We ship it: The 14 best fictional TV couples of 2015
Whether you come to TV for the plot, the characters or the masterful storytelling, you know it always comes down to one thing: the couples.
We kid, but it is a fact that push-pull romances have become a large part of what draws people to TV, ever since Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepard first set their eyes on each other in Moonlighting. But don't worry, 2015 has become a good year for love -- with many of our favorite will-they-won't-they couples finally taking the plunge and most of our beloved tragic couples narrowly avoiding yet another tragedy.
Here is our ranking of the 14 best fictional couples to grace our small screens -- and computer screens -- in 2015.
14. Dev and Rachel, Master of None
The road to their relationship may have been a weird one, but it was worth it. Dev and Rachel were positively adorable in Master of None, and the episode, "Mornings," dealing with the everyday problems of all burgeoning relationships, was too real to watch. And we've yet to see a first date that can beat Nashville.
13. Mickey and Ian, Shameless
It may sound odd that the most healthy relationship on Shameless is between a troubled teen and his closeted neighbor, but the two of them made great strides in their relationship after going through the trials of Ian's bipolar disorder, Mickey's homophobic dad, and more than a few dealings with prostitution. But after a very public brawl that ended with a very public coming-out for Mickey, it looked like things were looking up for the two boys. We know the season 5 finale happened, but they're STILL IN LOVE.
12. Luke and Jessica, Jessica Jones
Four words: They. Broke. The. Bed. Hot superpowered couple status aside, Luke and Jessica are the perfect mess of a couple, with Jessica's hard-drinking, guilt-ridden ways and psychopathic stalker getting in the way of anything real happening between the two of them. (And it would take a while for anyone to beat Trish in Jessica's heart.) But hopefully Luke's fake forgiveness speech wasn't too far from the truth, and the two of them can pick things up again. Or at least, team up to defend things.
11. Jane and Rafael, Jane the Virgin
Jane's been dealing with her two hot suitors for a while now, but we all know it's Rafael who she's meant to be with. First of all, they can't get rid of his fanservice on the show, and second, do you see the way he looks at Jane? His emerging parenting skills and love for their son Mateo is slowly making him out to be the better of the two options.
10. Gretchen and Jimmy, You're the Worst
Contrary to the title of the TV show, these two really are the best. They're both jerks to everyone else (and often each other), but when it matters most -- like Gretchen's struggle with clinical depression -- they really come together. They may hate on the rest of the world, but at least they love each other.
9. Wilson Fisk and Vanessa Marianna, Daredevil
Who knew that in a show about Daredevil, you'd be rooting for the villain? Well, at least the villain's goal of getting the girl -- the head-smashing we couldn't really get behind. Wilson Fisk and his art gallery girlfriend Vanessa was a refreshingly honest relationship for the superhero series, showing a fumbling Wilson completely in awe of the sophisticated Vanessa. But in spite of their candid vulnerability with each other, when they step up, Wilson and Vanessa are the most intimidating power couple to rule Hell's Kitchen.
8. Maggie and Glenn, The Walking Dead
They're possibly the only healthy relationship in the zombie-infested post-apocalyptic world, and the beating heart of the show. Maggie and Glenn seem to get torn apart way more than they get to stay together, but when they're together, it's beautiful. And now we know that Glenn can survive almost anything with the help of a handy dumpster, so we know we can bet on them.
7. Jake and Amy, Brooklyn Nine Nine
From bickering partners to the will-they-won't-they couple of Brooklyn Nine Nine, Jake and Amy finally got together in the third season of the cop comedy show. Their workplace frolicking may have cost the life of Bill Hader's character, but it's been pretty smooth sailing for them so far. Even their major arguments are kind of adorable -- because who really gets mad over a lumpy mattress?
6. April and Andy, Parks and Recreation
Before there was Jake and Amy, there was April and Andy. Parks and Recreation was full of perfect TV couples, with April and Andy narrowly beating out Ben and Leslie. But April and Andy's incredible development from awkward cat-and-dog romance to married 20-somethings with a kid named Burt Snakehole Ludgate Karate Dracula Macklin Demon Jack-o-Lantern Dwyer is just wonderful to watch.
5. Oliver and Felicity, Arrow
It's been four seasons, but Oliver and Felicity finally got together, guys. And it's just as magical as we'd hoped. Oliver is actually smiling, Felicity has her own CEO jet (which she got through her own talents, of course), and not even supernatural villains or ominous future funeral scenes can tear them apart. Right?
4. Jamie and Claire, Outlander
When your Golden Globe-nominated show is primarily known for being a bodice-ripping sexscapade through the moors of Scotland, you know you're doing it right. Despite its historical setting during the Jacobite risings of the 1700s, Outlander may have one of the most progressive and mature relationships on TV. And yes, there's a good, healthy dose of sex.
3. Abbi and Ilana, Broad City
Love doesn't always have to be romantic to be true. Abbi and Ilana's bond is the defining element of Broad City, and their hilarious misadventures and weirdly intimate Skype calls are examples of why friendship can be stronger than blood. Unless you've done a blood sister ritual, which we're pretty sure Abbi and Ilana have, at some point. Or will do. Who knows what will happen on Broad City.
2. Emma Swan and Captain Hook, Once Upon a Time
Although this writer is not a fan of Captain Hook (they try way too hard to make the audience like him), you can't deny that Emma and Killian would die for each other. And this season, they both basically did. The Captain Swan ship has been the bright burning spark that has kept one of the stronger seasons of Once Upon a Time afloat, and with Emma literally crossing into hell to save Killian, you can bet this solidifies their relationship as endgame.
1. Fitz and Simmons, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The emotional core of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fitz and Simmons kept running into one tragic roadblock after another in their quest to finally get together. Whether it's unrequited love, brain damage, kidnappings, or accidental world-jumping, the two battered and bruised scientist soulmates just can't catch a break. The third season of the Marvel show tested their relationship to otherworldly limits, and it's unclear whether the two will ever recover. Just let them be happy, S.H.I.E.L.D. Why can't they be happy?!