The Appeal of the Slow Burn Romance... In Television and Real Life
If you are watching The Bear on Hulu or FX, you likely have an opinion on the relationship between Carm and Syd. Are they just good friends or are we watching an epic slow burn unfold before our eyes? While fans are split, I feel certain that the chemistry between the characters and the actors makes their relationship a memorable slow burn romance.
I am a total romantic, and nothing gets me better than the slow burn romance. The slow burn is the unexpected budding of romantic feelings between two people over a period of time. The slow burn relationship usually starts off very platonic, and then like a switch something changes.
The slow burn theme is very common in romance, suspense novels, and television series because the build-up and the "will they, won't they" question create excitement for the readers and viewers. The slow burn romance can be friends to lovers or enemies to lovers and I find them both intriguing.
And then there is the correlation to real life, and how the slow burn seems to be the recipe for long-term happiness and relationship longevity. Friends can and do become lovers and romantic partners and these relationships are the strongest. For shows with agonizing romance, here is my list of television shows with stand-out slow-burn romantic chemistry.
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Slow Burn Romance In Television
Carmy/Sydney - The Bear
Lucifer/Chloe - Lucifer
Any Vampire Series
Lan Mondragon/Nynaeve - The Wheel of Time
Marian/Larry - The Gilded Age
Phryne/Jack - Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (Epic Slow Burn)
Archer/Lana Kane - Archer
Rick/Michonne - The Walking Dead
Jim/Pam - The Office
As much as the slow burn appeals to many people, the actually consummation seems to be a buzz kill. Many shows lose their steam after the slow burn couple gets together. Is it because the slow burn is fantasy and romantic, but with a relationship comes struggles.
Is it possible some of the relationship pitfalls and struggles can be avoided if the transition from crushes to lovers is handled carefully?
The slow burn is special because the foundation of the relationship is not based on appearance or sex, but genuine fondness and chemistry that grew into more. There is an internal switch that is flipped and a dynamic shift in the relationship. The scary thing, and the undeniable hotness about the slow burn, is the build-up. The build-up of wanting more, and suddenly wanting each other.
Over time, the desire for things to be out in the open is there, but there is also an element of fear. A fear that maybe you will not live up to each other’s fantasies. A fear that you will be disappointed, or even worse, that you will disappoint them. Highly unlikely with the slow burn chemistry, but still a very realistic fear.
I have had experience with a slow burn, and I would use three words to describe the feelings: complicated, intense, giddy. It catches you by surprise, and then it becomes all you can think about.
I truly believe that the slow burn flame never goes out. It may not always burn with the same intensity as it did when first ignited, but depending on those involved, I firmly believe the smolder is there to stay.
What are your thoughts on the slow burn? Any slow burn experience? If so, did you go for it or stay put? Please share your story or experience!
“Hard to sit here and be close to you, and not kiss you.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald
