There are no Valentine’s Day Grinches around these parts. Like Celine Dion and Huey and the News, we believe in the power of love. It’s entirely possible to find that special someone to share a pineapple pizza with and watch every “Star Trek” show from the 1960s till now.
In celebration of matters of the heart, we have soared across the multiverses and sci-fi landscapes to find the couples who give hope that there’s someone out there for everyone, even in galaxies far, far away and beyond. From workplace romances to relationships built from body horror events, these are the precious pairs encouraging everyone to choose love above all and make that cute hand heart gesture.
Han Solo and Princess Leia (“Star Wars”)
This classic love story begins like so many: Rooted in an intense dislike for each other.
Harrison Ford’s Han Solo thinks that Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) is a spoiled, high-and-mighty nuisance, while she believes him to be an opportunist and arrogant space thug. Truth be told, they’re both right about each other.
Yet, love apparently blossoms when you’re part of a rebel alliance and face off against a breathy cyborg and his army of not-so-sharpshooters. Like a Force choke, love grips Han and Leia, and they can’t fight it. Sure, they have a bratty crybaby son who ends up being solely responsible for their deaths, but let’s skip that part for now. They prove that even in a time of war and great suffering, it’s possible to find the spark to create a new hope.
Spock and Christine Chapel (“Star Trek”)
“Star Trek: The Original Series” touches upon the complicated feelings between Spock and Christine Chapel, though it’s mostly one-sided on the latter’s part. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” tweaks this dynamic, showcasing mutual feelings developing rather than the stalker vibes from before.
From the moment Ethan Peck’s Spock interacts with Chapel (Jess Bush) on screen, it’s game over for his “no emotions” façade. Miss Chapel flirts with him, but he doesn’t know how to reciprocate since he’s in another relationship at the time. This tense, will-they-won’t-they situation persists until they finally admit their feelings for each other and share a passionate kiss that could unite galaxies.
All seems well and right on the Enterprise, but alas, life finds a way to split them apart. Even though they may not be together in the series anymore, real Trekkies know this is the storied romance that would have Bon Jovi writing ballads about it.
John and Maureen Robinson (“Lost in Space”)
It’s no secret that “Lost in Space” is inspired by “The Swiss Family Robinson,” especially in terms of how those who travel together, stay together. There have been several adaptations of this classic story, but let’s focus on the 2018 Netflix series where Toby Stephens and Molly Parker play John and Maureen Robinson, respectively.
John, Maureen, and their kids head out in a spaceship in search of the planet Alpha Centauri, which they hope to turn into their new home. Of course, much like in any space series, it isn’t a linear route from point A to B without drama and strife, as they encounter threats and side quests along the way.
As with any married couple who have been together for a long time, John and Maureen have their issues beyond someone leaving the toilet seat up. They’re initially separated, because of John’s military job that took him away from his family for so long, but their expedition brings them closer again, reminding them that love conquers all – even when you’re lost in space.
He-Man and Teela (“Masters of the Universe”)
Some may argue that the true love story in “Masters of the Universe” is the one between He-Man and Skeletor, because that cackling skull-headed fiend definitely has the hots for his brawny adversary and doesn’t know how to admit it.
Yet, how can one ignore the undeniable chemistry between He-Man and Teela? Yeah, the various versions of the story play out the dynamic differently, and they’re never quite seen as a traditional couple sharing pasta on a romantic night out in Eternia, but everybody can see the real power of Grayskull is this power couple right here.
What’s most welcoming about this relationship is how it’s built on equality and respect. Sure, when Prince Adam grabs the sword and says the magic words, he turns into a hulking man-beast, but Teela remains vital and prominent in this shared quest to protect Eternia from the forces of evil. Without Teela, there’s no He-Man, and that’s a fact, Jack.
Peter Quill and Gamora (“Guardians of the Galaxy”)
Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill is an acquired taste. Despite his stellar taste in music, nothing about him screams leader – or even competent, really. Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), on the other hand, is the adopted daughter of Thanos (Josh Brolin) and a warrior who could conquer planets with her pinky toe.
Even though they’re polar opposites, they bond over being outsiders trying to find their place in the cosmos. It doesn’t take long for this connection to evolve into friendship, and then eventually love.
In “Avengers: Infinity War,” Thanos sacrifices Gamora in his bid to reshape the universe. This breaks Peter. While everyone may argue how the infamous snap wouldn’t have happened had Peter just stuck to the original plan, his thirst for vengeance takes over. He loves Gamora so much that he’s willing to risk billions of lives to get revenge on whoever took her away from him.
Call it foolishness. Call it rage. Or call it what it is: love.
Jake Sully and Neytiri (“Avatar”)
James Cameron’s “Avatar” films are kinda weird when you really stop to think about them, but you can’t deny they tell a powerful love story along the way. In the original 2009 movie, the Avatar program connects humans to Na’vi bodies. After the death of his twin brother, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) participates in the program to get closer to the Na’vi on Pandora and provide intel on the species’ resources.
On this mission, though, Jake comes to appreciate the Na’vi’s way of life and falls in love with Neytiri (welcome back to the list Zoe Saldaña). Yeah, there’s some drama when Neytiri finds out that Jake wasn’t being honest with her from the start, but she forgives him after Jake turns his back on the humans to become a part of the Na’vi.
Through the complicated logic of this universe’s storytelling, he becomes one with his avatar and sheds his original meatsack. Essentially, this dude switches bodies to be with someone he adores. Keep those putrid flowers and tasteless box of chocolates this Valentine’s Day, because this is the only acceptable sign of true love.
Philip J. Fry and Turanga Leela (“Futurama”)
The super-smart and side-splitting “Futurama” wastes no time in setting up Philip J. Fry and Turanga Leela as the “it” couple of the sci-fi comedy show. As co-workers, they find themselves working for the delivery company Planet Express, where their mutual loneliness builds commonality between them. Yeah, it takes a while for them to confess their feelings for each other, and even longer still to actually act on it, but there’s never any doubt that these two are meant to be.
Even though Fry is slightly creepy at first, as he openly ogles Leela to the point where you want to shake him and say, “Yo! Keep those 20th-century tendencies in the 20th century,” the seeds of love sprout organically from a well-established friendship.
They meet other people and explore romantic possibilities along the way, but their paths finally merge into one (the shipping community calls them Freela… if you don’t know what the shipping community is, I envy you).
At least Fry didn’t follow Bender’s questionable relationship advice, which, in his own words, is: “Hey, sexy mama, wanna kill all humans?”
John Crichton and Aeryn Sun (“Farscape”)
A relationship between John Crichton (Ben Browder) and Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black) should never work. After all, he’s the astronaut who got sucked up by a wormhole and landed among escaped prisoners on the living ship known as the Moya. Aeryn is part of the ruthless Peacekeepers, who are tasked with bringing back Moya and dealing with those who oppose the organization.
They couldn’t be more different as individuals, either. Aeryn is introduced as cold and relatively emotionless, while John is the more empathetic and caring of the pair. However, they learn from each other – John finds out about the universe, while Aeryn discovers the humanity present inside everyone.
Through this odyssey of space and soul, they come together, becoming relationship goals. Their love is the fuel that propels “Farscape”, one of the best sci-fi TV shows of the 1990s, and every fan knows it.
