2021 In Review: The 25 Most Dynamic 'Ships From Gossip Girl, WandaVision, Grey's Anatomy, SEAL Team And More

Whether they kissed for the first time, tried to murder one another, or any milestone in between, these TV couples kept us on the edge of our couch all year.

And while the word "goals" gets thrown around a lot — or least it did five years ago — these aren't necessarily that. Sure, some of these pairings are aspirational, but others exist as cautionary tales. (And some might only exist in our minds!) They're the duos that showed the audience a good time, regardless of how events were unfolding.

Because we're discussing plot points from 25 shows, consider this your official spoiler alert. You might want to come back later, lest you be spoiled about any of the following: All American, Batwoman, Chicago Fire, Dickinson, Evil, Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, Insecure, Law & Order (OC and SVU), Money Heist, NCIS: Hawai'i, New Amsterdam, The Resident, Riverdale, The Rookie, SEAL Team, Sex Education, Shadow and Bone, Sistas, Succession, Ted Lasso, WandaVision, Yellowstone or YOU.

Read on for Team TVLine's picks of the most dynamic 'ships of 2021 (presented alphabetically by show), then drop a comment with your additions to our list.

If this relationship had an official song, it'd be CeCe Peniston's "Finally," because Spencer and Olivia at long last acted on their deep feelings for each other. (Layla probably wouldn't sing along, but we get it.) And though All American romances can fizzle out quickly, Spencer and Olivia's open communication with each other — on everything from sex to sports to sobriety — gives us hope that their partnership is built to last.

With Ryan and Sophie finally on the same page and friendlier than ever, it seemed like these two would finally take that next step and admit they have mushy feelings for each other. But then Sophie had to go and hook up with Renee, throwing a wrench in this slow burn of a romance. Curses!

It's been a rollercoaster year for fans of "Brettsey," who finally hooked up during a slow, steamy love scene in the Season 9 finale after much back and forth teasing. However, not long after Casey and Brett became a couple, he announced that he needed to move to Oregon to take care of his late best friend's sons. Ultimately, Brett decided to stay in Chicago — but it's not over for her and Casey. Although star Jesse Spencer has exited the series, his character remains in a long-distance relationship with Brett. We definitely didn't see this romance twist coming!

Emily Dickinson and her sister-in-law Sue always burned for each other in secret on Apple TV+'s alt-history comedy, but all that secret burning finally caught fire in the Season 2 finale, with the two giving into their urges in a passionately intimate sex scene. Their connection was more than just physical, though: Sue inspired Emily to write her most beautiful poems, and Emily's words inspired Sue to cast aside society's expectations and live the life she wanted — with Emily.

Look, would we have preferred that the long-simmering chemistry between Kristen and David have ignited before he became a priest? Amen. But their season-finale hookup, which came on the tails of an incredibly emotional confession on her part, was so wrong, it was right. Plus, you know what they say: The Lord helps those who help themselves to some sweet, sweet nookie.

From the trio's clandestine hookups on campus ("We've got to clean that up before 'stained glass' takes on a whole new meaning") to their refreshingly mature approach to the complexities of a polyamorous relationship, these three took viewers on a surprisingly satisfying journey in the back half of the HBO Max drama's first season — and they're just getting started.

The long-running ABC drama made fans wait 71 (!) episodes to grant their fondest 'ship wish. But when at last the show brought back Scott Speedman and set him and Ellen Pompeo free to explore the chemistry that so caught our attention in Season 14, it was, against all odds, worth it. Playing doctor(s), the A-listers aren't just throwing sparks, they're throwing lightning bolts.

Molly and Taurean, two lawyers at a burgeoning Los Angeles law firm, hated each other at first. But tension is a funny and fascinating thing especially when it becomes sexually charged. Thankfully for these two, mutual respect and friendship preceded the passion, but all that really matters is that they just make sense.

No, these two aren't officially together, and we're well aware that some viewers hope they never will be. But after re-entering each other's lives after a 10-year absence, Law & Order: SVU's former partners spent a whole lot of time in 2021 emotionally processing their connection, with almost more hugging, hand-holding and meaningful looks than we'd gotten in their original 12 years together combined. Here's hoping Organized Crime's very 'shippy Christmas episode was an indicator of where Dick Wolf & Co. are taking Liv and El in 2022.

That loud, squee-ing sound you heard in early June? It was all of SVU's "Rollisi" fans screaming in triumph as the pair they'd so long wanted to become a couple... became a couple. Rollins and Carisi's first kiss, at Fin and Phoebe's non-wedding (long story), was hot. But even hotter, in our opinion? Their mutual understanding, after the show returned for the following season, that what they had was real.

We've all heard of opposites attracting. But what is it called when a police inspector/negotiator unwittingly falls in love with the criminal mastermind she's been doggedly pursuing? Whatever that sexy kind of cat-and-mouse courtship is called, it certainly works for the Professor and Lisbon aka Sergio and Raquel — and the romantic sparks they caused for five passionate seasons.

From the moment they first "met cute-ish" in the series premiere, Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant and Navy Captain Joseph "Joe" Milius shared an undeniable spark, evidenced at first from his clear admiration of Tennant's relentless pursuit of justice (and light rule-bending). The bad news? Joe shared in Episode 8 that he was being transferred many miles away, to D.C. The very good news? Jane up and asked him out to dinner... which turned into a steamy doorstep kiss, and then breakfast (punctuated by a delightfully awkward run-in with Jane's teenage son). Will their paths ever cross again? You have to think/hope so, given how each asked the other to reach out if/when in the same town.

