Larger Than Life Love on the Small Screen

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

In its second season, Buffy the Vampire Slayer started transitioning from soapy teen fare to the darker territory that would become the show’s trademark. “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered” comes two episodes after Buffy sleeps with her vampire boyfriend Angel—an act which causes him to lose his soul, turn evil, and stalk her and her friends. In a brief, comedic respite from that story line, this episode finds sidekick Xander at the center of a Valentine’s love spell gone awry. In trying to win back his girlfriend Cordelia, he casts a spell that makes all of the women of Sunnydale want him—all of the women except, of course, for Cordelia. Worse yet, the women don’t seem to care whether they get him dead or alive. In its wonderfully wry way, Buffy shows that there are indeed fates worse than being single on Valentine’s Day.

—Shannon Donnelly

Dog the Bounty Hunter

Who wouldn’t want a classic Valentine’s gift personally delivered by a hunky, tattooed, pony-tailed bondsman? Maybe not Tapi, the wanted fugitive featured on one episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter. Despite recent inflammatory remarks made by Duane “Dog” Chapman that caused A&E to pull his show off the air, this Valentine’s episode retains a certain appeal. Dog’s son Leland is forced to be the Valentine’s gift delivery boy and the rest of the familial team relentlessly teases him. While charming, Leland’s much-anticipated profession of love is only a trap to lure Tapi into the possession of Dog and his posse. Leland plays right into the role, “I’m rehearsing my lines, over,” he walkie-talkies giddily to the boys—equally giddy—in the other car. Beth, Dog’s wife and voice of reason, calms Leland, assuring him that he is “a handsome, strapping man.” Most girls agree, but Tapi probably doesn’t. After an unsuccessful search, Tapi comes to surrender, her devoted girlfriend in tow.

—Mollie Lobl

Beverly Hills 90210

Whether you were on Team Brenda or Team Kelly, take this Feb. 14 to remember the episode of Beverly Hills 90210 where Dylan plans a secret Valentine’s date for Brenda. He gives her one clue: “It’s warm, red, and close to your heart.” Brenda guesses he’s giving her a sweater. In actuality, Dylan takes his girlfriend to the most romantic spot in Beverly Hills—The Red Cross. They spend a memorable Valentine’s night on separate stretchers donating blood. The best part? Dylan explains how he got that (sexy) scar on his eyebrow. There was a car crash, little Dylan’s head went through a windshield, and a scar was born. In reality, Luke Perry got that scar by walking into a soda machine... details, details.

— Michelle Rejwan

30 Rock

Tina Fey captures the sleepy delirium of pulling an all-nighter poignantly as always in 30 Rock’s Valentine’s Day episode, “Up All Night.” Fey, as comedy writer Liz Lemon, is forced to make her staff work through the most romantic night of the year to finish an episode of their sketch show, but the exhausting circumstances don’t lend themselves to productivity. An innocent game of “Marry, Boff, Kill” segues into an unexpected flirtation between super hot assistant Cerie and nerdy page Kenneth. A mix-up with a delivery of roses leads to the welcome introduction of Floyd as Liz’s potential romantic interest. And the drunken woes of Jack Donaghy as he goes through a divorce are documented in a montage edited so comically that it will remind viewers why anyone would make a single-camera sitcom in the first place.

—Ariel Karlin

Boy Meets World

Who doesn’t love Cory, his longtime-love Topanga, and his player-best friend Shawn—especially on Valentine’s Day? A classic Boy Meets World Valentine’s Day episode comes as a second part to the dramatic senior ski trip episode, in which Cory kisses a ski lodge employee and Topanga finds out. Meanwhile, Shawn is trying to reform his bad boy ways and spend a sweet night with girlfriend Angela. Unfortunately, Shawn’s exes—one of whom is Larisa Oleynik, a.k.a. Alex Mack making a not-so-anticipated comeback—are out to avenge their past Valentine’s Days with Shawn by locking him in a boathouse. Of course, everything ends well, with Shawn and Angela reunited and Topanga forgiving her sweetheart. As Cory explains, in true Cory fashion, “Love does not require you to be perfect, but it does require you to forgive.”

—Ali Krimmer