I would nominate the BBC series “The Office”, and the kiss between Tim and Dawn in the Christmas special.
There was two seasons of buildup to this kiss. The attraction between the two characters was clear at first, and obviously grew slowly each episode.
The show was not build around this though - it was a nice side story that grew.
We ended season 2 with Dawn flying off to another continent after Tim had made his last (unsuccessful) play, telling her how he really felt. Heart crushed. End of show. The writers said that was it. (sidenote: I love how British shows are “limited engagements”, and can therefore go out on top rather than waiting years until they jump the shark)
A year later we had the Christmas special. 2 parts. Tim is still at dead end job. And hating it, as his best friend Dawn is no longer there. Dawn is in Florida with total loser man, having given up her dreams. And we wait. And wait. I love the scene where Dawn comes back for the office Christmas party - everyone greets her, but Tim stays back a little. Her eyes tell the entire story. She talks to the folks, but keeps stealing glances at Tim across the room. Loved this.
Finally, Lee (total loser man) tells Dawn they are leaving the party. Tim and Dawn have an awkward leaving scene. They leave. Sadness. Only 5 minutes left in show. Tim says that he didn’t expect a happy ending to his story and anyway, life goes on. You just KNOW those bastard writers are going to leave us unfullfilled again.
But… but… at the very last minute, Dawn returns to the party. Says nothing. Goes up to Tim, gives him “that look” and plants a sensual kiss on him. He kisses back. She takes his hand and they leave the party. No words. And that’s it.
It’s hard to sum up the two seasons of Tim and Dawn being better and better friends, but simply not able to break out of the boxes they have built for themselves. And to watch their dreams slowly sink down. And as a viewer, you just KNOW that this is how it’s going to end.
Maybe I’m showing my age, but I’m partial to Dave and Maddie’sfirst kissfrom *Moonlighting *- the scene in the parking garage, when Dave was on the lam.
Yep. Watching it at the time it sorta seemed like the endpoint was going to be Brent telling Chris Finch to fuck off, but of course it wasn’t. When Dawn opens Tim’s present in the back of the cab, oh man…
Yeah–I don’t remember a ton of that show, except the cringe humor. But when she opened that present, that was one of the all-time top romance moments :).
This is the one I thought of. I was 12 at the time, I think. I don’t really remember too much other than losing interest in the series shortly thereafter. Having them kiss just ruined the tension/chemistry of the show. I guess, looking it up, this was actually referred to as the “Moonlighting curse” in the industry (and there are many examples of shows defying the “Moonlighting curse” as well, so it’s not necessarily that if you break the sexual tension, the series goes to pot.)
I saw the title and the first thing that came to mind was Tim and Dawn. Not least because I just rewatched the whole series over the last couple of days and watched the finale just yesterday. I pretty much never cry at any film or TV but I don’t mind telling you that I was choked up at that one…yet again, even though I knew it was coming. It has a massive emotional kick.
