Best TV Couple #1: Kyle Barker & Maxine Shaw

FOX's Living Single had that je ne sais quoi with Kyle and Maxine.

Living Single's Kyle Barker and Maxine Shaw proved that nemeses can be one stop away from true love. Beneath contempt and playground antics, stock broker Kyle and Miss Shaw "attorney at law" had a definitive love jones going on. Their story smoothed over the course of the show, flowing as silkily as velvet wine. Or as Kyle's deep, melodious voice.

Kyle, the upstairs roommate of Overton Wakefield Jones, has a classy elegance draped in beaded ankh jewelry. His rich wardrobe ranges from fine tailored suits and fedora hats to patterned clothes that nod to African heritage. In addition to being an essential asset at his job, he sings on many occasions and it is an alluring talent. On the other hand, husky voiced Maxine is just as in the vogue. She wears sleek power suits in bold colors and patterns and lovely dresses that compliment her slender body shaped as an illustrious ebony statue. She takes charge in and outside of the courtroom, evoking solid determination.

In the first episode, "Judging By the Cover," Kyle says, "you want me" to Maxine and adds his signature growl.

In the fourth episode, "A Kiss Before Lying," Maxine's ex comes to town with his fiancée. She asks Kyle to be her pretend boyfriend at the dinner table. He obliges and teases her throughout the whole ordeal much to the astonishment of their friends. They sit together, close and intimate, looking a beautiful double portrait together. She is uncomfortable with the masquerade. He is overly enjoying the game. One wonders if he is all act.

Maxine and Kyle exchange barbs for remainder of the season, clashing like titans, each one always fighting to obtain that last, cutting remark. Yet, palpable chemistry is ripening.  

The season finale, episode twenty-seven's "What's Next" has Maxine in deep trouble. Maxine tells rich client Sheila Kelly to think about a prenup. Sheila is angry that her fiancé dumps her and demands that Maxine be let go. Instead of taking Maxine's side, the law firm suspends her for giving good advice. Surprised and hurt, Maxine arrives at Khadijah's to drown in booze. Unfortunately, her bestie is busy sorting out a love triangle. She turns to Kyle and they spend the night together underneath kente cloth sheets, in a living room decorated in African celebration.

Season two premiere's "There's Got To Be A Morning After," continues Maxine awaking from Kyle's couch. Shocked and disgusted, they are quick to insult each other. Their friends are astonished. Overton, however, believes Maxine and Kyle are destined. Kyle asks Maxine out to dinner. Their compatibility bursts on the dance floor. They have a hilarious battle taking lead in the tango. Kyle is a traditionalist. Maxine relishes her power. In the end, sharing a tender moment roaring with affection, they decide to stay snippy. Kyle, though, wants more.  

Kyle starts off hot and seductive.....

And Maxine's dress stops him in his track.

He brings it back on the stage-- not only confident enough to sing "My Funny Valentine," but he can look Maxine dead in the eye while doing so.

Maxine tries to play immune, but Kyle's voice is a gift from the heavens.

As Kyle boasts about getting Maxine out of his system, their stares across the room say otherwise.

Maxine is a goner. It is understandable.

"Singing the Blues," episode fifteen, is amazing progression. Kyle is nervous about performing live at an intimate club. He steps on stage and belts with strong, unbelievable prowess-- until Maxine enters in a trench coat and bares a sexy, form fitting dress. Suddenly, Kyle messes up his song and races off stage, embarrassed. She taunts him, gleeful that her little scheme worked. Kyle, however, pays her back in a huge way-- coming back on stage to sing a rendition of "My Funny Valentine," lyrics changed to describe Maxine. His performance is enough to make a woman melt and Maxine is no exception. She alternates between chewing napkins and wiping her blushing face. Afterwards, they share the unspoken soap opera stare.

"Is this really going to happen?" Maxine asks.

"It's been happening!" Kyle exclaims. And this kiss is fire.

The season two finale, "The Shake Up" brings two denials together. After Maxine and others are held up at gunpoint by a bank robber, Kyle unknowingly prevents danger. Maxine jumps on him and kisses him, calling him her hero. She wants to repay him with dinner at her apartment. He doesn't feel comfortable with her praise. He just happened to be at the right place at the right time. When he tells her the truth, she remains persistent and grants in a peck in front of everyone. As Kyle enters Maxine's apartment for the first time, so does the audience. It is a charming, tasteful home with a piano included. They sit at the bench and play a few keys together. Maxine is more receptible, more open with Kyle alone time, more so than in "There's Got To Be A Morning After." Her guard is not up. They wonder what is the next step for them. Kyle pulls her asunder and kisses her in dramatic, movie style fashion.

Season three is filled with sweet highlights. In "Grumpy Old Men," Kyle isn't happy about getting older and Maxine cheers him up at the laundry mat. They are a display of holiday cheer in "Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Dammit," sharing their first Christmas together as a couple with their friends in Canada.

Episode eleven, "Mommy Not Dearest," however, reveals that Maxine doesn't take her relationship seriously. She has told her mother about the girls and Overton, but not about Kyle-- who is her boyfriend. "Wake Up to the Break Up," episode seventeen, nonchalant Maxine lets Kyle to go out on a date. He is fed up with her attitude and breaks up with her. They resume their previous relationship-- despising each other. Still, he helps her run a successful campaign for office.

In the fourth season, all is not what it appears. After repercussions of deflowering a young man in episode ten's "Virgin Territory," Maxine leaves a room and Kyle slyly follows. It is revealed in episode sixteen's "Oh, Solo Mio," that they're having a secret affair. Hot and heaviness plus arguments galore fog up episode seventeen's "Playing House." They have a commitment free rendezvous in a hotel suite (Kyle pretending to be in Japan and Maxine is in Philadelphia). In episode twenty-three's "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," they are jovial and merry, holding hands down Kyle's steps and dancing in the hallway. It is such a terrific scene. Maxine and Kyle can say that their clandestine affair is purely about sex, but they also have fun together.  

Kyle and Maxine kiss goodbye. He releases her and crooks his finger-- the gesture implying, "You're the one."

In "Never Can Say Goodbye," season four's season finale, Kyle tells Maxine that his firm has opened up a location in London. They want him to head it. She pretends not to care and it hurts Kyle. Later, before Kyle enters Sinclaire and Overton's wedding, Maxine blurts out, "I love you."

Season five begins with an emotional two part, "Love Don't Live Here Anymore."  Kyle and Maxine are together. He makes her repeat the three little words. She grimaces at the thought, but obliges. She is sadly mistaken though. He is still leaving. She is angry that he plans to take the job. He asks her to go with him. She makes her case at the airport, pleading with him to stay. But this is not a courtroom. This is real life. He wants her in London. Thus, the two are at an impasse, neither refusing to budge. Thus, this breakup is more detrimental than the first. Their final kiss is passionate and tender, so full of ferocious, undeniable love. He leaves to board his plane and she has a hard time not being affected.

