Even the Television Knows…

By Sarah Cook

Is there even such a thing as a wonderful relationship? Of course there is, but, is there such thing as a wonderful relationship that actually lasts, and stays wonderful? I’m thoroughly convinced that only one out of ten of us gets to experience the beauty that is an ongoing and functional partnership. Take Grey’s Anatomy, for example.

You’ve got Dr. McDreamy and Meredith, two doctors that are absolutely perfect for one another, yet can’t seem to make it together due to the random circumstances that surround them. It seems like such a rare thing when you actually get to be with someone that you really want. Usually, you want someone that doesn’t want you back, or vice-versa. Or, you want someone that wants you back, but that you can never have, because universal fate simply won’t allow it. Well, why the hell not?

Why can’t it just be easy? It seems like, nowadays, the idea of fate is so distorted that we spend our time looking for something better, more meaningful, and different than what we’re used to. It’s like we’re never content with ourselves in a relationship unless it’s ideal. No huge problems, no drama, no bullshit. Does that type of thing even exist? I’m thinking no. Because, we as humans are such huge drama queens we can’t seem to live a day-to-day life without making a constant spectacle of ourselves. So, there has to be an in-between. A relationship that has the drama, but only grows stronger because of it. A relationship that doesn’t get boring, leaving you to wonder if anything better is out there. A relationship that is content, unselfish, and true.

Say Dr. McDreamy and Meredith could actually be together for the long-run, without any ex-wives or Dr. McSteamy coming into the picture. Would they last? Of course they would. Because theirs is the kind of love that makes heads turn; the kind of love that we all wish we could have, but instead, we seek through television, as rarely do we get to experience it ourselves. We can only live vicariously through characters that aren’t even real, but are there to depict a reality few of us will have. So, why isn’t the love simply enough? Why is it that two people who adore one another and have the power within themselves to be happy together just can’t seem to make it happen? It’s as though the universe is bored, and playing one hell of a joke on all of us. As though we are a means of jumbled, dramatic entertainment that will only continue to work on raising the already-high divorce rate in America.

We are raised to believe that intimate relationships are necessary, and they definitely are. Without that one-on-one contact with another human, we are simply dark and incomplete. So, how do we find that contact with someone we actually want to be with, who actually wants to be with us? Do we just keep waiting, hoping that “what’s meant to be will be,” or do we try to force it, maintaining a persistent state of mind with all potential candidates that cross our paths? Either way, we seem screwed. Life is a television show, and we are simply the actors and actresses that don’t get a say when everything explodes in our faces. After all, if Dr. McDreamy and Meredith can’t seem to make it happen, who can? Oh, that’s right – the mere ten percent of society who has actually found what they’re looking for. Congratulations to those of you – you’re truly lucky, and hated by the rest of us.

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