How television keeps me hooked

The intent of the this concept is to keep the viewer watching to see if a relationship is going to continue to form in the next episode.

The only problem is there is always obstacles in the way of the two individuals.

Psych, which is a USA Network Original Series, is a show about a fake psychic detective who is a very good real detective. Psych began teasing a relationship between Shawn Spencer, the "psychic" and Juliet O'Haire, a detective with the Santa Barbara Police Department in the second episode of season one of the series. I believe the show is currently in season five and the teasing continues. This is due to many obstacles coming in the way of the two. These obstacles include Shawn's high school sweet heart, who broke up with him in the season premiere of season five, along with Shawn accusing Juliet's brother, played by WWE Superstar John Cena, of being a criminal. Even though Shawn was right on his "psychic vibe" about O'Haire's brother, she did not seem pleased with him, thus another obstacle for the two to overcome in the coming weeks.

Other shows with the same theme include House, which airs on FOX, Burn Notice, which airs on USA, Bones, which airs on FOX, NCIS, which airs on CBS, Chuck, which airs on NBC, and Fringe, which airs on FOX.

House's teased romance is between Dr. Gregory House and his boss Lisa Cuddy. The current obstacle for this relationship is Cuddy's inability to trust that House has truly changed and her current serious relationship with Lucas Douglas. In one of the most recent episodes of House, Lucas plays pranks on House and Wilson to extract revenge on Wilson for purchasing an apartment that Cuddy really wanted. Lucas makes House and Wilson feel bad for out bidding Cuddy on the apartment. At the end of the episode, Lucas asks Cuddy why she didn't want him to retaliate against House and Wilson for taking the apartment and asks if it is because she still has feelings for House.

Burn Notice's teased romance is between Michael Westen and Fiona Glenanne. Fiona is Michael's ex-girlfriend in the show and the only thing stopping the two from being together is Michael's never ending quest to be reinstated as a spy in the U.S. Government. In the most recent episode, Michael takes Fiona's advice and takes time off for the two to have a romantic get away.

Bones has two different teased romances including Dr. Temperance Brennan and Seeley Booth, and Angela Montenegro and Jack Hodgins. The obstacles separating Brennan and Booth are mostly based on the intimidating intelligence of Brennan. Angela and Jack are separated due to past differences that the two seem to be working towards solving. On one of the most recent episodes Angela thought she was pregnant by guy she was dating and, although the child was not his, Jack stepped up and confessed his feelings for Angela and told her he would help her raise the child. During the same episode the two found out that Angela was not pregnant and the test had shown a false positive.

Charles Irving "Chuck" Bartowski and Sarah Walker is the romance that all the Chuck fans are waiting to see happen. The teased romance between these two characters, which began in season 1, does not seem to be getting closer as Chuck becomes a more advanced spy and a more valuable member of the spy team. The further Chuck progresses in his spy world the less likely he is to get Sarah, in my opinion. In the upcoming episodes, it seems as though Chuck will have a romantic interest with Hannah, a girl met while on his first solo mission on a plane to Paris, France.

Fringe's teased romance is between Peter Bishop and Olivia Dunham who seem to care greatly about one another through their actions, but have a hard time expressing their feelings vocally for one another. In the most recent episode of Fringe, Walter Bishop, Peter's father, hints at Peter and Olivia's impending relationship.