Annual fandom review: The very best ‘ships of 2019

2019 is heading for the end (and what an end it is). With it, we’re looking back on what makes any fandom heart sing: the ships. Yes, ships may start wars in a fandom, but these special few of 2019 are the ones that are in universal agreement. From new series to established, from beginnings to endings, these are the characters (and their relationships) that reduced us all into emotional messes in 2019. 

These are the 10 best ships of the year with brief reasons why they’re so iconic. As we move into the new decade, we certainly hope that these love stories never say die. 

10. Clace (Shadowhunters)

Oh Shadowhunters, you were gone too soon. The ships, however, will remain in our hearts. Before you get worried, Malec fans, they’ll appear on the list as well. First, we need to tip our hats to Clace. The relationship between Clary Fray (Katherine McNamara) and Jace Herondale (Dominic Sherwood) was one of mutual fascinating and intense attraction that left fans wanting more and more. 

In 2019, we saw the unfortunate end of Shadowhunters. With it, we learn that Clary had her memory erased of her love. In the year time skip, Jace goes to Clary’s art show and she recognizes him. She doesn’t know, but she does! It’s enough to make any fans heart skip because the Clace love just transcends everything. 

9. Sabrina Spellman/Nicholas Scratch (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina)

We may still have lingering Harvey and Sabrina feels from the Melissa Joan Hart series. Even so, the relationship between Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka) and Nicholas Scratch (Gavin Leatherwood) swept us off our feet in the stellar second part of CAOS. Leatherwood and Shipka just have some truly excellent chemistry. 

Honestly, what seals this one is the part two finale. Nick binds Lucifer (Luke Cook) to his soul in order to save Sabrina from becoming the infernal bride and starting the Apocalypse. He tells her that it’s because she taught him what love meant. Clearly, the love runs both ways. Sabrina is heading to hell to get her boyfriend back. 

8. WestAllen (The Flash)

Barry (Grant Gustin) and Iris (Candice Patton) have weathered some tough relationship storms over the years. Nothing, however, brought the pair closer together than the weird parenthood situation they found themselves in with future daughter Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy). The family dynamic between the three was fantastic, the real great moments are when Barry and Iris try to figure out this parenting thing together.

When Nora was erased from the timeline, the journey the duo took their grief was…heartbreaking. Add in Barry’s impending death in Crisis? It was a fascinating look at how they treasure each other, the little moments, and how WestAllen has become a bedrock relationship of The Flash. 

7. Riverdale’s strongest ships (Bughead, Varchie, Choni)

We don’t want to make the entire list about Riverdale ships. So we’re lumping the supergroup together. Mainly because they have a lot of the same things going for them. Whether broken-up or together, the relationships between Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and Betty (Lili Reinhart), Archie (KJ Apa) and Veronica (Camila Mendes), and Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) and Toni (Vanessa Morgan) are surprisingly thoughtful in mature. In each relationship, there is genuine respect, chemistry, and love for each other. No one tries to tear the other down. They lean on each other in hard times. Even when they have to be apart, the love is still there.

Even though Riverdale is a weird show, we have to give it to the teens. In terms of romance, they are more mature than the adults. We have no clue what a Riverdale endgame would look like, but we can’t imagine it without these three ships at the center of it. 

6. Supercorp (Supergirl) 

Listen, Supercorp may not be canon, but damn if 2019 wasn’t a fantastic year for it. Supergirl’s fourth season is far and away its best with a surprisingly thoughtful use of sci-fi and aliens to talk about nationalism and immigration in a very compelling way. At the center of it are Kara (Melissa Benoist) and Lena (Katie McGrath) as they try to take down Lex Luthor (Jon Cryer) once and for all. The scene where the duo went to Kasnia and Lena so desperately tried to save Kara? Chills.

Needless to say, we’re hoping that the two can eventually resolve things with each other. As mad as Lena is at everyone over Kara’s secret, we think she misses her friends and loved ones. The season five midseason finale “The Wrath of Rama Khan” showed a great moment of Kara begging Lena to believe in her better nature and a heartfelt apology for the deception. Supercorp shippers were aflutter that night. That’s for sure.

5. Avalance (Legends of Tomorrow)

Legends of Tomorrow is a show that only improves over time. Its fourth season may have also been the best season of the series. (Fingers crossed for 2020!) At the heart of this weird and wonderful time travelling superhero series is the relationship between Sara Lance (Caity Lotz) and Ava Sharpe (Jes Macallan).

Part of what made Avalance worked comes from those little relationship milestones dressed up in weird ways. The best comes in “The Eggplant, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”. Ava is stuck in Purgatory, which looks like Ikea, and Sara has to go save her. Over the course of their time there, the two talk about the relationship, their fears, and what they see for the future. We’re not going to spoil anything here because it is an honest and lovely take of that conversation all couples must have eventually.

4. Deckerstar (Lucifer) 

Raise your hand if you’re still emotionally wrecked over the season four finale of Lucifer. We assure you our hands are up and we are weeping. Lucifer season four dealt with Chloe’s (Lauren German) dealing with her new celestial insider status in a very honest to Chloe way. Meanwhile, Lucifer figures out what kind of devil he wants to be with the return of Eve (Inbar Lavi). 

In order for a relationship to blossom, then Lucifer and Chloe had to be on the same page emotionally. Chloe learning to accept Lucifer for who he is and Lucifer accepting him signifies a huge turning point in their relationship. It’s definitely honest about how two who clearly belong together need to get their own heads on straight before doing anything about it. 

3. Malec (Shadowhunters)

Told you that Malec was appearing, Shadowhunters fans. We’ve talked many a time about what makes the Malec relationship so strong. Many. A. Time. Even so, Malec is definitely deserving of being in the Top 3 for 2019. The relationship between Shadowhunter Alec Lightwood (Matthew Daddario) and High Warlock Magnus Bane (Harry Shum Jr) is probably the defining ship of Shadowhunters. 

For good reason, the dynamic between the two characters is exquisitely wrought and evolves into something of mutual respect and affection. When they get together, you never doubt their love and commitment to each other. A sizable part of the series finale is giving Alec and Magnus the impromptu wedding they deserve. We dissolve into a puddle of feels.

2. Patrick Brewer/David Rose (Schitt’s Creek)

The beloved sitcom Schitt’s Creek comes an end in 2020. One that will leave us a mess of feelings, we’re sure. Season five of Schitt’s Creek was a truly excellent one for the relationship of Patrick Brewer (Noah Reid) and David Rose (Dan Levy). The business partners turned boyfriends were at their best in season five. From Patrick’s coming out to their parents to dealing with David’s neurosis, the coupling is full of respect and love. 

It all culminates into what is the most perfect marriage proposal of the year in “The Hike”. From start to finish, the proposal scene will have you giggling and crying until you are a smiling snot-filled mess. It’s one of those rare perfect TV moments that showcases a couple and nourishes the fans at the same. 

1. Ineffable Husbands (Good Omens)

Good Omens, the lone collaboration between Neil Gaiman and the late Sir Terry Pratchett, was released back in May 2019. People are still talking about the relationship between angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and demon Crowley (David Tennant), which is…perfect. The third episode of the series has a 30-minute opening sequence detailing the pair’s relationship over the course of 6000 years. It essentially reads like an awkward and endearing version of Romeo and Juliet. 

Neil Gaiman has confirmed that the relationship is a love story between the pair. With some praising it as a great representation for the asexual community, either way, Crowley and Aziraphale love each other so much that even the Apocalypse had to stop before them. Well, in its own special Good Omens way.