It's easy to love Valentine's Day if you're in a happy relationship - there are gifts, fancy dinners, the general satisfaction of parading your love for all to see. But, as some of our favorite shows make evident, it's not always the perfect Valentine's Days that are the most memorable
Friends, "The One with the Candy Hearts"
There's probably nothing worse than being set up on a date on Valentine's Day, well, other than being set up on a date with your ex on Valentine's Day. Worse yet is when said ex is the ever-insufferable Janice. Things improve marginally for Chandler when they're left with Joey's credit card, proceed to buy a heck of a lot of alcohol, and end up in bed together later that night. Hey, it's not all bad: Janice has candy hearts printed with the words "Chan and Jan Forever." That's either terrifying or adorable. You decide.
Glee, "Silly Love Songs"
Ever think you would hear "Fat Bottomed Girls, " Michael Jackson’s "P.Y.T, " and Katy Perry’s "Firework" in the same episode? Look no further. Even more outrageous, Finn Hudson sets up a kissing booth as a ploy to get back with his ex-girlfriend Quinn while Santana conspires mono sabotage on the club members. A drama-filled high school escapade with heartfelt hits.
The Office, "Valentine's Day"
Big or small, nobody knows how to throw an in-office celebration quite like Michael Scott. Only Michael's out of the office visiting Dunder Mifflin HQ in NYC and embarrassing Jan, so he can't get in on the festive fun. Nonetheless, the episode is a lot of fun: Phyllis is buried in gifts by Bob Vance, Vance Refrigerators; Kelly asks Ryan out and is rejected; Pam is less than pleased when Ray's only gift to her is the promise of "the best sex of her life." The real clincher though is the longing look Pam gives Jim after he wishes her a happy Valentine's Day as he leaves the office.
Modern Family, "My Funky Valentine"
There’s always has to be some grand romantic gesture that goes horribly wrong for it to be a convincing sitcom Valentine’s Day. That’s the case when Claire shows up to meet Phil for a romantic evening and decides to spice things up by taking off all her clothes apart from her coat in an attempt to seduce Phil. She gets her coat stuck in the escalator and has to endure everyone — including Jay and Gloria.
Grey’s Anatomy, "Valentine’s Day Massacre"
Maybe you aren’t feeling the comedic Valentine’s. If you want a tug on the heartstrings, look no further than this dramatic episode. A restaurant roof caves in on the holiday evening leaving Seattle Grace in a frenzy to help. And if it’s Grey’s, a bustling hospital means intricate and complicated relationships to follow.
The Vampire Diaries, "Total Eclipse of the Heart"
Don't you hate it when the bad guy shows up to ruin the most romantic day of the year? Especially when by "bad guy" we're not just referring to a persistent ex. That’s the case when Damon is dosed with Dr. Maxfield’s (the bad guy we mentioned) magic potion that turns vampires into insatiably thirsty vamps and is in dire need of saving. Oh, did we mention it's not human blood he's after — it's vampire blood? Nothing says Valentine's Day like hearts, flowers, and vampire cannibalism.