Valentine’s Day is upon us, folks. Come tomorrow, people will be celebrating and proclaiming their love for one another and ensuring that Hershey’s and Hallmark stay in business for at least another few years (for the record, I’m not actually this cynical–just embracing my inner Sandy Cohen, who will definitely be mentioned in this article). Countless people will be filling restaurants and other locales to celebrate the holiday, but if you and your significant other, or maybe just you, yourself, want to avoid all the craziness and stay inside and have some fun, we’ve got some great Valentine’s Day TV episodes that you can put on and enjoy instead this weekend. Watch some of your favorite TV characters fall in and out of love in these five great Valentine’s Day TV episodes.
The O.C., “The Heartbreak”
“The Heartbreak” is a classic episode of The O.C., and it’s most definitely the best Valentine’s Day episode that the show ever did. I mean, you really can’t beat an hour in which Seth gives his “undeniable” speech to Summer, the two of them sleep together, and he then awkwardly compares the experience to fish when talking with Ryan (“Ryan, I was Nemo, and I just wanted to go home”). Plus, “The Heartbreak” features Sandy and Kirsten at their best, with their constant back and forth about whether or not Valentine’s Day is really a holiday (but come on, we all knew that Sandy Cohen was a romantic underneath all his complaining), Ryan and Marissa’s tearful conversation about how much she hurt him with Oliver, and the beginning of Luke and Julie’s affair. Seriously, what more could you want from an episode of The O.C.?
Arrested Development, “The Marta Complex”
Michael is ready to let his feelings for Gob’s girlfriend Marta go just as Valentine’s Day rolls in in this hilarious episode of Arrested Development, but when he thinks that Marta has feelings for another guy–the mysterious “Hermano”–he tries to discover who it is in order to protect his brother (not knowing the whole time that hermano actually means “brother” in Spanish and that the guy that Marta is beginning to have feelings for is actually him). Easily one of the best episodes of the show’s first season.
Parks and Recreation, “Operation Ann”
Is there anything better than watching Ron Swanson on a scavenger hunt? As this week’s Parks and Rec reminded us, the answer is no, which is why this Season 4 episode of the series is such a blast, as Ron and Andy help Ben crack Leslie’s elaborate Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt so that he can meet her for their date. But that’s not the only elaborate plan that Leslie has put into motion; she has also sets up the titular “Operation Ann,” which requires all members of the parks department to bring an eligible bachelor for Ann to the Valentine’s Day Dance that night. However, it turns out that Ann already has a date, one that completely shocks Leslie: Tom.
Glee, “Silly Love Songs”
“Silly Love Songs” is easily one of the best episodes of Glee‘s second season, and that’s because it allowed the romances and friendships between the members of the glee club to continue to blossom in fun and quirky, but (for the most part) pretty realistic ways. Sure, Santana giving mono to both Finn and Quin that quickly isn’t possible, and the Warblers’ performance of “When I Get You Alone” in the Gap is more than a little ridiculous, but it’s all light and fun and even ends up being a little heartwarming by episode’s end. Plus, it’s all about the kids–there’s minimal Will and no Sue in sight.
Modern Family, “My Funky Valentine”
Two words: Clive Bixby. The alter-ego that Phil uses to spice things up between him and Claire is one of the best things that Modern Family has ever given us. The first time we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bixby remains one of the show’s finest and funniest episodes and shows why Ty Burrell is an Emmy winner.
Three bonus episodes: For those who, like me, thought that Dan and Blair should have ended up together on Gossip Girl, watch the Season 5 episode “Crazy, Cupid, Love,” which is available on Netflix. It’s got some boring parts, but the Dan/Blair stuff is most certainly worth the watch. Then there’s Community‘s Season 1 episode, “Communication Studies,” which has Jeff drunk dialing Britta and Annie and Shirley coming to Troy’s defense against Chang; however, the highlight of the whole thing is Jeff and Abed’s drunken night of debauchery, filled with Breakfast Club references and more. And finally, this week’s episode of New Girl, “The Crawl,” has instantly become one of my all-time favorite Valentine’s Day TV episodes. If you’re a New Girl fan and still need to watch it, fix that this weekend.
What’s your favorite Valentine’s Day TV episode? Let us know in the comments below.
[Photos via FOX, NBC, ABC & The CW]
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Loved this piece, great job!!!
Thanks so much!