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Original poster

Toxic couples in tv shows

103 replies

Soubriquet · 14/12/2023 20:20

What tv show couple are heralded as “end game” but are actually quite toxic to each other.

I’ll start with Piper and Alex from Orange is the new black. Yes they are cute together and yes they love each other, but they really are toxic to each other too.

OP posts:
PastorCarrBonarra · 14/12/2023 22:15

Jack and Vera Duckworth. He chased other women until he was in his 60s. He didn’t hide his physical distaste for her. He gambled in secret. He was workshy at times, allowing her to graft full time and run the home. They’re both interesting characters (and well acted) but they’re not the “great tv couple” that many have described.

A truly great couple are Pam and Mick Shipman as a PP said. Just perfect for/with each other in Gavin & Stacey.

LaLoose · 14/12/2023 22:19

Shiv Roy and Tom Wamsgans

LaLoose · 14/12/2023 22:20

Wambsgans

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TV
Whattodo112222 · 14/12/2023 22:24

Skylar and Walter White

Neitheronethingnortheother · 14/12/2023 22:30

Blair and Chuck
Dan and Serena
Rufus and Lily

Basically the majority of the pairings on gossip girl

Also Luke and Lorelai, Rory and Dean and Rory and Jess (slightly more controversial as a lot of people like that one but in the early days especially he pushes and pushes her boundaries to the point where she is incredibly uncomfortable)

Shouldgetupearlier · 14/12/2023 22:34

Not a TV show, but the song ‘Grenade’ by Bruno Mars makes me cringe because it’s got so many toxic red flags dressed up as love.

GalileoHumpkins · 14/12/2023 23:08

Miss Piggy and Kermit.

thecatsthecats · 14/12/2023 23:16

Shouldgetupearlier · 14/12/2023 22:34

Not a TV show, but the song ‘Grenade’ by Bruno Mars makes me cringe because it’s got so many toxic red flags dressed up as love.

Hallelujah, I said this at work and got treated like a misery.

But then I also think Just The Way You Are is one of those tedious "I fancy girls with low self esteem" songs.

yorkshireshire · 14/12/2023 23:19

Miss Piggy and Kermit.

I think that's grossly unfair to Kermit. This is an abusive relationship. Miss Piggy is a violent abuser. Kermit is a victim.

Don't be frogist.

Dotcheck · 14/12/2023 23:20

alphadawg · 14/12/2023 20:48

I think Leonard is quite awful to Penny in The Big Bang Theory on occasion.

Me too!!! They are both quite mean to each other. You get the feeling that if Penny gained some real confidence with her intelligence, the balance would be off and they would crumble

yorkshireshire · 14/12/2023 23:21

rose and her Billy Zane one in Titanic. That's not a nice set up. He's vile and she's cheating with Jack.

AngryBirdsNoMore · 14/12/2023 23:23

Daphne and the Duke in Bridgerton

AngryBirdsNoMore · 14/12/2023 23:24

yorkshireshire · 14/12/2023 23:19

Miss Piggy and Kermit.

I think that's grossly unfair to Kermit. This is an abusive relationship. Miss Piggy is a violent abuser. Kermit is a victim.

Don't be frogist.

I think that’s the point isn’t it - it’s a super toxic relationship because she’s so awful to him.

alrighthen · 14/12/2023 23:25

@SerafinasGoose why mummy and daddy pig? Is it because he’s such a bore and she’s so endlessly patient?

yorkshireshire · 14/12/2023 23:26

it’s a super toxic relationship because she’s so awful to him.

I thought toxic relationship was one where the toxicity is two way - so that both parties are awful to each other in different ways - an unhealthy dynamic if you will - as opposed to an abusive relationship where the 'toxicity' (the abuse) is one way.

Maybe I have misunderstood the term.

Anyonyond · 14/12/2023 23:32

LaLoose · 14/12/2023 22:19

Shiv Roy and Tom Wamsgans

Oh yeah!
Or indeed every single couple in Succession.

I raise you Francis and Claire Underwood.

Turefu · 14/12/2023 23:32

Dabralor · 14/12/2023 20:49

Mr Collins and Charlotte Lucas in pride and prejudice. They made a telly version of it so it counts, right?

I think they both make a great couple. Each of them has what they want from their marriage. He provides her with comfortable home and she runs their household sufficiently and flatters Lady de Burgh , to keep Mr Collins in her good books.

mbosnz · 14/12/2023 23:38

Giles and Mary in Gogglebox.

HRTQueen · 14/12/2023 23:44

J.R. and Sue Ellen from Dallas

HRTQueen · 14/12/2023 23:50

Cathy and Heathcliff the most toxic relationship of them all

not a tv show but from the greatest novel ever written about obsession and made into a number of films

heartofglass23 · 15/12/2023 00:02

Dawson & Joey DC

Angela & Jordan MSCL

Brenda & Dylan 90210

Del & Raquel OFAH

Almost every EE couple ever!

Hannah & Adam Girls

Creampies · 15/12/2023 00:09

The Good LifeI think Tom and Barbara’s relationship was awful, she had to constantly fawn up to him. I think Margo and Jerry had a much more equal and functional relationship.
’Everybody loves Raymond’. Raymond is a toxic shit with no respect for his wife . If she posted in relationships she’d definitely be told to LTB.

baileybrosbuildingandloan · 15/12/2023 00:12

Whattodo112222 · 14/12/2023 22:24

Skylar and Walter White

Why would anyone think they're a good couple?!

stemmedroses · 15/12/2023 00:20

John and Mary in Fr Ted obvs 🤣

glossylipps · 15/12/2023 00:26

Romeo and Juliet 😂

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