What were some of the best TV ship moments of 2025? Obviously, anyone doing a year in review list should be asking themselves that question. Because there’s nothing that can make us love a TV show more than a good ship. We’re all about that “will they or won’t they,” sizzling chemistry, some angst, and — most importantly — the payoff. So, with no further ado, and in no particular order, we present to you our totally-not-at-all-biased list of the best TV ship moments of 2025!
MORE: If you’re looking for more swoon-worthy moments, check out our list of The Best TV Kisses of 2025.
“Love you. Night,” Breaks EO Shippers, Law & Order: SVU
Anyone else still thinking, “did I hallucinate that” after Elliot just casually told Olivia he loved her on SVU? Because we’re still having a hard time believing it happened because the way he said “love you” was so easy and so casual, like he’d done it a million times before (and planned to do it a billion more). And even Olivia “I want to, but I can’t” Benson didn’t run away screaming. We had plenty to say about this TV ship moment when we reviewed the Law & Order: SVU Season 27 premiere, and we’re not sure we’ve stopped internally screaming since. When you think of the history between these two characters and Elliot’s brave, yet failed, attempt to start something back the infamous kitchen scene, it’s just a lot to take in. A lot.
Now, if only these two crazy kids could get their acts together and get together. Guys, you can’t live forever…
MORE: Yes, it was also one of the best TV scenes of 2025. No, we don’t regret it.
Ilya Tells Shane He Loves Him… In Russian
Episode 5 of Heated Rivalry is one of the best episodes of TV of the year, bar none. But this might just be one of the best scenes of the year, and that’s saying a lot for an episode that already has like 3 or 4 standout moments. And we haven’t even discussed the fact that more than half of the dialogue in this scene is in Russian! But Ilya calling Shane from Russia after his father died, just to talk, is pretty emotional even before Shane offers to hear him out in Russian, even if he doesn’t understand.
What Ilya says isn’t all about Shane; part of it is about his father and his family, but by the time he reaches the point of “I’m so in love with you, and I don’t know what to do about it,” we’re already weeping. And our hearts have grown three sizes. Shane doesn’t understand, but he’s sitting there, listening, eyes closed. It’s an incredibly intimate scene, even through the phone. And Connor Storrie—in a language he just learned to speak—and Hudson Williams deliver spectacularly.
– Lizzie
MORE: If you want to read us waxing poetic about it, read our Heated Rivalry Episode 5 review!
Brian & Ellen Handfasting, Outlander: Blood of My Blood
Immediately after the premiere of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, we knew that Ellen and Brian had that magic that would keep us glued, sighing with love. And we weren’t wrong. Brian Fraser is the original King of Men, and he brought tears to our eyes more than once. But the moment that we can’t stop thinking about is the handfasting scene between Brian and Ellen AKA Brellen.
It’s beautiful because of what it means. Brian and Ellen were about to sleep together for the first time. Ellen had chosen him. Regardless of whether it would ruin her, regardless that she was engaged to someone else. But Brian didn’t want to show Ellen what she meant to him, to them. That’s why he wanted, needed, to marry her first. The respect he shows for Ellen, for their love, for their bond…that’s what’s truly magical and special for us. And that’s why this moment had to be on the list.
– Raquel
MORE: For more on Brellen’s love story, check out our interview with Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy!
Tai and Van Dine and Dash, Yellowjackets
Admittedly, there was a part of me that considered putting something from the end of TaiVan’s Yellowjackets Season 3 story as one of the best TV ship moments of 2025. After all, that tearful goodbye and the, uh, “burial” were certainly brilliantly acted by Tawny Cypress and Lauren Ambrose, if nothing else. But why not go with something a little more traditional for shipping and a little less traditional for Tai and Van instead? Besides, the rest of the season wouldn’t have been possible without this one.
It all starts with a simple request: “Go F*** yourself.” Wait. No. Not that one, the one for a fancy dinner date. After a little bit of gentle enticement from Tai — Van did, “literally” just tell Tai what she could do and why before the invite, after all — Van goes ahead with it. But the fancy restaurant is just…not it. And when Van points that out, something inside of Tai wakes back up. So, she suggests something much more satisfying and much more them: Pizza and ice cream on the roof. Cue the dine and dash. As the two run as fast as they can to get away from their server, both women come so unbearably back to life, to themselves, and to each other.
