Top 10 Most Heartbreaking Rejection TV Scenes
#10: Jimmy & Ellie “Degrassi: The Next Generation” (2001-15)
Top 10 Times Jimmy Fallon Broke People on SNL
It’s always tough when one person in a platonic relationship develops feelings for the other. But in Jimmy’s case, things were doubly difficult. Not only did Ellie reject Jimmy’s affections for her on “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” but she rejected him TWICE. That’s gotta hurt. The first time Jimmy asked Ellie out, she rejected him out of respect for Ashley, who he used to date. The second time, she rejected him because she was in love with someone else. Ouch. Seems like the stars just never aligned for these two.
#9: George & Meredith “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)
10 Times George Cooper Sr Was Nothing Like Sheldon Described on The Big Bang Theory
The McDreamy and Meredith relationship drama took up so much time in the early (and later) seasons of “Grey’s Anatomy.” So, you might forget that there was a time when Meredith had a few other romantic prospects. Namely, one George O’Malley. George was in love with Meredith from the minute he met her. And when he finally gathered up the courage to tell her, she wondered for a split second if she had been missing out on a good thing. The two start to have sex, but Meredith quickly realizes she’s messed up and bursts into tears. Not a great look for our boy George. Not anyone’s finest moment, really.
#8: Rafael & Jane “Jane the Virgin” (2014-19)
Top 10 Best Jane & Rafael Moments on Jane the Virgin
Just because we know it all ends up okay with these two doesn’t make this rejection hurt any less. In season one of “Jane the Virgin,” Jane flip-flopped back and forth between her boyfriend Michael and her baby daddy Rafael. She eventually started dating Rafael, and things were looking good – until Rafael decided to propose after just six months. To his credit, they were going to have a baby together – but still! That’s too soon! Jane tells him as much, and while the two stay together for a bit, they do end up breaking up. Don’t worry, Jane and Raf – you’ll get there eventually.
#7: Lucas & Peyton “One Tree Hill” (2003-12)
Top 10 Lucas & Peyton Moments on One Tree Hill
Another couple destined to be together, but maybe not at this moment in time. Peyton and Lucas graduate high school on a high note. But as relationships are wont to do, things get tough when they go to college. Peyton goes off to L.A. while Lucas stays closer to home. Long distance puts a strain on the couple until, in an effort to fix things, Lucas flies to L.A. with the intention of asking Peyton to marry him. However, Peyton thinks that at 19 they’re both too young to get married. Taking Peyton’s rejection of marriage as a rejection of their entire relationship, Lucas leaves. Don’t worry, everyone – these two will figure it out.
#6: Eleanor & Chidi “The Good Place” (2016-20)
10 Times Eleanor was the Best Character on The Good Place
This is an interesting one – mostly because it takes place in an entirely new reality. In “The Good Place,” Eleanor and Chidi are soulmates, and are meant to be together. But it’s not always that easy – particularly when their lives keep getting restarted and rebooted. When the Eleanor and Chidi of a new reality learn that they were in love in a previous reality, Eleanor asks Chidi if he still has those feelings for her. When Chidi says no, Eleanor puts on a brave face, but you can tell she’s hurt by Chidi’s admission. Luckily for these two, they still have many, MANY reboots to go – and love awaits them at the end.
#5: Damon & Elena “The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
Top 10 Funniest Damon Salvatore Moments
Few people act gracefully when they’re rejected by the love of their life, but Damon Salvatore might be the worst sore loser of them all. At the beginning of Season 2, Damon heads over to Elena’s house to drunkenly admit that he has feelings for her. Elena rebuffs Damon’s advances and tells him that she only has feelings for his brother Stefan. Anyone would be hurt here, but Damon badly overreacts. When Elena’s brother Jeremy hears their raised voices and intervenes, Damon literally snaps his neck. Luckily, Jeremy is resurrected, but after a fight like this, it’s no wonder it took these two so long to get together.
#4: Henry & Mary “Downton Abbey” (2010-15)
Here’s another rejection that ends in a happy ending! Which is good for us, because we’ve got a few coming up that don’t end so well. When Mary and Henry first meet on “Downton Abbey,” they seem destined for each other. Mary is still mourning the death of her first husband, Matthew, but she and Henry get along so well, it seems like nothing could go wrong. But after another tragic car accident, Mary becomes convinced that Henry will also die in a grisly way and rejects him. Henry is heartbroken, and the two exchange harsh words. Luckily, Mary does come to her senses and she and Henry end up getting married.
#3: Dawson & Joey “Dawson’s Creek” (1998-2003)
Top 10 Dawson's Creek Moments That Make Us Yell At Our TVs
Joey and Pacey were meant to be together, this much we know to be true. But that doesn’t mean that this moment - which launched a thousand memes - isn’t heartbreaking. Towards the end of season three, Joey spends most of her time oscillating back and forth between Dawson and Pacey, worrying over who she should choose. As Pacey becomes the clear choice, Dawson realizes that he has to let Joey go. And go she does - right into Pacey’s arms. And his boat! We’ll never forget how Dawson was left crying on that dock.
#2: Jess & Rory “Gilmore Girls” (2000-07)
What If Rory Had Stayed With Jess?
A fan favorite “Gilmore Girls” couple, Rory and Jess seemed to have had everything going for them. They had amazing chemistry and understood each other on an intellectual level. But Rory’s tendency to assume the worst of Jess, and Jess’s insecurities and family troubles, ended up getting the best of them, leading to a break up. Later on, in an attempt at a grand, romantic gesture, Jess visits Rory at Yale and asks her to run away with him. However, this turns out to be another case of incorrect assumptions between the two. Rory’s life is in a very different place, and she rejects Jess without a second thought. This isn’t the end for these two, but it is a pretty heartbreaking moment. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Gunnar & Scarlett,“Nashville” (2012-18) Heartbreak Like a Country Song Reynolds & Bloom, “New Amsterdam” (2018-) Double Rejection Dina & Jonah, “Superstore” (2015-21) Never Reject Someone Over Voice Notes Leonard & Penny, “The Big Bang Theory” (2007-19) Too Fast, Too Soon
#1: Blair & Chuck “Gossip Girl” (2007-12)
Top 10 Unforgettable Chuck and Blair Moments
Blair and Chuck are THE couple on “Gossip Girl.” They have the best story, the most “will they/won’t they” energy, and amazing chemistry. The two end up getting married at the end of the series, but things weren’t always easy for them. After Chuck’s father dies, things spiral a bit out of control with the rest of the family. All of the turmoil is what leads Blair to tell Chuck she loves him, and that she’ll stand by him through anything. Instead of accepting and reciprocating that, Chuck leaves Blair with the coldest line in television history:[ “That’s too bad.”]. If we needed a reminder of how horrible Chuck Bass can be, that certainly was it.
