Tropes are the building blocks of romantic storylines. While they can be clichés if handled poorly, they provide a comfortable framework for exploring complex emotions.

Audiences are exhausted by manic pixie dream girls and brooding bad boys. We want to see two competent adults solving a problem together. Think of the relationship between Ethan and Ilsa in Mission: Impossible —they save the world and respect each other's autonomy. The mutual respect is the aphrodisiac.

: The most crucial type. A character must often overcome a personal scar or belief to let the relationship work.