My top three are in no particular order are chemistry, acting, and plot. In some ways, these three items also could be applied to successful daytime characters as well.
- Chemistry – How well the actors and characters interact. Are they hot or not? This need not be based on physical features, but more the sparkle that appears when they are on screen.
- Acting – How well the actors perform their material.
- Plot – How well the story matches the performances and character history.
I’ve never become involved in a couple, which I find has no chemistry. The thing about chemistry though as everyone knows it is a personal thing. Not every pairing works for every viewer obviously. With long running couples sometimes over the years, the chemistry can evolve just like it does with real life pairings. In the early days, things are hot and sweaty, and while the love is there a mutual respect and friendship also grow between the characters. Chemistry isn’t just one thing and that’s another reason why I find some pairings fun and others a fail.
Over the years, I’ve liked the idea of people coming together in a romantic story, due to my individual interest in particular actors. Sadly, when the two people were paired, it didn’t work. You can have great, talented performers, but that doesn’t mean they work well together. Sometimes it is based upon the history between the characters, other times it may just be the roles aren’t as suited.
If I have the first two elements, and the plot is reasonably good I will grow to care about a couple. If all I have to enjoy is the acting and chemistry, I usually don’t fully invest in them. Sometimes a bad plot will destroy my interest in a couple, other times it solidifies it as an act of rebellion. Regardless of what this show does, this is what I want to see, so there. The first plot I tend to become invested in a couple with is usually my favorite involving those particular characters being involved—I don’t know if that is on me or the writing staff.
These are my top three elements and I figure I could write pages on each giving examples of what works and what doesn’t. I did not because this is a major mileage may vary kind of topic. If a couple affects someone and it allows them to care, it is not a bad thing. While at times, couple fandom (aka shipping) can go too far, it is not something I believe needs to be stopped.
Soap operas are supposed to be a romantic genre, and love and relationships should be one tent pole component of each show. I think each couple I’ve adored has their own feel, like how satin, silk chiffon, or wool are in comparison to other fabrics. They are all different to the touch and unique.
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