From The Summer I Turned Pretty to The Vampire Diaries, there are so many drama-filled shows we love to watch that keep us on the edge of our seats with the melodramatic plots of love triangles! Depending on how popular they are, these love triangles in TV shows often send fans into debates over who is “better” for who! For example, over the past couple of years, one of the biggest television debates has been between Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah from The Summer I Turned Pretty, and who is right for Belly, the leading protagonist. Another older, popular show, Gossip Girl, has countless love stories, you can’t even keep track of in just one season! A lot of fans even say some of the couples or love triangles were unnecessary, such as Dan-Blair-Serena or any of Nate’s relationships. (real)
There are so many debatable opinions of tv show characters and plots, especially among younger people and kids, who are invested in the latest shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty or My Life With The Walter Boys. Students here at BHS have very interesting and diverse preferences.
The Summer I Turned Pretty:
The debate of all tv debates: Who is better for Belly? Conrad or Jeremiah? Even though the show has just ended, and we see Belly end up with her first love, Conrad, many people still wish it would’ve been Jeremiah!
When asking Eagle’s Cry Editor, Luke Baumbach about the dispute of who Belly should end up with, he explained that he does not watch the show, but his mom and friends all vote for Conrad!
Eagles Cry Editor-in-Chief, Tara Gyaltsen explains that she actually is neither Team Conrad or Jeremiah, she is “Team Cam Cameron because he’s sweeter and the boys need therapy, not a girlfriend!” I think we could all agree to getting Conrad or Jeremiah therapy.
Never Have I Ever:
Another show that perfectly captures the chaos of a teenage love triangle is Never Have I Ever. The series follows Devi Vishwakumar, a high school student balancing friendship, identity, and young romance between her childhood crush, Paxton Hall-Yoshida, and her academic rival, Ben Gross.
On the question of who Devi should end up with, Eagle’s Cry editor Tara Gyaltsen commented, “Ben because he pushes Devi to be successful academically”. Upon asking Eagle’s Cry editor Paridhi Miglani, she gained a deeper insight into this love triangle, “Ben and Paxton changed throughout the show, but Paxton had a better character development. Devi would be happier with Paxton. Ben needs to fix himself.”
This ongoing debate reflects what makes the show so relatable to teenagers as it captures the confusion, excitement, and emotional ups and downs of growing up and figuring out who you really are.
Gossip Girl:
As for the timeless, high society drama show set in New York City, Gossip Girl, there are so many love triangles throughout the show, most of them concerning the same people! Tara Gyaltsen also loves Gossip Girl and explained that she likes Blair Waldorf and Dan Humphrey together because “Chuck is a criminal”.
The main love story in Gossip Girl was between Blair and Chuck, who pretty much made Gossip Girl as popular as it is today. Though in the last couple seasons, there was a slow-burned, but brief love triangle between Blair, Dan and Chuck.
In contrast with Tara’s opinion, BHS Junior Danielle Betwinek actually loves Chuck and Blair together. “They are my favorite couple on the show,” she explained. She expanded her opinion by saying, “I didn’t like Serena and Dan together, actually. I think Dan was better with Vanessa. They were only fighting because of Serena” Another love triangle! (I, Sophia, completely agree with this opinion). In Gossip Girl, there was even love triangles with the parents! Dan Humphrey was not wrong when he explained their society as “kids acting like adults, adults acting like kids.”
Gilmore Girls:
Another show from the 2000s with many love dramas! The biggest argument among fans (besides if Rory Gilmore is a good character) is which guy is best for Rory; Dean, who she dated frequently throughout the show, Jess, who was Luke’s nephew and Logan, the wealthy kid who Rory met through Yale. Ultimately, Rory does not end up with any of them, but many fans wish she would have ended up with either Dean, Jess or Logan (Mostly Jess and Logan).
BHS Junior Elizabeth Trimarco says she prefers Jess with Rory. “I think they are a better match, the other two have a bad influence on her.” She then proceeds to explain, “I did like Logan’s character a lot, but not really with Rory.”
Jumpscare
Jane The Virgin
A telenovela that includes a medical mix-up which leads to a dramatic love triangle and an accidental pregnancy in the show, Jane The Virgin. The series follows Jane Villanueva, a hardworking and devout woman who vowed to stay pure until marriage and dreams of becoming an author.
One day Jane’s life turns upside down when she is accidentally inseminated during a general gynecologist appointment. As Jane navigates her unexpected pregnancy, her career goals and her close knit family, she faces emotional challenges and life changing decisions. Torn between Rafael Solano, a charming hotel owner, and Michael Cordero, a dedicated detective and her loving boyfriend. Jane must decide what stability, love, and happiness truly means to her.
Eagle’s Cry Editor, Paridhi Miglani shares that “Rafael was unstable while Jane and Michael were stable”. Mia Rendon, a junior and fan of the show, mentions that, “I’m on Jane’s side because she’s pretty”. Filled with humor, heartfelt family moments, and over the top telenovela twists, Jane the Virgin mixes drama and comedy to show that when life feels out of control, love, faith and family can guide the way.
Stranger Things:
In honor of the official trailer just coming out, there are still speculations on who will end up with who in the upcoming season!
When asked about the 4 season long (going on 5) love triangle between Steve, Nancy and Jonathan, Tara Gyaltsen explains that she “hates Steve Harrington because he was very cheesy and rude in season 1. He had an unrealistic future with Nancy that he told her about. If I was Nancy, I would be scared!”
However, Elizabeth Trimarco loves Steve’s character, but likes Jonathan better with Nancy. Fans’ constant debates about the characters’ relationships prove that Stranger Things perfectly balances romance, mystery, and supernatural twists, keeping audiences hooked season after season.
