In just the first half of the year, TV fans had to say goodbye to several dynamic duos that became mainstays in the 2010s. A quick moment of silence for Abbi and Illana on “Broad City”, and let’s not forget Arya and Sansa from “Game Of Thrones.”
What made those examples of enduring friendship so powerful was how each character made the other stronger. The same goes for the friendships we’ve been introduced to in 2019, whether they had to help decipher Russian code (“Stranger Things”) or walk around with a plunger to pretend to be a camp janitor (“Maisel”).
Friendships are blooming on TV without having to go on Bumble BFF. How do they do it? TheWrap has put together a crop of TV friends that can maybe help you work up the courage to invite your co-worker to that concert.
Steve and Robin – “Stranger Things 3”
In the new season that dropped July 4, “Stranger Things” fans said hello to the Scoop Troop: Steve (Joe Keery), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and newcomer Robin (Maya Hawke). Steve and Dustin instantly went back to their goofy light-saber salutes and giggly gags we saw them have in Season 2, but Steve and Robin’s slowly brewing kinship was a neat surprise. During a scene toward the end of the season when Steve and Robin are puking their guts out for spoiler-y reasons, Steve pours his feelings out for Robin. Even though the conversation didn’t go as Steve planned, Robin accepting his confusion and in turn validating their friendship was one of the show’s key moments.
Rue and Jules – “Euphoria”
In the season premiere of the HBO drama, Jules (Hunter Schafer) is trying to make her way through a high school party when she is confronted by the almost-always-shirtless jock Nate (Jacob Elordi), who is drunk and jealous out of his mind. Rue (Zendaya) is in the crowd, but she only watches. Rue would later come up to Jules to comfort her, even going home with Jules to just lay in bed and talk. Both their troubled pasts bring them together throughout the season, even leading to a scene where Rue barges into Jules’ room to tell her she doesn’t want to see Jules get hurt. Rue kisses her. Even if platonic or not, their love is a bright spot during an otherwise bleak school year.
Midge and Susie – “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Now, before you say the rising comedian (played by Rachel Brosnahan) and her manager (Alex Borstein) were already friends, let’s point you to episode four of Season 2. At lunch, Midge casually brings up that she is about to take a two-month vacation to the Catskill Mountains. Susie is floored. What about touring? Why did Susie come to the diner in the first place, to just hear Midge say goodbye? “How many times do I have to say this. We are co-workers, not friends,” Susie says. Her tone changes when Midge brings out a ring she was going to give her as a gift. Even though she’s hesitant, Susie accepts, and we’re all just giddy about it.
Danny and Karl – “Striking Vipers”
Danny (Anthony Mackie) and Karl (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) had fun playing video games in college, but adult life had them slowly drifting apart. Danny and Karl begin to connect again after they start playing a VR-style “Mortal Kombat” game. The relationship they begin to have inside the game has them questioning their sexuality. But the relationship also shows us how two guy friends can learn to communicate clearly with each other, like during a scene when Danny and Karl argue in the rain. Even though they begin to fight, the two “bros” are given a chance to speak to each other about how they’re feeling without the fear of seeming effeminate or weak.
Otis and Maya – “Sex Education”
Despite having a mom (Gillian Anderson) that’s a sex therapist, British high-school student Otis (Asa Butterfield) opens up to social outcast Maeve (Emma Mackey) about his struggles with intimacy. They help each other by helping others, letting their mistakes inform how they should deal with their own romantic inadequacies.
Jen and Judy – “Dead To Me”
Widows Jen (Christina Applegate) and Judy (Linda Cardellini) offer each other a shoulder to cry on in this Netflix dramedy. Even though a web of lies threatens to foil their friendship, the season finale leaves little doubt that they are both in it for the long haul.
Annie and Fran – “Shrill”
The roommate banter between Annie (Aidy Bryant) and Fran (Lolly Adefope) gives us warm “Broad City” vibes. Their friendship is pure, hyping each other up despite the outside world giving them every reason why they should be upset with themselves. If the journey to self-acceptance is better with someone coming along the way, give us Annie and Fran.
Ryan and Kim – “Special”
Ryan (Ryan O’ Connell) and Kim (Punam Patel) both have trouble feeling comfortable in their own skin when they meet working at a confessional blog called “eggwoke.” The Netflix comedy shows the two working out their anxieties with each other, like when Kim has Ryan — who get second thoughts about going to a pool party — take his clothes off and say everything he loves about his own body.
Maya and Anna – “Pen15”
Find someone who can be your cheerleader while you’re doing your best Jim Carrey impression. That’s Maya and Anna in the new Hulu comedy “Pen15,” starring Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle as fictionalized versions of their middle school teenaged selves.
Tilly and Po – “Star Trek: Discovery”
Ensign Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) discovers stowaway Po (Yadira Guevara-Prip), not knowing her new shipmate is the queen of an alien species and an engineering genius. The latter proves important, since Po’s invention helps propel the U.S.S. Discovery 900 years into the future, separating the friends by centuries.