The remainder of fifth season loses its charm and magic. In the series finale, Maxine is pregnant and Kyle is the father via special donation. He returns to town and she is hesitant about telling him. Overton spills the beans. Kyle and Maxine talk it out on the rooftop. Kyle professes his love through song and a touched Maxine hugs him close. They plan to raise their child together in New York City.

Kyle and Maxine inspired the compiling of this list-- a list of various couples from past and current climate. Kyle and Maxine represent a mating of like minded individuals sharing a common ground. A dark skinned girl seldom found a reflection on the small screen. Dark skinned Kyle and Maxine were beautiful figures carried themselves with a sophisticated prestige and wore natural hair in similar locs style-- dismantling myths created by self hating society.

Erika Alexander and T.C. Carson were outstanding together. They made Living Single tremendously pleasing to watch, especially in the recent binging. As an adult watching a sitcom that originally aired during adolescence, there is a new, vibrant energy that comes through, the humor, the significant nods to African heritage, and the love. Kyle and Maxine's sparring sessions had a ton of bite and the smoldering sensuality was too delicious to resist. Many cannot even reach the scope of mimicking this fantastic chapter of pop culture history/herstory. Alexander and Carson's hilarious yet wicked duo-- Maxine and Kyle-- will always be a memorable contribution to black romance on television.

Best TV Couple #2: Devon & Hilary Curtis Hamilton

On Young and the Restless, Hilary (Mishael Morgan) and Devon (Bryton James) deserved more than what was written.

"I can't imagine two people more perfect together." Hilary says to Devon of Cane and Lily Ashby. In reality, it is Hilary and Devon that embody perfection. 

On August of 2013, Hilary formally introduces herself to Devon as Cane's assistant at Crimson Lights Coffeeshop. She gives a contagious smile whilst denying the GC Buzz gossip. In their next shared scene, she asks about his music business. He seems bewildered that she has taken an interest in the family, him in particular. Syrupy sweet Hilary is a scorned Ann Turner, seeking revenge for the death of her mother on the Winters clan with her partner in crime, Mason. In the past, Neil had left Rose Turner to her death and it affected Ann considerably. As villainous Hilary, she planted Neil's diary entries and scandalous staged photos of herself and Cane. She went as far as slipping alcohol into recovering alcoholic Neil's drink.

Once Hilary's schemes are exposed, Devon is disgusted. Neil thinks she is just a girl mourning her mother. Devon believes she is too grown to behave so evilly. He later visits her hotel room and offers her a million dollars to leave town. He shares his upbringing story-- drug addled mother lost to getting high and good hearted, adoptive mother Drusilla who died tragically. Hilary is touched. Mason ends things with, "you're on your own!" Unfazed Hilary touts, "Please. I always was."

Down the line, a reformed Hilary is mending fences, taking on a redemptive leap. Devon, however, cannot stand the sight of her. Every time she enters room, he insults her and takes flight. Hilary understands that forgiveness takes a while. Yet, her damage was mostly inflicted onto Lily, Cane, and Neil-- not necessarily Devon himself. Plus, he starts hanging out with Mason. She calls him out for being quick to befriend Mason over her. He makes a sexist comment and she walks off. Later, she has been waiting for him at the club and suggests that he watch his back where Mason is concerned. She is truly concerned-- no ulterior motive at play.

Lily viciously insults Hilary and Devon defends Hilary against Lily's ire. Hilary takes the high road, hoping for forgiveness and leaves. Lily isn't pleased by Devon taking Hilary's side, but Devon affirms that he doesn't like Hilary. However, he winds up having drinks with Hilary (who noticeably blushes before looking at him) at the Underground while Mason is bartending. Hilary and Devon's interaction is light and cordial-- also too short. Mason, whose busily splurging with Devon's stolen credit card on the sidelines, isn't thrilled that Hilary is warning Devon about him. Hilary cares about Devon's welfare and not Mason's ego. Devon escorts Hilary to the exit and admits to enjoying her company. She giggles and walks out. Devon stares after her. This is definitely the start of something refreshing for both characters. Hilary is slowly gaining Devon's trust without pushing. Devon is seeing Hilary in another light.

So begins a beautiful restart.

Hilary and Devon become friends. Devon is the first to want more.

On Hilary's aptly named "Buy A Billionaire a Beverage Night," she offers to treat Devon in the middle of some cute flirtation. Unfortunately, work calls. Hilary promises a raincheck. It is then a coincidence that Devon is arrested for trashing a club in Las Vegas. After Devon is released from jail, he encounters Hilary at the club, believing that she must love it. She, however, knows Devon would never act in such a manner and tells him so. An obnoxious camera flashing perp interrupts Hilary and Devon's moment. Devon is about to give him a piece of his mind, but Hilary valiantly puts her hands on Devon's chest to prevent further reputational injury and throws the paparazzi out herself. On Christmas Eve, Hilary buys Devon that drink. He tells her about the great Katherine Chancellor-- whom would have likely battled wits against Hilary. Hilary reveals knowing who has stolen his identity. 

A shared New Year's Eve toast caps off Hilary and Devon's growing bond.  In the new year, they are standing on friendship ground. Hilary suggests the theme for Delia's fundraiser, Devon walks in on Hilary changing for Chelsea's fashion show, Devon zips up Hilary's blue dress at that fashion show, and he looks at her walking down the catwalk (super awkward because Neil is too).

Things reach a boiling point. Hilary's misplaced gratitude enters a rocky road with Neil. Devon is pissed that she chooses his father and humiliates her in front of the rest of the family. Lily and Cane are shocked. Lily believes that Hilary will hurt her father (and she will be right). Yet, Hilary is not as conniving and vindictive as Lily believes. Hilary cares deeply about Devon. She takes him to the hospital after he drops a weight on his foot.

One of the best scenes ever.

Devon reveals his feelings to Hilary and she admits the same, but still plans to marry Neil. Devon and Hilary share longing looks at the hot dog wedding. The next few days are the ultimate angst: Devon blurts out he loves Hilary in the elevator, Lily shoves Hilary in a pool, and Devon helps her dry off. The deep yearning simmers as Devon sees Hilary in a towel and proclaims the challenges of wanting forbidden fruit. When Hilary comes back to retrieve her clothes, Lily plays the petty game. That left Hilary and Devon to look themselves. Devon actually finds a style similar to her soaked jacket, but Hilary wants to know why Devon is anxious to leave town. She trips and he catches her. They kiss and walk to the tabletop-- Devon's shirt is gone and Hilary's top is almost ripped to shreds. Soon, Devon sits with Neil ad Hilary at dinner and impressively taps a dollar without dropping quarters. Neil is called out of town for business, leaving Hilary and Devon alone. Devon takes her home, but his car suddenly stops. They bond again with Hilary explaining a fear of cows and Greek mythology about Atlas and his seven daughters. Devon listens attentively. They then dance under the stars.

