For our final list of the year, we look ahead to 2022 and all the ships that yet may be. There are several ships we hope to see set sail. Some are new and almost certain. Others have left fans begging for literal decades. But all of them have us crossing our fingers that next year will be our year.
Kanthony (Bridgerton)
Is there anything better than a love/hate relationship (done well) that turns into an epic romance? It’s one reason we can’t wait to see Anthony and Kate’s story play out on Bridgerton. True, we haven’t technically met Kate yet, but that doesn’t matter. This love story is one of our favorites of the source novels, and we have faith the series will give it the respect it deserves. The Pall Mall scene alone should be well worth the wait!
Erin/James (Derry Girls)
Erin and James from Derry Girls deserve happiness with each other. They are opposites, which is why they would work as a couple. James is laid-back, and helps Erin see the beauty in life, while Erin keeps James on task. The look they shared when James saw Erin dressed up for prom was fleeting, but said everything they felt without words.
Merhayes (Greys Anatomy)
First came McDreamy, then came McWidow … or so we thought! Here’s hoping in 2022 Grey’s Anatomy fixes the grievous error of wasting Meredith and Hayes amazing chemistry. Not only did they have them “try” dating OFF SCREEN, but then they just gave up and started showing interest in other people. The writers can try to distract us all they want – but all it took was one scene together to remind us, and everyone else watching, why these two belong together! If this does end up being the shows last season, it wouldn’t surprise me if this unpairing was part of the reason why. Fix it Greys! Fix it!
EO (Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit)
We have been asking for Law & Order: SVU‘s EO to finally enter their endgame era for way too long, so let’s just say it: Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler need to get their shit together in 2022. The wife is dead (and to anyone worrying about her body getting “cold,” basic math says that happened 12-24 hours, not counting the extra cooling from morgue temperatures, after she kicked the bucket). They also don’t have the excuse of being work partners anymore. It’s just time—overdue, really. Let EO set sail already. We’re begging. We need it. Mariska Hargitay and her Bensler candles need it. Hook up, officially make Noah a Benson-Stabler, and just DO IT ALREADY. We’re not getting any younger, and neither are Liv and El.
Vahim (Love, Victor)
Victor and Rahim from Love, Victor are great together. They were friends first with no ulterior motive; the perfect start to a relationship. Rahim is confident and quirky, and brings out the best in Victor. Victor shows Rahim what bravery looks like. Victor deserves someone who respects him, and the chemistry between these two is unmatched.
Benvi (Never Have I Ever)
Even though Ben and Aneesa are together and Devi and Paxton are now a thing, we want our Bevi endgame on Never Have I Ever. Eleanor revealing to Ben that Devi actually wanted to pick him over Paxton initially, and that all the drama with Aneesa was because Devi was jealous, puts everything that happened between them this season into a whole new light (The look on his face!). Paxton and Aneesa are both decent people, and we don’t want to see them hurt, but we know in our heart of hearts that their relationships are not meant to last. Ben pushes Devi to become a better person, challenges her and supports her academically, isn’t ashamed to be with her, and actually has a good relationship with her family (looking at you Paxton Hall-Yoshida!). Devi has some emotional and mental growing pains to go through still, but that doesn’t mean Ben can’t be there to help her along the way!
Chenford (The Rookie)
Let’s face it, one of the main things that keep us glued to The Rookie is Chenford. They have been taking small steps since they met but we feel that they are getting closer and closer this season, especially after Tim started to show vulnerability only with Lucy. We want THE STEP to being close. We need it. They’re perfect. Now more than ever. 2022 will be their year. It has to be.
KyBel (Roswell New Mexico)
We’ve been shipping KyBel for awhile now and season three of Roswell, New Mexico only intensified that for us. The chemistry between Michael Trevino and Lily Cowles is palpable and we are glued to the screen when these two are together. Kyle and Isobel bond with each other in ways they never have with anyone else. What we love most is how much they lift each other up when they’re feeling down.
During a few Instagram lives we heard from Michael that season four will satisfy our KyBel needs. His castmate Jeanine Mason who also wants to see KyBel together, said even she was blushing during the table reads between Michael and Lily. That tells us we’re in for some steamy moments between those two, and we are more than ready for that.
Kanej (Shadow & Bone)
Every great ship has a Moment. That single interaction that made it unequivocally clear that they would own our hearts. And for Kanej, this one was ours. But what can we say? We’re suckers for the rough-around-the-edges types who are soft for just one person. And if there’s one thing that was clear in Shadow and Bone, it was that Kaz would do anything for Inej. The chemistry between these two is so good, it’s almost hard to believe this ship hasn’t already sailed. Look how they look at each other!
Honorable Mention: Juke (Julie & The Phantoms)
Of all the entries on this list, this is the one that we know for a fact won’t happen. Netflix – in its most baffling decision of the year – cancelled this brilliant, unique series. But we at Fangirlish love nothing more than living in denial, and we’re not mentally or emotionally ready to let go of Julie and The Phantoms yet. So we’ll spend our New Year’s hoping for some sort of miracle surprise save that gives this award-nominated series a second chance…and hope for the future for fans of this adorable ship.
