Who Will It Be?: Probabilities of a Love Triangle
While most shows make it obvious what couple will be endgame when there is a love triangle, others do not. I have gathered 14 concluded love triangles; and, below are my findings into how probable it was that the chooser of the triangle will have a final relationship with either/any of the character options.
At the end are 5 unsolved love triangles/shapes and the probable Happily Ever After couples. 4 out of 5 are from A Different World 2026 season 1, and the last one is Half and Half (Mona, Spencer, Lorenzo, and Chase).
The Key for those who cannot read my handwriting (explanations for what is in each photo beyond this point will also be provided for the same reason: my sometimes illegible penmanship. Some traits were also added/removed upon further evaluation, so I actually recommend reading the explanations even if you can decipher my handwritten words):
1st, 2nd, 3rd... : When a character was introduced as a love interest (l.i.)
Full heart: Final couple/H.E.A/Final choice/Most recent choice (for incomplete shows)
Broken Heart: No H.E.A; Not the final/most recent choice
Red dash (-): A trait that could decrease the probability of having a H.E.A or being the final choice
Green Plus (+) : A trait that could decrease the probability of having a H.E.A or being the final choice
Blue person-like stump: x'y": Height; Greater height difference, greater chance of endgame
Red and Magenta Heart: Incompatible/Unhealthy treatment of/from the chooser (in my opinion)
Orange and Blue Heart: Compatible/Healthy treatment of/from the chooser (in my opinion)
Apple vs. Orange: Has grievances or negative feelings toward another main character who is not a romantic rival
A Different World (1987)
From Left to Right and Down (This pattern is the same in all show explanations):
- Whitley and Byron vs. Whitley & Dwayne
Byron: Introduced 2nd to Dwayne; 5'9"; Compatible from both being "polished" and into politics ; Incompatible because he didn't want her to be herself during the campaign until it benefitted him (see episode where she wore a fur to an event)
Probability: 1/4 + -(3/4) = -(2/4) = -50%
Dwayne: Introduced first as Whitley's love interest by this point; 5'11"; Compatible in romantic chemistry and even though he often "checked" her, he never tried to change her; incompatible/poor treatment in that he did go out on a date with another woman while they were engaged
Probability: 3/4 + -(1/4) = 2/4 = 50%
- Dwayne & Kinu vs. Dwayne & Whitley
Kinu: Introduced 2nd as love interest; 5'3"; they were compatible in their both being interested in computers and mathematics; incompatible in Kinu taking over the apartment and being generally inconsiderate of his friendships with Ron and Whitley (in Kinu's defense, Whitley was often out of line, but she was still a friend to Dwayne); Kinu and Ron did not get along very much/at all because she was controlling Dwayne and the space he shared with Ron
Probability: 1/5 + -(4/5) = -(3/5) = -60%
Whitley: Introduced first as a love interest to Dwayne by this point; 5'2"; they were compatible because of their fabulous chemistry and she also never tried to change him/she understood him (when he got a C she shared in his shock, while Ron was like "what's the big whoop?"); poor treatment/incompatible would just be her controlling nature, but that was with everybody
Probability: 3/4 + -(1/4) = 2/4 = 50%
Kim and Spencer vs. Kim and Ron
Spencer: 2nd introduced love interest; 5'8"; compatible/good treatment in both of them wanting to be a doctor, him being loyal, and faithful since the beginning; technically, he shouldn't have been flirting with Kim while she was with Ron, I was also not a fan of Spencer pressuring her to marry him (at least he was committed, that's more than I can say for Ron).
Probability: 2/4 + -(2/4) = 0%
Ron: Introduced as a love interest to Ron first; 5'7"; cheated on Kim from the start of their relationship, emphasized sex too much when she was celibate
Probability: 1/3 + -(2/3) = (-)1/3 = -33.33(repeating)%
Freddie and Shazza vs. Freddie and Ron
Shazza: Introduced 2nd as a love interest; 6'2"; They were compatible because they had darn-near the same political beliefs & clothing aesthetics; He became incompatible with her and did not treat her well in judging what she did with her hair and how she chose to fix the judicial system; He and Kim butted heads, likely started from "Llama" judging her in front of the whole school for dating a white man. Their relationship was bound to be tense from there.
