We Ranked 20 of TV’s Favorite Couples by Compatibility

There’s nothing like celebrating Valentine’s Day with your favorite TV couples. And while Valentine’s Day is about romance—there’s nothing more romantic than the epic kiss that wraps up a will-they-won’t-they plot line—it’s also about love. And sometimes love is gloriously, wonderfully static.

While everyone roots for Ross and Rachel or Olivia and Fitz, would they really make the best couple? Don’t they thrive on that drama? Here we’ve ranked the best and the worst couples, not in terms of belovedness (sorry Carrie and Big), but from least to most compatible. Time for a reality check.

20. Coach & Tammy Taylor, Friday Night Lights

Marriage is about sacrifices and compromises. No other couple on TV has taken the time to understand each other and support one another quite like the Taylors.

19. Mitch & Cam, Modern Family

Even when everything seems to go wrong (like at their wedding) there is no doubt that Mitch and Cam are right for each other.

18. Jim & Pam, The Office

Was there ever a couple more clearly meant to be? Sure, Jim and Pam had their problems post-marriage, but those first glances across the office said everything.

17. Ben & Leslie, Parks and Recreation

This unexpected relationship proved that professional ambition and personal happiness are not mutually exclusive.

16. Marshall & Lily, How I Met Your Mother

On a series that had plenty of couples to root for, Marshall and Lily stole the show.

15. Cory & Topanga, Boy Meets World

The show gave audiences a rare glimpse into how a romance evolves from junior high sweethearts to marriage.

14. Summer & Seth, The O.C.

They may have seem mismatched at the start, but Seth and Summer’s shared dry wit and love of horses built the foundation of a long-lasting love.

13. Jake & Amy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Dating a coworker is rarely a good idea, but we’re rooting for this cop couple.

12. Kurt & Blaine, Glee

Sure, it started as a high school romance, and there was that whole broken engagement, but they were just teens. Thanks to a flash forward, we know they’re in it for the long haul.

11. McDreamy & Meredith, Grey’s Anatomy

This relationship got off to a rocky start, what with the whole secret wife drama, but the couple survived and thrived.

10. Luke & Lorelai, Gilmore Girls

Meant to be, perhaps, but they sure let a lot of people get in the way. Still, Luke and Lorelai have a chance to prove their union is solid when Netflix revives the series.

9. Jane & Rafael, Jane the Virgin

…or Jane and Michael? Or Jane and John?! The love triangle has morphed into a love rectangle, and now it’s anyone’s guess who Jane ends up with.

8. Matthew & Mary, Downton Abbey

It’s hard to imagine a real relationship that goes from loathing to love. Still, they did settle that pesky estate issue.

7. Buffy & Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

A pesky curse meant the ultimate star-crossed lovers struggled with more than just the usual relationship milestones.

6. Alicia & Will, The Good Wife

Oh, what could have been if Alicia had only heard that voicemail! But in reality, she didn’t. And even if she had, what a scandal it would have caused.

5. Will & Lisa, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The couple tries to get married twice and fails both times. At least they were able to recognize they weren’t right for each other.

4. Piper & Alex, Orange Is the New Black

Manipulative and conniving may be helpful traits when it comes to surviving in prison, but they certainly don’t help a burgeoning relationship thrive.

3. Ross & Rachel, Friends

The ultimate will-they-won’t-they couple nearly drove their friends (and probably their daughter) mad with their “we were on a break” fights.

2. Olivia & Fitz, Scandal

These two must have set a new record for breakups, and no wonder—as long as they stay in Washington, D.C., their relationship is doomed.

1. Carrie & Big, Sex and the City

First he couldn’t commit, then they both cheated and then they called off their wedding. They definitely deserved each other, but maybe not in a good way.