We’ve seen the formula on many of our TV shows: infatuation turns to an unhealthy obsession which sometimes turns into full-on stalking.
There are various types of obsessive love.
There’s the outright stalker that hopes his good charms win over the girl before he eventually kills her.
There’s also the obsessed lover who hides behind a computer screen or mask, and then there are the subtler stalkers who think their behaviors are totally normal when, in fact, they’re 100% creepy and dangerous.
The desire to possess and control the person they have strong feelings for without accepting rejection.
And this doesn’t just pertain to men; women can be just as psychologically manipulative.
Debra & John – Dirty John Dirty John is a real-life story that inspired a viral podcast and later, a Bravo TV series. From the outside, Debra had a perfect life, but she couldn’t find love. But when she met John, a charming nurse anesthetist, she was swept off her feet. But John wasn’t what he seemed and her children quickly picked up on his conman-like tendencies. You’ll never believe how this twisted love story ends.
Joe & Beck – YOU Joe was a classic sociopath that did a horrible job at lurking outside of apartments, but Beck never noticed because she was too busy trying to craft the perfect life on social media. She was an easy target — she was impressionable with low self-esteem. She thought she’d hit the jackpot when she met Joe, but little did she know, he was going to be her biggest nightmare. The series allowed you to get inside Joe’s mind and understand his motivations which, at times, made you almost agree with him. Scary.
Elena & Damon (and Stefan) – The Vampire Diaries While I was a huge #Delena fan, you have to admit that, at times, their relationship was a little creepy. Aside from their massive age difference, Damon spent hundreds of years trying to find Katherine, fell in love with her doppleganger then stole her from his brother Stefan, who also cozied up to Elena because of her resemblance to Katherine. Their relationship was toxic and controlling, but they couldn’t let each other go.
Jen and Henry – Dawsons Creek Henry followed Jen around for months, stood outside her house for hours and would show up at her work just so she would talk to him. That’s borderline creepy if you ask me.
Chuck and Blair – Gossip Girl We all looked at Chuck Bass through rose-tinted glass because duh, he’s Chuck Bass. But really, the series tried to normalize and write off his controlling, possessive, dominant, and entitled ways as typical ‘bad boy’ behavior. He manipulated Blair on many occasions, tried to buy her affection with expensive gifts, and let’s not forget, tried to sexually assault half the characters.
Peyton & Ian (Derek) – One Tree Hill One Tree Hill was known for its outrageous storylines. Ian crept into Peyton’s life by pretending to be her half-brother, Derek. We all knew there was something off with him by how creepily he sniffed Peyton’s hair, when he hired a prostitute to dress up like her, and eventually, when he tried to rape her.
Hermione & Hiram – Riverdale Hiram and Hermione’s relationship is beyond complicated and we’re not sure who the master manipulator really is. Hermione always acted like she had no other choice but to stay with her evil husband. We assumed Hiram was the alpha in the relationship, which is why she remained loyal to him, lied for him and defended him, however, lately she’s up to some shady dealings too. Bottom line: they are toxic and threatening together.
Felicity and Ben – Felicity Ben wasn’t the best boyfriend to Felicity. He didn’t always treat her well, he was selfish, manipulative, and made her feel bad for anything she did. But Felicity’s biggest mistake was ditching her plans and following a man to New York City. That’s a big no-no, ladies.
Fitz and Olivia – Scandal Liv and Fitz were equally as obsessed with each other and, at times, their love threatened the safety of the country. Fitz even risked everything for Liv when he willingly used his powers as POTUS to go to war for her.
Lucious and Cookie – Empire Lucious and Cookie are crazy obsessed with destroying each other one minute and then obsessed with each other the next. Lucious even let Cookie rot in prison. She was determined to take him down and get a piece of his success, and at one point, they even tried to kill each other.
(Fox) Tate and Violet – American Horror Story There was once a time where Tate and Violet were the people’s ship, but that was before we learned that he was a school shooter and also that he had raped Violet’s mom, Vivian. Under these circumstances, any woman would flee, but Violet ignored how obsessed he was with her and forgave him in exchange for their weird and twisted “happily ever after.”
Ross and Rachel – Friends Maybe they should have stayed “on a break.” Ross and Rachel’s relationship was dysfunctional. There were the obvious problems like cheating and trying to destroy each other’s relationships out of jealousy, but then there were moments that border on emotionally abusive. Ross was selfish, controlling, hellbent on winning Rachel’s affection, and liked to assert his dominance. Worst of all, he guilted Rachel into giving up her dream job in Paris to stay with him. A man who loves and respects you will never do that!
(NBC) Kieran and Emma – Scream Kieran started off as the “bad boy new kid” but was eventually revealed to have psychopathic tendencies. He pretended to love Emma, leaked her and Will’s sex tape to ensure they’d break up and he could be her ‘hero,’ manipulated her relationships with her friends including his cousin Eli, and, worst of all, terrorized her and killed her friends while pretending to help her hunt down said killer.
