

In an interview with The Wrap in 2017, he emphasized the significance of portraying Betty and Veronica as genuine friends rather than portraying them as rivals. He stated, "For me, it was crucial to depict a friendship between Betty and Veronica that was authentic and not filled with animosity. In season 1, we won't be constrained by a love triangle as all three characters, Archie, Betty, and Veronica, will have their own individual romantic storylines."

Aguirre-Sacasa acknowledged that the original comics had a significant influence on his own storytelling. He emphasized the enduring popularity of the comic books, which have been captivating audiences for 75 years. He also recognized the prevalence of love triangles in various shows, not just Riverdale. However, he expressed his desire to explore different narrative approaches, stating that he didn't want Betty and Veronica to constantly be at odds over Archie. While the comic book has already explored that dynamic, he believed there were more innovative ways to tell their story.

Looking ahead to the series finale, Aguirre-Sacasa promised that the question of whether Betty and Veronica still have romantic feelings for Archie will be addressed. He clarified that while they will continue to care for him as friends, they won't be waiting around for him to make a decision.

Creator Tim Federle shared his thoughts on the creative choice to end Ricky and Nini's relationship in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

“I was thrilled that we had the chance to portray a healthy breakup before things took a turn for the worse. Growing up, I didn't see many examples of this in the mass media," he shared with Decider in July 2021. "One of life's fundamental truths, especially for young people, is that just when you think everything is perfect, something changes. Our goal was to showcase how individuals navigate these challenges instead of having everything unfold exactly as they had envisioned."

In season 3, Nini decided to move to California following Rodrigo's offscreen music career success. Meanwhile, Ricky finally confronted his feelings for Gina (Sofia Wylie) after grappling with uncertainty for multiple seasons.

"After the season 3 finale in September 2022, Federle expressed his delight in writing for Ricky and Gina, highlighting the deep understanding and connection between these two characters. He emphasized their shared traits and commonalities, underscoring their unique bond. The on-screen kiss between them served as a satisfying moment for the fans who have followed their journey throughout the last three seasons. Federle believed it was important to provide a well-deserved victory for the Gina-Ricky fans, considering the challenges they have faced along the way. While cliffhangers can be exciting, he acknowledged the importance of allowing the audience to catch their breath and experience a sense of triumph."

Credit: The CW; Shutterstock

Worst TV Couples of All Time: The 100's Bellamy and Echo, Riverdale's Veronica and Archie and More

Missing the mark. From The 100 to Riverdale, not every TV couple can stick the landing when it comes to selling a believable love story.

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the creator of the series, aimed to present a captivating narrative that would not cause the audience to favor a division within the group of friends.

In a 2017 interview with The Wrap, he emphasized the importance of portraying Betty and Veronica as genuine friends rather than adversaries. He explained that while romantic storylines would still be present for Archie, Betty, and Veronica, the show would not solely revolve around a love triangle during the first season. Aguirre-Sacasa acknowledged that the original comics had influenced his storytelling, recognizing their enduring popularity and the prevalence of love triangles in various shows. However, he expressed his desire to explore alternative narratives for Betty and Veronica, avoiding the typical conflict over Archie that had been depicted in the comics.

The show's creator also mentioned that in the final episode, the question of whether Betty and Veronica still have feelings for Archie will be addressed. While they will continue to be friends, they are not going to wait for him to make a decision.

Meanwhile, another series, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, faced its own challenges with the central relationship. The audience was meant to root for Ricky and Nini, but their reunion in the first season finale didn't lead to a satisfying outcome. Despite trying, Ricky and Nini couldn't find a mutually fulfilling path and eventually broke up.

"I am grateful for the chance to showcase a healthy breakup between Ricky and Nini before things escalated, as it is a narrative that I personally did not encounter much in mainstream media during my own upbringing," shared Tim Federle, the show's creator, in a July 2021 interview with Decider. "One of the undeniable realities of life, particularly during youth, is that just when you think you have everything figured out, circumstances shift. Our intention was to explore how individuals navigate such changes and cope with them, rather than simply fulfilling their every wish."

In season 3, Nini relocated to California after Rodrigo achieved success in her music career, which was not shown onscreen. Meanwhile, Ricky finally confronted his feelings for Gina after several seasons of uncertainty.

Speaking about the characters Ricky and Gina, Federle expressed, "Writing for Ricky and Gina is an absolute joy. These two characters have an unparalleled understanding of each other. They share many similarities and have a deep connection." Following the season 3 finale in September 2022, where Ricky and Gina share a kiss, Federle explained, "While cliffhangers are exciting, it is also important to provide moments of respite. Considering what the fans have endured over the past three seasons, especially the Gina-Ricky fans, it was time to give them a small victory."

