Chemistry is so vital in tv. Not the add this and
that, go boom, chemistry. But the oh my goodness, my toes are curling, my
heart’s racing, I have chills, chemistry. Whoever the chemistry is between:
friends, relatives, co-workers, or lovers, it is what makes or breaks each
relationship on the show, especially the one between the lovers. The couple can
look so epically fantastic on paper and in theory, but if those co-stars don’t
have that special chemistry, that relationship and possibly that show are going
belly-up.
Sometimes you can tell the couple has chemistry long
before they even kiss, for instance, Jo and Karev on Grey’s Anatomy. The show
has been flirting with this idea this whole season. They have progressed from
acquaintances, to virtually enemies, to best friends, to almost something more.
Every category they have been in has been spot-on and very convincing. No
matter how they treat each other, you love it, because it is so real, the
chemistry so palpable. Now, they are sending each other love looks, and the
audience is just as excited as they are because they know when this couple
finally gets together, it’s going to be epic and perfect, because they click.
Their chemistry is so genuine and good, like most of the couples on this show.
Sometimes the couple sounds perfect, maybe even looks
good, but once they kiss, you realize it’s all doomed. A prime example is
Laurel and Tommy on Arrow, Arrow’s ex that he hurt and his best friend who was
there for his ex. It made sense, almost poetic, and then the inevitable
happened…….they kissed. There’s little, if any chemistry there, and they look
more like awkward neighbors trying to spark things up than the triumphant, from
the ashes, couple they are supposed to be. It just leaves you confused, a
little grossed out, and very, very unfulfilled. At this point, you just want
anyone else to be with Laurel, even the man who almost destroyed her.
Then sometimes, you have a couple who you know
shouldn’t be together, but their chemistry is so rich and vivid, that you
almost root for them anyway. Case in point is Sawyer and Kate in Lost. That
cage scene between them made everyone, even the show’s deepest, darkest critics
vote for that couple. It was real, and raw, and memorable. That’s what every
show wants, one couple that has everyone in the world rooting for them and
tuning in just because of them and that one scene. Whether Sawyer and Kate were
fighting, running, kissing, or just talking, you could feel the chemistry 1,000
miles away on your couch, you could touch it. And you wanted to see more of it.
And then sometimes, you have those perfect couples
who have great chemistry, until one of them just has to run off and have even
better chemistry with someone else. How dare them! They leave you sitting there,
breathless and confused, not knowing who to root for. There are a couple examples
here. First, you have Kate and Jack from Lost. There was definite chemistry
between them and everyone loved them, but then Kate kept running back into
Sawyer’s arms (puts a whole new spin on “we have to go back!”), where the
chemistry was overwhelming. You knew she should be with Jack, it was her
destiny; but there was nothing like her and Sawyer and that passion. And then
came along example two, Juliette and Sawyer. When Juliette and Sawyer finally
got together, it was like hold up, we just found epicness number three on this
show. They found each other in a time of desperation, but their relationship
was anything but desperate. It wasn’t the overwhelming passionate love between
Sawyer and Kate or the strong, defying love between Kate and Jack. It was a
passionate, yet secure, moving, yet firm, real, yet raw love that only the bad
boy and the good girl could pull off. Their scene in the finale where they
finally remember who they are and what they had, it was so real that it made
you want to leave your couch right that minute, find your soul mate, and kiss
them like the world was ending. Now, that right there is chemistry.
Another show with great chemistry changers is The
Vampire Diaries. The first couple affected was Tyler and Caroline. Their
biggest chemistry moment was when she helped him through his changing into a
werewolf. The scenes where she is holding him as he lies helplessly on the
ground whimpering and moaning in pain, make you so sad for him, but so happy
for them because you can see their bond forming and growing so much in those
scenes. That is chemistry at its best, when two people can make one scene
between them give you so many conflicting emotions, you feel helpless. Then,
just when you thought Caroline had found her life partner, Klaus showed up.
They haven’t kissed, they’ve barely had a civil conversation, but you want them
together so bad. Why? Well, the emotion in every scene between them is
downright touchable. You can feel Klaus’s love for her, even when he is being a
total jerk. And their chemistry is about the only thing keeping you from
begging Klaus to be killed off already, and they aren’t even close to being
together. That chemistry is epic and raw and unbelievable. The second couple
affected is Stefan and Elena. You see their chemistry from episode one and you
believe it and root for it. Their talks, their arguments, their journal
entries, their kisses, all leave you wanting more. They are perfect. Well
until, Damon shows up, or more like crashes the party. Throughout the seasons,
there is always this undercurrent of what if she doesn’t choose the expected,
what if she can save him, what if he is her epic love. Then they kissed. If
Stefan and Elena together left you wanting more, Damon and Elena left you
praying for more. They did more in one kiss to upset the whole dynamic than
Stefan did in his multi-episode killing spree. If one kiss can send a three season
relationship spiraling, then the actors must be doing something right. Then in
the fourth season, they officially sealed the deal, and you knew right there
that no matter what Stefan did, he would never truly compare or erase Damon and
his mark forever. Chemistry that can change a three season epic love story is
epic chemistry.
And then finally, sometimes, the right chemistry is
actually between the right people. Beauty and the Beast has this so far. Vince
and Catherine have been doing the whole maybe we will, maybe we won’t thing all
season. And anytime they are within ten, you know what, any amount of feet of
each other, you can feel them getting closer, feel them kissing, and
then…..they don’t. They make some excuse and walk away. It is so frustrating,
but so well orchestrated. Finally, they professed their love for each other
this past episode and kissed! Hallelujah! And honestly, for their first kiss, I
was thoroughly impressed. They looked like they were truly meant for each other
and that everything was going to work out and nothing would separate them, even
though he’s a fugitive and she’s a liar. Their kiss put you at ease and made
you super excited and satisfied all in ten seconds. That’s true chemistry right
there, folks.
Now, there are many, many more examples of amazing
and awful chemistry combinations on tv, but these are just a few of the ones I
have noticed lately. I’m sure I’ll rant about a few more later, but for now, check
out these and keep praying and wishing that they keep being great or get
better, depending on where they are now. The chemistry between the characters,
especially the lovers, is what convinces you a show is worth it, makes you want
more of it, keeps you coming back, and causes you to create Pinterest boards
about it!
Let me know what you think about the chemistry on
these shows and any other shows that I have left out! I’m always interested in
more shows!
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