By August, Hilary professes her love to Devon in a bar outside of town. Neil's bad timing continues. At a recent purchased house (a gift for Hilary), Neil has electrocuted himself. He winds up blind and guilt stricken Hilary recommits to her marriage.

Hilary and Devon's need for each other is too impossible to deny. They make love. The affair travels over Genoa City and spreads to New York City and Chicago. Each time, Hilary is drawn back into the web of rarely expressed love. Their time spent is not about appeasing lustful appetite. Sure, Hilary and Devon are severely attracted to one another. Yes, the love scenes are glorious firestarters. Most importantly, their shared dreams and hopes for the future supplied by beautiful gestures make for sweet visuals despite the wrongness of their actions. Whether it is Devon and Hilary making up romantic fiction based in Miami or Hilary gently stroking Devon's face after telling him she wasn't pregnant or Devon putting a giant pink orchid behind Hilary's ear in the "office island getaway," these are special moments that matter. Hilary admits that when she sees a child in the future, she pictures Devon as the father.

Neil's blindness is miraculously cured after seeing Devon and Hilary together. This would begin Neil's three year revenge. First, Devon and Hilary plan for a wonderful Valentine's Day. Lily, Cane, Neil, Jill, and Colin along with Hilary and Devon agree to take a private plane ride together. Neil announces on board that he can see and outs Hilary's affair with Devon. The plane crashes in a horrendous snow blizzard and Hilary is badly hurt. At the hospital, Hilary pretends to have played them both in a vain effort to repair a father/son relationship.

For months, they're hostile to each other. Neil kills an unborn child and is almost sent to prison. Hilary saves him from the fate, but he shows no gratitude. Devon is indebted. They start to spend time together again including playing tennis. Hilary hopes they can be friends, but Devon seduces her. Hilary and Devon are back together. And they're the only ones happy about it. He proposes and she accepts. As they plan their wedding, obsessive Neil lurks in every corner, still plotting to destroy them after all that Hilary sacrificed for him. Neil has Devon drugged on his wedding night and terrifies the hell out of Hilary with dark, sadistic conversation. She looks fearful of him.

Their official wedding photo.

Hilary and Devon are married in a breathtaking ceremony. They take off for a honeymoon in the mountains via private helicopter and spend a lovely day celebrating their next chapter as newlyweds. Unfortunately, Neil follows them, corners Hilary on the mountain, and causes her fall. Devon, who doesn't know her whereabouts, is left bereft and terrified. The police thinks he is responsible. For months, he searches for his beloved, offering a huge reward.

Married at last.

Meanwhile, a sick, demented old man-- Devon's own father-- has held been holding comatose Hilary hostage in the house he bought for her. It is the sound of Devon's panic stricken voice on television that causes her body to move at last. After she is put of coma, she has a strange, twisted case of amnesia, forgetting Devon and the gratitude for kidnapper Neil is rehashed love. It takes a long, torturous while for Hilary to remember Devon. He is thrilled and they reunite. She wants to be part of the foundation, but clashes with Lily. Everyone finds out that Neil kidnapped Hilary and Devon still goes into business with him. Lily, longest standing grudge holder, blames Hilary for her own accident and doesn't blast Neil at all because she believes Hilary gets what she deserves.

Later in the year, Devon buys GC Buzz and Hilary hosts. He fires her because her ethics clash with his positive direction for the show. An angry Hilary gets an agent named Barry and convinces him to lie to Devon about job offers. Barry does say that Hilary has potential. She prefers to have her husband grovel instead. Meanwhile, Devon purchases a penthouse without Hilary's consent. Though she is reluctant--he continues making swift life decisions without her-- she loves the place. After a year and several months of marriage, Hilary and Devon finally have a home to call their own and it is not a hotel room. Then Devon agrees to let Hilary host GC Buzz and executive produce. Devon finds out from Lily that Hilary lied about other job offers. Hilary apologies and tells Devon that she wants something that is truly hers. Lily is furious that they're happy at the benefit. Hilary's part in Mariah's red carpet trip is exposed and Devon is livid. They have a massive fight. Devon's speeding causes an awful wreckage and horrified Hilary keeps a bedside vigil. He temporarily has amnesia. Hilary uses it as an opportunity to start fresh. Devon remembers and draws up divorce papers. Hilary refuses to sign and doesn't care about the money. She tries to change his mind, but he is listening to the crows of his family. She soon gives up and signs. She is devastated that Devon has moved on with Mariah.

They have their moments including Devon comforting Hilary after she becomes a victim of revenge porn. Their camaraderie picks up again.

Hilary wants to have a baby and asks Devon to be the father. He accepts. Lily and Cane lock Hilary up in the office, causing her to miss her scheduled appointment. Devon rescues Hilary and comforts her. They wind up spending the whole night and better part of the following morning making a baby the old fashioned way. Devon implies that it is just about a baby and nothing more. Hilary believes she is pregnant only to discover that she isn't. She is shattered. In a very mature act, she tells Devon that she isn't pregnant and asks for his help. He nods. Weeks later, Hilary gets her miracle and creatively announces her news to Devon-- their baby pictures + her.

Devon and Hilary are making sure that the baby is alright.

Vicious, hypocritical Lily, who still hates Hilary and doesn't feel that she deserves the gift of motherhood, runs a red light. A car plows right into the passenger side of the vehicle-- right where Hilary is sitting. At the hospital, Hilary is rushed to surgery. Sadly, she loses the baby. She and Devon are overcome with grief that their time as parents abruptly ended. To add further tragedy, Devon discovers that Hilary will not make it either. He proposes marriage. Hilary is astonished that he wants to marry her so soon, in the hospital no less. She knows something is wrong, especially considering that people are visiting her and giving sob stories as if her hospital room turned into a confessional.

Hilary and Devon are married again.

Phyllis tells Hilary that the doctors cannot do anything more for her. Hilary is beyond hurt.

"It's not fair. I want to marry him. I want to have his kids. I want to grow old with him."

Hilary receives one fulfilled wish-- marrying her soulmate, Devon. The ceremony is intimate, surrounded by family and friends; those who loved Hilary and those who had a strange way of showing love to Devon. She struggles through her vows. Alone at last, Devon has medical clearance to share celebratory champagne with his true love. They discuss everything-- dreams of a future that would be denied from them. Hilary chokes, hoping to have a celebration funeral with everyone wearing hats and for Devon to move on. Devon lays on the hospital bed, holding Hilary close as they reflect on their past, including seven layer bars and constellations. As Devon tearfully recites Hilary's mythology about Pleiades, she dies peacefully in his arms, her last words being, "maybe, maybe I did do something right, huh?"