Probability: 2/5 + -(3/5)= -(1/5) = -20%
Ron: Introduced as a love interest first: In season 2 he expresses to Dwayne that he is attracted to Freddie before he even knew her name, just from seeing her across the room; 5'7"; Incompatible because they had vastly different views on how women should be treated, and everything else; Became more compatible with her than Shazza because he respected her new approach to changing the justice system. Everything else about them was the same though (differing political views and ways of handling moral situations), their sexual tension was just reignited (so only a .5 merit).
Probability: 1.5/3 + -(2/3.5) = -(.5/3.5) = (approximately) -14.29%
Whitely and Byron vs. Whitley & Dwayne Round 2:
Byron: Introduced 2nd; 5'9"; Incompatible in that he didn't respect her marriage by oversharing his feelings about her and not calling her by her still legal married name.
Probability: -(3/3) = -100%
Dwayne: Introduced first; 5'11"; Compatible because they are still married, also they are a beloved tv couple; Incompatible because they are separated for a reason.
Probability: 3/4 + -(1/4) = 2/4 = 50%
Living Single
- Synclaire & Michael vs. Synclaire & Obie
Michael: Introduced after Obie as a love interest; 6'4''; Compatible in that they both loved animals and he was a gentleman.
Probability of ending up together: 2/3 + (- 1/3) = (+)1/3 =33.33(repeating)%
Obie: Introduced as the first love interest for Synclaire; shorter than Michael; Compatible because they were equally goofy (in a good way), corny (in a good way), a sweet slow burn, and wholesomely romantic.
Probability of ending up together: 2/3 + (- 1/3) = (+)1/3 =33.33(repeating)%
- Obie & Summer vs. Obie & Synclaire
Summer: Introduced 2nd; 5'3";Incompatible because Obie didn't want her until Kyle pressured him into pursuing a woman other than Synclaire, and he was generally not excited to be with her; They were compatible in them both liking movies (specifically sci-fi), and they both believed that one thing shouldn't be traded for another because of appearances (her comments on her car was "it's not fancy, but it works").
Probability: 2/4 + -(2/4) = 0/4 = 0%
Synclaire: Introduced first; 5'9"; They were compatible in every single way, Obie had literal romantic movie music playing when he met her and the same was true for Synclaire.
Probability: 2/3 + -(1/3) = 1/3 = 33.33(repeating)%
- Khadijah & Alonzo vs. Khadijah & Scooter/Terrence
Alonz0: Introduced 2nd; 6'1"; He treated her poorly, to me, because he pressured her about moving in with him using flowers (tooo many), a bear, his class as a chorus. It was what some would call love-bombing. They both played basketball but I don't know what else they could have had in common and what brought them together outside of attraction.
Probability: 1/4 + -(3/4) = -(2/4) = -50%
Scooter/Terrence: Introduced 1st; 6'4"; they were compatible from growing up together, they both loved the arts (writing (K) and music (T/S)) & worked in it, both ambitious.
Probability: 3/3 = 100%
Abbott Elementary
- Janine & Maurice vs. Janine & Gregory vs. Janine & Tariq
Maurice: Introduced 3rd; 5'8"; not incompatible or compatible as their connection wasn't well explored
Probability: -(2/2) = -100%
Gregory: Introduced on the show and as a love interest 1st; 5'8" (not the tallest of the other rivals, and not the shortest); Compatible in every way like Synclaire and Overton, they are both quirky and respect each other's quirks
Probability: 2.5/3 + -(.5/3) = 2/3 = 66.6(repeating)7%
Tariq: Technically her boyfriend at the beginning, but he was introduced second on the show (hence the half points for each de/merit); slightly taller than Gregory; incompatible by the time we met them - he was very immature, paid no bills/had no job, outgrew each other.
Probability: 1/3 + -(2/3) = -(1/3) = -33.3(repeating)3%
- Gregory & Amber vs. Gregory & Taylor vs. Gregory & Janine
Amber: Introduced 2nd (I believe she dated Gregory last before Janine); taller than Janine, but I don't know her height exactly; Incompatible from Greg still actively having feelings for Janine, and Amber judged Gregory's journal and she did not respect his quirkyness
Probability: .5 + -(2.5/3) = -(2/3) = -66.6(repeating)7%
Taylor: Introduced 3rd, but dated Gregory before Amber and Janine; 5'4" (not the tallest, probably shorter than Amber, though); I do not recall their connection and therefore I will say they were neither in/compatible. (Her being here is technically not necessary because she was no longer a romantic option for Gregory by Season 2, which is when Gregory had feelings for Janine and began dating Amber).
