I admit it. I’m a sucker for a good romance trope.
When used and executed thoughtfully, such tropes can form a solid backbone for a story, steering the drama and character development in ways that are both satisfyingly familiar and excitingly new.
Love it or hate it — and as for me, I do love it — there is perhaps no romance trope TV loves more than that of the love triangle.
In the best shows, a love triangle functions as a story engine.
Writers can use it to generate endless ideas to drive the narrative forward, all while keeping the viewer invested in the protagonist’s decisions and internal conflict.
When TV writers use a love triangle effectively, they invest in the power of the audience, knowing that their engagement with the romantic debate is key to the show’s longevity and the strength of the relationships they form with the characters.
TV was sure chock-full of love triangles this summer, but were they all created equal? Some were definitely hotly contested… but some may have been more fizzle than sizzle.
When I’m thinking about a compelling love triangle, I have to ask: was I waiting with bated breath to see who the center of it all would choose?
Did one of the love interests grip me and make me root for them consistently throughout the season? Did I understand the main character’s dilemma, or did the chemistry fall flat?
I asked these questions of all of summer’s most popular TV love triangles and am ready to dish out the definitive ranking of which were executed best.
Now, the one on top? I still can’t stop thinking about it.
Read on to see if you agree.
5. Elle / Dustin / Miles: Elle
Before Warren and Emmett, apparently Miles and Dustin existed.
But after eight episodes exploring Elle‘shigh school backstory, only one character showed even a lick of chemistry with the titular character. And it was neither of the two love interests the show tried to spoon-feed to us.
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Overall, the romantic energy was lackluster throughout the season. I failed to buy into any of the forbidden-love conflict between Elle and Miles, probably because they had all the heat of a wet Seattle afternoon.
And Dustin?
Their opposites-attract dynamic was so forced that watching them attempt to flirt made me cringe. Some aspects of their relationship were endearing, but it needs to stay firmly in the friend zone.
Now Elle and Liz? That’s where the real chemistry is.
Their scenes together were some of the most natural, exciting, and fresh. The undercurrent of attraction was definitely there — whether intentional or not — and it provided the only pop of color against the grey backdrop of Ranier West High (not counting Elle’s outfits, of course).
I’m just afraid that in pigeonholing themselves into Elle’s movie persona, the writers will likely fail to explore the Elle/Liz dynamic the way we deserve.
The verdict: Team Miles or Dustin? Definitely Team Neither.
4. Roy / Keeley / Dr. Erin: Ted Lasso
What happens when you have two characters destined to be with one another… but they need to stay apart for just a while longer?
You throw another romantic prospect into the mix.
Ted Lasso needed a compelling way to add a little suspense to Roy and Keeley’s reconciliation, so they dialed up the romantic tension by introducing Dr. Erin.
She was gorgeous and brilliant — and like Keeley, she could go toe-to-toe with Roy’s gruff banter.
But as far as love triangles go, this triad served more as a hurdle to delay an inevitable ending than a new plot machine.
In classic Ted Lasso fashion, this arc was tied up thoughtfully and emotionally.
In showcasing a raw moment between Roy and Erin, the show demonstrates just how beautiful it can be to unexpectedly open your heart to someone, and how much they can teach you about yourself if you’re willing to listen.
The verdict? Team Keeley or Erin? Obviously Keeley. Erin was never fleshed out as a comparable character in her own right. We all knew where this was ending up.
3. Teagan / Josh / Cam: Crew Girl
A love triangle is an undisputed staple of the teen drama genre — and no YA release came out unscathed this summer!
Teagan’s choice between Josh and Cam formed the heart of Crew Girl’s Season 1 drama, but I finished the season unclear about both Teagan’s true desires and whether either boy was compelling enough to root for in Season 2.
It was hard to follow Teagan as a protagonist, because I got no real sense of any internal conflict about her romantic choices. She was utterly unbothered that both boys were tripping over themselves for her attention.
Which, honestly, is kind of iconic. You go, girl. But as a viewer, I never felt that choosing between the two had any real stakes.
Cam and Josh presented more as thin sketches of a character than fleshed-out figures.
Both characterizations relied far too heavily on basic stereotypes to drive their motivation and explain their choices throughout the season.
Josh failed to appear as a compelling romantic lead, lacking substance behind his presentation as the classic spoiled, mean, popular kid who is tragically misunderstood.
Cam’s persona as the nice guy struggling in an environment of privilege had potential for more depth, but the show afforded him little in the way of nuance or originality.
He was certainly cute, though.
The verdict: Team Cam or Josh? Cam, but mostly because I find Josh incredibly annoying.
2. Jordie / Delilah / Chantal: Every Year After
Was the romance teased within Every Year After’s supporting cast more compelling than the romance at the core of the story? Undoubtedly.
With Percy and Sam’s middling chemistry — especially in the present-day timeline — the romantic tension between Jordie, Delilah, and Chantal added much-needed substance to Every Year After Season 1’s plot.
Finally, we got a love triangle where it was clear as day that they all have undeniable chemistry with each other.
A proper triangle, if you will.
The story does a decent job of setting both Chantal and Delilah up as different, yet equally interesting, options for Sam’s charismatic best friend, Jordie. Chantal challenges and excites him, helping him envision a future free of self-doubt and hesitation.
Delilah, on the other hand, represents first love: tender, complicated, but unrequited (though the show teases that it may not be so for long).
However, the show—intentionally or not—does an excellent job of playing up the chemistry between Chantal and Delilah. With their banter and the easy way they connect, they steal every scene they’re in together.
The verdict: Team Delilah or Chantal? They all need to date each other. It’s the only way I can see them all getting the happy ending they deserve.
1. Annie / Ellis / Rory: Sterling Point
Sterling Point flipped the classic love triangle on its head, dishing up the summer love we’ve waited YEARS to see.
Finally, we have a love triangle where both options are incredible.
The show ditched tired constructs — like the nice guy/bad boy dichotomy — and instead focused on crafting two unique, equally interesting characters who are both complex, kind, and emotionally intelligent.
The show never needs to force chemistry between Annie and either of her romantic prospects; she has it with both in spades.
The sauna? The floor pull in the closet? How does a girl choose between them?
What I enjoyed most about this triangle is that it intentionally enriched the story, accurately portraying Annie’s journey as a young woman exploring her own needs and desires.
You can’t help but love both boys while simultaneously cheering Annie on in her journey of self-discovery.
The Verdict: Team Ellis or Rory? This is hard! I think Ellis is currently better suited for Annie in the current phase of her life, but I want to protect Rory and his heart at all costs.
So TV Fanatics, what did you think of these summer love triangles?
Are you happy with how they played out? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments!
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