5 Top SciFi Romances From Star Wars To The Matrix - What We Can Learn From Them

Love In Space

Aliens. Spaceships. Hi-tech weapons. Invasions.

All of these elements and more make up the popular genre of science fiction, or as we geeks simply call it, "scifi."

From futuristic tales of humanity exploring the stars, to aliens from fantastical worlds exploring what it means to be human, no other genre of storytelling has captured the imagination of billions worldwide quite like scifi.

However, great scifi also has the ability to reflect on the human condition through the lens of fantasy.

Poverty, genocide, racism and other social issues have been tackled by science fiction over the years.

The subject of love and relationships has also been explored by scifi as well.

The Top 5

Presented below are five of the top romances in science fiction - including what valuable lessons we can take from them and apply to our own love lives:

5. President John Sheridan and Minbari Ambassador Delenn (Babylon 5)  This highly regarded television series ran from 1994 - 1998. It is considered the first science fiction televised "novel" because the series plot had a definitive beginning, middle and end. 

This series explored political intrigue, government corruption and alien invasion set against the backdrop of Earth's far future. In the midst of the exciting action, a tender romance blossomed between Earth hero John Sheridan and the regal Ambassador Delenn, a dignitary from a highly advanced alien civilization.

Over the show's five year run, viewers were allowed to see the relationship between Sheridan and Delenn organically develop from mutual respect to a mature, deep love.

Lesson to learn: Respect, loyalty, and friendship are just as essential to a successful relationship as passion/sexual chemistry.

4. Neo and Trinity (The Matrix) In 1999, The Matrix quietly premiered in theaters across the globe to quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The film spawned two sequels, earning billions at the box office. The movies centered around Neo, a messiah-like figure destined to free humanity from enslavement by its own creations. Trinity was his beautiful, smart and capable lover who helped him discover his true purpose.

Lesson to learn:  We need to be involved with partners who truly believe in us. Who support our potential for personal growth and achievement 100%.

3. John Crichton and Aeryn Sun (Farscape) Debuting in 1999 on the SyFy channel, this visionary series featured cutting edge visual effects and alien creatures from the famed Jim Henson Company. The show chronicled the adventures of scientist/astronaut John Crichton, who is lost in the farthest reaches of the cosmos. When John meets Aeryn Sun, a warrior of the human-like PeaceKeepr civilization, the attraction is palpable. During the show's four-year run, this couple developed a passionate, though very tumultuous romance marked by mutual stubborness, distrust, and pride.

Lesson to learn:  Even though our relationships can be passionate, we should avoid the pitfall of allowing pride and ego to hinder us from creating deeper emotional connection.

2. Starbuck and Apollo (Battlestar Galactica) In 2004, this classic  scifi series was re-imagined into a dark, gritty show exploring the struggle for survival of a space-faring race of humans. Lee "Apollo" Adama is the conflicted son of the commander of the last remaining human fleet. Kara "Starbuck" Thrace is the hot-shot fighter pilot who is a perplexing mix of confidence and neurosis. Their passion was fueled by mutual self-loathing and misery.

Lesson to learn: Romances can be sexy, passionate - and unhealthy. For our own well being, we need to recognize the difference between toxic and healthy relationships.

1. Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo (Star Wars Trilogy) What more can be said about these iconic movies? Star Wars has long ago ascended from its place as a pop culture sensation to becoming a permanent piece of the global zeitgeist. The story of a galaxy "far, far away" has excited the imagination of fans for over 30 years. Central to this compelling space opera is the fledging romance between the roguish smuggler Han Solo and the courageous, defiant Princess Leia Organa. Their attraction is one of opposites. However, their bond is a testament to the power of pure love and commitment.

Lesson to learn:  Nothing is more dynamic than relationships in which both partners chose to use their respective strengths and skills to complement each other.

Signing Off

Even though scifi often entails elements of the fantastical, the most entertaining yet profound stories center around the question of exactly what is it that makes us uniquely human.

My feeling is our ability to give and receive love lies at the heart of this question. By gleaning lessons from the best scifi has to offer, we may be surprised to find many of the answers we seek in the most unexpected places.

Which couple do you feel has the best romance in scifi? Please share your thoughts by commenting below!

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