Probability: 1/2 + -(1/2) = 0/2 = 0%
Janine: Introduced 1st; 4'11"; Perfect for each other, understands and loves his quirks as he loves hers.
Probability: 3/3 = 100%
Grown-ish
Zoey & Luca vs. Zoey & Aaron
Luca: Introduced 2nd; 5’11”; Both were into fashion; He became intimidated by her after she got, without trying, a client he wanted and was jealous when she was talking to an ex
Probability: 1/4 + - (3/4) = -(2/4) = -50%
Aaron: Introduced 1st on Black-ish (she even stated she found the love of her life); 6’2”; Compatible like Dwayne and Whitley, he checked her without trying to change her; in Black-ish he blamed her for something she didn’t do (shutting down Hawkins) and treated her like she wasn’t “Black enough” and assumed she was biracial (as if it was a negative thing); Apples vs. Oranges = Aaron and Anna didn’t barely tolerate each other until they dated and then broke up.
Probability: 3/5 + -(2/5) = 1/5 = 20%
Aaron & Rochelle vs. Aaron & Zoey
Rochelle: Introduced 2nd; 5’4”; I don’t remember their relationship
Produced: -2/2 = -100%
Zoey: Introduced 1st; 5’3”; Poor treatment in sleeping with him while he was with Rochelle
Probability: 2/3 + -(1/3) = 1/3 = 33.3(repeating)3%
Andre/Jr. & Annika vs. Andre/Jr. & Kiela
Annika: Introduced 2nd; 5’9”; I never finished Jr’s season, so I don’t know/remember the ins & outs of their (and his an Kiela’s) relationship
Probability: -2/2 = -100%
Kiela: Introduced 1st; 5’1”; I didn’t like that she put him in the D-List, which he also didn’t like. I know she was trying to prove a point about campus-wide dehumanization of women by sexualization, but she hurt her “friend” and the revenge wronging didn’t fix the original problem.
Probability: 2/3 + -(1/3) = 1/3 = 33.3(repeating)3%
Eve
Shelly & Grant vs. Shelly & J.T.
Grant: Introduced 2nd; 6’1”; Incompatible in every way outside of wanting to be married and have a family, but even in that he wanted a stay at home wife and mother who could cook (she was none of those things, nor desired to be them). His fashion gifts were horrible (that it’s important as she is a literal fashion designer). He took her out star gazing knowing she was NOT an outdoors person.
Probability: 1/3 + -(2/3) = -33.3(repeating)3%
J.T.: Introduced 1st; 5’9”; He judged her for being the party girl he met her as: he didn’t like her being the business mogul he knew her as; he thought only she needed to change after the breakup; was insecure about her physically defending him at the “Z Lounge”.
Probability: 1/3 + -(2/3) = -(1/3) = -33.3(repeating)3%
Final Numbers:
The odds of a couple getting together when a love interest was introduced 1st (in comparison to the rival): 13/14 = 92.86%
The probability of a couple getting together when they are compatible/one (or both) treats the other well: 11.5/14 = 82.14%
The likelihood that a couple getting together will have a greater height difference than the rival coupling: 10/14 = 71.43%
The percentage that a couple will not get together if one love interest has "beef" with another main character that is not a rival: 2/3 = 66.67%
Predictive Odds Based on Above Calculations and Observations
- Deborah & Ellington (Elliar/ton) vs. Deborah & Shaquille
Ellington: Introduced 2nd; 6'2"; Incompatible/poor treatment is noted because he pursued her while he knew she was with someone, he broke-and-entered her and Rashida's room, dismissed her feelings about the kiss blowing up her and Shaquille's relationship, in favor of talking up their "possible relationship," speculation = lied about his tutoring availability, and finally he took credit for the flowers. It could be said that they are compatible in both being neurodivergent, and him "treating her well" by suggesting she get tested. I will not count this, however, because shared neurodiversity to me (a neurodivergent person) is not what makes a relationship healthier. Lovign a person as they are and not thinking you can or should change how they are wired is what matters. As for him helping her get diagnosed, that is his job. As a person who is supposed to help people learn better, by letting her know that there are changes she can take to learn more efficiently with her neurological composition, it is expected that he inform her of this information.
Probability: -(3/3) = -100%
Shaquille: Introduced 1st; 6'3"; Compatible and good treatment from him to her (and some of her to him, outside of the emotional and physical cheating of course); Only poor treatment from him is the following: was flirting with Candace, and he did omit the truth about sleeping with other people when he thought he slept with Candance while him and Debo were broken up.