After a brief pause, a different type of rush takes over. The anticipation, Van’s hand on Tai’s cheek, the attraction, the love — it’s like they’ve been transported back in time to when they were kids. Or, at the very least, they reconnect with that wild abandon, that passion, from back then. Back when they were in love, in lust, and unable to deny it. In the moment, the magic of first love, that spark, fully reignites. And TaiVan get to hold onto it during their Season 3 arc. It lasts for an all-too-precious and brief amount of time — borrowed, courtesy of the “gift” given by sacrificing the server. But oh, is it everything while it lasts. And really, that love will last forever, considering Tai made sure Van’s heart would never leave her. (To say the least.)
Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” and Bush’s “Glycerine” will never be the same.
MORE: We’re going to miss Yellowjackets and these shows canceled in 2025.
Stellaride Pregnancy News, Chicago Fire
…we’re just going to start this off by saying let’s pretend nothing else happened after this particular TV ship moment. Because, well, what actually did happen failed both the characters and the viewers who love them.
So, now with that PSA out of the way, let’s talk about Stellaride, a season of trying to decide if they could be good parents — or if they should even try — and a moment that actually ended Chicago Fire Season 13 on a hopeful note with plenty of storytelling possibilities. Stella didn’t just come out and say she was pregnant; she excitedly, proudly, maybe a little bit nervously led Kelly to the bathroom to show him something. Something that was going to change their lives, something that had him a bundle of emotion as he asked her “are you ki—…are you kidding me?” But no, unlike TPTB, Stella Kidd wouldn’t mess with anyone’s emotions like that — least of all her husband’s. It was a moment of joy, and forehead kisses, and wonder. They were so happy, and so were we.
…and, remember: Nothing. Else. Happened.
MORE: Stellaride also managed to shine during the Once Chicago crossover at the end of January 2025.
The Tarbecca Proposal, Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18
Get you a girl who will get down on one knee for you, even when she needs help from BAU Daddy Dave just to get both out of her chair and down on the ground.
To say that Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 was a huge one for Tara Lewis and Rebecca Wilson might just be even more of an understatement than “that Sicarius guy did some bad stuff.” Just as we were enjoying some fun, flirty banter (with a slight undertone of Rebecca maybe still being afraid Tara would never fully let herself be vulnerable), Tara got shot. Episode 7 left us with an agonizing final image of Rebecca hovering over her, just desperate not to lose her. Given how queer ships, especially those with women of color involved, tend to end on television — not to mention, considering how dark this series can get — we were ready to furiously write yet another angry post about the “bury your gays” trope. But this time, we didn’t have to.
In fact, instead of more heartbreak, we got one of the best TV ship moments of 2025. Now, that’s not to say that we didn’t have to go on a devastating emotional journey before getting to the good stuff. But some of it was necessary — namely, Tara making peace with losing her mom years ago. Regardless of the painful path we took to get to it, there was something so perfect the Tarbecca proposal. Rebecca’s disbelief, to the point where various BAU members in the background realized what was happening long before she did, was a reminder of where they’d been. And Tara’s “what I’m missing…is you” was her way of acknowledging that her “you can’t fire me because I quit” mentality was holding her — holding them — back.
So, we get why Rebecca had to protect herself and ask if Tara was sure. But, once Tara vowed “I’m not afraid anymore,” it was all joy. For Tarbecca, for shippers, and for every single member of the chosen family hanging out in the background. What a genuinely beautiful way to end that episode, especially when the previous hour had ended so badly. And for what it’s worth, yes, we’re still obsessed with Rebecca coming over and nudging Tara’s shoulder with her chin mid-celebration.
But don’t just take our word for it. In an interview with Out, Nicole Pacent reacted to the big Tarbecca engagement, saying it represented : “…what I have been fighting for all these years: Queer people and queer love normalized for a mainstream audience, and written in a way that makes our community feel seen, supported, and included in shows that mean so much to them.”
MORE: Season 18 wasn’t the first time Tarbecca had a moment after a near-death situation.