Emmy nominee Mishael Morgan's chemistry with Emmy winner Bryton James will be infinitely missed.

Bryton James and Mishael Morgan's charismatic portrayal as Devon and Hilary Curtis Hamilton will go down in supercouple history as two dynamic individuals who had a noticeable spark since their first meeting. They had truly brought to silver screen a wonderful, believable couple whose roaring passions ignited in love and war. Their tumultuous spats and steamy togetherness lit up afternoons. James and Morgan played fire and ice, the tension of forbidden, and the explosion of love to commendable heights. From the beginning to the last reprise, Hilary and Devon's once-in-a-lifetime romance is one of the best and it is all due to the brilliant performers behind these two incredibly layered characters.

Best TV Couple #3: Buffy Summers & Angel

Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Angel (David Boreanaz) were ultimate forbidden love

When Buffy Summers was warned about The Harvest by a wisecracking cryptic man, who knew that it would ignite the pinnacle of star crossed romances on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Throughout season one campiness, tension rose between The Chosen One and the man who turned out to be a sworn enemy-- a vampire with a soul cursed by a gypsy clan. For the first few episodes, he was always stopping by at The Bronze (the only popular nightclub for teens) to let her know danger lurked. Though, he could have taken things under control, he seemed to believe her capable of anything despite her "spryness."

Blond haired, stylish Buffy wanted to be a normal sixteen-year-old girl. The vampires, demons, and other forces of darkness stood in the way. Buffy also decides that she doesn't want to hang with Cordelia's crew (a reflection of her old vain shallowness aka Spordelia). Instead, Buffy chooses to be among the misfits-- Xander and intelligent, computer nerd, Wiccan-in-training, Willow. Giles, her new Watcher, is also Sunnydale High School's librarian. He also had that teenage rebellion for destiny in common with Buffy-- the reluctant vampire slayer-- as he didn't want to be a Watcher(disclosed in season two's "The Dark Ages").

Buffy's tall, dark, and attractive stranger gave her his name and a silver cross in episode one's "The Harvest." He is impressed that she defeats the Hellmouth danger. In episode four's "Teacher's Pet," he tells her to keep his borrowed jacket. In episode five's "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date," Buffy makes Angel jealous with Emily Dickinson loving Owen. Buffy then realizes that she needs a man that could accept her spooky nightlife without being in peril.

"You're in danger, Girl."

In episode seven's "Angel," the mystery of Buffy's nighttime friend is a surprising reveal. They first have a wild night with Angel saving her from The Three (three giant vampires sent by The Master), running to her place for cover, Buffy bandaging up his wound, and Angel meeting Joyce, Buffy's mother. He then spends the remainder of the night in Buffy's room, lying on the floor next to Buffy's bed-- the ideal gentleman. When she returns home from school and believes that he read her journal, carelessly revealing her infatuation with him, he confesses his own agonizing desires. The kiss turns into a heavy makeout session. As it deepens, Angel vamps out and Buffy screams. Buffy tells Giles and company of Angel's vampire status and read all about Angelus. Of course, Xander is gleeful that Buffy has to kill him. Darla wants Angel back into the fold (despite his soul?) and sabotages Buffy's trust in him. Buffy throws Angel out of her house (with great pitching strength). She plots to kill the one with an angelic face, ready to use the crossbow. Angel and Buffy battle it out and then come to a stunning conclusion-- Buffy is willing to have Angel feed on her (he will in the future). Before he can speak, Darla interrupts their charged moment, guns blazing. Buffy learns that Darla bit her mother and that Darla was the one who made Angel. He plummets a stake into his sire's heart, shares a look with Buffy, and walks away. Later, at the Bronze, they mutually decide to not become anything. Still, they share a hot goodbye kiss. Buffy leaves first. Angel watches her retreating form, the silver cross (that he had given her) having left a scorched mark on his collarbone.

Angel saves Buffy's friends without her knowledge in episode eleven's "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" and that begins his honorary addition to the Scooby gang. He was originally helping Giles retrieve a rare codex that contains the prophecy about Buffy and The Master. Buffy is happy to see Angel in "Prophecy Girl," but is crushed to learn that she will die at The Master's hand. She rips off his necklace and rushes out of the library, terrified of dying young. Eventually, she has a change of heart, knocking Giles out in the process, donning her necklace, and allowing The Anointed One, a child, to lead her down to Fruit Punch Mouth. She dies for a few minutes. Xander is able to revive her with Angel looking on. Buffy defeats The Master, the Hellmouth closes, and they all party. Angel is the last person to compliment Buffy on her gorgeous dress.

Angel tries to keep Buffy at a distance, but the heart wants what it wants-- unbeating or not.

With a few misfires, Buffy and Angel's forbidden relationship takes off in the second season. In episode one's "When She Was Bad," Buffy returns from Los Angeles in a sunken place, mean to everyone. Angel visits her bedroom and is struck by her callous behavior, but admits that he missed her. Later, she falls apart in Angel's arms. Buffy and Angel argue in "Some Assembly Required," but they mend fences and she walks him home. In episode five's "Reptile Boy," Angel is hesitant to pursue more than fighting demons side by side. Buffy takes her hurt out on a joined date with Cordelia to a shady fraternity house. There, she dances with a college boy and drinks alcohol for the first time. Angel and the Scooby gang save the day and Angel asks Buffy out on a date. The next episode, "Halloween," Buffy doesn't feel adequate compared to Cordelia or other women of Angel's past. She and Willow take a peek at The Watcher Diaries. Buffy finds a pink period dress at a new costume shop, but once the Janus statue turns everyone into their respective costumes, Buffy is a clingy, damsel in distress. In "Lie To Me," Angel tells Buffy about how he tortured Drusilla before turning her into a vampire. This honesty is a reminder to Buffy that Angel's past is stained with not only countless death and destruction, but Angelus's special form of torment to his victims. Great foreshadowing as well.

In episode nine's "What's My Line: Part 1," Angel plans a date with Buffy at the skating rink that's closed on Tuesdays. For a while, Buffy is skating around the rink, free of duty. An Order of Taraka assassin suddenly battles her on the ice. Angel joins the fray. Buffy manages to kill the warrior with the sliver blade of her skate. Angel then realizes that she is in grave danger. Buffy sees that Angel is hurt. He is ashamed that she touches him in his game face visage. She kisses him-- fangs and all. With the combination of Angel's fear and Giles' anxiety, Buffy comes to Angel's apartment (he's not available) and sleeps metaphorically wrapped in the ghost of his presence. This illustrates that Angel represented safety and comfort to Buffy.

In "What's My Line" Part II, Angel is kidnapped by Spike in order to heal a sick Drusilla and Buffy is introduced to Kendra the Vampire Slayer-- called after Buffy died for a second.  Together, the girls save Angel from Spike and Drusilla and the Order of Taraka assassins are no longer a threat.

