Top 10 Most Satisfying TV Reunions

“Pretty Little Liars”, Michael Scott & Dwight Schrute from “The Office”, Kevin Garvey & Nora Durst
from “The Leftovers” and more!
#10: Alison DiLaurentis & Everyone
“Pretty Little Liars” (2010-17)
The premise of this show follows a group of teenage girls whose lives begin unraveling after the death of their queen bee, Alison DiLaurentis. Despite being apparently dead, Alison is still a huge part of the show, frequently featuring in flashbacks and even being a prime suspect for the group’s blackmailer. However, while she didn’t end up being their blackmailer, Alison is still alive; “coming back from the dead” appropriately in a Halloween themed episode and setting the stage for further exploration of the manipulative and complex character.
#9: Michael Scott & Dwight Schrute
“The Office” (2005-13)
The departure of goofy, insensitive boss Michael Scott was traumatic for both the characters and the audience alike, but none more so than Michael’s erstwhile lackey, Dwight Schrute. The series finale sees Dwight ready to get married, with Jim Halpert acting as his best man. However, Dwight’s longtime frenemy has one last prank up his sleeve for him: declining the position, in favor of Michael. The world’s best boss returns with a very emotional “that’s what she said” joke and plenty of his characteristic silliness for one final time. “Best prank ever.”
#8: Kevin Garvey & Nora Durst
“The Leftovers” (2014-17)
This is a weird, mind-bending show, and it’s only fitting that its most prominent romance also has some strange elements to it. Kevin Garvey is reunited with his love Nora Durst after being separated for years. Fortunately, not even an alternate reality could keep these two apart forever. Their heartfelt and relieved reunion is very moving and affecting, and for good reason, as it forms the final moments of the entire show, which helps make it that much more satisfying, since their reconciliation feels like the culmination of “The Leftovers” as a whole.
#7: Zuko & Iroh
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08)
Zuko is a complex antagonist. Although he spends a good part of the series pursuing the Avatar, Aang, he does so to get the approval of his father, the evil Fire Lord. In his pursuit of that goal, Zuko betrays his uncle Iroh, who loves him unconditionally; leading to Iroh’s imprisonment and Zuko getting everything he thought he wanted. Zuko eventually decides to help Aang, while Iroh escapes. When the duo finally reunite, Zuko tearfully apologizes and Iroh immediately hugs him; telling him that he was never mad; only worried that Zuko had lost his way. Their reunion is so emotional, it still makes us choke up. So many feels!
#6: Mike Wheeler & Eleven
“Stranger Things” (2016-)
One of the best parts of the first season of “Stranger Things” is the friendship and burgeoning young romance between Mike Wheeler and psychic test subject Eleven. Their innocent romance and trust for one another are very sweet, so it’s quite heartbreaking that they spend a year, as well as most of Season 2, apart from one another; even if Eleven “keeps an eye” on Mike, so to speak. So, when they finally reunite, it’s wonderful to see the pair together again and cuter than ever.
#5: The Doctor & Rose Tyler
“Doctor Who” (1963-89, 2005-)
Rose Tyler is the first companion to travel with the Doctor during the revived series and her departure is particularly emotional, given that she’s trapped in the parallel universe. However, several seasons later, the walls between worlds start to weaken, allowing Rose to return to her home version of Earth to help the Doctor save the multiverse from the Daleks. While their initial slow-mo run is cruelly interrupted, their subsequent final adventure together and true final goodbye is much happier, for both them and the audience.
#4: Jon Snow & Sansa Stark
“Game of Thrones” (2011-)
It’s no secret that “Game of Thrones” is a brutal series, but those low notes make its high ones that much more impactful. The Starks are arguably the primary heroes of the show since they help introduce it. However, after that introduction, the entire family goes its separate ways for vast swaths of the story, during which they all undergo many changes and hardships. So, while they may not have been the closest of the Stark siblings, seeing bastard son Jon Snow and the oft-abused Sansa Stark reunite made our hearts positively soar, since we finally got to see some of the long-suffering family come together again.
#3: Elena Gilbert & Damon Salvatore
“The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
These two vampires/humans have a long and complex relationship throughout the show and they’re one of the most important and popular pairings. So, it’s rather tragic when Elena is sent into a magical slumber until the death of her friend Bonnie, a witch. Ultimately though, Bonnie is able to overcome the spell; albeit in the finale and after two seasons without her. Seeing Elena and Damon finally reunited and able to bring out the best in each other once more is wonderful to see, as is their happy ending.
#2: Penny Widmore & Desmond Hume
“Lost” (2004-10)
Arguably the best pairing on the show, this duo shared a truly epic romance. Desmond Hume has never felt worthy of Penny Widmore, and her interfering tycoon of a father hasn’t helped things on that score. Desmond is stranded on the show’s Island, and endures years of sleep deprivation and loneliness, as well as time travel mishaps before he can even speak to Penny again, which is an epic moment in itself. But when they finally reunite on the boat she’s been searching for him on, we couldn’t help but cheer for these two.
Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Sydney Bristow & Will Tippin
“Alias” (2001-06)
Sam Seaborn & Josh Lyman
“The West Wing” (1999-2006)
Buffy Summers & Angel
“Angel” (1999-2004)
#1: James ‘Jamie’ MacKenzie Fraser & Claire Beauchamp Randall
“Outlander” (2014-)
We’ve seen some great romances, but the one between Highlander Jamie Fraser and time traveler Claire Randall is one for the ages. After falling in love and having many other adventures, Claire is brought back to her present, separated from Jamie for half a season and 20 years. After many trials, Claire is able to return to the past, though she must leave behind their daughter, finally reuniting with Jamie, leading him, and us, to faint with joy. Although they’re not without further difficulties, theirs is truly a love that has stood the test of time.