“I’ll be your cricket,” ElliMax, Wild Cards
In a season that gave us Det. Cole Ellis and Max Mitchell doing everything from dancing, to a bridal-style lift at just the right moment (and the best fortune cookie fortune ever), to living together for a brief period, Wild Cards kept ElliMax shippers fed. But despite the embarrassment of riches, there’s one supercharged moment this couple shared that was the obvious choice for our best TV ship moments of 2025 list — the one where Max confirmed she’d be his person, the one he could go to whenever he needed someone, to make sure he’d never feel alone. It was the moment Ellis bared his soul to Max, and she vowed to protect and love every fragile, broken piece of it. But, of course, she didn’t say it that way. She just told him she’d be his cricket.
ElliMax might as well have been the only two people in the world at that moment, and the romantic backdrop of the lit fireplace was perfect for their achingly sweet kiss. There was so much heart, and humor, and them to it all. And even if, in the light of day (and sober), insecurities worked their way back in walked the moment back a little, it was still so good. We can’t wait until the moment they finally deliver on the promises made here and go all in.
MORE: Here’s why you should watch Wild Cards.
“Are you?”/”In Love With Eddie?”
As Maddie herself said, it wouldn’t be so crazy.
Yes, 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 11 “Holy Mother of God,” brings the subtext into the show. Is Buck in love with Eddie? He says no, but the question has now been asked, and in TV, questions rarely get asked… especially with the one character who knows Buck better than anyone else, suggesting he might just be, unless the show plans the come back to it.
Ironically, perhaps the biggest Buddie episode of all doesn’t even include Eddie! But Buck does enough pining (and attempting to deny his feelings, like when he tells Tommy that Eddie is a “renter and he’s straight,” in that order, as a way to deny that Eddie is Tommy’s competition) and inadvertently confessing to keep us fed. “I don’t have to sleep with everyone I have feelings for, and I don’t have to have feelings for everyone I sleep with”? What do you mean, Buck? What do you mean?! Are you in love with Eddie? Because, like… we want to know. But we think you probably should figure it out at this point, too.
– Lizzie
MORE: 9-1-1‘s “Holy Mother of God” introduces the question of Eddie’s sexuality
That Darvey Reveal on Suits LA
You know the ship is powerful when an update on their (happily-married!) status can get shippers losing their minds, even with only half of the ship on our screens. And they’re extra powerful when they can make you watch something truly bad like Suits LA just to get that update. That ship, of course, is Darvey.
Finding out Harvey and Donna had a son, who’s listed as “My Boy” in his daddy’s (!!!) phone, had Darvey shippers chatting it up like the series never ended. Not giving us an honest scoop on the little Specter (Paulsen-Specter?) heir’s name made the big news even bigger, somehow. It felt like we were back at [Insert Latest Firm Name Here], trying to figure out WTAF the can opener ritual was all over again. And maybe that’s what really made this moment one of the best of the year — it brought us, the fandom, back home.
MORE: On the other hand, Suits LA was still one of TV’s biggest disappointments of 2025.
The Burzek Wedding, Chicago P.D.
Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek said their vows in the final moments of the Chicago P.D. Season 12 finale. And if getting married, with both Makayla and Kevin standing up there with them, doesn’t make the best TV ship moments of 2025, we don’t know what does. Look: We could easily argue that the wedding scene was a little bit shorter than we might have liked, that they deserved more time to focus on just them. But, on the other hand, should we care? Eh, maybe, but maybe not. Because, well…IT FINALLY HAPPENED. After all these years, the ups and downs, the heartbreak and the trauma, and even a postponement that (thank God) got undone…It. Finally. Happened. We’ll take the win.
MORE: Check out some of our favorite Burzek gifs.
Tiva Says “I Love You” For the First Time
This one was decades in the making. Not metaphorical decades, either. Season 3 of NCIS, where the characters met, aired in 2005. So, to get to this moment and have it not just be organic, but very in character, was the best gift NCIS: Tony & Ziva could give us. Because yes, the show gives us Tony and Ziva being partners once again, it showcases how great Tali, their daughter, is, and it even introduces us to some characters we wouldn’t mind seeing in a possible Season 2.
But above all, the show reminds us that this was the ship we rooted for so many years ago. The one we never got to see come together. The one that got away. And then… the one we got back. So if Tiva could find their happily ever after, all these years later, there’s hope for everyone.
MORE: NCIS: Tony & Ziva Showrunner John McNamara Talks That Happy Ending & What’s Next.
What were your best TV ship moments of 2025? Leave us a comment!
And check out some more of our best TV of 2025 lists!