Rex and Sarah – Days of Our Lives Rex is one of those guys that doesn’t understand that no means no. He thinks that an “I’m sorry” is going to fix breaking Sarah’s heart at their engagement party after she found out he slept with and a had a baby with his former ex, Mimi. He attempts to reignite the relationship begging to take her back while admitting that he slept with her sister. Thank you, next.
(NBC) Nanny Carrie and Nathan – One Tree Hill Following the trajectory of crazy stories, One Tree Hill introduced Carrie. Nanny Carrie seemed perfect at first, however, she attempted to replace Haley by seducing Nathan, acted like Jamie’s mother, and tore the family apart. When she was fired she got revenge by kidnapping Jamie and later, Dan.
Rose and Luisa – Jane the Virgin Luisa and Rose are two of the most unstable characters that are not “better together.” Their relationship was doomed the moment it was revealed that Rose was Luisa’s stepmother and also her lover. She may love Luisa, but she also brings negativity into her life and pits her against her family. She also killed Luisa’s father, unmasked herself as the crime lord, Sin Rostro, and even kidnapped Luisa! When Luisa questions Rose’s motives, Rose always hits her with the “I love you” excuse like that’s supposed to make things better.
Alison & Emily – Pretty Little Liars There’s a serious issue with codependency when it comes to Alison and Emily. Alison was cruel to Emily growing up and manipulated both her and her friends, the liars. Still, Emily has always been infatuated with Alison; she’s had a certain image of Ali in her mind and she’s desperately holding onto those feelings. She continuously views Alison as the victim that needs to be helped, and while Ali has shaped up, she still treats Emily like a last resort. And don’t get me started about their babies who were practically forced onto them.
Emily & Daniel – Revenge Emily’s whole relationship with Daniel was based on a lie, which wasn’t fair to him. Daniel really did love Emily but she was consumed with revenge against his family. He may not have been the greatest guy, but he became collateral damage in Emily’s beef with his parents, whom she blamed for blackmailing her father.
Bill & Lorena – True Blood Lorena is Bill’s sire. Because of her previous sire, she has plenty of psychological issues. She’s completely obsessed with him and would do anything to make him love her, and the more violent he is towards her, the more she wants him. But Bill isn’t the only one to blame for the toxicity as, at one point, she tries to mutilate him with knives. And that’s not even the worse thing they’ve ever done to each other.
Clay & Katie – One Tree Hill Alright, the final One Tree Hill stalker story is a gem! Clay refuses to sign Katie, a prospective client, because of her striking resemblance to his late wife, Sara. Katie dyes her hair blonde to become Sara and begins stalking not only Clay but also his girlfriend Quinn in an attempt to change his mind. It all leads to an epic and deadly showdown at the house.
Megan & Kyle – The Arrangement There are so many wrong things with Megan and Kyle’s relationship. For starters, it’s an arranged relationship. Kyle is part of the Institute of the Higher Mind where he’s controlled by Terrence and their relationship is based on lies. Oh, and Kylie allows IHM to kidnap her, lock her up in the secluded grounds of their facility and brainwash her into being more submissive to their agenda.
Jake & Lindy – Eye Candy For starters, Jake was the Flirtual Killer. Jake was the perfect boyfriend and had romance down, but it was all a ploy to fool and manipulate Lindy. When Lindy did suspect him, he almost became a victim himself and made sure he was in jail and not capable of murder when the next attack occurred.
Buffy & Spike – Buffy the Vampire Slayer Buffy & Spike were killer friends, but that didn’t translate so well into their romantic relationship. In order for them to be together, Buffy had to embrace her dark side and a physically violent relationship. Their whole relationship consisted of pain, which eventually took a toll on Buffy and left them both unsatisfied. It didn’t help that she also couldn’t trust Spike. When she decided to cut it off, Spike became desperate, begged her to take him back, and tried to force himself onto her.
Norma & Norman – Bates Motel Norma and Norman established a close, codependent, and slightly incestual relationship. Norma was a good mother, but she lacked healthy boundaries. She loved him, protected him, and shielded him from the darkness, but all those qualities were psychologically damaging to him. He became obsessed with his mother, dependant on her, and it all eventually fed the murderous and psycho monster lurking inside of him.
(James Dittier/A&E) Celeste & Perry – Big Little Lies Celeste and Perry’s life and relationship seemed perfect to outsiders and friends alike, but Perry was both mentally and emotionally abusive to Celeste. He controlled her schedule, pushed her around, and made her afraid to leave the house. After each “episode,” Perry would sob and apologize, and Celeste would forgive him until the next time. But Celeste was also addicted to her husband’s rage, to their sex, and tried to normalize his behavior. At times, she even blamed herself for it.