Buffy and Angel profess their love for each other. But the consequences are severe.

"Surprise" begins Buffy's birthday disasters. Buffy has a trip hoppy dream that Drusilla kills Angel. She comes to his apartment before classes and informs him. Things get hot and heavy between them-- lots of kisses and touches and heavy breathing. They cannot break away enough for air. Desire is strong and boiling hotly. Jenny Calendar, Giles' on/off high school computer tech girlfriend, drives Buffy to her surprise party. They get caught up with sneaky vampire henchmen. Buffy crashes through the location and stakes a vampire. Her friends watch stunned. She has managed to retrieve a giant box. When she opens it, a hand reaches out and chokes her. Angel is able to pull the arm back inside the box. They learn that it is a part of The Judge-- a bringer of Armageddon. Jenny volunteers Angel to take it far away from Sunnydale. He agrees. Buffy is morose at the thought of him leaving her on her birthday. To travel by ship is his only option, for airplane offers no guaranteed protection against the sunlight.

At the docks, Buffy and Angel are saying goodbye. He gives her a Claddagh ring-- an Irish symbol of love, loyalty and friendship.

"Wear it with your heart facing toward you. It means you belong to someone." 

They are ambushed. Angel has to choose between chasing the vampires with the stolen arm or diving into the murky waters to retrieve Buffy. He chooses the latter. The two sneak into Spike and Dru's warehouse and are shocked to see that The Judge has been assembled. Spike and the crew order to have them executed. Buffy manages to kick the big blue monster. She and Angel flee into the sewers and back into his apartment. She sits on his bed, cold and shivering. He offers her a change of clothes. When she hisses, he sits beside her and inspects the wound. These two valiant heroes are completely vulnerable, having almost lost each other several times in a course of one day. It makes perfect sense that they bare their hearts and souls, taking the leap into the euphoric pleasures of love-- or in Angel's delicate case, a moment of true happiness. In that moment of true happiness, he learns love, tenderness, and worth, temporarily forgetting that he is burdened with a pricy cursed. In the end, Angel cannot have an afterglow with Buffy. He loses his soul instead.

Episode fourteen's "Innocence" is considered a magnificent triumph despite Buffy's tremulous early entry into adulthood. Buffy discovers Angel is Angelus in a most damaging emotional/mental scene. The man she had trusted and relied on, now gone, Buffy's world is rocked asunder and will never be the same again. The Scooby gang find out Jenny Calendar is a descendent of the tribe that cursed Angel. Her lack of disclosing the truth will ultimately cause her death.

"Close your eyes."

For the remainder of second season, The Big Bad is Angelus. Buffy struggles with attending high school and keeping her friends safe from his wrath. At the same time, he is psychologically testing her, playing on her love for his human side to drive her as insane as Drusilla. In complex and devastating "Passion," episode nineteen, Angelus puts a twisted plan in motion, starting off by planting drawings of Buffy in her bedroom and leaving dead animals to Willow. When he gets wind of Jenny finding the Orb of Thesulah, he kills her after a most vicious cat and mouse game. To further complicate matters, he arranges Giles' house to romantic proportions and leaves Jenny's dead body for Giles to find. She's lying down, void and vacant on his bed. An enraged Giles goes after Angelus and Buffy saves him, but she cannot kill Angelus. The gang revokes his invitation into their homes and cars.

The two part season finale, "Becoming," entails Angel's beginning. He was Liam-- an Irish lay about with nothing to offer the world. No dreams. No ambition. Until he meets Darla. He is changed into a vampire and feeds on anything in sight. In the present, Angelus has set up a trap for Buffy in order for his goons to kidnap her friends. He wants to open Acathla, a demonic portal that swallows the world into hell. After losing Kendra, being expelled from Sunnydale High School, and kicked out of her mother's house, Buffy and Xander go to Crawford Mansion to rescue Giles. Xander, knowing that Willow is attempting to restore Angel's soul, doesn't tell Buffy. Thus, Buffy and Angelus have an epic one on one swordfight. Buffy loses her sword. Just as Angelus is set to slay her, she majestically cups the blade and resumes the fight. Suddenly, right about to best him, Angel is back. First confused, then overjoyed, Buffy is gracious to see him. Her birthday is the last thing he remembers. As they reunite, Acathla opens and Buffy has to make a heartbreaking sacrifice.

Angel shows up for Buffy's prom to give her a special night.

Season three, Buffy has dreams and nightmares about Angel. By episode three, she tries to close the chapter, laying her Claddagh ring on the ground of Crawford Mansion. She leaves. He returns stark naked, her Claddagh ring likely trapped below in his place. In "Beauty and the Beasts," Buffy is astonished that he is alive and quite untamed. She chains him up in the mansion and visits him in between classes. He doesn't recognize her. Yet at the end, he saves her life and finally utters her name. While he troubly sleeps on the mansion floor, she watches over him, narrating a passage of Jack London's "Call of the Wild."

Buffy and Angel resume a relationship that struggles at the seams. Despite many breaks, they have solid moments. In episode seven's "Revelations," Buffy and Angel are practicing tai chi together and later kiss passionately. Xander's disgust ruins the rest of the episode. In episode eight's "Lover's Walk," they end things. Yet in episode ten's "Amends (aka "A Buffy Christmas")," Angel is tormented by The First Evil. They want him to kill Buffy and manipulate his and Buffy's shared dreams as gratifying temptation. On the cliff, Angel vows to wait for sunrise and Buffy pleads with him to stay and fight. Their conversation is raw and necessary, a spilling of hurt, anguish, and love. Angel is rescued by supernatural snowfall. "Helpless," episode twelve, begins a gloomy Buffy birthday. The episode begins with Angel and Buffy's training session, Buffy besting Angel with a humorously strategic French loaf. They can't even talk about "satisfaction" without extreme awkwardness. As Buffy is slowly losing her strength (thanks to The Watchers Council having Giles inject a hormone, a Slayer's 18th birthday tradition), she shares her fears. He gifts her a wispy wrapped book of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnets From the Portuguese" and admits that he watched her Slayer calling. He believes that her heart is the largest resource of her strength. They hug. Then, she sadly loses her poetry book whilst being chased down by a mentally ill vampire.  It is the second consecutive Angel birthday gift that Buffy loses. In episode seventeen's "Enemies," Buffy and Angel see a sensuous foreign film and kiss outside on the street. The nice PDA is interrupted by Faith-- the rogue slayer turned to the dark side, having not come to real terms with killing a man in earlier episode fourteen and fifteen's "Bad Girls" and "Consequences." Buffy cannot deal with Angel feigning pretend evil and tries to use her insecurity in episode eighteen's "Earshot"-- when she kills a demon and inherits its powers to read minds. Yet like a mirror, Angel has no reflection-- no thoughts. Still, he only loves Buffy. He kills the demon, races to Buffy's house in the morning, wrapped under a blanket, and feeds her the antidote.

