In the first part of any television series, take a look at those relationships that were doomed to fail and why. Everybody’s got that ex who is almost comically wrong for them, and today, we’re going to look at ten classic examples of how different types of relationships can go horribly awry.
Ted Mosby
How I Met Your Mother
“Have you met Ted?” Yes, and probably more than once. The “Ted Mosby” is a hopeless romantic, seemingly obsessed with finding his soulmate and settling down. But, as I’m sure you’ve noticed with your experiences with “Ted,” he comes on a little too strong. “Ted” wants a serious relationship and he wants it now. “Ted” is the guy who says he loves you on the first date, who does huge romantic gestures way too early in the relationship, and then wonders why he is always single.
Dean Forester
Gilmore Girls
At first, it seems like the “Dean” in your life is Mr. Perfect. He is super easy-going, taking the Netflix part of “Netflix and Chill” very seriously, and he gets along with your family. Then things start to go south. He gets territorial when you even mention any other man’s name, he gets moody for no reason, and eventually one of you calls it quits. But that’s when things get weird. “Dean” is the guy who still wants to get back together years later, who says he never stopped loving you, who sabotages his other relationships for a shot to show you he loves you. Not cool dude, not cool.
Chandler Bing
Friends
For “Chandler” types, it’s not getting the girl that is the problem: it’s keeping her. “Chandler” cannot maintain a relationship for any extended period of time. In part, it’s because he isn’t good at the whole “being there for you” part of the relationship. He doesn’t know how to handle emotions or any kind of uncomfortable situations. But most of the problem is he chickens out. He’s too scared to really commit, which is why—and I apologize for comparing you to the Janice here—he’s probably broken up and gotten back together with you several times.
Schmidt
New Girl
Instead of saying anything about "Schmidt," I’m just going to leave a few quotes here. It should be pretty easy to figure out why this one ended.
Shawn Spencer
Psych
At first, this guy seems like FUN. He’s exciting, probably has a really random and cool job, and makes you laugh. But, the more you get to know him, the more one dimensional he becomes. “Shawn” is a man-child, never taking anything seriously, and he may even be keeping huge secrets from you. He’s also the guy to bring his friends along, often making you feel like the third wheel on your own date night. In short, “Shawn” makes a great friend-boy, but not a very good boyfriend.
Jim Halpert
The Office
To be clear here, you’re Karen in this scenario. And you know it, too. “Jim” is a fun work flirtation. He’s smart, funny, and easy to get along with; but, in reality, this is the most doomed relationship on the list. And that’s because it’s obvious that “Jim” is destined for someone else. You can fight it all you want and try to ignore it, but you’re never going to be his “Pam.” And that’s the worst feeling for them all: to know that the guy is perfect, just not perfect for you.
Steven Hyde
The 70’s Show
This is the “opposites attract” relationship. Just like Hyde and Jackie, you and your “Hyde” found yourselves in a relationship that, from the outside, didn’t really make sense. You had very little in common and you didn’t really get along that well, but for some reason, you two worked, kind of. Because you didn’t have that instant connection, you had to actually work on your relationship. Chances are, no matter how your “Hyde” relationship ended, you still count “Hyde” as one of your best friends.
Spike
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
There’s just something about a bad boy that is undeniably attractive. Unfortunately, for everyone who has ever gone out with a “Spike,” we learn that—unlike other bad boy types who are actually just moody—there is something fundamentally wrong with him. His bad streak isn’t for show. He actually is not a nice person. This relationship quickly turns toxic and maybe even a little dangerous. He doesn’t respect you, or even treat you well. For “Spike,” the relationship feels totally one-sided, with your only purpose in life being to make him happy. And that’s not love, that’s domestic abuse.
[Side note: if you are a friend are in this kind of relationship, seek help. No one deserves to be mistreated or abused.]
Kermit the Frog
The Muppets
“Kermit” is a sweetheart. He dotes on you, cares about you, and really wants to make the relationship work. So what’s the catch? His ex. His ex is everywhere! They’re really close friends and they probably still hang out, which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing if she didn’t rub your face in their closeness. His ex is always around, giving you subtle hints that you’re not really welcome there, and no matter how hard you try to ignore the signs, you start to think she might be right.
