Here’s the thing about Joey and Rachel – why? I never, ever understood why this couple happened. There are other couples that I absolutely hate, but I understand why the writers went there (even if I don’t agree). But this one…I. Just. Don’t. Get. It. Did the writers think there was something there? Were they hoping for a love triangle with Ross? Was it just a new way to delay Ross and Rachel? Did the actors ask for this arc? Just why? And whatever it was that they were trying to do, the execution was just so bad (beyond the above mentioned lack of chemistry).

Beyond that, another problem was Ross and Rachel. Whether you loved RR, or you hated them, or liked them but grew to dislike them because of all the back and forth, no one can deny what we all knew to be true: they were always going to end up together in the end. And they were “the” couple of the show (sorry Mondler) and one of the most iconic parts of the show and 90s for that matter. So why would you put one of them with another of the friends? Again, did they really think that Joey/Rachel had a shot? If it had worked out were the writers really planning on ending the show with them? I can’t remember exactly what it was but it was clear that they always planned on going back to Ross and Rachel because they seemingly dropped J/R when they didn’t think there was going to be a season 10, picked it up when season 10 was on but ended it immediately because it was a shortened season. So why do it? Maybe it was a good maturing arc for Joey, but what did Rachel get out of it? They could have let Joey fall in love with someone else; it didn’t have to be Rachel. Why not Phoebe? There was a lot of interest in that pairing but we all figured there was no way they would pair up everyone but then they up and did Joey/Rachel!

Which leads me to the example of Mondler: you know why lightning struck twice for the writers with this pairing? Because they were so different than Ross and Rachel. Where RR were the on-again/off-again, will they/won’t they, dramatic couple of the show, Mondler was the exact opposite. Whereas Joey/Rachel was sort of a poor man’s Ross/Rachel. The story of RR goes: Ross likes Rachel but she doesn’t know it, then Rachel likes Ross but he doesn’t know it, then Rachel decides to tell Ross but he’s dating Julie. The story of JR goes: Joey likes Rachel but she doesn’t know it, then Rachel likes Joey but he doesn’t know it, then Rachel decides to tell Joey but he’s dating Charlie. Also the first date thing was too similar too.

I have so much more to say about how it tainted the Ross and Rachel have a baby together arc and ruined seasons 9 and 10 but I’ll just leave it at this: they sucked!

Bay/Ty

I don't know, they just really creep me out.

Belle/Rumple.
Hook/Emma...just no I hate it so much. There's so much wrong there.
Peter/Lydia
Aiden/Lydia
Allison/Isaac
Derek/Stiles...no

The only interesting thing that came out from the whole Rachel/Joey fiasco was Joey's arc in the beginning in S8, which was him basically growing up and wanting more in his love life than being the pretty play boy. But even the fall out from that, in the end wasn't really worth it.