If asked to list off what we could not forgive our partner for, cheating, abuse, and violence would be high on the list. We would also sight dishonesty, manipulation, and countless others.
If our paramour came to us asking for forgiveness after committing one of these acts, we would most likely send them packing. If we didn’t, our friends would likely encourage us to seek therapy.
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For some reason, it is different on TV. Maybe, in the beginning, we hate the transgressor. However, over time, we often find ourselves rooting for our ship to sail again.
Maybe it is because we see it from both sides, the one wronged, and the wrongdoer. We may say, “sure he was wrong, but I get why he did it.” After all, we love them both and want them happy. Plus aren’t they so cute together? Don’t they have the best chemistry? Didn’t we invest all this time in them?
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Here’s our slideshow for 23 times we wanted lovers to forgive the unforgivable. Did we miss anyone? Are we being too hard on these lovers? Too forgiving? Let us know in the comments.
Wade Cheats On Zoe – Hart of Dixie
When Wade and Zoe finally became a for real, everyone knows about it, actual couple, fans cheered. However, even after he got the girl, Wade’s lifelong self-esteem issues did not evaporate. His belief that he would never deserve Zoe, combined with alcohol and a professional loss led him to Claudette, which led to a heartbreaking break-up. Zade fans wanted an immediate reconciliation and were furious when Zoe did not take Wade back after his love confession on Hart of Dixie Season 2 Episode 22. The writers and Zoe were blamed for Zade not being Zade anymore. The couple ended the series together because fans would not accept anything less, and by the series’ end, Wade’s infidelity was clearly forgotten.
Emmett Cheats On Bay – Switched at Birth
Bay and Emmett were the longest lasting and most encompassing love story of Switched at Birth. They went from strangers to friends to more than friends and overcame countless obstacles to be together. But when Emmett feels betrayed by Bay’s meddling in his life, he hooks up with her high school nemesis and brother’s girlfriend. Bay is devasted and spends time away from Emmett. Over the course of the next year, Emmett is there for her as a friend, respecting her need for space, but never giving up on trying to win her back. Eventually, he does. Yet the two do not end the show together. Would they have, had Emmett not caused that first break? I guess we’ll never know,
Daniel Shoots Emily – Revenge
Shooting your wife on your honeymoon is a pretty clear sign that you do not deserve forgiveness. This is what Daniel did to Emily on Revenge Season 3 Episode 10 after discovering that she lied about being pregnant. After the shooting, Daniel showed no remorse, being both verbally and physically abusive to Emily before she had even recovered. It seemed that Demily was dead and some fans wanted Daniel to die with it. Then the elevator scene on Revenge Season 4 Episode 7 happened. Truths came out and fans were hit with a ton of Demily chemistry. By Revenge Season 4 Episode 10, Daniel was taking bullets to save Emily’s life, and Demily fans were devastated, claiming that the ship deserved so much better.
Ethan Cheats On Emma (With Her Twin Sister) – The Lying Game
When Emma and Ethan met, he was in a relationship with her twin sister Sutton. Ethan chose Emma, but when he was on the run with Sutton, old feelings resurfaced and the two kissed. This triangle was bound to be complicated. Maybe Ethan would never be able to truly let either twin go. For a long time, it seemed like Emma would not forgive Ethan, despite his constant pleas. When she finally decided that she loved him too much to hold it against him, he claimed he was done with her. And then the show was sadly canceled, so we’ll never know if these two would have reconciled. As for whether or not they should have, well, I pose that question to you Fanatics.
Joel Leave Midge For His Secretary – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
When Joel first left Midge, pretty much the entire fanbase said scumbag. Over time though, it became clear that Joel did truly love Midge, and that Midge loved Joel. On the one hand, Joel needs to grow up a lot, and Midge deserves to spread her wings. They cannot do this together and they both know it. However, there may be a part of us that can’t help but ask “Why can’t those two crazy kids work it out?”
Neal Frames Emma For Stolen Watches – Once Upon A Time
So, boy meets girl. Boy and girl live like Bonnie and Clyde. Boy frames girl for stealing some watches he stole and takes off on girl while girl goes to jail. Seems simple enough, or so Emma thought. Then she found out her parents were magical fairytale royalty, Neal’s father was a manipulative sorcerer and Neal only did what he did after he found out the truth about her parentage. Does that make it better? Well … And yet, Swanfire has the magic of first loves, orphans who understand each other, and a broken family reuniting. They did not have a happy ending, but their fans would say Neal should be over and again forgiven.
Oliver Cheats On Laurel With Sara – Arrow
Cheating on your girlfriend is bad. Cheating with her sister is worse. Getting her sister killed in the process is downright unforgivable. Yet that is what Oliver Queen and Lauliver fans wanted Laurel to do way back in 2012 when Arrow premiered. True, Oliver had changed a great deal in five years. He was not that guy anymore, and Laurel did eventually get to see that. The problem with some on this slideshow is that the bad paramour in the equation does not do enough to change and make amends. In this case, we can assume Oliver has learned his lesson and is not the same Oliver who took Sara out on that boat.
