Ships We Want to See Set Sail in 2021

We already discussed our favorite ships of 2020, but there are some ships we feel should make that list. Would make that list …except, they haven’t fully set sailed yet. They are on the way, things are being set up, or they’re not together right now but we have a feeling they will be. So we couldn’t include them in that list, but that doesn’t mean we don’t ship them.

Doesn’t mean we wouldn’t jump at a chance to see them actually happen on our TV screens. Or that we’re not analyzing every second they have together, looking for clues about what’s coming.

So today we’re talking those other ships, the ones we want to see come to fruition, the ones that should be canon – not just for a little while, but you, know …endgame. And we begin with …

Upstead, Chicago PD

So much good setup, so much said without words. And yet, it feels like time for Upstead to put their words – and their mouths – to better use, if you catch our drift. We know it’s scary, to finally let go, to make yourself vulnerable around another person. But the thing is …Jay and Hailey are already vulnerable around each other. They’re already partners in all the ways that matter, they already love each other. That’s not going to get easier, or less scary just because they don’t verbalize it, so they might as well go for it. It won’t make it any less scary, but they’ll be together on that, like they are in everything.

Brettsey, Chicago Fire

Casey and Brett are going into this list because even though, like the next couple on our list, we already got a first kiss, things are anything but simple between them. The ghost of Gabriela Dawson stands between them, and honestly, a part of me is glad it does. This is the kind of thing you want to deal with right away, so when they finally get together for good, and hey, we can read the signs, that’s coming, Brett can know it’s one hundred percent about her, and Casey can know that this woman he’s choosing isn’t just a replacement to the one that left him, she’s the one he was always meant to find.

Clarkeman, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Zoey had a really hard year in Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. We all did, yes, but even before we got to the worst of ours, Zoey was already going through one of the worst moments of a person’s life – the death of a parent. Or the anticipation of it, which is even worse. And if Zoey made it through season one, it was partly because she had the support of her very best friend, Max. And then we got that moment at the end of season 1 (remember “All of Me”? cause I ain’t likely to forget). Except Zoey needed time. Needs time. But she needs Max, too. And we have a feeling he’ll be right there with her, every step of the way.

Julie and Luke, Julie and the Phantoms

We’re rolling the dice here, because Netflix hasn’t even renewed Julie and the Phantoms for a second season – which we absolutely need – and oh yes, because Luke is like, a ghost. Pretty big obstacle right there. But considering the vibe of this show (and the setup) that doesn’t feel like an insurmountable one. And watching those two together, the way they talk, the way they make music together, the way they look at each other, well …it’s clear that this is more than infatuation. This is finding your other half in the place you least expected to.

Sharpwin, New Amsterdam

These two have had it rough from the beginning. It just wasn’t their time. Hasn’t been their time. But that’s okay, because the thing Helen and Max have been, through every second of this show, is friends. Each other’s support. And that’s the best foundation for any ship. Of course, there is that spark, there always has been. But sometimes, if you make a sudden move, or if you try to do it too fast, you can put out the spark instead of making it into a fire. Sharpwin still needs time. But that’s okay, we’re willing to be patient with them.

Maeve and Otis, Sex Education

For a ship where, at this point, all feelings are on the table, Maeve and Otis feel about as far away as it’s possible for two people to be. I mean, yes, Otis knows how she feels, and she knows how he feels – or felt – but they haven’t actually managed to talk about it, cause you know, cliffhangers and pain and filming delays. But Sex Education has always  dealt with things head on, and we can’t imagine they’re going to beat around the bush with this ship. It’s time for Maeve and Otis to try their hand at the one thing we’ve always suspected they’d be great at: being a couple.

Caryl, The Walking Dead

Caryl had a very good year. They are not officially cannon yet, but they had more meaningful screen time together this season than they’ve ever had. Plus, we were blessed with shirtless Daryl snuggling his dog, not to mention him saving an acorn as a memento from his time with Carol. They had a lot of angst to work their way through this year, but our OTP made it perfectly clear how important they are to each other. And how, no matter what, they have each other’s backs. Finally, Caryl proved they are always winning when AMC announced that the two of them would have their own spinoff series after the main TWD show ends. Not only do we now know Carol and Daryl will survive, but we can picture them going off on their own, kicking ass along the way. And some domestic bliss thrown in as well, please.

Burzek, Chicago PD

It feels super weird to put Burzek on this list, Burzek who’s had plenty of firsts, Burzek who almost got married, Burzek who almost had a kid, and yet here we are, longing for them to give their relationship a try again, longing for them to realize that the empty spot in each other’s lives isn’t actually empty. They’re already a couple in everything but name, and it’s clear from everything they do that they love each other. They might be fooling themselves into thinking there isn’t anything romantic to the feelings they harbor for each other, but we can see the truth. They belong together.

Anthony and Kate, Bridgerton

We haven’t even met Kate yet – or heard any confirmed casting news – and Bridgerton hasn’t officially been renewed for season 2 (but it’s coming), and yet we can’t stop thinking about how the show is going to adapt the second book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, The Viscount Who Loved Me. Because we need Kate Sheffield, the one woman who can put Anthony Bridgerton in his place, the one woman who can show him that love is a worthwhile adventure, even if there’s fear – no, especially if there’s fear. And we need him to show her that life, that love, are things meant to be enjoyed.

Agree? Disagree? What other couple would you like to see set sail in 2021? Share with us in the comments below!