If you don’t already feel love in the air this time of year, then maybe you can see it on the screen as you watch the cutesy love-filledValentine’s Dayepisodes from your favorite TV shows. Many writers take the holidays very seriously when implementing them into shows because it adds a natural timeline to the story and breaks up the everyday routine of the characters. Valentine’s Day is usually about couples getting together for dinner dates paired with flowers and chocolates, but some characters hilariously hate the adorable holiday and will happily say so to anyone who will listen.
This Valentine’s Day, if you find that you simply want to sit in front of the television with a loved one or by yourself and get in a good laugh, we suggest checking out the episodes on this list. There are plenty of characters who either love the holiday, loathe the holiday, or find some way to turn the whole day into a complete and total disaster. See which is which, and enjoy your holiday binge!
To further add to your Valentine’s Day watchlist, read more here:
20The Office — “Valentine’s Day” (Season 2, Episode 16)
Everyone knows couples exchangegifts on Valentine’s Day— well, apparently everyone except Dwight fromThe Office. When Dwight receives a personalized mini-Dwight bobblehead from Angela, he is completely baffled and has nothing to give in return. Eventually, he gets the bright idea of giving her a key to his house, something that clearly took no thought, but Angela accepts it as a heartfelt gift. Meanwhile, Phyllis' boyfriend practically bought out an entire store as her deliveries only get bigger throughout the day.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
While some people in the office are excited about the romantic holiday, the audience watches Pam, the secretary who has the pleasure of delivering everyone’s presents, get more and more frustrated because her boyfriend did not bother to get her anything. This annoyed feeling is all too relatable and a bit sad, but because it is coming from a character, it is simply a comedic situation you don’t want to miss.Stream on Peacock Premium
The Office (U.S.)
19That ’70s Show — “First Date” (Season 1, Episode 16)
Eric has been pining for his neighbor Donna for quite some time by this point inThat ’70s Show, and he asks her out on a proper date that just so happens to fall on Valentine’s Day, the same day Donna was supposed to study with Hyde. She agrees to go with Eric, and he has every intention of asking her to make their relationship official. Unfortunately, Hyde’s feelings for Donna come up as well, and the two best friends exchange some unpleasant words. In the end, love prevails, and Donna and Eric become a couple.
Eric and Donna are one of the most frustratingly real teenage couples in all of TV history, and watching them go back and forth in their relationship for most of the first season had fans pulling out their hair. “First Date” finally brings the two together as an official couple, and it is the start to a really beautiful, and sometimes hilarious, love story.Stream on Peacock Premium
That ’70s Show
18New Girl — “Operation: Bobcat” (Season 6, Episode 16)
New Girlis filled with quite a few holiday episodes, but none are as sweet as “Operation: Bobcat.” Winston has a 21-stagemarriage proposal planuntil he gets down on one knee and asks Aly to marry him. Unfortunately, all that goes out the window when he accidentally rejects Aly’s spontaneous proposal. Jess and Winston then attempt to speed up his plan and get Aly to say “yes” on the most romantic day of the year. Meanwhile, Schmidt and Cece celebrate their “bone-iversary” on top of a roof and end up calling Nick to rescue them.
From the very beginning, Winston has always been a bit more unique than his roommates. When he comes up with a plan, there is absolutely no stopping him. He loves hard, and more importantly, he deserves to be loved back with the same amount of passion. “Operation: Bobcat” is wild and chaotic, but that is just like the love shared between Aly and Winston.Stream on Hulu
17Friends — “The One with Unagi” (Season 6, Episode 17)
Because Monica had to work on Valentine’s Day in thisFriendsepisode, she and Chandler decided they were going to celebrate a bit later and exchange homemade presents. This idea is perfectly fine until they realize they both forgot about their little gift agreement. Chandler ends up gifting Monica a mixtape that she absolutely loves until she finds out Janice made it for Chandler years ago, and Monica gifts Chandler a sock puppet that Phoebe actually made. The rest of the gang do their own things as they have already celebrated the holiday, but Ross does learn a thing or two about strength and sushi in this episode.
Firstly, watching Rachel and Phoebe take down Ross and make him admit that they are “unagi” is something fans can watch over and over again. However, the sweet and relatable mess-up with the gifts is what really makes this a perfect Valentine’s Day episode. Everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated on the special holiday, but sometimes, we, like Chandler and Monica, just have to admit that life gets in the way of things.Stream on Max
Related:Friends: The 10 Most Romantic Gestures We Saw on the Show
16Grey’s Anatomy — “Valentine’s Day Massacre” (Season 6, Episode 14)
In thisGrey’s Anatomyepisode, Meredith and Cristina’s idea of a perfect Valentine’s Day is spending it at the hospital with back-to-back surgeries to handle, not on a double date with Derek and Owen. Lucky for them, their pagers save the day, and the group heads to the hospital to save lives. Lexi finds herself trying to do something different for Valentine’s Day to get over Mark, but her new hair color gets everyone’s attention as well as their unsolicited advice. Ben slowly but surely works his magic on Miranda, as he seems to be the only one who enjoys planning lovely dates far in advance.