Spike Tries To Rape Buffy – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
This one is complicated in the way that magical situations often are. The “he didn’t have a soul,” reasoning is not one often used in cases of attempted rape. Spike was a monster in love, but he was still a monster. Even his quest to regain his humanity and gain Buffy’s forgiveness after this incident was selfishly driven. Yet, once he had his soul back, it changed the game. Can Soulful Spike be judged for Soulless Spike’s actions? Spuffy fans might say no, no he cannot. Yet Buffy’s trauma from that moment doesn’t disappear. So where does that leave us?
Bright Cheats On Hannah – Everwood
When playboy Bright falls in love with good girl Hannah, and then learns she doesn’t believe in premarital sex, he questions if he’ll be able to hold out. After a fight about if they are pretending to be something they aren’t to please each other, Bright has a one-night stand with a relative stranger. Cheating makes him realize that Hannah is all he wants, but it is too late to turn back the clock. He cheated, and he has to tell her, breaking both her and their shipper’s hearts. The series ended before a true reconciliation could happen, but shippers surely hope that down the road, Hannah and Bright found a way back to each other.
Anastasia Leaves Will To Become The Red Queen – Once Upon A Time In Wonderland
Anastasia told Will that as long as she was with him, she was ready for anything. However, after getting a taste of being truly poor, and a glimpse of being truly rich, she accepts The Red King’s proposal, leaving her lover in the cold. Then she becomes a cruel queen, ordering the beheadings of many innocent people, including that man she used to love. Yet after admitting that she still loves him and that she was a terrible queen, she fights like hell to save Wonderland and gain Will’s forgiveness. What she did was despicable, but when Will does forgive her, it feels earned. After all “When you’re in love, no matter what happens, you forgive each other.”
Oliver Lies To Felicity About William – Arrow
Oliver lies. Like, a lot. He lies to Felicity a lot. And when he finds out he had a son he did not know about, he keeps it from her, confiding in Barry instead. Due to a speedster time reversal, their fight about this gets erased from the timeline, but it remerges later because secrets like that don’t stay buried. Oliver may have learned to keep it in his pants since Laurel, but with Felicity, it is honesty and trust that trips him up. When Olicity calls off their engagement and split, shippers hearts break, and of course, Felicity is vilified. But in the end, love conquers all. The couple addressed their issues and moved past them. And now they have new issues.
Xander Leaves Anya At The Altar
Leaving somebody at the altar is humiliating, insulting, and pretty darn hard to come back from. Xander was never ready to get married. He loved Anya, but he proposed for the wrong reason, and she even called him on it. When it came down to it, he couldn’t go through with it, and Anya was pissed and hurt enough to become a demon again. Yet a year later, they find themselves in bed together and admit that they still love one another. Things were complicated of course, with the war coming and the end nearing and Xander losing his eye. Still, if Anya hadn’t died, maybe these kids would have given it another shot. That is, if Anya was ready to truly forgive and if Xander truly deserved it.
Ezra Writing A Book About Aria And Her Friends – Pretty Little Liars
Ezria was one of the main ships from Pretty Little Liars Season 1 Episode 1. We knew they were wrong in a teacher/student relationship kind of way, but we couldn’t help getting caught up in the love they clearly shared. Then we, and Aria, discovered that Ezra had known Alison and that he was investigating her disappearance for a true crime book he was writing. He knew who Aria was when they met, and he played on her attraction to him in order to get the inside scoop. This revelation was devastating to fans and to Aria, who rightly trashed his apartment and ordered him to leave town. But like Aria, shippers couldn’t quite walk away from their love story, especially when Ezra was shot trying to save her from A.
Schmidt Cheats On CeCe With Elizabeth (And Vice-Versa) – New Girl
When Schmidt can’t choose between two women he loves, he doesn’t. He tells each that, of course, he chose her. When the truth comes out, both are devastated and want nothing to do with Schmidt. Elizabeth is able to cut ties, but CeCe is still Jess’s best friend, and Schmidt is thus still part of her social group. Time apparently heals wounds, as CeCe eventually finds herself in love with Schmidt again. When the two get back together and engaged, his infidelity is never again discussed. Maybe it should have been addressed a bit more. Then again, he did have Jess hit him with a car for what he did, so maybe that was his penance.
Jess Leaves Rory – Gilmore Girls
The main problem Jess and Rory faced as a couple was Jess’s inability to communicate. He didn’t tell her that he wasn’t graduating or why he was mad in Kyle’s bedroom. He didn’t tell her that his dad was in town, or that Luke kicked him out. He left Stars Hollow without telling her he was leaving and she didn’t hear from him for a year! When he asked her to run away, shippers hearts broke at her refusal, but really, how could Rory know that Jess had changed? Years later they reconnected and decided to leave the past in the past. However, should the two ever give it another go, as many shippers hope for, Jess owes Rory a conversation.
