# Can we please have a break from unresolved sexual tension in cop/detective shows? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 4, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240 "2010-05-04T02:57:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/21 "2010-05-06T02:31:16Z")
_Remington Steele_ is another early example. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/22 "2010-05-06T03:08:45Z")
Because real life is boring. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/23 "2010-05-06T03:24:17Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > You can start watching _Chuck_ again! They finally did it… Really? About goddamn time. This was the largest part of the reason I stopped watching earlier this season. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/24 "2010-05-06T03:53:19Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > That’s ridiculous. That’s why the shows stay popular. It gets proven over and over again that people lose interest once that tension is gone. > [@Not\_a\_Platypus](#): > > People also lose interest when the tension goes on and on and on, too. The obvious solution is to let them go at it, then introduce another such plot with another set of characters. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/25 "2010-05-06T03:59:36Z")
I don’t really feel any sexual tension on _SVU_ or _The Mentalist_ (at least not the leads, the two cops on the team have ST but it isn’t so U). ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/26 "2010-05-06T05:21:25Z")
On a related note (ie gimmicks that go on too long) - I’m kinda not caring anymore How Ted Met Your Mother. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/27 "2010-05-06T13:56:33Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > On a related note (ie gimmicks that go on too long) - I’m kinda not caring anymore How Ted Met Your Mother. I’m just feeling sorry for his kids. They’ve been forced to sit on that couch listening to their dad prattle on for five years now. They haven’t even gotten a change of clothing! I’m pretty sure that’s not allowed under the Geneva Convention. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/28 "2010-05-06T14:18:12Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > On a related note (ie gimmicks that go on too long) - I’m kinda not caring anymore How Ted Met Your Mother. Yeah, I like the show, but they kinda set themselves up to run that gimmick too long. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/29 "2010-05-06T14:46:22Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > _Remington Steele_ is another early example. Which, IMHO, handled its UST perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/30 "2010-05-06T16:37:18Z")
I’ve never been able to decide if there is any UST between Monk and Sharona and/or Natalie. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/31 "2010-05-06T16:48:22Z")
I stopped watching \*Bones \*because I thought that if they hadn’t figured it out by now, they don’t deserve to be happy (well, that, and all the secondary character suddenly became incredibly annoying). As for _In Plain Sight_, I believe the actor who plays Marshall has given interviews stating that Marshall has been half in love with Mary for a while - why, who knows? At least \*Castle \*has some fun playing with it, instead of it being the elephant in the room. ``` **Suspect:** Are you two together? **Beckett:** No **Castle:** Not yet... ``` ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/32 "2010-05-06T21:29:18Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > I’ve never been able to decide if there is any UST between Monk and Sharona and/or Natalie. Monk is so sex-phobic that, IMO, it was always left deliberately unclear whether he ever consummated his marriage to Trudy. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/33 "2010-05-06T22:50:48Z")
About the SVU UST (Spoilers for this season): Isn’t Stabler’s wife leaving him? I saw an episode where she was demanding he make up his mind whether he wanted to divorce or not and it seemed like she was going to take the initiative. Anyway, I think they’re getting her out of the way for Stabler/Benson. Or did I accidentally catch an old episode I thought was new? Also, call me back to House when they start back on the House/Cuddy train. House himself can no longer keep me interested in the show. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/34 "2010-05-07T00:35:08Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > _Remington Steele_ is another early example. Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan were one of the most attractive and simmering couples in the history of television. I was pretty young when Remington Steele was on air, but I remember the chemistry between those two very well------Stephanie Zimbalist was about the first woman on-screen that I was absolutely mesmerized by, and I saw recently that she is still stunning after all this time. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2010, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/35 "2010-05-08T06:16:33Z")
> [@kushiel](#): > > Or did I accidentally catch an old episode I thought was new? Yes you did. That was a couple seasons back and has been resolved with the relationship restores. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/36 "2010-05-08T12:56:18Z")
I think that a total ratings winner (At lest amongst men ) would be unresolved, or preferably resolved in plain sight, sexual tension between two hot females. In fact you could probably save all that writing about catching the killer, saving the dying little girl etc.etc. and have ONLY the s.t. between two fit women. Or you could have a programme about cheerleaders where they ALL have s.t. between them and then they all resolve it in an orgy of passion publically every single episode… I’m sorry,I do apologise, I’ll get my coat . And now I think that I’ll go for a lie down in my room because I’m er feeling rather tired. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/37 "2010-05-11T14:37:54Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What about _In Plain Sight?_ I’ve never perceived any UST between Mary and Marshall. I don’t agree with this at all. Marshall Marshall was sad when Mary got engaged. He would never act on it; but he lurves her! She, however doesn’t notice it in him; because he’s her ideal mate… someone she can trust no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/38 "2010-05-11T14:49:56Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I don’t agree with this at all. Marshall Marshall was sad when Mary got engaged. He would never act on it; but he lurves her! > > She, however doesn’t notice it in him; because he’s her ideal mate… someone she can trust no matter what. Mary doesn’t notice _anyone_ unless they’re getting in her way. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/39 "2010-05-11T16:55:33Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Give me classic _Law & Order_ any day, when it’s a total shocker to even see a character’s SO. Oh come on! Briscoe and Curtis totally wanted to make sweet sweet love to each other. Or maybe have a 3-way with Van Buren or something. > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What about _In Plain Sight?_ I’ve never perceived any UST between Mary and Marshall. Like the others have said, Marshall is totally in love with Mary. But there is no UST because she doesn’t notice and doesn’t feel the same way. It’s yet another of those little touches of verisimilitude that make the show so great. Sometimes people end up with silly names like Marshal Marshall Mann and sometimes people get stuck in the friend zone. And sometimes black people have names like Dershowitz. I miss Dershowitz. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240/40 "2010-06-15T01:46:43Z")
**Enright3** said: > [@](#): > > Yeah that’s true. I think I like the way Bones handled it this season. They sort of addressed the issue with each other and put it to bed (so to speak) for a while, but in a way it gave the show new life with a new refreshed type of sexual tension between them. Okay, what did they do? I’m mildly curious, but not enough to watch the show. **foolsguinea** said: > [@](#): > > Isn’t Lisbon’s relationship to Jane (_The Mentalist_) sort of schoolteacher to student? Not really. They have different backgrounds and goals, but they’re really an exchange between equals. **obfusciatrist** said: > [@](#): > > I don’t really feel any sexual tension on SVU or The Mentalist The Mentalist, they aren’t making googly eyes, but there’s a certain chemistry between the leads. Haven’t watched SVU in years, but could just be audiences reading in to the trust relationship between the male/female partners. **Enderw24** said: > [@](#): > > I’m just feeling sorry for his kids. They’ve been forced to sit on that couch listening to their dad prattle on for five years now. How I slept around with all these women before I met your mother. 😉 **teela brown** said: > [@](#): > > I’ve never been able to decide if there is any UST between Monk and Sharona and/or Natalie. No, Monk’s dynamic was always more of a mother fixation. The UST was always between the lady and Randy. **kushiel** said: > [@](#): > > Also, call me back to House when they start back on the House/Cuddy train. House himself can no longer keep me interested in the show. You can come back now. At the end of last season, Cuddy came to House’s bathroom and told him she broke up with the detective because she’s in love with House. He asked if he was hallucinating again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-break-from-unresolved-sexual-tension-in-cop-detective-shows/538240.md?page=1)