We often turn to TV shows to get ideas of what it means to be in a relationship. Some of these shows bring drama, but others bring us the couples that we can root for. In fact, some bring us couples that we should fight to be.
It’s time to step away from the messy drama. Good relationships take patience and work. Here are seven shows with ships that have got it just right.
Outlander
Claire and Jamie
I will admit that Outlander has a few ships that are couple goals. I could talk about Brianna and Roger, Marsali and Fergus, and even Jenny and Ian. However, it’s Claire and Jamie. They are the OG couple of the series.
Claire and Jamie are in tune with each other, but things haven’t always been easy. They’ve had to question whether their marriage can work at times, and they’ve had to deal with being from different time periods. Yet, when it comes down to it, their love is strong and forever. They have each other’s backs and will go to the ends of the Earth to save each other from mortal danger.
911
Hen and Karen
Like Outlander, 911 has a bunch of couples that I could root for. Hen and Karen is the one to stand out for this post, especially after the most recent episode. This couple has been to hell and back on more than one occasion, but they have always ended up finding their way back to each other.
While they argue, they also work things out. We get to see what it takes to be a strong couple—it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. They even managed to work through a cheating storyline, which should have torn them apart. When you want to see how to do communication as a couple, this is the couple to follow.
911: Lone Star
Grace and Judd
Look, I was originally going to put Carlos and TK on this list, but I chose Grace and Judd instead. I really hope 911: Lone Star season 5 does not mess this ship up! The two are so perfect for each other. They love each other with their whole hearts and will do whatever it takes to be there for one another.
One of my favorite things about Judd and Grace is how they talk about each other to everyone around them. Judd is always bigging up his wife, knowing that she is his better half. It’s beautiful to see. Judd is what a real man is, and together, they are couple goals.
Grey’s Anatomy
Bailey and Ben
Miranda Bailey didn’t have the best first marriage. However, divorcing Tuck meant finding the love of her life: Ben Warren. Their relationship grew into something beautiful. They are a team both at work and at home. Yes, they have issues at work, but they work through them.
In fact, it’s their home life that proves they are couple goals. We get to see them fight and disagree. We see how they can make decisions that impact the other without meaning it. Then we get to see how they make up, and it’s with genuine apologies. If you’re going to do drama for a couple, make it this sort of drama.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Amy and Jake
While Brooklyn Nine-Nine was a comedy, it also brought us some wonderful, dramatic moments. We also got some great storylines between characters. Seeing how Jake and Amy went from work rivals to a couple was beautifully done.
The two rubbed off on each other in ways you wouldn’t expect. Amy helped Jake grow up a little and be a better person, while Jake encouraged Amy to have fun sometimes. While they had a fun work rivalry, they would support each other in their careers, and they showed how it was possible for a couple to work together.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Willow and Tara
I’m still salty that Willow and Tara just got back together, only for Tara to be killed off. That is not what should have happened. However, let’s not focus on that. Why were they couple goals?
It comes down to the way they would fight for each other. Yes, they did end up breaking up, but that was for genuine reasons. There is only so much you can do for someone who doesn’t see they have a problem. It took Willow losing Tara for Willow to realize something needed to change. And when Willow did change, Tara saw it and recognized it. We’ll never know if things would have stayed good between them, but I’d like to think they would have worked.
Scrubs
Turk and Carla
Yes, Scrubs ruined Carla’s character in the end, but we won’t focus on that part. It’s all about Turk and Carla as a couple, and they were that couple we loved in the ‘90s. I will say that Jordan and Cox get an honorable mention in this one.
Turk and Carla gave us a reminder that being a strong couple is about partnership. While they quickly started dating, they built up a relationship that gave us a friendship and loyalty. When one was having a bad day, the other was there. It didn’t matter if it was at home or work.