TMP – TV Edition: Love Triangles

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for the Thursday Movie Picks feature. This series is hosted by Wandering through the Shelves and offers you a weekly prompt to post some movie recommendations/talking points according to the theme. Usually, you are supposed to post about 3-5 examples, which I find a very manageable amount.

The entirety of February is dedicated to a special Romance Edition, focusing on many, many typical romance tropes and themes. This is the final week of the romance themes, as we are in the final week of the month, but it’s also a departure from films and a move to TV shows again. Today we’re going to focus on one of the most dreadful tropes (at least for most people) – Love Triangles. Can there even be such a thing as a good love triangle? Or are some just more notorious than others? Let’s check out my picks!

Dawson’s Creek – Dawson/Joey/Pacey

This feels like one of my first and truly OG love triangles. I was very invested in Dawson’s Creek from a young age on and so very disappointed when people in High School did not actually have these existential crisis and philosophical way of talking. It got to a point, where grade school me really mimicked Joey’s mannerisms … I was always an old soul.
Anyway, to get to the point – this was the first love triangle I was invested in and woah, did I always root for Pacey. He was the one for me.

Veronica Mars – Logan/Veronica/Weevil

CONTROVERSIAL, because this is not canon. Veronica Mars has got me through my early teens like no other show. I worshiped Veronica and dang, did I want to be a PI for a while, if only I had the guts and interest in crime like she did. Logan was always my favourite love interest of hers (Duncan Kane who? Piz was cute but could not keep up with her and while I love Leo, they had terrible timing and she was way too young when they first met), but I could not deny seeing a certain spark between her and Weevil. I swear, that had so much more potential than they gave them credit for.

We are going to ignore the final minutes of Season 4 of Veronica Mars exist!!!

Younger – Charles/Liza/Josh

My favourite show set in publishing! At first glance, you don’t think any of these relationships should work, with how they all started out with lies, but they both work so well. Charles and Liza are age appropriate, intellectually compatible and both sexy and sweet, but Josh – do not underestimate him! It was clear for a while that he wanted things in life that Liza wasn’t likely able to give him (*cough*children of his own*cough*) but he supported and loved her like no one else. They gravitate towards each other for a reason and I still can see them ending up together eventually.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist – Simon/Zoey/Max

Simon and Zoey have this deep bond and understanding, both struggling with the death/illnesses of their fathers. It’s something not everyone will get and being able to have serious conversations about grief with someone is essential and beautiful in a partner. But then … I have such a thing for friends to lovers and Max is adorable. He might not get 100% what Zoey is going through, but he still always will keep showing up for her and that’s what you’re looking for too. Could not choose!

Honorable Mentions

The love triangles mentioned above are probably my favourites. I’m usually not very invested in them, but here are some other love triangles of shows (that I sometimes didn’t even finish) and my preferences:

  • Jane the Virgin: Michael/Jane/Rafael (Michael was my guy here, but not after he came back?)
  • Never Have I Ever: Paxton/Devi/Ben (Team Ben all the way)
  • Gilmore Girls: Rory with all her guys (I love Jess, but not for Rory. I always saw her more with Logan)
  • True Blood: Eric/Sookie/Bill (Eric. Come on.)
  • Lost: Jack/Kate/Sawyer (Sawyer?)
  • Vampire Diaries: Damon/Elena/Stefan (I literally got none of the ships I wanted. I shipped Damon with Bonnie, although I loved seeing her happy with Enzo. Elena and Stefan could have each other, did not care. I just really, really wanted Caroline with Klaus …)
I didn’t even dare mention Riverfail … can you keep up with Varchie, Barchie, Bughead, Choni, etc.?

What are some of your favourite love triangles on TV, if you have any at all? Let’s talk!

Thursday Movie Picks – Forbidden Love

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for the Thursday Movie Picks feature. This series is hosted by Wandering through the Shelves and offers you a weekly prompt to post some movie recommendations/talking points according to the theme. Usually, you are supposed to post about 3-5 examples, which I find a very manageable amount.

The entirety of February is dedicated to a special Romance Edition, focusing on many, many typical romance tropes and themes. Since this is the third week in a row with the theme, I think you get the gist. Today is all about Forbidden Love, which isn’t my favourite trope in love stories although I understand the appeal, but let’s see what I can come up with.

What Maisie Knew

Starting out with a controversial pick, maybe? What Maisie Knew has a lot of complex adult relationships, but I also like to think of the love shown towards Maisie. She receives the most attention and warmth from those who aren’t actually her parents. Is that forbidden? No, but it should be forbidden for parents to be so negligent and self-centered.
Anyway, there’s also some intricate falling-in-love-stuff though, so … that part can be the forbidden love part if we aren’t counting the surrogate parents feelings towards the child.

Beyond the Lights

Noni, a famous but troubled and very unhappy singer almost ends her life, but gets rescued by police officer Kaz. In order to hide this truth from the media, Kaz has to lie, which he does not like. Eventually he falls for Noni though, but their worlds are so vastly different. Can. they. make. it. work??

Womb

This movie is SO messed up. Basically, this lady is so in love with her partner, that she carries out a pregnancy of his clone, essentially raising the love of her life. I will not go any further, you can see how that pans out yourself in the movie, but … it’s messy.


If you missed previous installments of the Romance Tropes Edition, you can check out the following:


What did you think of my picks this week? Let’s chat!

Thursday Movie Picks – Friends to Lovers

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for the Thursday Movie Picks feature. This series is hosted by Wandering through the Shelves and offers you a weekly prompt to post some movie recommendations/talking points according to the theme. Usually, you are supposed to post about 3-5 examples, which I find a very manageable amount.

The entirety of February is dedicated to a special Romance Edition, focusing on many, many typical romance tropes and themes. Today is all about Friends to Lovers relationships, something that I consider one of the sweetest tropes. I, personally, would love for my future partner to be one of my best friends first.

Lust for Love

I don’t know if any of you watched the show Dollhouse, but it’s one that I adore and cherish. This movie was kind of the indie movie reunion of that show, at least in my mind, and I loved it every bit for that. Like … do those actors just travel in a pack? Cause I am here for it.

Also, more tuned to the movie, I like a good “help me get the girl”-but-then-I-fall-in-love-with-you-instead story.

Sleeping with Other People

Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis are among their very best in this movie. I love it, it is so much fun – watch it if you haven’t yet!!

What If

I think Zoe Kazan is brilliant and confused Potter is also awesome. I don’t actually have much to say, I think the trailers kinda speak for themselves.

Cavemen

Trust me, this is as cliché as it gets, but I just kind of adore the cast?

When We First Met

I think Shelley Hennig is underrated and should be cast in more movies, especially romantic comedies. Thank you and goodbye.

Honorable Mentions

As per usual, I cannot restrain myself to just 3-5 movies. I always try to pick movies for my actual list that maybe not everyone has seen, but if you want the mainstream stuff and things that just didn’t fit the above list, here are some more:

  • Love, Rosie
  • He’s Just Not That Into You
  • 13 Going on 30
  • Catch and Release (I HAVE SEEN THIS MOVIE SO MANY TIMES AND STILL LOVE IT TO BITS!!!)
  • Something Borrowed
  • Griffin & Phoenix

What are some of your favourite friends to lovers stories in films? I’d love to hear your thoughts on my picks too!