Probability: 3/4 + -(1/4) = 2/4 = 50%
Rashida & Andre vs. Rashida & Kojo
Andre: Introduced 2nd; 6’2”; They shared an interest in anime and I appreciate his not pressuring her into having sex, nor ghosting her afterwards (unfortunately she did ghost him); Their incompatiblility I would sum up as Rashida not liking him as much as she did Kojo. This is evident by her crying over Kojo whike Andre was literally in the same room; and, she ghosted Andre to be with Kojo. Andre was also wr9ng for flirting with her when Rashida and Kojo were pretty public on campus in their relationship. Apple vs. Orange: Andre is shady toward Shaquille.
Probability: 2/5 + -(3/5) = -(1/5) = -20%
Kojo: Introduced 1st; 5’7”; Compatible/good treatment of her when he helped her at the talent show, bought her a textbook she couldn’t afford at the time, seemed to genuinely care about her - even defended her to his parents; the poor treatment or incompatibility I counted as him pressuring her about sex, but more upsettingly, seeming more up in arms about Rashida’s first time being with Andre despite Kojo pursuing her longer.
Probability: 2/4 + -(2/4) = 0/4 = 0%
Kojo & Nneka vs. Koho & Rashida
Nneka: Introduced 2nd; 5’6”; Both like/study fashion; I din’t like her talking publicly (at the protest) about her plan for Kojo’s ”hazing” knowing he was with Rashida.
Probability: 1/4 + -(3/4) = -(2/4) = -50%
Rashida: Introduced 1st; 5’4”; They are compatible from having romantic chemistry? That’s all I can think of, they didn’t really discuss interests (unlike Andre and her, yes I am biased for that reason); Poor treatment from her would be not sharing that she was no longer a virgin before they had sex. He thought it was a shared expereince for them both. She also often talked over him when he tried to explain that he was a virgin, but that was often her nerves and O don’t see it as that bad.
Freddie & Ron vs. Freddie & Professor Baptiste
Ron: Introduced 2nd on the show as a love interest, but technically 1st from the original show; 5’7”; Same incompatibility as before: they broke up for a reason; however, they also have the same sexual chemistry as before, as well as now sexual history.
Probability: 1.5/4 + -(2.5/4) = -(1/4) = -25%
Baptiste: Introduced as a love interest first on this show, but 2nd in the tv show’s world; Taller than Ron; Him and Freddie are passionate teaching the youth; They are “incompatible” because Freddie is wary of their age gap.
Probability: 2.5/4 + -(1.5/4) = 1/4 = 25%
(Shaquille, Candace, and Deborah are not a love triangle because Shaquille was only attracted to Candace, he had no desire to be with her like the other connections in this post.)
Mona & Chase vs. Mona & Lorenzo vs. Mona & Spencer
Chase: Introduced 3rd; 6'3"; Compatible/Good treatment in my opinion because he really liked her despite little Dee's initial interference, he also didn't try to change her or dissed her interests (and clumsiness); What looked like poor treatment/incompatibility to me was his poor disagreement or argument skills (ghosting over Valentine's plans & not seeing how she wanted to know about plans); he also wanted 4-to-5 kids, but she is not good with kids and did not discuss this many children possibly coming out of her womb.
Probability: 2/4 + -(2/4) = 0/4 = 0%
Lorenzo: Introduced 2nd; 5'11"; He did not like her self-deprecating humor, which is part of who she is; also, he pursued her while she was with Chase. Which, to me, is poor treatment.
Probability: .5/3 + -(2/3) = -1.5/3 = -50%
Spencer: Introduced 1st; 5'5"; They are compatible from being best friends; They are incompatible/not the best treatment from him constantly dissing her looks and her looks when they were friends. In his defense, that was also just their friendship's nature, because Mona often dissed him as well.
Probability: 2/4 + -(2/4) = 0%
Prediction Explanation: Chase and Spencer had even odds, but because people introduced 1st are usually the people who have a H.E.A (92.86% chance) with the chooser, Spencer is likely the final couple partner for Mona. I also cannot excuse Chase's strong partner traits, she could have been calling him. If she did, in the middle of the season or towards the end, Mona and Chase would need to break up once she realized her feelings for Spencer. If they did not want to draw out the "who will she choose?" the recipient of the call was Spencer.
