7 TV Couples First Meetings & Final Scenes (2 of 4)

Ryan Atwood & Marissa Cooper — The O.C. (2003–2007)

Ryan Atwood’s introduction to Orange County was pretty jarring if we’re being honest. After all, his life had been rough and full of struggles and then just like that, he found himself living with the wealthy Cohen family. Almost right away, he meets Marissa Cooper, the beautiful and troubled girl next door. They bond during a cigarette break at the end of their driveways, one that audiences remember as an iconic moment of quiet connection amid teenage chaos. Needless to say, that fragile but electric first encounter leads to a turbulent romance. Sadly, it all ends in one of the show’s most controversial scenes: a car crash that leaves Marissa dying in Ryan’s arms after he pulls her from the wreckage. Her death shocked fans and marked a tragic end to their doomed love story.

Kurt Hummel & Blaine Anderson — Glee (2009–2015)

When Kurt visits Dalton Academy under the pretense of spying on their rival glee club, he meets Blaine Anderson, and his entire world changes forever. Blaine literally takes Kurt’s hand and leads him into a performance of “Teenage Dream.” From that moment on, Kurt is captivated. Their love story was arguably Glee‘s most enduring arc, and unlike many other couples on this list, theirs ends on a positive note. In the series finale, we discover that they’re happily married and performing together. They even give an inspirational talk at an inclusive elementary school before joining the rest of the cast for one final musical number, signifying a joyful and fulfilling future.