Hello and welcome back to My Geekology! I’m Ash, and in honor of Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, we will look at some of the most popular “ships” from movies and television! The couples we selected were rooted for by fans but ultimately they did not get what they wanted for one reason or another. We hope you enjoy it! Here are 11 of our favorite relationships in media and television!
DISCLAIMER: We only recognize “ships” that involve characters. We do not recognize or advocate for the “shipping” of the people who portray them as doing so is disrespectful and harmful.
Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) And Omera
The Mandalorian (2019-Present) Disney+ series has presented audiences with numerous takes on a group of people working with the Mandalorian and then in some way betraying him many, many times. However, the episodes that truly advance the central plot or show us something new about our protagonist stick out. In “Chapter 4: Sanctuary” we are presented with almost an alternate future for Din and Grogu. This would be a future with Omera of the planet Sorgan. When their peace is interrupted we quickly find out that that future is impossible, at least right now. It is a wonderful thing to think about, however.
Shuri And Namor
The editor of Marvel Studios’ blockbuster Wakanda Forever (2022) revealed to Newsweek that they had conversations about whether to leave in or take out takes where the two lead characters had chemistry unexpected of two world leaders. Ultimately those takes were dropped from the film, so they did not undermine anything or make the audience think they were using it as a device to get to a particular result. So, the tension a lot of audience members felt between the two was not necessarily just in our heads, it was filtered into their explosive confrontation at the end of the film. Perhaps, this was better, however, maybe in the future?
Newt Scamander And Bunty Broadacre
The film Fantastic Beasts and the Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) was confusing to many and left a few plot lines seemingly in the wind. However, one of the most interesting was the endearing admiration his assistant Bunty Broadacre seems to have for him. She goes out of her way to help him take care of the incredible creatures of this universe. If the movie series had gone in a different direction involving smaller adventures with the creatures (like fighting off poachers) Bunty would have been an incredible partner! It is fun to think about the movies that could have been with this franchise.
Nathan Drake And Chloe Frazer
When the audience is introduced to Chloe Frazer in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) she is entrenched with some very bad people. This leads Nathan Drake to trouble, jailing, and ultimately near death. However, she is a spectacular character. She is funny, bold, and very good with weapons. She seems to be a natural fit with our protagonist. However, as we come to see, there are vulnerabilities Nathan is able to share with Elena that he could not with Chloe. We see both characters land where they are clearly supposed to in later installments of the franchise, however, the duo has their fans.
Sherlock Holmes And John Watson
Some of the most popular stories to explore in fan fiction are M/M romances (Harry Potter/ Draco Malfoy/ Captain America and Bucky). The couples involved are undoubtedly influenced by the major media of the moment, however, one couple seems to be ever-present. One of the most prominent over the years has been Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. I think the idea of the two is spectacular. They have chemistry clearly, however, they have accomplished many of the hurdles of relationships. Those hurdles are working with the other on complex problems, taking care of the other while at their worst, and that’s just the start of it. However, this relationship would undoubtedly be tanked by Sherlock Holmes’ selfishness, but I can hope.
Batman And Catwoman
One of the most well-known cases of “will they or won’t they” in popular media. Michelle Pfeiffer’s absolutely electric performance as Selina Kyle in Batman Returns (1992) perhaps raised the duo to an even higher stature in popular culture. The relationship is explored in numerous comics, video games, and later films. In almost every instance their chemistry is incredible, but sadly their long-term relationship is always just as impossible.
Velma Dinkley And Coco Diablo
Coco Diablo made her fabulous entrance into the Scooby-Doo universe in Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! (2022). It is revealed that the fashionista designs costumes for villainous figures to use in their criminal ventures. When her path crosses with the Scooby Gang, it is immediately evident that Velma is smitten with the fashionable criminal mastermind. There are numerous instances of her stumbling on her words and getting embarrassed in Coco’s presence. However, Coco’s feelings on the matter appear neutral, at least, until the end of the film. As we near the credits a beautiful moment is shared between the pair when Coco says, “Do you know how rare it is for me to like someone other than myself?”
Abby And Riley
Clea DuVall’s Happiest Season (2020) provided a Christmas movie for LGBTQIA+ community. It is a loving mix of warmth and the troubles that can be a part of the holiday season for many LGBTQIA+ people. One of those is the dreaded ritual of “coming out” to parents who wouldn’t be receptive to it or open to it. Abby (played by Kristen Stewart) upon discovering that her partner Harper (Mackenzie Davis) is not “out” to her parents feels alienated. She finds comfort with Riley (played by Aubrey Plaza) and the sequences that follow make you think that this was the match-up that was meant to happen, but it wasn’t so. Aubrey Plaza said she herself wanted it to happen on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “Look, I wanted it too, okay? I’m not gonna lie. I wanted it too. I wanted it very badly.”
Katara And Prince Zuko
Fire and water. Perhaps it was too obvious, however, to many, it would have been a better match than Katara and Aang. Many saw the relationship between Katara and Aang as, if anything, more older sister-younger brother than romantic. However, Prince Zuko and Katara seemed like a more natural pairing. Bending aside, they are two people with the weight of immense responsibility on their shoulders. They grow to become the best version of themselves despite tremendous, seemingly insurmountable obstacles in front of them. A lot of people are fans of the “enemies to lovers” trope as well. When we saw Prince Zuko take a blast intended for Katara from the incredibly powerful Princess Azula it seemed like things could go that way. However, it was not to be.
Bella Swan And Jacob Black
I was in middle school when The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) took hold of the world. Granted, these movies already had a profound grip on popular culture. However, your allegiance mattered to many whether you were “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob.” It is definitely a question of its time, however, it is one of the most widespread participation of “shipping” I think popular culture had seen before Finn and Poe in Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
Finn And Poe Dameron
This is perhaps the best-known LGBTQIA+ ship from this entire list. Fans all over the internet rooted for the duo to develop a romantic thread in their story together. The actors themselves acknowledged the fans’ voices on multiple occasions. Oscar Isaac specifically said in a Variety article that was released before the release of Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) the following: “Personally, I kind of hoped and wished that maybe that would’ve been taken further in the other films, but I don’t have control,” he continued with, “It seemed like a natural progression, but sadly enough it’s a time when people are too afraid.”
Thank you for coming on this journey as we explored some of the couples that audiences shipped in movies and television! We hope you had fun, and that your Valentine’s Day is lovely. We’ll see you here next time at My Geekology!
Don’t miss our FREE geek alerts every month!