For those of you who are not all about the big teddy bears andgrand romantic gestureson Valentine’s Day, this episode is perfect. The majority of the characters either loath the holiday or just are not feeling the magic in the air. However, fans do love getting to see Ben make Miranda slightly uncomfortable and embarrassed as he makes sure she knows he wants to give her the world as well as his heart.Stream on Netflix
Grey’s Anatomy
15Arrested Development — “Marta Complex” (Season 1, Episode 12)
InArrested Development, Lucille unknowingly throws an anniversary party for her daughter Lindsay and her husband Tobias — she was under the impression she was throwing a Valentine’s Day party — but while everyone should be filled with love and joy, there is a lot of hesitation at the party. Lindsay is starting to realize she no longer loves Tobias, and Michael, Lindsay’s brother, is wrestling with the fact that he loves his brother’s girlfriend, Marta.
Hilarious antics are always going down within the Bluth family, but this time, a language barrier is what causes all the chaos. Gob thinks Marta is cheating on him because she has been a bit distracted by someone named “hermano.” Clearly, neither he nor Michael know the word means “brother.” There are plenty of secrets to unravel in this episode, and it will give any first-time watcher a bit of insight that might make them appreciate their family a little bit more.Stream on Netflix
Arrested Development
14Frasier — “Three Valentines” (Season 6, Episode 14)
While trying to make sure everything is perfect for his Valentine’s Day date at Frasier’s apartment, Niles manages to ruin the entire evening before it even begins. In thisFrasierepisode, he cuts himself with scissors, sets fire to the couch, and throws his dinner on the fire to put out the flames. Across town, Frasier receives mixed signals from Cassandra, the new marketing manager, and does not know if they are on a date or just doing business. This confusion lasts all night, even when the two end up in bed together.
“Three Valentines” is one of the best episodes in thissitcom from the ’90s, as the actors really commit to some of the best physical comedy written for the show. Audiences cringe when Niles brings out the ironing board, just knowing something is going to catch fire. Then, Frasier’s predicament feels a bit too realistic with the frustration that comes with the what-are-we-doing-here scenario too many of us have experienced with others.Stream on Hulu
13How I Met Your Mother — “Desperation Day” (Season 6, Episode 16)
While Barney tries to prove to Robin that he can pick up any woman he wants the day before Valentine’s Day, which he has so respectfully deemed “Desperation Day,” Ted and Zoey have problems figuring out exactly how committed they want to be in their relationship. Elsewhere in thisHow I Met Your Motherepisode, Lily misses Marshall because he’s still in Minnesota, and fearing they will miss out on their Valentine’s Day tradition, she goes to Minnesota in hopes she will be able to bring him home.
Every holiday is crazy with this gang because someone — usually Ted — is either trying too hard to make everything perfect, or they have a hatred for the holiday and just want to boycott it altogether. Here, we see a slight turn of events where Barney actually learns to embrace the lovey-dovey holiday after striking out on his made-up one. This is when audiences start to see that he really is capable of being a good guy for the right reasons.Stream on Hulu
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is a sitcom created initially for CBS by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas. Five friends living in New York City navigate their twenties and thirties as they try to find love, success, and purpose. The show is framed through one friend’s eyes, Ted Mosby, as he retells the story of how he met his wife to his children.
Related:How Every Main Character in How I Met Your Mother First Met Each Other
12The Office — “PDA” (Season 7, Episode 16)
While Michael and Holly are blinded by their second chance at love inThe Office, everyone else at work is absolutely disgusted by their affection. The two constantly hug, kiss, and touch in front of their co-workers, and a meeting about PDA in the workplace is held in their honor. Surprisingly, the two are shocked to be called out in front of everyone, and Michael decides it is time to take their relationship to the next level. Because all eyes are on Michael and Holly during this Valentine’s Day special,Jim and Pamare able to get away with being drunk while at the office.
Michael and Holly’s relationship has frustrated many, but in “PDA,” after the very affectionate pair are called out and almost call it quits, we see a more mature side of Michael emerge. Rather than breaking up, they decide to take things a step further and move in together. Fans are happy to see things work out for the pair, but the best part about this episode is seeing Pam do her absolute best to act sober at work.Stream on Peacock Premium
11The Big Bang Theory — “The Tangible Affection Proof” (Season 6, Episode 16)
All Leonard wants to do on Valentine’s Day in this episode ofThe Big Bang Theoryis show Penny how much she means to him by giving her the best day ever. However, Penny sabotages the whole evening by complaining and fixating on her ex-boyfriend, who just so happens to be at the same restaurant having a wonderful time proposing to his girlfriend. Meanwhile, Bernadette and Howard realize they are much happier with one another; Amy and Sheldon celebrate with a quiet evening at home with pizza andStar Trek; and Raj manages to get a date at his singles party.
The fact that Raj managed to land a date on Valentine’s Day should be enough for everyone to immediately click straight to this episode, but really, it is heartfelt seeing everyone happy with the person they are with before the credits begin rolling. Penny and Leonard make up; Bernadette and Howard resolve their own problems, and Sheldon learns just how much Amy really considers his needs, even on what he thinks is the most obnoxious holiday of the year.Stream on Max
