10 Favorite Fictional Love Relationships: Healthy or Toxic?
There is no denying that Harley Quinn is devoted to the Joker, giving up her career as a psychiatrist to join in his villainous escapades. But the Joker cannot and does not reciprocate any affection. He uses Harley to meet his ends and keeps her around to puff up his ego.
The Joker is manipulative and abusive in his treatment of Harley, making sure that he has the most power in their relationship. Harley should go find a 'Puddin'' who will respect and love her for who she is. Poison Ivy, we're ready for you to steal this girl's heart away from the crazy clown.
RELATED: Gotham's Best Couple Will Return as Max Renews HARLEY QUINN for Season 5 Edward and Bella
Coming into someone's bedroom and watching them sleep, without their knowledge or consent, is a crime. 'But, he's just being protective. It's cute.' No. They were not in a relationship at the time Edward began watching Bella in the Twilight series. He was stalking her. I guess it's a good thing that Edward has enough self-control to not eat the prey he stalks. And when they are in a relationship, Edward becomes so overprotective of Bella that it is stifling and oppressive. Oh, and don't get us started on the way Bella romanticizes the love stories of Romeo and Juliet and Wuthering Heights . Bella wants a relationship like the ones found in her favorite classical literature, and she gets it. Red flags, bloodshed, trauma, and all. Anakin and Padme
When someone shows you who they truly are, believe them. And when someone spouts a passionate monologue to you about how they slaughtered an entire village, women and children included, you do not react by getting into a relationship with them! What the Tuskan Raiders did to Anakin's mom in Star Wars was unforgivable, but to massacre innocent children in retaliation? Padme, sweetie, this man needed intensive therapy, not a forbidden love affair. You can care for someone and hurt for their hurts, without getting into a relationship that will lead to your death. While the Jedi Council's rules and Palpatine's influence got in the way, there were some major issues long before that.
Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Hera Syndulla from Star Wars Severus Snape and Lily Potter
We know that this was never a romantic relationship in the Harry Potter series, but with the amount of 'Always' car decals and merchandise, it seemed like a good reminder. If Lily had chosen Severus, the relationship would have been very toxic and would not have lasted. And if Lily had survived and lived happily with James and Harry, Snape would have emotionally self-destructed at best. At worst, he would have completely turned to the Dark Arts and gone on a rampage. Yes, it ultimately worked in Harry's favor that Snape was forever obsessed with his mom. But that is the thing to remember: it was not pure and healthy love, it was obsession. In real life, this is the stereotypical nice guy who gets upset that he's friend-zoned by the girl. He spends his time learning the dark arts of dating taught by incels on the internet. And you want to hear him say that he has always loved, and will always love you? Yikes. The Phantom and Christine
Out of the two options for a husband, Christine has to choose between her childhood friend and the man pretending to be the ghost of her father. Who would you choose? Especially when you find out that the one man is willing to murder countless people who might get in the way of his romantic plans. It's a tough choice, huh? Erik (The Phantom) may be disfigured physically, but it's his dark and twisted soul that keeps Christine from fully embracing a relationship with him. Plus, that whole belief that he is either the ghost of her father or an angel her father sent to help her, makes us think that Christine should focus on her own mental health and well-being before making relationship decisions. Thank goodness Raoul was there to save her in The Phantom of the Opera because, without him, Christine would have been trapped in the darkness of the music of the night forever. Love, True Love Morticia and Gomez Addams
They might be creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky, but the love between Morticia and Gomez in The Addams Familya is legendary. Unlike other sitcoms and media representations of married couples, the Addams support and respect each other, while never losing their passion. They embarrass their children with their public displays of affection, but it serves as a fantastic example of what a romantic relationship should be. They communicate effectively with each other, making their partner feel heard and seen. Morticia and Gomez know that no matter what comes their way, they will be able to take it on together as equals. And, it's good to flirt and express your desires with your partner, even outside of intimate moments. Westley and Buttercup
'Since the invention of the kiss, there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.' Westley and Buttercup's love in The Princess Bride was passionate and pure. They were willing to fight for their love and overcome any obstacle presented to them. They even learned that death could not break their love. Buttercup may have been about to marry Prince Humperdink, but she remained steadfast and loyal to Westley, vowing to never love again after news of his death. Their fidelity and loyalty to one another transcends the bonds of time, life, and death. Westley was even willing to make a home in the Fire Swamp if that was the only way that they could remain together. Thankfully, they didn't need to stay there and instead just needed to fight the prince's army and the prince himself. But Westley kept his promise that he would always come for Buttercup.
