Desmond & Penny // Lost
‘The Constant’ is considered to be one of, if not the best, episodes of Lost, and it can be argued this is mainly down to one of the final scenes of the episode between long-lost lovers Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick) and Penny (Sonya Walger). In fact, any episode featuring flashbacks of Desmond often proved to be one the main highlights of the show as we experienced the heart-rending ups and downs of his relationship with the daughter of a man who never thought he was good enough; Desmond therefore never thought he was either. After leaving her in order to regain his “honour”, he winds up shipwrecked on the island for years and all hope for them seems gone – until it’s revealed Penny had never given up on him and is still determined for them to be reunited.
What made these two such assets to the show was their incredible chemistry, as well as their scenes having some of the best writing Lost ever had; Penny was a fairly minimal character and Desmond was only supporting, yet watching them together is some of the most captivating television you’ll ever see (the aforementioned ‘The Constant’ being a perfect example of this). Their relationship was treated with such care, respect and heart and it was beautiful to watch. I can’t think of another TV couple whose story had me on such tenterhooks the whole ride wondering if they’ll ever truly stick it out and be happy together; more importantly, I can’t think of another that had me caring so much.
Forget Jack and Kate; try listening to these two professing their love for each other over the phone without crying.