In a world with a drastic shortage of queer female characters on TV, we viewers are left to fantasize about all of the couples that should but never will be. From Quinn and Rachel to Rizzoli and Isles, some of the best couples are the ones that never actually happened—which is a shame considering they often have more sexual chemistry than most straight couples on TV! Here’s our list of our favorite female “couples” with great unresolved sexual tension who would have the best relationships if given the chance.
1. Quinn and Rachel (Glee)
Bitter rivals almost always make the best of couples. Quinn was the mean-spirited head cheerleader, and Rachel was the melodramatic diva-in-training. But behind the catfighting and name-calling, there was some serious sexual tension. Quinn’s feelings for Rachel seemed to extend beyond just simple jealousy, such as when she drew a mean picture of Rachel that for some reason had hearts all over it. Eventually their animosity grew into friendship, with Rachel saying at prom that her greatest high school accomplishment was becoming close with Quinn. It’s just a shame that we’ll never get to see this fabulously fierce and talented duo become a couple. Faberry forever!
2. Princess Bubblegum and Marceline (Adventure Time)
In early August, Adventure Time viewers rejoiced when Olivia Olson, the voice of Marceline, announced that Princess Bubblegum and Marceline were at one point a couple. While this has yet to be officially confirmed, there is no denying the chemistry between the two. What makes them so great? Princess Bubblegum is the cheery ruler of the Candy Kingdom, and Marceline is the Vampire Queen with no moral code. Despite their differences, Marceline and Princess Bubblegum make the greatest of friends—and alleged exes. And let’s not forget the time Marceline gave Princess Bubblegum a shirt as a gift, which Princess Bubblegum wore to bed and later SNIFFED! If that’s not true love, then we’re not sure what is.
3. Buffy and Faith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Buffy and Faith are yin and yang, two girls with incredible gifts who complete each other in ways that no man could ever think of doing. You may have guessed that this whole “opposites attract” thing is at the center of all our shipping fantasies… but we can’t help that it gives us so much shipping fodder! Buffy is a wisecracking blonde beauty who believes in kicking butt and doing what’s right. Faith, the other slayer, is a sexually charged, emotionally damaged fighter who does what’s in her own best interest.
Together, these two make an unbeatable team—that is, if they can put aside their personal differences and stop trying to kill each other for a second. Buffy and Faith also have undeniable sexual chemistry, as evident from the time the two switched bodies and had a field day exploring their swapped bodies. The two may act like they hate each other, but it’s clear that they envy each other in ways that go beyond just their demon-fighting abilities.
4. Max and Caroline (2 Broke Girls)
Max is a working-class girl with a less-than-ideal home life, and Caroline is a former rich girl struggling to acclimate to the 99-percent lifestyle. They shouldn’t be best friends, but they totally are! And let’s not forget the subtle sexual tension between the two. From sleeping in bed together to making sex jokes that would make even Hugh Hefner blush, these two are the couple that never were but totally should be!
5. Karma and Amy (Faking It)
At Karma and Amy’s high school, being different makes you popular. So these girls do what anyone desperate to be popular would do: “fake” being lesbians. However, their relationship is so much more than their fake coupling; these two care about each other immensely and are always there for each other. In fact, Amy even develops feelings for Karma as their charade progresses, which goes to show that maybe the two could be more than platonic soul mates. With season two set to premiere September 23, we’ll just have to wait and see whether or not these two explore their feelings and consider a relationship that goes beyond their publicity stunt.
6. Cristina and Meredith (Grey’s Anatomy)
If you’ve ever watched Grey’s Anatomy, you know that Cristina and Meredith have a relationship that extends far beyond a standard friendship. They’re basically soul mates—in fact, they refer to each other as “my person,” a title that usually goes to romantic partners. They understand each other when no one else can, sleep in the same bed and know how to comfort each other in ways no man ever could. They’re well-rounded women who fully accept each other, and we’ll miss Cristina tremendously!
7. Rizzoli and Isles (Rizzoli & Isles)
Jane Rizzoli is a homicide detective. Maura Isles is a chief medical examiner. Together, they make a great team and one hot couple with incredible chemistry. In fact, Rizzoli and Isles may be the gayest non-gay couple out there! From spending all of their free time “just talking” in bed to the longing stares and nonstop flirting, Rizzoli and Isles are clearly hot for each other. All hail Rizzles!
With great lesbian relationships on TV, like Paige and Emily on Pretty Little Liars, we’re hopeful that television shows will continue to make LGBTQ+ inclusion a priority. But as much as we may want to see true LGBTQ+ relationships represented on TV, we’ll always have a special place in our hearts for these fantastic women with terrific chemistry who may never get together.