Relationships in fiction follow the same rules as they do in reality. In most cases, attraction is based on commonality—of behavior, interests, driving force, and so on. People find it easier to form bonds based on similarities rather than differences in opinion, but there is something to be said for the old adage: "opposites attract."
TV characters occasionally contrast with their romantic partners, perhaps to help audiences visualize the depth of their relationship, but also because it offers a larger sandbox for screenwriters to play in. Here are a few TV couples that demonstrate the value of being completely different from each other.
10 How To Get Away With Murder — Connor Walsh & Oliver Hampton Couldn't Be More Different
Connor Walsh meets Oliver Hampton through work, at first using the latter to lay his hands on a bunch of documents. Their relationship eventually develops romantic contours, although Oliver constantly complains (and for good reason) that Connor's interests encompass only two things: sex and work.
The two men couldn't be more different from each other—Oliver is timid and uptight, while Connor is wild and uninhibited, but it works spectacularly.
9 Frasier — Niles Crane And Daphne Moon Fall In Love Despite Being Worlds Apart
Niles Crane is fidgety, high-strung, and extremely elitist, whereas Daphne Moon is down-to-earth and friendly, albeit a tad eccentric. He falls in love the instant he sees her in Frasier's home and spends the next several seasons bringing her little gifts, all the while plucking up the courage to tell her how he feels.
Unfortunately, Daphne has no interest in married (or divorced) men, at least until Frasier lets Niles' secret slip during a tranquilizer-induced massage. The pair later get married and have a son together.
8 The Good Place — The Implausibility of Eleanor Shellstrop & Chidi Anagonye's Romance Makes It Work
Chidi is in the Good Place because he fails to consider the importance of decision-making when it comes to ethics; nearly everything he does results in someone else getting hurt, physically or emotionally.
On the other hand, Eleanor wastes her entire life on herself over everyone else's, having made peace with her selfishness. It's unbelievable that these two end up together in any context, let alone a romantic one, but perhaps it's the implausibility that makes them so perfect for each other.
7 Sense8 — Lito Rodriguez & Hernando Fuentes Help Even Each Other's Inconsistencies
Lito is a nationally famous actor, building his career with machismo-laden films that depict him as a wholly different person. His partner, Hernando, isn't as conventionally attractive, but his intellect, passion, and compassion endear him to most characters.
Lito has a tendency to fly off the handle for no reason, so it's a good thing that he has the stabilizing influence of Hernando in his life. In fact, they help take care of each other equally during stressful moments for either of them.
6 Brooklyn Nine-Nine — Amy Santiago & Jake Peralta's Relationship Is A Contradiction, But Only In Theory
Amy Santiago and Jake Peralta's initial encounters can barely be described as an acquaintanceship—romance seems entirely out of the question. His childish antics and her inveterate seriousness keep them apart, but working together brings out their best features as well.
Amy learns that Jake is a kind, giving person with an admirable need to prove himself through his career, while Jake discovers how fun and wacky Amy can be in almost any situation. Their relationship is a contradiction only in theory.
5 Sex Education — Ola Nyman & Lily Iglehart Are Extremely Well-Suited To Each Other
Lily is adorably weird, focusing all her mental efforts on sex-themed projects. That said, she is rather shy with respect to actual sex, revealing that she doesn't want to graduate high school before losing her virginity.
Ola is self-reliant and bold, refusing to withhold her opinions and emotions for the most part. They become a couple after Ola breaks up with Otis—it's immediately evident that the two girls are extremely well suited to each other.
4 Sherlock — Sherlock Holmes & Irene Adler Play A Cat-And-Mouse Game That Only They Enjoy
The only feature that Sherlock and Irene have in common is the gratification they derive from reading other people. His reticence and stiff-upper-lip clash with her inexorable unpredictability, making Irene one of the very few people Sherlock cannot parse.
Both of them continue to play their bizarre cat-and-mouse game, tempting and tantalizing each other with sporadic text messages. Unfortunately, Sherlock and Irene never really become a proper couple.
3 Modern Family — Cameron Tucker & Mitchell Pritchett Are A Great Team Because They Realize The Source Of Their Conflicts
Mitchell is fussy, irritable, and easily anxious, unlike his husband Cam who treats real life as a theater stage. As such, their disagreements usually hinge on their personality differences.
However, the fact that they manage to maintain a strong bond without experiencing serious setbacks reveals the strength of their compatibility. Mitch and Cam realize the source of their conflicts, which is why they're such "a great team."
2 The Haunting Of Bly Manor — Dani Clayton & Jamie Taylor's Love Lasts Long After One Of Them Disappears
Jamie doesn't entirely trust Dani after their meeting at Bly Manor, but an unexpected romance (for the '80s) rapidly blossoms between the two.
Although the story ends on a sad note, what matters is that they don't squander the time they have together, given that Dani is eventually going to be possessed by the Lady of the Lake. Jamie's poker-face and Dani's heart-on-sleeve blend into a form of love that lasts long after one of them performs the ultimate sacrifice.
1 Coupling — Sally Harper's Intelligence Balances Patrick Maitland's Lack Of Awareness
Sally dismisses Patrick as a potential boyfriend because he's a "Tory" (or Conservative), which is probably one of the biggest deal-breakers for someone who supports the UK's Labour Party. Further, she desperately attempts to hide her feelings for him, using borderline nonsensical excuses.
Sally is quite smart, though, a trait that balances Patrick's utter lack of awareness (self or otherwise). They are both happily married—Sally also achieves a minor victory as she gets to have her wedding before Susan.