Whether you partake in Valentine’s Day or not, the red hearts, roses and chocolates are inescapable this time of year; so you might as well enjoy it! What better way is there than to curl up on your sofa, treat yourself to some love-heart sweets and binge sappy sitcoms? Read on for a list of our favorite Valentine’s TV episodes.
The Simpsons, ‘I Love Lisa’ (Season 4, Episode 4)
Perhaps the most classic of classics when it comes to Valentine’s themed television, ‘I Love Lisa’ is both adorably heartbreaking and entirely relatable. While passing out Valentine’s cards in class, Lisa notices that Ralph hasn’t received a single card from anyone. As an act of both compassion and charity, Lisa gives him a card. Ralph takes her card as a sign of her endless love for him and immediately reciprocates the gesture – and more. The moral of the story? Never gift a Valentine out of pity. Nonetheless, this episode will warm your heart strings and make you wish for a Ralphie of your very own!
Modern Family, ‘My Funky Valentine’ (Season 1, Episode 15)
Winning the ‘cringeworthy’ award in our books, ‘My Funky Valentine’ leaves little to be desired in the ‘Valentine’s department. More unusual than other episodes, this one predominantly follows the story of Claire and Phil’s plans for the evening. In an effort to ‘spice things up’ the couple retreat to a hotel bar to role-play as strangers who meet by coincidence. Phil’s alter ego ‘Clive Bixby’ reaches a more elevated level of awkward than Phil’s usual self as he accidentally enters the wrong hotel room waiting for Claire. Complete with blunders, dad-jokes and Claire’s “don’t ruin it” attitude, this is not an episode to be overlooked.
Futurama, ‘Parasites Lost’ (Season 3, Episode 2)
After eating a questionable egg-salad sandwich from a petrol station, Fry becomes the host for a highly sophisticated civilisation of parasites who not only make him nearly invincible, but also make him devastatingly intelligent. Once aware of the situation, Professor Farnsworth sends miniature versions of the crew into Fry’s body to negotiate with the worms and ultimately remove them. However, his new-found savviness woos Leela and Fry finally gets the girl. This episode is one in the long line of Fry-Leela episodes that will make you blubber like a baby – so get your tissues ready!
Orange Is The New Black, ‘You Also Have a Pizza’ (Season 2, Episode 6)
While not your usual go-to for sweet Valentine’s genre romance, Orange is the New Black packs a serious amour punch. The inmates prepare for their annual Valentine’s bash, decorating and reminiscing on past relationships. Poussey’s history is revealed and we learn of her one great forbidden love affair, and how she loved and lost. As an additional dimension of secretive love, Bennett and Daya sneak off to imagine what love would be if not for the prison and how they would spend their date somewhere else. This episode of Orange is the New Black is as easy to watch as it is easy to enjoy.
Black Mirror, ‘San Junipero’ (Season 3, Episode 4)
Set in a 1987 beach resort town and with an overriding arch of romance, we follow the story of Yorkie and Kelly – two visitors of the town. While quickly revealed to be a simulated reality, Yorkie and Kelly fall in love during their limited time spans in San Junipero, and wait together for their timers to run out each evening. Finding each other outside of the simulation, in real life as they truly are, their story is one of tragedy and deep appreciation for one another. A rare blend of sci-fi undertones and heart-breaking humility.
Image: Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay