20 Classic Television Meet-Cutes

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The First Encounters Of 20 Classic TV Couples gallery cover
Sure, we all remember Jim and Pam's epic kiss at the end of The Office's Season 2 finale, but what about their very first interaction? Prepare for a trip down memory lane as Decider takes a look back at the first encounters of 20 classic TV couples!

Photos: Everett Collection, NBC, AMC ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps

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Meet Cutes 2
Ross and Rachel (Friends)
What's the situation? So no one told Ross and Rachel that life was going to be this wayyyyy. As we're introduced to the Central Perk 6, Ross is getting divorced and Rachel just pulled a Runaway Bride on her wedding day. While the two knew each other in high school, this scene is the future couple's first encounter on the series.
First encounter: 
Monica: You remember my brother Ross?
Rachel: Sure. Hi... ah!
*An awkward Ross opens an umbrella into Rachel*
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Considering all the future shenanigans these two would go through, Ross opening an umbrella on Rachel is quite indicative of future calamity.
[Where to stream Friends]
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Meet Cutes 1
Jim and Pam (The Office)
What's the situation? Amidst rumors of potential downsizing, Jim and Pam, two characters synonymous with workplace romance, embark upon a very serious conversation.
First encounter:
Pam: I have an important question for you.
Jim: Yes?
Pam: Um, are you going to Angela's cat party on Sunday?
Jim: Yeah, stop. That is ridiculous.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? You betcha! Jim and Pam may not have invented the work flirt, but they certainly mastered it.
[Where to stream The Office]
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Meet Cutes 6
Seth and Summer (The O.C.)
What's the situation? Long before Seth and Summer were declaring their undying love for one another on various coffee carts, the two had an icy connection that can best be described as, well, non-existent. Moments before the now infamous "Welcome to the O.C., bitch!" quip, Summer was trying to hook up with Ryan, which in hindsight, ew, because that just seems all types of wrong. A heartbroken Seth, who has harbored a longtime crush on Ms. Roberts, catches her in the act.
First encounter: 
Seth (to Ryan): What are you doing? I named my boat after her.
Summer: What? Eww. Who are you?
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? No, but Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson's chemistry was undeniable as their relationship would be a pillar of the classic Fox series.
[Where to stream The O.C.]
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Meet Cutes 7
Schmidt and Cece (New Girl)
What's the situation? Cece uncomfortably waits for Jess as Nick, Coach, and Schmidt stare at her in a fairly creepy manner until she eventually threatens to "crazy murder" them if anything happens to Jess.
First encounter:
Schmidt: What is it, Cece? Cecilia? Checilia? Tell me, what are your hopes and dreams? You know, are you warm? I'm a little warm right now.
*Schmidt removes his shirt in an attempt to impress Cece*
Schmidt: Oh, yeah there it is.
Cece: Please put your shirt back on. Please don't make me laugh at you.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Yes. Hell yes. Perhaps more than any scene on this list, this meet-cute perfectly encapsulates the Schmidt and Cece dynamic.
[Where to stream New Girl]
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Buffy and Angel
Buffy and Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
What's the situation? Sensing she's being followed, Buffy acrobatically swings down from a bar and kicks Angel in the back, which is kinda foreplay for these two.
First encounter:
Angel: Is there a problem, ma'am?
Buffy: Yeah, there's a problem. Why are you following me?
Angel: I know what you're thinking, but don't worry. I don't bite. Truth is I thought you'd be taller. Or bigger muscles and all that. You're pretty spry though.
Buffy: What do you want?
Angel: The same thing you do.
Buffy: Okay, what do I want?
Angel: To kill them. To kill them all.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Definitely. Violence, flirting, banter? It's Buffy and Angel in a nutshell.
[Where to stream Buffy the Vampire Slayer]

GIF: Hulu

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Meet Cutes 11
Mitch and Cam (Modern Family)
What's the situation? Mitch and Cam are on a flight and they're bringing Lilly home for the very first time.
First encounter:
Lady: Honey, honey, look at those babies with those cream puffs.
Mitchell: Okay, excuse me. (stands up to give speech) Excuse me, but this baby would've grown up in a crowded orphanage if it wasn't for us cream puffs. And you know what? No, to all of you who judge. Hear this: Love knows no race, creed, or gender. And shame on you, you small-minded, ignorant few...
Cameron: Mitchell!
Mitchell: What?!
Cameron: (motions to cream puffs in Lily's hands) She's got the cream puffs.
Mitchell: Oh.
Cameron: We would like to pay for everyone's headsets.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? I can't possibly think of a better way to introduce this couple.
[Where to stream Modern Family]
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Happy Endings
Brad and Jane (Happy Endings)
What's the situation? Moments after Alex leaves Dave at the alter, the gang (minus the not so happy couple) rehash the events of the day at a bar.
First encounter:
Brad: I know she's your sister and everything, babe, but that was cold-blooded.
Max: Are you really not drinking right now? Because I'd like to think that if this happened at my Massachusetts civil union and you were the best man, you'd be shlamm-ered.
Brad: Jane and I are on our pre-pregnancy cleanse. No meat, no sugar, no booze.
Jane: I like to keep a tidy uterus.
Brad: She does.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Yes. No couple makes doting and intense sexual charisma seem more adorable than Brad and Jane.
[Where to stream Happy Endings]

GIF: Hulu

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Meet Cutes 12
Josh and Donna (West Wing)
What's the situation? Fearing that Josh might be fired, Donna brings him coffee, which would be normal if it wasn't the first time she's done so in two and a half years.
First encounter: 
Donna: You shouldn't have worn that tie on television. It bleeds.
Josh: I don't think the tie was what got me in trouble.
Donna: Yeah, but I've told you a zillion times.
Josh: What's that?
Donna: It's coffee.
Josh: I thought so.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Yep! Rapid fire banter and hidden depth wrapped up in conversational gymnastics is a Sorkin staple.
[Where to stream The West Wing]

NETFLIX

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Meet Cutes 10
Cory and Topanga (Boy Meets World, Season 1, Episode 4)
What's the situation? After bombing a presentation with Shawn, Mr. Feeny assigns Cory a new partner: Topanga
First encounter:
Cory: Topanga?
Topanga: Give me your hand.
Cory: Why?
Topanga: I want to see if our energies converge. He's vibrationally acceptable.
Cory: Thanks.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Yes and no. Topanga the character went through a dramatic shift as the series progressed, but, c'mon! How many of us can say our future spouses called us "vibrationally acceptable" during our first encounter?
[Where to stream Boy Meets World]
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Monica and Chandler
Monica and Chandler (Friends)
What's the situation? The series begins with Monica and the gang (minus Ross and Rachel) debating if an upcoming hangout is actually a date, which goes to show you that 1994 and 2017 may not be as dissimilar as we think. Chandler's first words to Monica are "So does he have a hump? A hump and a hairpiece?" but their first encounter is below.
First encounter:
Monica: Okay, everybody relax. This is not a date. It's two people going out to dinner and not having sex.
Chandler: Sounds like a date to me.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? I mean, could that be any more of a Chandler Bing kinda thing to say?
[Where to stream Friends]

GIF: Netflix

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Meet Cutes 9
Glenn and Maggie (The Walking Dead, Season 02, Episode 3)
What's the situation? The future couple briefly met when Maggie galloped onto The Walking Dead like a badass during the second episode of Season 2, 
First encounter: 
Maggie: Did you close the gate up the road when you drove in?
Glenn: Uhh. Hi. Yes, we closed it. Did the latch and everything. Hello. Nice to see you again. We met before. Briefly.
*T-Dog rolls his eyes at Glenn's abstract flirting*
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? A little bit. Glenn's aw shucks charm is on full display and the tiniest of seeds are planted for a future romance, but it's not that romantic. Then again, it is the zombie apocalypse, so we should cut them some slack.
[Where to stream The Walking Dead]
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Meet Cutes 8
Meredith and Derek (Grey's Anatomy)
What's the situation? Meredith attempts to kick Derek out after a one-night stand.
First encounter:
Derek: This is, um.
Meredith: Humiliating on so many levels. You have to go.
Derek: Why don't you just come back down here and we'll pick up where we left off?
Meredith: No, seriously. You have to go. I'm late, which isn't what you want to be on your first day of work.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Adorableness? No. The couple's sexual escapades? Definitely.
[Where to stream Grey's Anatomy]
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Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones and Luke Cage (Jessica Jones)
What's the situation? Luke catches Jessica drinking in the streets.
First encounter: 
Luke: You could drink that out of a glass.
Jessica: This whiskey's not good enough to put in a glass.
Luke: Yeah? I've got better stuff in there. I've seen you around here before but you never come inside.
Jessica: I buy in bulk.
Luke: It's ladies night. New promotion I'm running.
Jessica: No it's not.
Luke: It is now.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Sort of. While this does lead to the two sleeping together, it takes a couple of episodes for the pair to find their bed-demolishing sexual groove.
[Where to stream Jessica Jones]