Episode twenty's "The Prom" breaks the heart. Through dreams of Buffy in a Vera Wang wedding gown and his impeccable Hugo Boss suit bursting into flames and a visit from Joyce Summers, Angel decides to dump Buffy in the sewer. He wants her to be able to have children, dally in the sunlight, be loved without reservations. Although they rarely discussed the clause, much less finding an antidote, Angel likely also believes that "true happiness" no longer extends to sexual experience, but that anything could trigger a soulless return. Remembering what he did as Angelus to Buffy, Angel doesn't want that repeated. Buffy is crushed though, breaking down in Willow's arms, broken beyond belief. However, she doesn't let a break up deter her from saving her fellow classmates from demon dogs. She is rewarded a new honor-- Class Protector. Angel enters and dances with her to The Sundays' "Wild Horses," giving her that one perfect night.

On "Graduation Day Part I," Angel is struck with a poisoned arrow. The cure is to drain the blood of a Slayer. Buffy makes no hesitation about delivering Faith to Angel. In their great big showdown, Buffy and Faith fight-- evenly matched. Buffy plunges Faith's own dagger into Faith's stomach, but Faith manages to escape. In the second part, Buffy forces Angel to drink her. The scene is so erotic, Angel likely had another "moment of happiness" right then and there. Buffy manages to have enough strength to hit Angel on the head. Angel's bite would be the only scar that doesn't heal on Buffy.

After they defeat the mayor snake, Angel shares one look at Buffy through the smoky abyss and leaves to save lost souls in Los Angeles-- the very place he first met her.

After Buffy and Angel have tea and crackers, they also enjoy each other on the kitchen table as well.

Angel secretly comes to Buffy and her team's aide in season four's crossover event, "Pangs."
However, Angel's episode, "I Will Remember You," closes the real chapter on Buffy and Angel's relationship. Sure, Buffy will never know the truth. Angel carries the burden of spending a whole day as a human being. From their encounter in Angel's office to the sewer talk to the scorching symbolic kiss on the pier in the sunlight to the full blown intimacy in Angel's apartment (so similar to the old one), Buffy and Angel were enjoying the base part of Angel's human status after the Mohra demon's blood mixed with his. However, the Mohra demon hadn't died. Angel thinks he could take him on, but he can't as a flesh and blood mortal. Buffy saves his life. Angel goes behind her back to talk to The Powers That Be, offering to exchange the only single drop of happiness he has ever known in order for Buffy to live. When he tells Buffy, she is completely heartbroken. They kiss and cry together as time quickly runs out. Sadly enough, Buffy's outfit (the white shirt and grey pants) is the same one she wears in "The Gift." The Powers That Be referenced the foretelling of her death.

Buffy makes her final appearance on Angel's "Sanctuary"-- a very uncomfortable episode. Angel returns to Sunnydale in season four's "The Yoko Factor" (to apologize), season five's "Forever" (he comes to pay his respects to Joyce and shares affectionate words and kisses with Buffy), and season seven's series finale, "Chosen" (they fight side by side for the last time and kiss).

With their strong, magnetic force of a love story, Buffy and Angel went through hell and back to become a couple. Time was not on the side of an unorthodox pairing of a vampire slayer and a vampire with a soul. They spent nights staking vampires and other demons, holding hands, kissing, staring into each other's souls, training, and other romantic activities, the hourglass always filtering down its sand for them.

Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz were insatiably good together. They played two flawed heroes, fighting on the side of good whilst desperately holding onto the throes of an utterly poetic first love. When they came together, it was a splendid rush of longing, affection, and tenderness. Gellar and Boreanaz had the incredible depth to demonstrate why Buffy and Angel needed each other and why they had to be kept apart. Buffy and Angel's tragic tale of woe wouldn't have been possible if not for the chemistry between these two phenomenal actors.

Best TV Couple #4: Dwayne Wayne & Whitley Gilbert

College sweethearts, Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley (Jasmine Guy) took the slow burning route to relationship road.

A Different World showed black students attending college-- a black college-- and experiencing the good alongside the bad. It was beneficial for these young adults to have trusted mentors instilling necessary values-- parental figures to watch out for them. In the meantime, they fell in and out of love. One of the greatest romantic sagas was Dwayne and Whitley.

At Hillman University, funky named Dwayne Cleophus Wayne (what were his parents thinking!) tried to get with every girl that caught his bifocal vision on campus, starting with fickle Denise Huxtable who couldn't return his feelings. She left to pursue other avenues. That left rich, spoiled Southern lady, Whitley Gilbert-- following in the footsteps of her alunmi parents.

Whitley tried to fight her feelings for Dwayne, but even her fantasies told on her.

With those perfectly composed scrunchy ponytails, Whitley was the uppity girl dressed to the nines in expensive clothes and jewelry, her head always thrown high, her obsession with ladylike behavior a strict belief beneath her snobbery veil. She also majored in art history-- a subject severely lacking black figureheads (especially if considering current cries for art museum diversity fellows). While pursuing a solid liberal arts, French, and business education, she hoped to marry her equal.

Dwayne was the opposite-- an underprivileged "other side of the tracks" only child. The tall, dark, and handsome nerd excelled proficiently in math and set memorable fashion standards with the double glasses and oversized sweatshirts. He often took initiative, showed sensitive nature (not often explored on television for black male characters), and followed his dreams almost to a T.

Love simmered and prevailed.

In the first season, Dwayne and Whitley traded harmless banter-- Dwayne calling Whitley spoiled and self centered and Whitley making fun of his cavalier manners. However in season one, episode four's "Those Who Don't.... Tutor," after helping Denise with calculus past curfew, Dwayne accidentally slips into Whitley's room by mistake. As he climbs out of her bedroom, he is caught red handed and doesn't say anything to protect Whitley's reputation. In "Mr. Hillman," he campaigns against her in a competitive beauty pageant (an honor bestowed on her mother and grandmother) and begins understanding that his treatment of women is atrocious.

Yet "If Only For One Night" something new blossomed for Whitley and Dwayne. Yes, Whitley paid for Dwayne's date with Denise and crashes said date. Dwayne comforts her, caring and thoughtful despite the interference and encourages her to stand up to her mother.

The second season shows Dwayne and Whitley maintain a platonic friendship. Charged moments brew between them, persuading a changing of minds about each other. Whitley is more hesitant than Dwayne, wanting to concentrate on school. Whitley's mother is still pressuring her to find a husband and put the studies second. Whitley has to choose to a future of mirroring her mother or finding her own path in life-- choosing a career as love takes its subtle bloom. 

A real kiss to heat things up.

