TV romances are always tumultuous affairs, especially the most memorable ones. Will-they-won't-they tension and slow burns form the backbone of many on-screen relationships, and those popular tropes help TV fanships sail among viewers. While popular pairings all go through their ups and downs, some rock-bottom moments hit harder than others, particularly breakups.
Many of have suffered at least one bad breakup, but some proved to be much more gut-wrenching than others. Various components factor into how devastating a breakup will be for viewers, such as how solid the relationship was or how long it took for the two to finally come together against all odds.
From Stefan and Elena's tipping point to Lily choosing San Francisco over Marshall, some TV breakups emerged as the saddest of all.
was one for the paranormal ages, at least at first. Tara helped Willow unleash her magical potential and answer unasked questions about her identity. Their relationship always felt organic and real, with both characters helping one another grow as people. But Willow and Tara's relationship also stood for something much greater off-screen: a breakthrough for LGBTQ+ representation.
helped define the '90s, and the hit TV show fostered a more inclusive and accepting space through the queer pairing.
All these elements made their Season 6 breakup tear-jerking, especially since magic — the thing that brought them together — turns out to be the thing that tears them apart. Both actresses also give emotional performances, and no amount of magic could un-break the hearts shattered by the scene.
Luke and Lorelai had fans rooting for them right from the start in . The two shared obvious chemistry in every interaction, and complemented each other perfectly. The duo also takes time to form a solid foundation for their relationship first, epitomizing the power of a good slow burn.
Unfortunately, all good things on television must come to an end.
After giving Luke an ultimatum, Lorelai sleeps with her ex, Christopher. When Luke finally comes to her, ready to elope, she tells him what she's done, and the two break up. Their many years of history, seasons of build-up, and Luke's heart-rending expression at the news all combine to make an unforgettably shattering moment. However, Lorelai's willing hand in the separation makes it slightly less upsetting than others.
The Stefan-Elena-Damon love triangle was a central plot line in
. Although , Stefan always found himself competing with his older brother for Elena's affection. Elena initially chooses Stefan but has a change of heart after vampirism heightens her feelings for Damon. The two try to work through Elena's change in both form and heart, but eventually, Stefan decides he has had enough.
The decision becomes even sadder when remembering that Stefan came to Mystic Falls just for Elena, and their love for each other never fades throughout the series, only shifts in definition. But the breakup is one that the series had been building up to since Season 1, preparing fans for it.
Still, Stefan's acknowledgment of Elena's feelings, the defeat in his voice, and the absolute pain in his expressions all make it one of the most raw and saddest TV breakups.
When it comes to devastating TV breakups, it's hard not to immediately think of . The two were a central couple in the hit series, and their love story formed the primary focus of the first few seasons. Their relationship grew to be toxic in later seasons, but they started out sweet and suspenseful with all of their will-they-won't-they tension.
Sadly, Ross and Rachel break up far too quickly into their relationship.
After Ross sleeps with Chloe, Rachel finds herself unable to look at him the same way. Ross' years of pining and Rachel's happiness with Ross all come to an end with one of television's most widely known separations, with both parties sharing some blame. The "" argument may still be muddy, but it is undeniably clear that Ross and Rachel's first breakup is one of the saddest to grace the small screen.
remains an underrated Netflix gem, not only for its small-town charm but largely for the beautiful and complicated relationships it showcases.
At the center of that list is the romance between Helen and Ryan. The pair were childhood sweethearts, but different values and ambitions tore them apart. Helen returned to her hometown while Ryan went searching for something bigger and better.
Ryan returns in the third season, only to shatter Helen's heart with the same revelations. Helen's decision to leave the kindhearted Erik for Ryan makes the scene all the more upsetting. The pair's complicated history and back and forth also has a large role in the scene's emotion, but it is Heather Headley's performance that makes it a real tear-jerker.
Headley depicts Helen's pain with such believable force that audiences can't help but cry with her in one of the saddest TV breakups.
Lily and Marshall are, in many ways, one of the healthier TV relationships. The two already have a solid relationship at the start of and prove time and again that Lilypad and Marshmallow are meant to be together. This is why the breakup hits harder — due to its unexpected nature.
Lilypad and Marshmallow always made sense together and had no serious rough patches hinting toward a drastic turn. The two also serve as a pillar of love and example, especially as Ted goes through date after date.
Lily not only broke off their engagement but also shattered the beautiful image of love she and Marshall created for fans in doing so. The breakup is made extra devastating as it comes right after Ted wins over Robin, leading to a shocking finale no romance-lover saw coming.
Mindy and Danny were always an unorthodox couple in . Mindy was a progressive and fun-loving protagonist, while Danny was a much more traditional and uptight character. Yet, the two somehow made things work, complementing each other and pushing one another to be their best, both professionally and personally.
Eventually, Danny and Mindy's fundamentally different views about Mindy tear them apart. "When Mindy Met Danny" reminds Mindy of her dreams and values and how much Danny has changed since encouraging her to pursue them. Mindy's callback with the measuring tape, Sam Smith's "Stay With Me," and her eventual breakdown make their breakup one of the saddest in television.
Even with all its flaws, . The series' dynamic relationships are the heart of its success, spearheaded by the powerful main coupling. Rachel and Finn have all the usual tropes for their TV relationship to succeed, from the jock-loser pairing to a timeline full of teen drama.
But Rachel and Finn's relationship eventually succumbs to mismatched ambitions and life after high school. Rachel's heartfelt speech emphasizes their fated but mistimed love, and the emotion-filled delivery will wrench any viewer's heart out. The actors' real-life romance and Cory Monteith's untimely passing make the scene all the more soul-crushing, with a temporary breakup between Rachel and Finn having to become a permanent reality.
Jane and Michael were always meant for each other in . Although and even developed feelings for Rafael, her heart kept taking her back to Michael, who dealt with all their complications in stride.
Michael is the man Jane chose, the one she married, and the one she wanted forever. So, in typical telenovela fashion, he was, of course, the one to "die."
When Michael re-appears in Jane's life, too much time has passed for them to pick things up again. Jane had also wholly committed her heart to Rafael at this point, and Michael completely understood, just as he always did. The fact that really no one is to blame and that the two never should've ended up here is what makes Jane and Michael's breakup so unbearably unfair and tragic.
Amy and Jonah's slow-burn romance forms the heart of
right from its pilot episode. When the two finally become a couple, the beauty lies in how subdued their relationship is and how much they feel like a real couple. Sadly, America Ferrera's departure from the series meant a rushed breakup for the highly-rooted pair.
Albeit unexpected, the couple's separation keeps true to their characters, with Jonah wanting the commitment he deserves and Amy hesitating from repeating her old mistakes. Both sides are justified, and their level-reasoning only makes their parting that much worse (along with the fact that Jonah was going to propose). Like their entire relationship, Amy and Jonah's breakup feels all too authentic and relatable, and that emotional connection establishes their breakup as the saddest on television.