GIF: Netflix

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Meet Cutes 5
Luke and Lorelai (Gilmore Girls)
What's the situation? Lorelai. Luke. Coffee. Enough said.
First encounter: 
Lorelai: Please, Luke. Please, please, please.
Luke: How many cups have you had this morning?
Lorelai: None. Five, but yours is better.
Luke: You have a problem.
Lorelai: Yes, I do.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Banter and copious amounts of coffee within the first minute of the series? The answer is obvious.
[Where to stream Gilmore Girls]
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Meet Cutes 4
Eric and Tami Taylor (Friday Night Lights)
What's the situation? Subsumed by football, Coach Taylor forgets to tell his wife that they're expected to go to a car dealership opening. Right off the bat we understand that, at his core, Coach Taylor is all about two things: family and football.
First encounter:
Tami: Hey.
Eric: Hey babe.
Tami: How they looking?
Eric: They're fast, and they run a lot of counters.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Yes! Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton had a way of imbuing the ordinary with an undercurrent of affection and their first scene on this exceptional series is a simple, wonderful preview of what's to come.
[Where to stream Friday Night Lights]
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Meet Cutes 3
Joey and Pacey (Dawson's Creek)
What's the situation? Steven Spielberg fanatic Dawson Leery is shooting a horror film that stars his two best friends, Joey Potter and Pacey Witter. Despite the scorching snap, crackle, and pop banter between Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes, the will they/won't they tension emanating from this particular creek is initially between Dawson and Joey. But the chemistry between Pacey and Joey couldn't be denied and one of the most memorable love triangles of the WB era was formed. In their first encounter, Pacey, dressed as a sea monster, attacks Joey and pulls her into the water.
First encounter: 
Joey: He did it again. He grabbed my ass.
Pacey: Like you even have one.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Kind of. The sizzling repartee between the two is a Dawson's Creek staple. These two had that ineffable it-factor from the get-go.
[Where to stream Dawson's Creek]
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Parks and Rec
Leslie and Ben (Parks and Recreation, Season 2, Episode 24)
What's the situation? Ben Wyatt Chris Traeger (who is literally the most optimistic person alive, arrive from the state budget office to slash the Parks Department's payroll.
First encounter:
Leslie: I really like your shirt.
Ben (cutting Leslie off): So I'd like to talk about where you think there's waste within your department.
Leslie/Ron: There is none/Where do I start?
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Absolutely not, considering Leslie later calls Ben a jerk, but it's incredibly funny.
[Where to stream Parks and Recreation]

GIF: Netflix

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Glee
Blaine and Kurt (Glee, Season 2, Episode 6)
What's the situation? Kurt is the new kid on the block and Blaine has the right musical stuff.
First encounter:
Kurt: Excuse me. Hi. Can I ask you a question? I'm new here.
Blaine: My name's Blaine.
Kurt: Kurt. So what exactly is going on?
Blaine: The Warblers. Every now and then they throw an impromptu performance in the senior commons. It tends to shut the school down for a while.
Kurt: So, wait. The glee club here is kind of cool?
Blaine: The Warblers are like rock stars.
*Blaine grabs Kurt's hand and they run to the commons*
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? It ends in an extravagant dance number, so yes. Yes it is.
[Where to stream Glee]

GIF: Netflix

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Arrow
Oliver and Felicity (Arrow, Season 1, Episode 3)
What's the situation? Who does a clandestine vigilante turn to when he has computer problems? The IT department, of course!
First encounter:
Oliver: Felicity Smoak? Hi. I'm Oliver Queen.
Felicity: Of course. I know who you are. You're Mr. Queen.
Oliver: No, Mr. Queen was my father.
Felicity: Right, but he's dead. I mean, he drowned. But you didn't, which means you could come down to the IT department and listen to me babble. Which will end. In 3, 2, 1...
Oliver: I'm having some trouble with my computer and they told me that you were the person to come and see.
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Duh.
[Where to stream Arrow]

GIF: Netflix

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Willow and Tara
Willow and Tara (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 4, Episode 10)
What's the situation? Sometimes actions speak louder than words. While Willow and Tara shared a brief connection earlier in the episode at a Wicca meeting, the future couple later join hands and use their collective powers to move a vending machine with their minds in order to thwart attackers. There are no words in this scene because a group of ghouls stole everyone's voices, which I find to be very rude. Classic Buffy shenanigans!
Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Magic and love? You better believe it!
[Where to stream Buffy the Vampire Slayer]

GIF: Hulu