# Non-canon couples/pairings that may as well be canon **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 8, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266 "2008-12-08T17:13:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Punkyova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@The\_Punkyova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Punkyova)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/21 "2008-12-09T02:15:14Z")
Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe; Robin Hood and Little John; David and Jonathan; David Balfour and Alan Breck Stuart; Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin; Mr. Steed and Mrs. Peel; Perry Mason and Della Street I’ll probably think of more as soon as I hit “Post.” ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/22 "2008-12-09T02:26:20Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Rum, sodomy, and the lash? That is : A) The Royal Navy and B) A Three-way. ---
**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:** [December 9, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/23 "2008-12-09T02:26:54Z")
> [@The\_Punkyova](#): > > Perry Mason and Della Street Good one. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/24 "2008-12-09T02:29:27Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > Dr House, and Dr Wilson. And their predecessors, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. In fact, there’s plenty of fan-fic that makes it so 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/25 "2008-12-09T02:54:45Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > From what little I’ve seen of _Pokemon_, I thought it was pretty clear that James was gay. He’s a bishonen, but that doesn’t mean he’s neccesarily gay. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/26 "2008-12-09T02:55:42Z")
The Doctor and Rose. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/27 "2008-12-09T03:22:45Z")
If there was a good term for “in love, just not romantically or sexually”, it would apply to Detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson, Manhatten SVU. The absolute panic each displays when the other is in danger tells it all. They’d pretty much die for each other, or avenge the other’s murder at any cost. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/28 "2008-12-09T04:30:28Z")
> [@The\_Punkyova](#): > > Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin Not that it stopped them from having other lovers, at least in the novels. > [@](#): > > Mr. Steed and Mrs. Peel; Perry Mason and Della Street I second these. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Punkyova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@The\_Punkyova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Punkyova)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/29 "2008-12-09T04:36:45Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > Not that it stopped them from having other lovers, at least in the novels.I second these. And in the comics it’s clear that all those beautiful girls don’t just follow Willie around to gaze into his eyes. And Modesty is shown with overnight male companions as well. Sexual encounters with others, yes, frequently and openly. But true and deep love between them. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/30 "2008-12-09T23:07:18Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > He’s a bishonen, but that doesn’t mean he’s neccesarily gay. He enjoys dressing in drag (one of the few episodes I’ve seen had him enthusiastically masquerading as a schoolgirl) and has a sassy, evil female friend who bosses him around. He and Jesse are basically Jack and Karen from _Will & Grace_. > [@Lumpy](#): > > If there was a good term for “in love, just not romantically or sexually”, it would apply to Detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson, Manhatten SVU. The absolute panic each displays when the other is in danger tells it all. They’d pretty much die for each other, or avenge the other’s murder at any cost. Speaking of _SVU_, I’ve long felt that Munch and Fin are basically married. I’m not saying they’re sleeping together, but they totally act like a couple. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/31 "2008-12-09T23:14:02Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > From what little I’ve seen of _Pokemon_, I thought it was pretty clear that James was gay. If I recall correctly (and it’s been a long time), James was meant to be a parody of a Japanese theater where all the characters are played by women. So, no, he’s not gay, he’s a lesbian. > [@Skald](#): > > (Oh, and Cheetara was totally doing Panthro every time Tygra’s back was turned.) There were no canon pairings on Thundercats! (besides Lion-o & the Sword). Besides, cats aren’t exactly monogamous anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/32 "2008-12-09T23:30:08Z")
Xander and Riley were totally doing it behind Anya and Buffy’s backs. I can’t watch them together in fifth season episodes without getting those vibes. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/33 "2008-12-10T00:16:03Z")
> [@Silver Tyger Girl](#): > > If I recall correctly (and it’s been a long time), James was meant to be a parody of a Japanese theater where all the characters are played by women. So, no, he’s not gay, he’s a lesbian. This makes no sense at all, and sounds to me like something made up by an American _Pokemon_ fan who knows little about Japan. The [Takarazuka Revue](http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/english/index.html) is an all-female theater in, surprise, Takarazuka (there’s also another theater in Tokyo), and some of the most famous actresses are the ones who specialize in male roles. But I don’t see how a male character who sometimes dresses as a woman as part of an evil plan would serve as a parody of a female actress who always plays a man onstage. James doesn’t even look like a Takarazuka actress. The women who play male roles have much shorter hair, often dyed brown or auburn. I’m not finding many good pictures on the web, but the actress shown [here](http://www.takarazuka-revue.info/tiki-index.php) is pretty typical. If anything James would have to be a parody of kabuki theater, where all the roles are played by men, but even that doesn’t make much sense. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/34 "2008-12-10T01:54:29Z")
Just to be clear **Silver Tyger Girl** , I don’t doubt that you read that somewhere, I just strongly suspect that whoever wrote it didn’t know what they were talking about. Looking at my post again it kinds sounds like I’m accusing YOU of making it up, which was not my intent. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/35 "2008-12-10T16:04:12Z")
> [@Silver Tyger Girl](#): > > If I recall correctly (and it’s been a long time), James was meant to be a parody of a Japanese theater where all the characters are played by women. So, no, he’s not gay, he’s a lesbian. > > There were no canon pairings on Thundercats! (besides Lion-o & the Sword). Besides, cats aren’t exactly monogamous anyway. Damn it, woman, what’s the pointof me teasing you when you refuse to rise to the bait? ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/36 "2008-12-10T16:22:15Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > It is my firmly-held conviction that Bernice Fox (a.k.a. “Miss Wolfe”) regularly, um, soothed Murphy Michaels’ ego[.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Steele#Season_1) > > I mean, he couldn’t spend every waking hour fetching coroner’s reports. Forgive me, but I’m not sure I recognize these two. Are they from Season 1 of the 1980s detective show Remington Steele? If so, I only know that because I was madly in love with Stephanie Zimbalist aka Laura Holt at the time. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Atomicflea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/58956e/32.png) [@Atomicflea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomicflea)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/37 "2008-12-10T16:32:12Z")
Skinner and Scully in the _X-Files_. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/38 "2008-12-10T16:32:55Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Damn it, woman, what’s the pointof me > teasing you when you refuse to rise to the bait? And why should I take the bait when doing otherwise bothers you more? 😃 > [@Lamia](#): > > Just to be clear **Silver Tyger Girl** , I don’t doubt that you read that somewhere, I just strongly suspect that whoever wrote it didn’t know what they were talking about. Looking at my post again it kinds sounds like I’m accusing YOU of making it up, which was not my intent. Like I said, it was a long time ago. My Rocketshipping days are long past. (and the ‘he’s a lesbian’ part was a joke) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/39 "2008-12-10T16:35:38Z")
> [@Silver Tyger Girl](#): > > And why should I take the bait when doing otherwise bothers you more? 😃 > > Like I said, it was a long time ago. My Rocketshipping days are long past. (and the ‘he’s a lesbian’ part was a joke) Twice I’ve seen James disguised as a female. And, um… he seemed to take to that role with relish. But he’s not as over-the-top as Harley. ---
**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:** [December 10, 2008, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266/40 "2008-12-10T16:36:54Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > Are they from Season 1 of the 1980s detective show Remington Steele? Yep. The link is at the end of the first sentence. Sometimes I’m too subtle for my own good. Laura never did anything for me at the time, but I’ve grown to appreciate her. “Miss Wolfe,” however, has always been a welcome visitor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canon-couples-pairings-that-may-as-well-be-canon/476266.md?page=1)