RELATED: 7 Romantic Star Trek Episodes Keiko and Miles O'Brien
There are a few Star Trek couples that could be viewed as examples of healthy relationships, but one that we get to see throughout the years is Keiko and Miles O'Brien in Deep Space Nine . It is a realistic representation of marriage and family with two working adults. Did they have arguments? Of course. Were some conflicts bigger than something to be solved within one episode? Yes! Because that is life. And when you love someone, you work together and make compromises to fit each other into this new life you created. Sometimes it's messy, but just showing up for each other is what makes this relationship the longest-lasting in Star Trek history. And, whether it was meshing two cultures together or trying to both find fulfillment, Keiko and Miles kept trying. Rapunzel and Eugene Fitzherbert
Admittedly, this relationship in Tangled could have been a disaster. Flynn Rider was arrogant, vain, and money-grubbing. With Rapunzel's naivete, she could have easily been taken advantage of. Yet, Rapunzel's pure heart was able to see the true Eugene underneath the facade. As Eugene learns to be open and honest, he and Rapunzel find the light in each other. Continuing in Tangled: The Series, Eugene and Rapunzel lift each other up. They save each other in multiple ways, some dramatic and adventurous, some subtle and compassionate. They are each a pillar of support and strength to the other. If that's not true love, then what is?
RELATED: Unpopular Opinion – Tangled's Mother Gothel Wasn't That Bad Ruby and Sapphire (Garnet)
When talking about eternal love and the ultimate example of what a relationship should be, people often say 'Two become one.' An incredibly literal representation of this is Garnet from Steven Universe . Ruby and Sapphire were two gems that were so unified in thoughts and feelings that they were able to fuse into one being. The power of their love is so strong that they can fight and take on monsters that other single gems cannot. Their love amplifies their powers, making Garnet physically strong and able to see the future. Ruby and Sapphire learn how to be completely in tune with each other because it is essential to fusion. And even after going off to find themselves separately, they come back together, now seeing how they make each other better.
RELATED: The Top 10 Best Steven Universe Songs
So, what is your favorite fictional love story? Do the characters express healthy love for each other, or is it a hot mess of toxicity? Do you still want to be like the characters from your favorite love story? Let us know in the comments!
This article was originally published in February 2024.
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/last-minute-gamer-gift-guide-valentines-day/
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Blake Lively vs. the ‘Misogyny Slop Ecosystem'
Last month, a judge threw out the actor Justin Baldoni's $400 million defamation lawsuit against his former co-star Blake Lively. From the way many online spectators have treated her, you'd think she was the one who was losing. The ruling was part of a legal saga that began when, just after the release of Ms. Lively and Mr. Baldoni's film, 'It Ends With Us,' in 2024, something odd happened: The typical junket interviews and online chatter about the film turned against Ms. Lively, casting her as bossy, flippant and difficult. In December, Ms. Lively filed a legal complaint against Mr. Baldoni and his team of hired publicists, claiming that the bad P.R. was, at least in part, coordinated by them after she spoke up about on-set sexual harassment. According to her complaint, they had orchestrated a smear campaign using tabloids and social media. (A lawyer for Wayfarer, the studio of Mr. Baldoni and his producer, has called Ms. Lively's claims 'completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.') Mr. Baldoni, in turn, sued her and her husband, the actor Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and lost. (His suit against The New York Times for covering her complaint was also dismissed.) But the damage was already done. She has been caught in a storm of public discussion about her appearance, her personal relationships and whether she was acting mean during press junkets. Her experience is fast becoming a matter of course in high-profile cases involving accusations of sexual violence or harassment. Public figures who speak up now can face retaliation and recrimination not just from their alleged abusers, but from an online public that's thirsty to see them torn apart. We've seen this before. Remember how Amber Heard was treated during Johnny Depp's defamation case against her? Throughout Ms. Heard's trial, YouTube channels uploaded hundreds of videos that were eligible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in advertising revenue; her lawyer argued that 'lopsided' social media coverage played a role in her eventual defeat. Now, what Ms. Lively's legal filings suggest is that at least some of the drama surrounding high-profile celebrity imbroglios can be essentially cooked up and then amped up. Drama is a calculated strategy, designed to cast public doubt on accusers' claims and tarnish their reputations, while also grabbing eyeballs. It seems inevitable that this environment will deter other women from coming forward. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Three Easy Dishes to Make for a Crowd This Summer
