People that aren’t doing it: Non-romantic TV relationships that work

(*Firstly, if you don’t get the joke in the title, visit Failblog. I’ll wait.)

There’s been a tremendous response to my Tuesday article about the reasons why I’m not excited about TV romance. It’s been really awesome to hear from fans of various shows and pairings, who wrote in with their own opinions and ideas and helped create a great discussion of the topic and the issues surrounding it — most importantly, with respect for me and for each other.

As is natural and perfectly fine, there were some people who disagreed with my lack of enthusiasm. One reader suggested that romantic relationships are a cornerstone of scripted television. This led a few people to speak up with some of their favorite non-romantic relationships on TV. I’ve got quite a few of those myself, so I thought, why not devote some column space to those, too? Spread the love, as it were. (Ha.)

So here’s a list of some of my favorite non-romantic relationships on TV, from friends to family and some other stuff besides — the people that aren’t doing it. But before we get to it, a word: I realize that I’m bound to include a few pairs that you believe have probably done it, or should do it. My putting them on this list doesn’t mean I have a position on that one way or the other. All I’m saying is that they’re not currently officially doing it, and their current non-romantic relationship works for me.

Without further adieu, let’s get cracking!

24

Over eight seasons, 24 had a lot of awesome relationships that had nothing to do with romance. After all, the show was on a pretty tight schedule! There were some great professional partnerships, like those between Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) and Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) — at least until he went evil anyway — Jack and Senator/President David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), Jack and Secret Service agent Aaron Pierce (Glenn Morshower) and Curtis Manning (Roger Cross), and Jack and Chloe O’Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub). And even if she drove you nuts, there was no doubt that Jack dearly loved his daughter, Kim Bauer (Elisha Cuthbert).

There was also the work relationship between Chloe and Edgar Stiles (Louis Lombardi). I have a personal soft spot for the late George Mason (Xander Berkeley) — not only did he have some great banter with Jack in season one, he also had some very poignant scenes with Michelle Dessler (Reiko Aylesworth) in season two, as he implored her not to make the mistakes he had. When Mason died, I was bawling.

Archer

Sterling Archer (voice of H. Jon Benjamin) and Ray Gillette (voice of Adam Reed) are definitely not doing it. Yet I crack up laughing at every exchange between ISIS’s  most macho agent and its most effeminate one. Archer seems to have no idea what to do with Ray, who is unresponsive to his two usual approaches to other people — pushing them around or trying to sleep with them. And Ray, for his part, seems to be the one sane person who works at ISIS.

A cornerstone of the show is also Archer’s awkward, strange relationship with mom and boss Malory Archer (voice of Jessica Walter). It’s hilarious to see how the apathetic and/or clueless things Malory did in Sterling’s childhood led to the guy he became today. (“Why was he dressed as Hitler?”) She still delights in screwing with his head — and I love every minute of it.

Battlestar Galactica

The love stories of Battlestar Galactica were great, but so were the relationships that weren’t romantic. President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) had an epic affair with William Adama; yet I equally enjoyed watching the friendship between Roslin and Adama’s son, Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber). Laura had a real respect for Lee, whom she affectionately referred to as “Captain Apollo,” and he for her. Just because she was in love with his father didn’t mean that he — or the show — treated her solely as his father’s girlfriend, and she never looked at him as just Bill’s son.

Brotherhood

It was right there in the title of the show: a complicated, frustrating, fierce but oh so watchable sibling relationship between Rhode Island politician Tommy Caffee (Jason Clarke) and his gangster brother Michael Caffee (Jason Isaacs). That relationship, with its many layers and constant changes, was the perfect one to build a show on – and it also sprouted several other watchable bonds besides.

Burn Notice

I’m all for the love between Michael Westen and Fiona Glenanne. But I’m equally interested in how there’s no love lost between Fiona and Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell). Over four seasons, the relationship has definitely helped shape both their characters; we’ve seen them grow from people who couldn’t stand each other to people who’d lay down their lives for each other (even if they still can’t stand each other). Campbell is one of the best actors ever when it comes to comic timing and delivery, and Anwar is able to banter right back at him. It’s vastly entertaining to see the two characters go back and forth (sometimes with poor Michael caught in the middle!), but also great to know that when it matters, they can and do count on each other.

Then there’s the relationship between Michael’s mom, Madeline Westen (the incomparable Sharon Gless) and … well, everyone. The Powers That Be made a wise decision this past season when they started using Maddie in some of the team’s schemes. She treats all our heroes like they’re her family: ribbing them, supporting them, and putting them in their place when they need it.

Cold Case

Philadelphia homicide detectives Lilly Rush (Kathryn Morris) and Scotty Valens (Danny Pino) didn’t do it — although Scotty once dated Lilly’s sister Christina. They were solid working partners who were also close friends. Scotty came to Lilly’s rescue during a hostage situation in the homicide division in the fourth season episode “Stalker.” One of the last scenes of the series involves Lilly in the backseat of Scotty’s car, tending to her sister.

There was also a more fun, playful relationship between colleagues Nick Vera (Jeremy Ratchford) and Will Jeffries (Thom Barry). Vera and Jeffries often functioned as the show’s comic relief. But one of the most gripping episodes of the entire show was season six’s “Officer Down,” in which Jeffries was shot while inside a convenience store, and Vera struggled with holding himself together as well as pursuing his partner’s shooter.

Dexter

Dexter Morgan has lost two people he loved in two seasons … harsh! But he’s never lost his family. It’s Dex’s relationship with his sister Debra Morgan (the criminally underrated Jennifer Carpenter) that’s at the core of Showtime’s hit series. Not to mention his visits from the ghost of his adoptive father, Harry Morgan (James Remar), who never lets Dexter — or the audience — lose sight of what’s really going on. And wasn’t watching Dexter and Arthur Mitchell (John Lithgow) take each other on in season four some of the best TV of that season?

Eli Stone

My favorite relationship of this underappreciated little show was the one between brothers Eli Stone (Jonny Lee Miller) and Nate Stone (Matt Letscher). It was a microcosm of the whole series: Nate, a doctor, was a man of science, while Eli was having a spiritual awakening he couldn’t explain. Though they saw the world through different lenses, we also never doubted that they were loving and supportive of one another.

Hawaii Five-0

When I talk to Hawaii Five-0 fans, the relationship that gets mentioned the most is the bonafide “bromance” between Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) and Danny Williams (Scott Caan). They might have gotten a rough start, but it’s clear that these two are not just exceptional partners together, they’re good friends. They may banter with the best of them, but under that witty repartee is a real respect for and support of one another. I love watching them together. But I’m still a little ticked that Caan didn’t win that Golden Globe. …

Clacked by Guest Clacker
on Apr 14, 2011 @ 11:00 EST5EDT