Ships. In entertainment, and especially, in fandom, we live and die by them. Which is why every Friday, we’ll be focusing on a couple, analyzing why we ship them, and overall, just proclaiming our eternal love for those couples that make us say:
I will go down with this ship.
And when it comes to Julie and the Phantoms‘ Julie and Luke, I was a sucker from the start. There was an instant connection that only strengthened through their bond of music. I absolutely devoured this first season filled with beautiful music, friendship, found family and ships.
I can’t help that I’m a sucker for paranormal romances…and Julie and Luke made it damn easy to love them. And I can’t wait for more.
Let’s dive into the reasons why I will FOREVER go down with this ship.
They’re the ultimate forbidden love
Julie and Luke do have quite an interesting little relationship. After all, this is far from your typical love story given Julie is alive and Luke is, well, very dead. Still, it was Julie that brought him, Alex and Reggie back to the world — albeit as ghosts. It was as if they were always meant to meet. And you could say Julie and Luke were meant to be.
But, of course, their love is a forbidden one. And a biggie. Julie literally could not have fallen harder for someone she cannot have…Or can she? After all, there’s been a new wrinkle thrown into the mix. They were able to touch each other, and that certainly changes things.
Yes, it’s only one season, but I find myself heavily invested in this relationship and this entire show. That’s what good shows do. Through the writing and the acting, you’re able to make your audience care with all of their heart or become an afterthought. Julie and the Phantoms is the former, which makes watching Julie and Luke’s adorable flirtation all the more satisfying. There’s a payoff coming. And the exciting thing is, there’s so much story left to tell.
They make sweet music together
The only thing better than a forbidden romance is one that involves music. Because, honestly, is there anything as emotional and raw than creating music with someone and getting to know their soul? After all, it takes a lot to be vulnerable with someone — including someone you’ve just met that just happens to be quite dead.
One of the things I loved about Julie and her phantoms was that they all got to find their love for music again. Because of each other. And that was even more true for Julie and Luke, who started writing songs together and opening themselves up in a way that would certainly make it easy to fall for each other.
Oh, and their voices are angelic. And there’s nothing like watching these two when they’re performing, the way they look at each other. Speaking of…
They ooze chemistry
Every great ship needs chemistry. If you don’t have it, your ship is sinking. And I’m talking Titanic level sinking (see: Arrow). Luckily, Julie and Luke have plenty of chemistry. To quote Reggie: They “ooze chemistry.” It’s mesmerizing watching them together.
It’s in the body language, the way that most great ships seem to cruise full steam ahead. It’s in the way where it’s not forced, where they just react and nothing else seems to matter. It’s a testament to the actors, and something that makes this ship not just another ship.
It’s one thing when Julie and Luke are interacting with each other — and the way they can’t help but not-so-subtly flirt with each other and not give a damn. But when they’re performing on stage, it’s like someone lights a freaking match.
Maybe it’s because they get so caught up in the moment that they forget to care about everyone else around them. Or maybe it’s because they’re speaking their own language — the language of music; the language of their music.
They have a trusting foundation
One of the things that bonded Julie and Luke together was the pain that came with losing the person that was most important to them: their mom. For Julie, she had no choice. And while she surely left things on good terms, she still lost the one person that inspired her the most. For Luke, he let his stubbornness get the best of him and walked out on his mom. He never got to apologize for the words that he said and didn’t mean. Nor did he get the chance to say the words he wanted to say and meant: I’m sorry and I love you.
Julie and Luke are able to lean on each other throughout this first season, and it’s really the foundation for their relationship. There’s a trust and understanding there. Luke is there to encourage Julie to keep going — to keep pursuing her music. Julie is there for Luke during one of the hardest but most relieving time of his life when she gives his mom and dad the song he wrote for his mom.
It’s not just about the words “I’ll be there for you.” It’s the actions. They show each other on several occasions that they can trust each other, that they can lean on one another. And it’s through that where they’re able to let go and simply be themselves with each other.
And it’s exciting to know that there’s so much more coming from Julie and Luke’s story. Assuming Netflix renews this gem of a show. So, Netflix, get on it.