This Sunday, February 14, AMC is celebrating Valentine’s Day with the return of The Walking Dead for the second half of its sixth season. It’s fitting, because there have been plenty of romantic relationships in The Walking Dead. And they all have one thing in common.
They’re doomed. All of them. Every single romance on this show will end in heartbreak.
That’s not a spoiler, it’s simply the reality of the world in which they live. In The Walking Dead, the living are far outnumbered by shall we say… the living impaired. At some point, everyone is gonna die. Especially if there are ever any difficult contract negotiations with the cast!
So, why even bother loving someone in world that’s designed to destroy that romance? Well, why do anything if the world’s gone to s***? Just because we know the ending doesn’t mean that the characters can’t carve a little piece of happiness out this unrelenting misery. Think about it: if you had to deal with the end of the world in your every waking moment, wouldn’t you rather have someone to love in whatever time you had left?
Related: The Walking Dead’s Dead Reunite For a New Photo
Another consideration to keep in mind is that nobody has your back like a romantic partner. The most successful couples on The Walking Dead have adapted to their surroundings and they can often defend each other at the first sign of trouble. Nothing says “I love you” like taking out the walker that was about to chow down on your beloved.
In the photo gallery below, you can check out our ranking of the top 10 couples in The Walking Dead. Did we leave anyone out? Who is your favorite couple on the show? Let us know in the comment section below!
Photo Credits: AMC
The Top 10 Couples In The Walking Dead
There are spoilers for seasons 1 through the first half of season 6 in the gallery. You’ve been warned!
The Top 10 Couples of The Walking Dead
-
10. Shane and Lori
If Rick had died, Shane and Lori would have been the power couple of The Walking Dead.
But Rick didn’t die, and Shane just couldn’t let go of his feelings for Lori. One of the reasons that fans grew to hate Lori is that she kept leading Shane on in the second season.
That sliver of hope led Shane to hatch a plan to murder Rick...which did not work out well for Shane.
Photo Credit: AMC
-
9. Carl and Enid
It has to be said that this is not a popular ‘ship on the show. But Carl and Enid are actually a great example of what a teenage romance would look like in this world. Enid avoids any emotional attachment to Carl or her previous boyfriend, Ron. Yet she’ll still allow herself an occasional happy moment with them.
Carl hasn’t quite figured out the rules yet. And given the cliffhanger of the midseason finale, it remains to be seen if Carl and Enid will even see each other again.
Photo Credit: AMC
-
8. Deanna and Reg
Within The Walking Dead, Deanna and Reg had only a small presence, but they did leave a major impact on the survivors.
They welcomed Rick and his group into the Alexandria safe zone while displaying love and kindness that wasn’t shared by all of their neighbors. It was also very clear that Deanna and Reg loved each other very much.
So, of course Reg died horribly a few episodes later. Deanna was never the same after his death, and she appears to be well on her way to joining him.
Photo Credit: AMC
-
7. Andrea and The Governor
You’d be surprised, but Andrea is actually a fan-favorite character in The Walking Dead comic book series. Not so much in the TV show. A large reason for that was Andrea’s sexual relationship with the Governor and her initial inability to see his darker side.
And yet the Governor never seemed more human than in his private moments with Andrea. Of course, the ultimate break up is when you kill your right hand man and leave his body in a locked room to kill your ex-lover when he turns into a zombie.
Yes, the Governor was a really terrible boyfriend.
Photo Credit: AMC
-
6. Aaron and Eric
Aaron and Eric have the first same-sex relationship that has been depicted on The Walking Dead...but they won’t be the last.
Aaron has noted that his Alexandria neighbors don’t necessarily approve of him or Eric, but he has some degree of acceptance there. The show gave its approval to Aaron and Eric by the tender reaction of their first reunion when Eric was injured, and their hilarious dinner with Daryl Dixon later in the fifth season.
Photo Credit: AMC
-
5. Abraham and Rosita
Sometimes the best couples are the ones who can kick ass together. That’s definitely Abraham and Rosita on this show. Rosita also has a positive impact on Abraham’s more negative personality traits...although his temper has gotten out of hand.
Given Abraham’s wandering eye towards Sasha, the fire may have gone out of this relationship.
Photo Credit: AMC
-
4. Sasha and Bob
Sasha and Bob’s relationship was unexpectedly fun because it made them both a lot happier and even hopeful about their future together. Inevitably, the show made them suffer when Bob was bitten by a zombie and mutilated by the Terminus survivors.
The farewell scene between Sasha and Bob was gut-wrenching, and she’s never really been the same since.
Photo Credit: AMC
-
3. Rick and Lori
Rick and Lori had massive relationship problems on The Walking Dead, particularly over her affair with Shane. And while their relationship never recovered from Shane’s murder attempt, Rick made his feelings clear when he was devastated by Lori’s demise.
But even in death, Rick was haunted by Lori as his sanity slipped away. Lori’s “ghost” stayed with Rick until he finally forgave himself for his failings.
Photo Credit: AMC
-
2. Daryl and Carol
Daryl and Carol have the unique distinction of being one of the most popular couples on The Walking Dead...who aren’t actually a couple!
Well, not a romantic couple. But Carol and Daryl formed a deep connection during the second season which has endured several years of strife and torment.
They no longer have much sexual tension, but their close relationship continues to spark heated debates among fans.
Photo Credit: AMC
-
1. Maggie and Glenn
Was there any doubt that the heart and soul of The Walking Dead belong to Maggie and Glenn? Unlike Rick and Lori, Maggie and Glenn have never been challenged by feelings of infidelity. They are completely and utterly devoted to each other...and they’re both kickass fighters.
Walking Dead fans had a big scare when Glenn appeared to die earlier this season. But The Walking Dead’s super couple isn’t out of the woods yet. Be on the lookout for a “vampire bat.” You’ll know what I mean, soon enough.
Photo Credit: AMC