Whitley and Dwayne share a plane ride back to school in the season three opener, Strangers on a Plane." Dwayne's evolution is impressing the former prissy queen, forcing Whitley to take another look at the math geek-- fresh from his summer internship with determination in his eyes, dressed in a sharp suit. Again, sparks are flying ferociously. Yet Whitley cannot break the judgmental side of herself, the reservation dedicated to the prestige of one's appearance. She would confess her feelings only to change her mind at Dwayne's awkward dancing. Although he lays on some serious black Casanova smooches, Whitley holds off on having a relationship with him.

In "Everything Must Change," the fourth season's first episode, Whitley has a huge change of heart, ready to pursue Dwayne. Whilst summer interning in Japan, he has been writing her letters (yes, the ultimate romantic move). Unfortunately, he returns to Hillman with a new girlfriend. Whitley plays plenty of games throughout-- kissing Dwayne's best friend in front of him, not playing the decathlon, and super kissing up to Dwayne's mother. "Love Thy Neighbor," episode eight, Whitley confesses to Dwayne that she loves him. Later, on the fire escape, Whitley hands him over her bundled letters, Dwayne says, "I love you too," and they share a beautiful kiss. By the end of the season, opportunities are had for both of them-- Whitley being an art buyer and Dwayne teaching and attending grad school. At the end of fourth season, Dwayne proposes to Whitley just as she is flying to New York.

Season five, Whitley and Dwayne are newly engaged, but Dwayne isn't ready. In fact, he doesn't talk to Whitley about it. He goes on a date and holds hands with someone who seems more compatible than him and Whitley. Unfortunately, a hurt Whitley finds out, calls off the engagement, and gives Dwayne his ring back. They struggle to be friends for the remainder of the season. Dwayne regrets his mistakes. Whitley is devoted to her duties as art buyer and Hillman's dorm director, eventually seeing a senatorial candidate, Byron Douglas III. She agrees to marry him. Dwayne is crushed, having let a wonderful woman slip through his fingers.

In "Save the Best for Last Part I," Dwayne comes to Richmond, Virginia the night before Whitney's wedding to Byron. They share a long overdue conversation:

"The woman that I couldn't stand became my best friend, my girl, my lover. Even though you challenged me every step of the way, Baby," Dwayne says.

"Well, you know me-- all or nothing," Whitley responds.

"You better not change."

"Dwayne, I always thought that I would be dependent on a man. I thought that's just the way it was going to be, but you taught me how to depend on myself."

"You taught me how to love, Whitley."

"You taught me how to love." 

In part two, Dwayne interrupts Whitley's nuptials in one of the most epic wedding crashes of all time. As fate would allow, they marry right then and there.

The goodbye party.

The sixth and final season, Dwayne and Whitley are adjusting to married life. As Dwayne receives the opportunity of a lifetime (to work in Tokyo, Japan), Whitley realizes she's pregnant. They decide to move to Japan together and leave the Hillman Campus behind. 

Dwayne and Whitley made a cultural impact thanks to Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy's convincing portraits of college sweethearts making a steadfast commitment to be together for the long haul. Both of them matured throughout the course of the series, Hardison the cute nerd with the memorable flip up glasses transformed into an incredible romantic lead. Guy's Whitley became less narcissistic, softening around the edges whilst still holding her good Southern respectability and moral high ground. They will always be nostalgic goodness-- with the best part being that their characters had a lovely happily ever after.

Best TV Couple #5: Liz Parker & Max Evans

Liz (Shiri Appleby) and Max (Jason Behr) were the definition of cute on short lived Roswell.

"September 23rd. Journal entry one. I'm Liz Parker and five days ago, I died. After that, things got a little weird."

Break out the Lifehouse music.

Ever since third grade, solid student Max Evans had loved future biologist/valedictorian Liz Parker. It is during sophomore year of high school that their lives change forever. When the bullet went off and sent her spiraling down on the ground of Crashdown Cafe, he didn't hesitate, racing over to perform an astonishing miracle. He rips open her dress uniform and pleads with Liz to look at him, haunted wisps of Sarah McLachlan's "Fear" describes "never ending hunger." An abrupt soul-stirring connection forms as Max and Liz join eyes and parted breaths. He presses a glowing palm on the wound, healing the girl moments from death. Afterwards, the exchanged looks between the two are filled with raw vulnerability and guttural yearning.

One of the top moments of the entire series.

"You broke the bottle when you fell and spilled ketchup on yourself. Don't tell anyone. Please."

The next day, in the high school bandroom, Max confesses to Liz that he, Isabel, and Michael are aliens that survived the infamous 1947 crash. They were kept alive in incubation pods, coming out at age six, adopted by respective families. By saving Liz's life, Max put his entire secret life at risk. She is the first human to be told. Eventually, Maria and Alex join into the privileged knowledge circle, helping them at every turn.

Liz is inexplicably drawn to Max, eyeing him in a wondrous, doe-eyed way, waiting to purposely bump into him after classes or send a cherry coke to his table at the Crashdown-- her alien themed family owned restaurant. Is she pining because he saved her life? Or has something more fantastical happened to lure her into the complicated web of good old-fashioned teenage angst?

Maybe a soaring combination of the two.

Despite the obvious attraction, Max doesn't believe they can be together. In the meantime, memorable moments: Max letting Liz say a final goodbye to her grandmother and hugging her in front of the Crashdown (season one, episode four, "Leaving Normal"), Max asks to read Liz's recovered journal and she respectfully declines (season one, episode five, "The Missing"), Max keeps Liz warm by mending the Jeep roof (season one, episode six "285 South"), and Liz comes to Max's bedroom window for the first time and clumsily falls into his arms. Later, he puts the found symbol amulet around her neck and they share an endearing look (season one, episode seven, "River Dog").

After pent up turmoil and teasing attraction, in season one, episode eight's "Heat Wave," Max and Liz finally kiss on her rooftop among the pretty stringed lights and telescope.  And it was well worth the wait.

For remainder of season one, they break up and get back together. Their little bubble is burst by more complex situations like Tess and Nasedo, Agent Pierce, and the true destiny revelation from his birth mother.

It sucked because Liz and Max spilled their guts on an abandoned bus, including beautifully exchanged "I love you."

In "Destiny," a hurt Liz runs off and Max is refrained from following her.

Studious lovebirds always make time for a kiss between books.

Roswell's second season was a harder pill to swallow. Max tries desperately to win Liz back, throwing down his supposed destiny for her. He has come a long way from being a shy, reclusive boy blending into the background. Liz almost caves until Future Max comes in episode five's tearjerker, "The End of the World."  She has to make present Max fall out of love with her and each scene is more painful than the last. Her final act-- pretending to sleep with Kyle-- is the volatile blow to Max's heart. She is beyond despair at her sacrifice. Future Max cheers her dwindled spirits with a dance to Sheryl Crow's "I Shall Believe," spinning and spinning her around until he disappears.

