love triangle theme

Three people (sometimes more) are connected via multiple romantic relationships or unrequited romantic aspirations in a so called "love triangle" ("love mesh" more generally). For example: A loves B loves C loves A, or A and B are friends and both lovers of C, etc.

Notes

To be applicable, some sort of interpersonal relationship should be present for all pairs of people in the triangle. In particular, the theme is not applicable when a spouse takes a lover unless the other spouse is also well acquainted, for example friends, with the lover in question.

255 total · 16 choice · 155 major · 82 minor

StoryLevelMotivation
ahh3x18 choice Ted took measures to put a stop to his wife, Peg, running around with Ted's secretary under Ted's nose.
ahp6x20 choice Eliot and Cyril were vying for Enid's love.
blackmirror5x01 choice Danny, Theo, Karl, and Mariella.
ds94x13 choice Odo jealous of Shakaar Edon over his relationship with Kira
ds95x03 choice Jadzia/Worf/Grilka/Quark; Keiko/Miles/Kira
movie: An American in Paris (1951) choice Jerry became besotted with Lise. Lise was engaged to Jerry's friend, Henri. Milo pursued Jerry. After Lise turned him down, Jerry went with Milo. Later, Jerry and Lise got together, all the other relationships notwithstanding.
movie: Casablanca (1942) choice At the center of the plot is a love triangle between Rick, his old flame Ilsa, and her husband Victor. "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine," is a famous quote that illustrates Rick's feelings.
movie: His Girl Friday (1940) choice Walter, Hildy, and Bruce
movie: The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) choice The story turns on Holly feeling torn between Brad and Sebastian. Brad loved Holly. Holly loved both Brad and Sebastian. Sebastian loved Holly and had loved Angel and Phyllis in the past. Angel moved in on Brad when Holly turned towards Sebastian.
movie: The Rules of the Game (1939) choice André, Christine, Robert and maybe Octave; Schumacher, Lisette, Marceau