Grayson West
Television and film thrive on messy love stories, the kind you can’t help but get invested in season after season. But when you look closer, those stories sometimes leaned into behaviors that had little to do with genuine affection. The entertainment value was real, but the warning signs were, too. Here are the on-screen partners that revealed the darker side of romance.
Chuck Bass In “Gossip Girl”
Chuck Bass’s behavior in “Gossip Girl” reveals deep-rooted cruelty. He deliberately exposed Blair’s intimate secrets to damage her reputation after she got intimate with him. Their relationship cycled through intense fights and makeups, while his actions suggested he derived pleasure from causing her emotional pain.
Edward Cullen In The “Twilight” Saga
The 104-year-old vampire Edward doesn’t respect personal boundaries, regularly breaking into Bella’s house to watch her sleep. He actively works to isolate her from friends and family. His stalking behavior also reveals deeply controlling tendencies. Not to mention, the vampire permanently turned Bella into a different creature entirely.
Christian Grey In “Fifty Shades Of Grey”
Instead of building trust, Christian Grey relied on control. His stalking and possessiveness weren’t signs of passion, but tactics that exploited Ana’s vulnerability. By buying her workplace, he erased boundaries between personal and professional life. If you’ve watched similar dynamics unfold, you know how toxic they can feel.
Nate Jacobs In “Euphoria”
Nate’s toxic behavior extends far beyond typical teenage drama. His aggressive, deceitful treatment of Maddy reveals a dangerous pattern of control and manipulation. Meanwhile, his deep-seated insecurities fuel violent outbursts and emotional abuse that he tries passing off as love.
Damon Salvatore In “The Vampire Diaries”
The red flags in their relationship were impossible to ignore. Elena’s choices were compromised by the sire bond, which also led to her vampire transformation. Additionally, Damon undermined his brother by pursuing Elena, then later confessed to the toxic nature of their connection.
Ross Geller In “Friends”
Emotions drove Ross into patterns that hurt more than helped. Unresolved attachment to Rachel spilled into other relationships and poisoned them before they could last. His possessive streak amplified conflict, and his unwillingness to finalize their Vegas marriage showed just how tightly he clung to unhealthy attachments.
Jade West In “Victorious”
Beck faced constant challenges with Jade West in “Victorious.” Her possessive nature and jealous reactions poisoned their relationship dynamic, yet she continued manipulating situations to maintain control. Subsequently, her mean-spirited behavior impacted not just Beck but their entire social circle.
Jaime Lannister In “Game Of Thrones”
Jaime and Cersei’s bond was less about love and more about moral decay. Their codependency fueled manipulation that created cycles of emotional harm. This obsessive attachment drove choices that destroyed everyone around. You could see their eventual deaths as the inevitable outcome of such a toxic union.
Alex Vause In “Orange Is The New Black”
Prison walls couldn’t contain the dysfunction between Alex and Piper in “Orange is the New Black.” Their genuine love twisted into a poisonous dance of betrayal. Alex’s criminal lifestyle endangered partners, while her controlling nature sparked a cycle of mutual sabotage.
Blaine Anderson In “Glee”
You’ve probably seen how insecurity can push people toward control. For Blaine, it showed in the way he handled Kurt’s habits and reacted to harmless texts. His talent on stage couldn’t outweigh the jealousy that marked him as a difficult, unstable partner.