We all know those looks, a character spent a season battling their feelings for a crush and then there is that moment.
The other person isn’t looking and our favorite character sneaks that glance that screams how in love they are with someone who has no idea.
It hurts our hearts because we just want those two to get together, and yet at the same time we love that for ourselves.
There is something about getting to see someone’s love that translates so successfully on the screen, leaving us with our own favorite looks of longing.
19 Women on TV That Deserve Our Appreciation
It is all about the buildup that managed to make that moment so iconic for us, but it is also about the promise of more of this.
It is really nice to get to see characters feeling, in a way it might even deserve to be celebrated.
This is why this is a slideshow that collected a selection of looks, either from one character that absolutely nailed it or even a couple that couldn’t stop themselves from stealing a glance.
Clarke Griffin (The 100)
Once could be an accident, but twice is a pattern. The 100 Season 5 had Clarke struggling to reconfigure a reunion with Bellamy that she was thinking about for six years. It didn’t pan out the way she planned because her face said it all whenever she saw Bellamy with Echo and we really freaking felt that. It was heartbreaking in the best way because no one would have that longing look on their face unless they were jealous about the shift in their relationship with their soulmate.
Max Evans (Roswell, New Mexico)
Not getting romantic Max and Liz right away was a difficult adjustment, which is why having Max so in love with her carries the show while we weight. The potential is being crafted from the looks that Max constantly throws her way, heartbreaking doesn’t even begin to cover it but it is a start.
Cassie and Cole (12 Monkeys)
There was no way these two wouldn’t find their way into this slideshow, not when you consider this type of look being shared all throughout the series. We get it, these two are meant to be and want to make sure we all know it.
Kat Edison (The Bold Type)
It almost hurts to look back at this right now, but maybe The Bold Type Season 3 will resurrect the intense feelings that lingered between Kat and Adena since they met. Kat trying to figure out her feelings for Adena was a rough ride, but these looks felt so relatable because we could feel it alongside her.
Wyatt Logan (Timeless)
Wyatt put in a lot of work to make sure our hearts would break alongside his. It is fine though since it was all worth it, and this was the buildup to something truly epic.
Reggie Mantle (Riverdale)
Reggie really knows how to swoop in and make us root for him and Veronica. There was so much longing in these kinds of looks, it is honestly impossible to look away from our screen when this happens.
Magnus Bane (Shadowhunters)
There is lots of talk about Alec looking at Magnus, it only seemed right to highlight all the hope that Magnus carries in the way he looks at Alec. Calling it adorable is an understatement, but breathtaking could work just as well.
Felicity Smoak (Arrow)
Felicity nails the emotion that goes into making a couple work on screen, especially with scenes like this that Arrow managed to bless us with.
Pacey Witter (Dawson’s Creek)
There aren’t any real words to describe Pacey looking at Joey. It was obvious though that they had to come together in the end, there was too much potential there.
Will Gorski and Riley Blue (Sense8)
They may have been miles and countries apart, but when they looked at each other with so much love it felt like they were together in the same place. Will and Riley proved that love could conquer all, and they had longing looks to back it up.
Danny Wheeler (Baby Daddy)
Waiting for Danny and Riley to finally get it together was easier when you had Danny giving her those looks. It would break your heart but it also made you believe in love, especially with longing like that.
Tommy Calligan (Eye Candy)
Tommy was the reason Tindy existed as a ship on the show in the first place, there was so much want from his side of the relationship. It just made sense when Tommy would look at Lindy.
Xena and Gabrielle (Xena: Warrior Princess)
These two loved each other and it only broke our hearts more when they shared these kinds of glances. There was so much hope and promise for something more, they both knew it and so did we.
Jim Halpert (The Office)
The Office probably wouldn’t be what it was if Jim wasn’t that good at showing those heartbreaking looks Pam’s way.
Donna Paulsen and Harvey Specter (Suits)
There’s nothing else to say except finally. These two have been throwing longing looks for years, it is about time it was paid off for them and for us.
Alex Danvers (Supergirl)
Alex’s feelings for Maggie went beyond just a small crush, which is why each look was so angsty and loving. There was that hope for more than even Alex wasn’t fully aware of yet, and it was amazing to experience.
Lucifer Morningstar and Chloe Decker (Lucifer)
These two are all about the promising looks fueled with lingering emotion that is one second away from boiling over the surface. It is almost harder to find Lucifer and Chloe looking at each other where they aren’t longing for more.
Kate Austen and James “Sawyer” Ford (Lost)
This might set up a debate for some but Sawyer looking at Kate always left an impression on the show. It was heartbreaking but also so beautiful to get to witness.
Frank Castle and Karen Page (The Punisher)
The couple that never truly got to fully be is the one that almost killed all of us with the perfect heartbreak that paired with all their looks. Find us someone who looks at us like Frank looked at Karen.
Buffy Summers and Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
There was plenty of factors always fighting to keep these two from being together, which is why it was worth treasuring every scene of theirs.
Klaus Mikaelson (The Vampire Diaries)
Klaus and Caroline couldn’t work when they first met, but he could still wish for it. From the very first moment they met, Klaus was breaking all our hearts with the enchanted way that he looked at Caroline. He longed for her and we longer for them to get it together and finally get together.
Hook (Once Upon a Time)
The wait for Hook and Emma to get together was singlehandedly carried by these longing looks. Fans knew to have hope every time Hook broke their hearts when he looked at Emma.
Fallon Carrington (Dynasty)
There is just something about this look that makes us really happy every single time we see it.
Wade Kinsella (Hart of Dixie)
Hart of Dixie thrived in the way that Wade looked at Zoe, even when it felt like there was no hope in sight. Wade’s love for Zoe helped make sure every scene between them was equal amounts promising and heartbreaking.
Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow (Game of Thrones)
Game of Thrones will deliver plenty of Dany and Jon for us, but there is just something about those moments before canon that deserves to be included.
Bash and Mary (Reign)
This may not have actually become the endgame of Reign, but that doesn’t take away from the possibilities in these looks.
Logan Echolls and Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)
These two are seriously competing for who manages to have the most iconic look for the other. Even after years of not seeing each other, as soon as they are in a room together everyone can feel the love they still hold for one another.