Max is hostile to Liz and doesn't believe for a minute that she slept with Kyle. Liz continues to lie. Things reach a boiling point in "Meet The Dupes." He lashes out at everyone and gullibly buys into Isabel and Michael's doppelgangers, leaving with them to New York City to face the council, Tess in tow. Yet it is Ava (Tess's dupe), that tells Liz that she has a special power thanks to Max's healing. When Max is about to be assassinated in "Max in the City," Liz is able to teleport via through their strong connection and save his life. Max returns and visits Liz. He thanks her and thinks they can try to be friends. Again, he asks if she was with Kyle. Sadly, she slightly (reluctantly even) nods her head.

Max tries to move on with Tess and Liz attempts something with Maria's cousin, Sean Deluca. Max and Liz remain friends, having a few sweet moments. In episode twelve's "We Are Family," Max tells Liz to travel the world and know that he'll always be with her. They hug. In episode fifteen's "Viva Las Vegas," while Liz and Max share a dance, she is almost tempted to confess all. In episode sixteen's "Heart of Mine (before it ends terribly)," Liz asks Max to be her prom date.

Then Tess destroyed everything. Again.

In "A Roswell Christmas Carol," Max comes to the Christmas program and sits next to Liz.

The third and final season-- which moved to UPN-- is weird. Max and Liz are embodying Bonnie and Clyde, robbing a convenience store trying to recover a spaceship so that he could go to Antar, find Tess, and bring his son to earth. While they are back together, with plentiful steamy make out sessions missing from the innocence of season one and the heartbreaking sadness of season two, there are underlying issues. Max's selfishness, Jeff Parker's overprotective father ire, and Liz's developing powers are catalysts driving them apart. On top of that, Max's parents find out that their kids are not human.

Future Max and his prophecy be damned! Liz and Max are husband and life anyway.

In the end, Max and Liz graduate from high school, get married, and likely live happily ever after.

Fans still deserve a film-- not a reboot. Plus, there were so much story to tell. And Liz and Max never had a love scene. 

At a time the WB network was desperately trying to market fresh young faces in an ad campaign marketing to teenagers, Jason Behr and Shiri Appleby's kismet factor struck gold. While Melinda Metz's original book series described Max Evans with blond hair and blue eyes, Behr's unique features had that otherworldliness-- piercing hazel eyes, luscious dark hair, and noticeable outer ears. He played the right keys on Max's fear, naivety, and awkwardness. Whereas Appleby was the appropriate Liz Parker, the belle of the show, whose genuine smiles lit up a scene, especially when glancing over at her beloved. They made a person believe that true love conquered everything.

Best TV Couple #6: Khadijah James & Terrance "Scooter" Williams

Before Gina Prince-Blythewood delivered Love and Basketball, on Yvette Lee Bowser's Living Single, first grade kickball champs, Khadijah James (Queen Latifah, right) and Terrance "Scooter" Williams (Cress Williams) had a on/off relationship.

From the moment, Terrance "Scooter" Williams stepped off the elevator of Flavor Magazine and slyly snuck up behind hard working editor/founder, Khadijah James, the sparks were shooting off like rocket launchers in Living Single's season one, episode nine, "Just Friends." With a gorgeous smile, Scooter covers Khadijah's eyes with his hands, asking the childish game, "guess who?"  When she sees her old friend, she screams and jumps on him, engaging in a humorous spin hug. It is a genuine start to friends becoming so much more.

Khadijah and Scooter's first kiss was a scorcher.

Now Khadijah is an important character in pop culture history. In addition to her unique name, she was a refreshing, sassy, voluptuous woman wearing the best HBCU sweatshirts. Her hairstyles ranged from classic sleek to box braids. Most importantly, she owned Flavor Magazine. Her baby is longest, steadiest relationship. She is always seen with a nameless computer at the office and at home, determined to meet deadlines even if a star cover falls through. Unlike Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw (the overpaid sex columnist with the MAC), Khadijah lived in a realistic version of New York City. Sure, she couldn't afford an expensive Manhattan bachelorette pad with extravagant shoes sitting in her closet. She called a brownstone in Brooklyn home, splitting the rent alongside her goofy cousin, Sinclaire and bougie best friend, Regine. Her other best friend, lawyer Maxine Shaw, lived nearby and came by everyday for food and gossip.

On the other hand, Scooter is a busy record producer, traveling around the world scouting for talent. He is a confident, self assured man, often knowing what he wants and taking the initiative to get it. However, he has admired Khadijah for a long time and never acted on his feelings.

In season two, episode two's "I Love This Game," Scooter trains Khadijah against her old high school opponent, Denise Hatcher.

They wind up with a hilarious case of the smooches.

On the visit to NYC to search for emerging musicians and see his old gal pal, Scooter makes the first move, seductively confessing to Khadijah. She hadn't thought of him romantically. Until, he laid down the melty, swoon inducing kisses. They spent the night at the office reacquainting in a different fashion. Later, he buys her an opened, first class airline ticket to Los Angeles. She declines the offer to fly out with him, but keeps the ticket. Sadly, she doesn't use it.

In season one finale's "What's Next," Khadijah has been dating Alonzo, a kind, attentive teacher who asks her to move in with him. Scooter returns, hiding behind a massive flower bouquet, eager to pick up where they left off. Torn Khadijah likes them both for different reasons. She chooses to pursue Scooter.

Season two, episode eight's "Trick Or Trust," explored underlying problems in Scooter and Khadijah's relationship-- a lack of faith. He puts her doubts to rest with, "you're all the woman I need."

During the second season, Khadijah and Scooter's relationship deepens. The best friends are the perfect match. Cute with plenty of loving PDA, he gets a job as director of artist relations of a local record label and she stays devoted to Flavor. In fact, she is so devoted to Flavor, Scooter often feels neglected. Eventually, he receives an offer to tour with a new group and wants her approval.

Yet, this time, he doesn't ask her to come along, knowing that she is committed to the magazine.

Scooter's sudden marriage proposal is a striking whim.

Khadijah accepts anyway.

In season three, episode nine's "Baby, I'm Back...Again," after apologizing for not keeping communication, Scooter proposes to Khadijah. Whilst planning their wedding, the two realize the relationship isn't ready to take the leap. They decide to remain friends.

In the fifth and final season, Scooter and Khadijah run into each other at a retreat, realizing that they're still in love. They end together.

Scooter has said that a boomerang symbolizes his relationship with Khadijah. 

Queen Latifah and Cress Williams are great as the lovable, cheeks pinching cute couple Khadijah and Scooter. Their chemistry was downright irresistible and pleasing as these two ordinary characters, best friends who are the loves of each other's lives. It was also a real significant mirroring of couples who fall in love over time and stay in love despite long distances. They're definitely one of the best positive representations of black love on television.