Scroll down for more of our least favorite TV couples:

Credit: Eddy Chen/HBO

Tedros and Jocelyn ('The Idol')

Fans were not receptive to The Weeknd's attempt to justify the portrayal of a troubled Hollywood relationship as they continued to criticize the show.

Credit: Josh Stringer/Hulu

Lucy and Stephen ('Tell Me Lies')

While Tell Me Lies revolves around the toxic relationship between Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen (Jackson White), some viewers were not fond of enduring numerous scenes featuring the two characters together. The duo continuously inflicted misery upon themselves and those around them, all the while perpetuating the destructive cycle for an additional seven years following their initial encounter in college.

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Bellamy and Echo ('The 100')

Bellamy's complicated relationship with Echo became a source of disappointment for viewers when it was unveiled in the season 5 premiere of The 100. Rather than addressing the issue head-on and allowing the characters to move on, the show opted to minimize their screen time over the next two seasons.

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After concluding Ted (Josh Radnor) and Robin (Cobie Smulders)'s romantic storyline earlier in the series, viewers were taken aback by the unexpected twist in the finale. It became increasingly challenging to support the couple's happily ever after, especially considering that the entire last season of HIMYM revolved around Robin's wedding to Barney (Neil Patrick Harris).

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Jackie and Fez ('That '70s Show')

The conclusion of season 8 in That '70s Show left fans divided between Team Kelso and Team Hyde. However, many viewers expressed their dissatisfaction with Jackie (Mila Kunis)'s ultimate romantic partner. While the Netflix spinoff has the potential to rectify this by pairing Jackie with Kelso (Ashton Kutcher), it may be too late for some fans to change their opinion.

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Rachel and Ross ('Friends')

Throughout the years, fans have engaged in passionate discussions about the central couple of the beloved sitcom. Some found Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) decision to disembark the plane in the series finale to be a romantic gesture. On the other hand, there were those who believed that her choice represented a missed opportunity to break free from the tumultuous relationship she shared with Ross (David Schwimmer).

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Joey and Dawson ('Dawson's Creek')

While it was always intended for Pacey (Joshua Jackson) to end up with Joey (Katie Holmes), the portrayal of her romance with Dawson (James Van Der Beek) falls short in capturing the audience's interest. Not only does Joey appear dissatisfied with her relationship with Dawson, but viewers struggle to comprehend why this connection is worth all the turmoil it entails.

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Stefan's interest in Caroline in The Vampire Diaries was often seen as forced, especially after his initial preference for Elena. Elena's decision to be with Stefan's brother, Damon, made it seem like his feelings for Caroline were not genuine.

Stefan and Caroline ('The Vampire Diaries')

Meanwhile, Caroline seemed to be accepting the fact that she was involved with someone who would never prioritize her. (The fact that Stefan sacrificed himself for Damon and Elena right after marrying Caroline only added to the evidence.)

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Ezra and Aria ('Pretty Little Liars')

Following their involvement in Pretty Little Liars, the romance between Ezra (played by Ian Harding) and Aria (portrayed by Lucy Hale) continued to captivate audiences through references in the spinoff series Pretty Little Lies: Original Sin. However, the portrayal of a high school teacher embarking on a relationship with a student amidst dubious circumstances failed to appeal to certain viewers.

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Chuck and Blair ('Gossip Girl')

Many fans of Gossip Girl were left unsatisfied with Chuck and Blair ending up together in the series finale. Despite all the challenges and hardships Blair had gone through, some viewers believed she deserved a future with someone who valued her for who she truly was, rather than being treated as a mere transaction for a hotel.

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Ricky and Nini ('High School Musical: The Musical: The Series')

Despite rekindling their romance in the season 1 finale, Ricky and Nini were unable to overcome the challenges that came their way. From Nini's initial actions to their subsequent misalignment, HSMTMTS failed to demonstrate that the couple possessed the necessary qualities to sustain their relationship.

In fact, Ricky and Nini were able to find their respective happy places as soon as they decided to part ways.    

Credit: Colin Bentley/The CW

Veronica and Archie ('Riverdale')

The portrayal of Veronica (Camila Mendes) and Archie (KJ Apa)'s relationship in Riverdale seemed to drag on for too long, failing to fully delve into its potential. It became evident that they would be better off pursuing new paths beyond their high school romance, especially as Archie began developing a stronger connection with Betty (Lili Reinhart).