I recently gave you my top ten slash and
femslash ships and ages ago I wrote a list of the most epic romance on TV… So I
guess it’s pretty clear that I love romance (as long as it’s of the fictional
variety). But I don’t want you to think that’s the only reason I love popular
culture. I don’t just ship everyone romantically sometimes I like a good
old-fashioned friendship. Which is exactly what I am going to be celebrating.
This top ten list isn’t just about any kind
of friendship, no the ones listed here are all platonic male/female
friendships. They are difficult to find – it seems that everyone agreed with When Harry Met Sally. But I think these
friendships prove that when a guy and a girl are best friends it can be a
beautiful thing without ever turning to romance.
Just to clarify - I am not counting any couple that dated
seriously but if they hooked up a couple of times that’s OK. Also I am not
counting siblings… they will get their own list very soon.
10.
Stiles and Lydia – Teen Wolf
I’m going to start this list with a kind of
optimistic dream of what could be the best male/female friendship ever. Stiles
has been in love with Lydia for as long as he can remember and Lydia never
really noticed that he existed. It sounds like the beginning of a teen romance
but it seems like this amazing show (seriously watch it) might actually go in a
different direction. I really do hope so because what Lydia really needs is a
friend, and just because Stiles has been in love with Lydia for ages doesn’t
mean she has to love him back (as much as I love him). Besides they are both so
smart, and they’re the only humans in the pack – that just cries out for some
serious friendship bonding. Look you never know what’s going to happen with
Teen Wolf, and they might still go with the romance but I live in hope that
these two will be BFF’s by the end of Season 3.
9.
Leslie and Ron – Parks and Recreation
Not all friendships are life altering, sometimes they are just two people that respect each other and get along pretty well. Leslie and Ron is one of those friendships. They have the opposing political viewpoints
and yet they somehow manage to work together in a government department. Leslie’s
enthusiastic love for the political process that makes me fall in love with her
every week should really have sent Ron a running. But you know what, they
respect each other, which means they respects their differing ideologies. I realize
it’s a strange concept for most people – that you don’t have to think the exact
same thing in order to be friends but it’s not a bad message.
8.
Peggy and Don – Mad Men
Considering the hideous gender equality in
this program (I know they are just being historically accurate but still –
awful) it didn’t seem likely that Don Draper would have his most lasting
relationship with his female secretary Peggy. Yet somehow their relationship
grows into one of equality and respect. I know I talk about respect a lot in
this list but you would be shocked at how often male/female friendships are not
equal. Peggy and Don manage to defy the trend, and seeing as it’s the 1960s
it’s practically a miracle. Peggy always looked up to Don, and Don always
trusted Peggy. They know each other’s dirty little secrets and I guess that
scares them into a kind of complacent friendship, but it also means they trust
each other and that’s what counts.
7.
Willow and Xander – Buffy the Vampire
Slayer
Yup, Joss has done it again. This
friendship is beautiful, and heartbreaking – it is Joss after all. All my life
I have wanted a friend like Xander was for Willow. I mean yes, in the early
seasons Willow has a crush on Xander, and they even make out a couple of times
(due to formal wear) but these two were always more friends than lovers. Xander
and Willow, they just get each other. They date other people and they have
other friends but in reality this show started with Xander and Willow together
and it ended with Xander and Willow together. I mean come on, Xander’s love
literally saved the world… I will defy anyone to get through the yellow crayon
speech without breaking down into a ball of tears and emotions. I’m crying now
just thinking about it – he wanted to die with his best friend. Ugh. Xander and
Willow: BBF’s forever.
6.
Penny and Sheldon – The Big Bang Theory
This friendship is the saving grace of this
show. It could have just been another sit-com based on stereotypes and an odd
couple romance but then Sheldon stole our heart. Sheldon is the definition of
breakout character and it is in his interactions with Penny that you see him at
his best. I still can’t believe that it’s an American sit-com that has managed
to show one of the most realistic and interesting male/female friendships on
TV. Penny and Sheldon have nothing in common but their relationship is built,
like so many great friendships, through shared experiences and an oddly
accurate understanding of each other.
5.
Jack and Jen – Dawson’s Creek
Who cares about Will and Grace the best gay
man/straight lady friendship ever to grace the magic box is the one between
Jack and Jen on Dawson’s Creek. Jack
and Jen find each other when they are both in a dark place – they have both
lost someone close to them and they both have families that don’t approve of
their lifestyle choices. They became each other’s family being there for each
other in away that their real families never were – except Grams, Grams is
awesome. They don’t even shy away from the complications of a gay male/straight
female friendship, when the deal with the idea that Jen might want more than
Jack can give. Ultimately they work it out, and the heartbreaking finale of
this series is really all about their relationship – oh so many tears.
4.
George and Annie – Being Human (UK)
Would you have guessed that a werewolf and
a ghost would be such good friends? I thought not. But then again I never really
imagined them cohabiting… but I guess that doesn’t really turn out that well. George
and Annie work as friends because they are both so… well human. Annie
desperately wants to help and George just wants to be left alone so it’s weird
that they get along at all. Yet somehow George manages to get past his closed
off demeanor and be there for Annie when she needs him. While they both care
about roommate Mitchel more openly there is something about the simple
friendship between George and Annie that makes me smile… until well DAMN THIS
SHOW!
3.
Veronica and Wallace – Veronica Mars
Sometimes I worry that everyone has
forgotten about Veronica Mars (except
Kirsten Bell) which sucks because it really was one of the best television
shows ever, with one of the most amazing female characters ever. It was just
awesome OK and one of the most awesome things about it was the relationship
between Veronica and her best friend Wallace. These two are friends from the
moment Veronica cuts Wallace down from the flag poll he’s taped to and what a
beautiful friendship it is. It’s not perfect though, which is actually one of
the reasons I love it so much. They fight, sometimes they lie to each other and
they don’t always agree but when it comes down to it they are always there for
each other. The boyfriends and girlfriends will come and go but Veronica and
Wallace are friends for life.
2.
Zoe and Mal – Firefly
She’s a warrior woman and he’s her captain;
she’s very straight and he’s entirely sarcastic, it shouldn’t work but somehow
it does. This relationship is an interesting take on the ex-army buddies that
you see so much in male/male friendships. Zoe and Mal have been through
everything together and it’s pretty clear that they would follow each other
into oblivion. The best part about this friendship is that even though they are
both super hot they never even consider going down the road of romance – even
if Wash doesn’t believe it (oh Wash! I made myself sad). It’s understated but
you don’t need any mushy words to see that these two would do anything for each
other.
1.
The Doctor and Donna – Doctor Who
The Doctor has had a lot of lady friends
over the years and each one of them is just as special as the last but it was
his relationship with loud-mouthed Donna that really encapsulates the spirit of
male/female friendships. Doctor is not looking to mate, which is good because
Donna’s not at all interested in mating with a skinny boy like him. She’s so
insecure and he’s so damaged by all his pervious relationships that neither of
them really wants to let the other in but that just means that when they do
it’s a fantastic friendship based of mutual respect. They just get each other,
and you know what they have fun together. I might look for angst in a romance
but all my favourite friendships are based on fun. And this relationship is the
funnest of the lot – until it’s not fun anymore (poor poor Donna).
Well there to have it my top ten friend-‘ships’…
see what I did there? Yes that’s right I am hilarious. Do you agree? Did I miss
your fav? Comment your thoughts and I will argue with you until you realize you’re
wrong.
