As we know, February isn’t only Black History Month (and let’s be honest, we need a longer month — Whitney Houston voice), it’s also the month of love, with Valentine’s Day landing on the 14th. So in honor of both, let’s talk about some of our favorite fictional Black couples — the ones who either made us believe in love or made us side-eye it completely.
Over the years, there have been endless debates about whether certain beloved pairings were actually healthy or just toxic relationships wrapped in good chemistry. Today, we’re revisiting them with grown eyes and deciding: love or toxicity?
The Game — Derwin Davis & Melanie Barnett
Season one, Derwin and Melanie were elite. Innocent, cute, and genuinely in love. Rookie and Med School felt like they were building something real, and the chemistry was undeniable. Derwin calling Melanie his “boo” had us rooting hard.
Then he cheated, and everything spiraled. Petty arguments turned into resentment. Melanie constantly reminded Derwin she gave up Johns Hopkins for him, while Derwin felt unsupported as his career took off. Both had valid points — they were simply on different timelines.
And let’s talk about how people still blame Drew Sidora’s character for “breaking them up.” That reaction mirrors real life. Viewers rushed to blame the other woman while Derwin — the one actually in the relationship — avoided real accountability. Art imitates life.
Yes, they eventually found their way back to each other. But Janay getting pregnant right as they reunited? The baby being born on their wedding day and named Derwin Jr.? I’m sorry — no.
Melanie sacrificed far more than she received. Rewatching those early seasons makes it clear they should’ve gone their separate ways much sooner.
Verdict: Toxic.
Insecure — Issa Dee & Lawrence Walker
I’ll say it upfront: I’m Team Lawrence — but by the end of this, you might think I’m not.
Issa was emotionally and financially drained while Lawrence worked through his depression. That’s real. But if you’re unhappy, you leave — you don’t cheat. Her situation with Daniel made everything messier.
Once Lawrence moved on, Issa suddenly wanted him back. Classic “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” Still, their time apart mattered. You could see they needed individual growth before choosing each other.
Then came the Condola pregnancy, which complicated everything. After that, Issa probably should’ve left him alone for good. Eventually, she went back, and I can’t lie — her becoming a stepmom never sat right with me.
Out of everyone on this list, they felt the most honest and relatable. But love without communication and timing can still fall short.
Verdict: Realistic, but toxic.
A Different World — Dwayne Wayne & Whitley Gilbert
I could write a book about Dwayne and Whitley. They are, and always will be, the blueprint.
From frenemies to lovers, their journey was layered. Feelings grew, timing clashed, mistakes were made — but their love kept finding its way back. They were young, still figuring life out, which makes the bumps make sense.
Whitley calling off her engagement showed self-worth. Dwayne interrupting the wedding gave us one of the most iconic scenes in TV history. When they finally chose each other, it felt earned.
The writing reflected an era where pursuit meant effort, apology meant accountability, and love showed up through action. Dwayne communicated. He took responsibility. He knew he didn’t want to lose her.
I fear the art of pursuing is becoming a dead language. A DM is now considered effort. Meanwhile, Dwayne was sending letters from Japan before they were even together. See the difference?
At the same time, Whitley knew her value. If you’re not getting what you deserve, you walk away — and if it’s real, it finds you again.
Verdict: Love.
Love & Basketball — Monica Wright & Quincy McCall
This one feels clear, even if people argue otherwise.
Quincy showed red flags early. Even as a kid, he believed girls shouldn’t be on the court. Monica knew exactly who she was and what she wanted: the league. She wasn’t shrinking her dreams.
What I did appreciate was their friendship. Rides home, sleeping on the floor during family drama, supporting each other’s game — it was genuine. I understand why some viewers still root for Quincy.
But once they got together, insecurity took over. Quincy made Monica feel guilty for choosing her future. People say she should’ve stayed with him the night he struggled with his dad’s affair, but as she said, if she stayed, she wouldn’t be starting. Her ambition wasn’t betrayal.
The jealousy kept surfacing. The Burger King date. The comments about priorities. Him declaring for the draft.
I truly feel Monica did nothing wrong to him. Her conflict was internal — balancing identity, femininity, and love — but she never tried to dim his light. Wanting him back was the mistake. Some loves are foundational, not forever.
And dunking on her after she said she was playing for his heart? Wild behavior.
Chemistry is not enough when someone constantly asks you to shrink.
Verdict: Toxic.
The Best Man — Mia Wallace & Lance Sullivan
This one is complicated, especially knowing how the larger story unfolds, but focusing only on The Best Man:
Lance cheated repeatedly and expected forgiveness every time. Mia stayed, supported him, and believed in him. His infidelity wasn’t a mistake — it was a pattern.
Mia sleeping with Harper was absolutely wrong. Not just because she had a man, but because Harper was his best friend. And she kept that secret all the way to the altar, letting Lance choose him as best man.
I understand why Lance wanted to call off the wedding. He didn’t just learn about cheating — he learned about betrayal, publicly, from people he trusted.
Still, the hypocrisy jumps out. He expected grace but struggled to give it.
When you really sit with it, their relationship leaned more on image, fantasy, and retaliation than truth. Cute couple? Yes. Healthy? Absolutely not.
Verdict: Toxic.
Final Thoughts
Loving these couples doesn’t mean ignoring their flaws. Some showed us what love can be. Others showed us exactly what not to accept. Either way, they all taught us something.
We can appreciate the chemistry and nostalgia without pretending they were perfect.
Some were love. Some were toxic. Some were just great TV.
And honestly, that’s okay.