When the chef Scott Clark is cooking for a big bunch of friends, his goal is always to deliver a dish that's 'more than delicious,' he says. 'It should also show off.' For Clark, 39 — who owns Dad's Luncheonette, a diner in a historic train car in Half Moon Bay, Calif. — that might mean trying a new technique (making custard with Earl Grey tea, for instance) or plating with a little pageantry, like dolloping yogurt on a slice of cake before finishing it with a sprinkle of citrus zest. - A Danish jewelry designer's long midsummer lunch. - In the Caribbean, a couple's laid-back birthday party with their young son. - A group of trans artists and activists' Filipino feast on Fire Island. - In a Georgian vineyard, a meal inspired by a painting. - A guide to sharing a vacation rental (and remaining friends with your housemates). - Chefs' favorite recipes for large groups. - An easy, crowd-pleasing cocktail to make in big batches. For our Summer Entertaining Issue, we asked Clark and two other Bay Area chefs to share foolproof but impressive recipes that can be scaled up, prepped ahead or pulled together in a flash — ideal dishes, in other words, for feeding a crowd on vacation. For the chef Nite Yun, 42, who runs the Cambodian restaurant Lunette in San Francisco's Ferry Building, no big group meal is complete without a generous portion of quick-cooking greens. They 'pair with almost anything,' she says. When cooking for his friends, Geoff Davis, 37, the chef and owner of the soul food restaurant Burdell in Oakland, serves family-style platters that highlight summer produce, like blackened fish with sweet corn grits and tomato vinaigrette. And Clark prefers his summer spreads capped off by something cold, celebratory and indulgent, like his nostalgic icebox pie flecked with tea leaves. The rest of the menu, he says, 'depends on how much I like the people.' Geoff Davis's Blackened Cod With Sweet Corn Grits This recipe is adapted from a fish and grits dish that appeared on the opening menu at Burdell. The grits can be made up to a day in advance and reheated, and because the fish is blackened, it's nearly impossible to overcook. 'You're burning it on purpose,' says Davis. 'It's pretty easy to pull off and you look like a rock star.' For best results, Davis recommends waiting until Sungold tomatoes and sweet corn are at their peak in your region. Look for apricot-orange tomatoes and ears of corn with bright green husks and plump kernels. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
On Fire Island, a Dinner Made for and by the Dolls
When the editor Fran Tirado first began going to Fire Island, the queer beach community off the South Shore of Long Island, she found it to be surprisingly white, cisgender and male. In the summer of 2021, as Tirado, 34, was coming into her trans womanhood, she felt 'like I didn't belong,' she says. By the next year, she'd resolved to host her own gathering celebrating those who'd historically felt unwelcome on the barrier island because of their gender identity. 'I just wanted a reason to galvanize a bunch of trans people to descend,' she says with a smile. The now-annual event is called Doll Invasion, fitting for a weekend each August where trans folks lead the charge. Tirado, who was in March 2025 named the editor in chief of Them, brings together an all-trans lineup of performers and musical acts. The festivities double as a fund-raiser, with donations and proceeds from ticket sales going toward mutual aid efforts and helping to finance trans-led artistic initiatives. (Entry is free for trans people, and everyone else is asked to pay a suggested fee ranging from $50 to $150.) This past summer, for the third annual Doll Invasion, the D.J.s Macy Rodman and Lina Bradford and the drag performer Cherry Jaymes entertained the crowd along the sand, and the money raised went to Queer|Art and Advocates for Trans Equality, among other nonprofit organizations. The Friday night before the performances and pool party began, the event's full cast and crew — including stage managers, culinary staff and performers — gathered for a family-style dinner by the water, outside of the beach house they'd rented. 'It's a moment of gratitude for everything that people give to pull off Doll Invasion,' Tirado says. The model, writer and director Geena Rocero cooked and hosted an outdoor kamayan feast — a Filipino meal in which food is served on banana leaves and eaten communally by friends and family. 'Kamayan means eating with your hands [in Tagalog],' says Rocero, 42, who was born and raised in the Philippines. That tactile approach held a special meaning for the group assembled. 'It's [an act] of reclamation, as our bodily autonomy is being attacked,' she says. The event also commemorated the loss of the Argentine artist, actress and trans rights activist Cecilia Gentili, who died in February of last year. In her honor, the weekend's theme was 'All Dolls Go to Heaven' — throughout the weekend, guests wore grand feathered angel wings and bold, glittery eye makeup. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