After three seasons of buildup, the colleagues and friends officially became a couple when Max ran back to Helen's apartment and the two acted on their long-simmering feelings for each other. But even better than the pair's first time together was how the series handled their subsequent romantic relationship. Never shying away from the very really issues facing them, be it the tribulations of living together or what Max's daughter Luna should call Helen, the couple faced every challenge head-on, giving 'shippers endless "Awww!" moments. Then to top it off, Max and Helen actually moved to London to start a new life abroad!

Oh, how we wish these two had had a more boring year. Things started off nicely enough in January with a beautiful, outdoor wedding ceremony. Later in 2021, they welcomed a precious daughter, Gigi. But Nic's pregnancy was rocked by a life-threatening stabbing incident, which was followed months later by Nic's sudden, gut-wrenching death as star Emily VanCamp opted to leave the series. But even though Conrad and Nic's story had us reaching for Kleenex by the fistful this year, even the most heartbreaking moments were a reminder of their enduring, once-in-a-lifetime love.

It was a banner year for "Barchie" fans, with the childhood pals becoming more than just friends and enjoying a steamy, no-strings hookup after Season 5's time jump. (That shower scene!) They did agree to keep things platonic, but after Veronica and Jughead moved onto new love interests, Archie and Betty were free to give their long-brewing romantic connection another shot... until Hiram planted a bomb underneath Archie's bed, that is. (This is Riverdale, after all.)

"Chenford" fans who for three seasons have gotten by on crumbs are starting to be served something regarding a small meal. From undercover "Nova" flirting up a storm with Officer Bradford to "Hey Chen, save me a dance," from reeling over Jackson's death to Lucy helping Tim navigate a difficult reunion with his abusive father, this much is unarguably true: the former T.O.-and-boot have established a strong, deep connection that surely neither would have imagined when they first met. And maybe, just maybe, some day it will evolve into more.

It was surprise enough to learn a few episodes into Season 5 that former DEVGRU liaison Mandy Ellis (played by former cast member Jessica Pare) was being held prisoner by the terrorist faction SGS. And after her rescue by Bravo, it was decently satisfying to see Jason ask Mandy to give him a call sometime. But for Mandy to not only make that call, but for her and Jason to plunge into a sexy/sweet "Same Hotel, Next Month" arrangement was about as much as any fan of the perfect pairing to hope for. Yes, Jason has bungled things for now, but we can hope that he and Mandy are in fact endgame.

After Otis' heartfelt voicemail to Maeve in Season 2, we were on pins and needles waiting for her to learn the truth about the since-deleted exhibition of love (damn you, Isaac!). Thankfully, Season 3 delivered the goods, with Otis and Maeve finally getting real about their feelings for each other (and locking lips!). But just as they were about to seal the deal on their romance, Maeve was off to the States for a study abroad stint. Looks like this 'ship will be sailing straight on through to Season 4.

Kirigan might be straight up evil, and Mal might be fated as Alina's true love, but the Darkling's chemistry with the Sun Summoner was undeniable. Come on, those lingering stares as he grasped her hand and helped her tap into her powers? Fire. It's a classic tale of a would-be savior falling for the hot guy who turns out to be the very thing she's up against. While so very wrong, their almost romance was one of our favorite things about Season 1.

Fatima encourages Zac to be the best version of himself and never judges Zac's criminal past. In return, Zac showers Fatima with affection, and shares his life and triumphs with her honestly and without hesitation. The soapy drama's fans root for "Zatima" so devotedly, the two are getting a BET+ spinoff titled, you guessed it, Tyler Perry's Zatima in 2022.

This 'ship was always a little twisted, with Roman needling Gerri with vulgar come-ons that seemed half-joking, half-serious. They started Season 3 as a formidable power couple, with Gerri taking over as interim CEO and Roman angling to take control of Waystar with her help. Alas, it took a dark turn when Roman wouldn't stop sending her, um, private photos of himself and then accidentally sent one (yikes) to his own father. Then their 'ship fully ran aground in the finale, with Gerri helping Logan to sell the company and cut Roman out completely in the process. Damn... they can still flirt, though, right?

The Apple TV+ comedy's Season 2 finale left us concerned for the future of Roy and Keeley's relationship — namely that it had run its course by the time Keeley encouraged her boyfriend to go Spain without her — but that doesn't doesn't take away from the fact that they represented one of the healthiest relationships anywhere on television in 2021. Despite being at very different places in their lives — the recently retired footballer struggled to figure out his next move, as the ex-model flourished in her new career as a public relations guru — this unlikely pair always supported each other. And the foundation they built was too strong to let any potential obstacles — including Jamie's admission of love, Nate's awkward attempt to kiss Keeley, and Roy's afternoon spent with Phoebe's teacher — derail their commitment, even if each and every one of those obstacles was meant to convince the audience otherwise.

The show's entire thesis can be summed up with this heartbreaking line from Vision: "What is grief if not love persevering?" We laughed with them as they traveled through different sitcom eras and reached for the tissues when Wanda realized that doing the right thing also meant giving up the family she'd created. Wanda's Vision might have been an accidental result of her devastating grief, but their epic love story was as real as it gets.

The rare couple that can pull off an "I love you" and a "F—k you" in the same breath — and mean both! — the Paramount Network hit's most sacrosanct twosome have spent Season 4 deepening viewers' obsession with them. As they inch closer to their wedding, they've drawn us further in with not only their ever-intensifying connection but the addition of "son" Carter to their makeshift family portrait.

Joe and Love's marriage was always doomed to go down in flames, and we'd be lying if we said we didn't enjoy watching it burn. The new parents' uneasy (to put it mildly) relationship added a layer of intensity to Season 3 that fully stressed us out from the first kill to the final betrayal.