Ross Cheats On Rachel – Friends
Were they on a break? Weren’t they on a break? At this point, all that matters is that he hurt her. This is another case of time heals all wounds. When the series ended, it appeared that Rachel had truly let it go, finally forgiving Ross for his indiscretion. After everything they had been through since, a drunken marriage and a baby, maybe it didn’t matter anymore who was in the wrong. The main question is, can Rachel trust Ross now? It is a question only the two of them can answer.
Seth Leaves Summer – The O.C.
When Seth’s adopted brother Ryan leaves home, Seth sails away to get a fresh start, leaving nothing but a note for his girlfriend Summer. Even though he loved her, it wasn’t enough to make him stay, and he didn’t even give her a proper goodbye. Of course, when he returns, he wants her back, but she’s still hurt and mad and she’s moved on. Except she still loves him and in the end, Sethummer is reunited with a romantic Spiderman kiss. Did Seth deserve Summer’s forgiveness? Maybe not, but it seemed she loved him too darn much to care. Sometimes that’s how it goes.
Fernando Cheats On Kimmy – Fuller House
When we meet Fernando, he and Kimmy are already separated because even though they are married and have a daughter, he can’t seem to keep his racecar in its parking spot. He makes efforts to right his wrongs and Kimmy eventually takes him back. While these two seem perfect for each other with their humorous oddball dynamic, Fernando’s cheating could have been taken a little more seriously. He’s been loyal to her since they got back together, and maybe she can trust him, but the whole thing seems oversimplified. I suppose with a campy show such as this, a realistic adultery story would not make a lot of sense. Still, we hope for Kimmy’s sake that he’s through screwing around.
Pacey Humiliates Joey At Prom – Dawson’s Creek
When’s the best time to dump somebody? How about at Prom in front of all their classmates. Frustrated with their relationship and feeling like he’ll never be good enough for Joey, Pacey lashes out at her, yelling how she makes him feel worthless. It is both hurtful and humiliating and spells the end for Pacey and Joey as a couple. Pacey’s feelings of inadequacy were a constant in the series, but blaming Joey for his shortcomings, publicly and on a boat with no escape was cruel. And yet, the two find a way to remain friends. They even end the show together, something shippers had been hoping for since this humiliating scene.
Rebecca Sleeps With Greg’s Dad – Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
True, Rebecca and Greg were no longer together at this point. He left town and he had moved on. She had a right to move on or rebound or have meaningless sex. But with his father, Rebecca? Really? That’s a hard one to forgive. Rebecca was at a low point when she slept with Greg’s dad, and she did not expect him to return. Shippers would say his desire to work on their relationship afterward was a testament to what they had and how much they liked each other. Sometimes it comes down to what you can live with.
Clarke Leaves Bellamy To Die – The 100
Clarke and Bellamy are not technically lovers, but most fans consider them a couple, so we’re including them. Clarke loves Bellamy, but she also loves Madi, a child who was her only companion for five years, and who she basically considers her daughter. When there is a choice between saving Madi and leaving Bellamy to die, or going back for Bellamy and risking Madi, Clarke does what any mother would do. She chooses her daughter. She carries the guilt with her, and while she eventually finds out Bellamy survived, he is hardly her biggest fan anymore. But at the end of the day, they are Bellarke, and with a little push from Madi, Bellamy realizes that he can’t hold it against her.
Clark Doses Himself With Red-K and Leaves Lana – Smallville
As epic as their romance was, Clark did a lot to hurt Lana. He usually didn’t mean to, and often it was to protect her, but that won’t dry her tears now, will it? Generally, we forgive Clark for things he does while under the influence of red kryptonite. However, on Smallville Season 2 Episode 23, he makes the choice to get high on the drug to escape his feelings of guilt and then rides off on a motorcycle to who knows where leaving a tearful Lana in the dust. Clark’s actions here were selfish, hurtful, and frankly immature. Then again, he was only sixteen. Years later, when the whole truth comes out, Lana forgives every deceit to be with the man she loves. Perhaps she forgot this moment.
Cole Being Evil And Stuff – Charmed
So, Cole was an evil demon and his job was to kill Phoebe, one of The Charmed Ones. He kept failing because he fell in love with her. So, he tried to be good, but he kept failing at that too, becoming The Source Of All Evil and then becoming even more powerful from that after absorbing powers in a demon wasteland. He did love Phoebe and she loved him, but that never seemed to be enough to stop him from being evil and killing people. In the end, these two did not end up together, and many shippers will never get over it. Are they right, or was Phoebe right to decide she forgave Cole one too many times?
