Valentine's Day Episodes: Difference between revisions

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[[Jewelry]], [[Something About a Rose|Roses]] and [[Everything's Better with Chocolate|Chocolates]]. Valentine's Day (technically Saint Valentine's Day) is a big deal, and boy do writers know it! The holiday on February 14 has been used a million times in all sorts of media to bring up love and romance. White Day is a similar holiday observed in Japan and South Korea on March 14. In some countries, it's normal to give Valentine's Day cards or gifts to friends, whereas in other countries you'd only give a Valentine's Day present to someone you are romantically interested in, leading to a bit of [[Values Dissonance]] for certain audiences.
[[Jewelry]], [[Something About a Rose|Roses]] and [[Everything's Better with Chocolate|Chocolates]]. Valentine's Day (technically Saint Valentine's Day) is a big deal, and boy do writers know it! The holiday on February 14 has been used a million times in all sorts of media to bring up love and romance. White Day is a similar holiday observed in Japan and South Korea on March 14. In some countries, it's normal to give Valentine's Day cards or gifts to friends, whereas in other countries you'd only give a Valentine's Day present to someone you are romantically interested in, leading to a bit of [[Values Dissonance]] for certain audiences.


In fiction, characters face romantic challenges or break new ground on episodes that revolve around valentine's day. A Valentine's Day Episode plot typically centers around hooking up, or with struggling to find the right gift, or with someone ([[Double Standards|usually the man]], usually on some kind of comedy) forgetting about the holiday and struggling to find a suitable gift. There are any number of [[Love Tropes]], comedic love tropes and [[Sex Tropes]] that are common to Valentine-centric plots. Can be fertile ground for [[Shipping Tropes]]. And likely to be a pivotal part of a [[Romance Arc]].
In fiction, characters face romantic challenges or break new ground on episodes that revolve around valentine's day. A '''Valentine's Day Episode''' plot typically centers around hooking up, or with struggling to find the right gift, or with someone ([[Double Standards|usually the man]], usually on some kind of comedy) forgetting about the holiday and struggling to find a suitable gift. There are any number of [[Love Tropes]], comedic love tropes and [[Sex Tropes]] that are common to Valentine-centric plots. Can be fertile ground for [[Shipping Tropes]]. And likely to be a pivotal part of a [[Romance Arc]].


While many '''Valentine's Day Episodes''' will usually air just before or on Valentine's Day, this is not always the case. To be consider a Valentine's Day Episode a work needs to both explicitly mention Valentine's Day and have a plot focused on [[Love Tropes|love, romance, and relationship]], when that hasn't been the sole focus previously.
While many '''Valentine's Day Episodes''' will usually air just before or on Valentine's Day, this is not always the case. To be consider a Valentine's Day Episode a work needs to both explicitly mention Valentine's Day and have a plot focused on [[Love Tropes|love, romance, and relationship]], when that hasn't been the sole focus previously.
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{{examples}}
{{examples}}
== [[Comic Books]] ==

== [[Comics]] ==
* ''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]'' had a series of comics about Valentine's Day every year during its run. These tend to focus on Calvin's and Susie's nascent crush.
* ''[[Peanuts]]'' often used Charlie Brown's not getting valentine cards as a theme.
* The ''[[Hack Slash]]'' and ''[[Bomb Queen]]'' crossover was supposed to be this, though apparently due to delays causing it to be released after February the holiday aspect was dropped.
* The ''[[Hack Slash]]'' and ''[[Bomb Queen]]'' crossover was supposed to be this, though apparently due to delays causing it to be released after February the holiday aspect was dropped.
* Marvel once produced a number of ''I (Heart) Marvel'' one-shots; the Spider-Man themed one, "Web of Love", was all about Spidey trying to think of a good Valentine's Day present for his wife, Mary Jane. In the end he had Tony Stark make a pair of web-shooting bracelets for her.
* Marvel once produced a number of ''I (Heart) Marvel'' one-shots; the Spider-Man themed one, "Web of Love", was all about Spidey trying to think of a good Valentine's Day present for his wife, Mary Jane. In the end he had Tony Stark make a pair of web-shooting bracelets for her.
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== Fan Fic ==
== Fan Works ==
* [[Script Fic]] ''[[Calvin and Hobbes: The Series]]'' has "Insanity is In The Air", which gave some [[Character Development]] to [[The Generic Guy|Andy.]]
* [[Script Fic]] ''[[Calvin and Hobbes: The Series]]'' has "Insanity is In The Air", which gave some [[Character Development]] to [[The Generic Guy|Andy.]]


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* [[Older Than Print]]: The first known connection between romance and Valentine's Day was made by Geoffrey Chaucer.
* [[Older Than Print]]: The first known connection between romance and Valentine's Day was made by Geoffrey Chaucer.
* ''[[Harry Potter]]'' has had two:
* ''[[Harry Potter]]'' has had two:
** In ''[[Chamber of Secrets]]'', Lockhart sets up an ill-conceived Valentine's celebration which [[Small Name, Big Ego|annoys everyone but himself]]. Ginny sends Harry a singing valentine using Lockhart's "card-carrying cupids", but it backfires badly.
** In ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (novel)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'', Lockhart sets up an ill-conceived Valentine's celebration which [[Small Name, Big Ego|annoys everyone but himself]]. Ginny sends Harry a singing valentine using Lockhart's "card-carrying cupids", but it backfires badly.
** In ''[[Order of the Phoenix]]'', Harry takes Cho Chang to a date on Valentine's day. This also doesn't go so well.
** In ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (novel)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', Harry takes Cho Chang to a date on Valentine's day. This also doesn't go so well.
* The ''[[Savannah Reid]]'' mystery ''Sugar and Spite''. Savannah laments somewhat over the fact that her only Valentine's Day plan is to assist her cop buddy Dirk with a stakeout. When Dirk's ex-wife shows up and is murdered with his gun, Savannah spends the days leading up to the holiday working to [[Clear Their Name|clear his name]] and find the real killer, comforting Dirk along the way and realizing, not for the first time, that her feelings for him might be a little more complicated than just friendship. At the end he thanks her for her support by splitting a heart-shaped box of chocolates with her.
* The ''[[Savannah Reid]]'' mystery ''Sugar and Spite''. Savannah laments somewhat over the fact that her only Valentine's Day plan is to assist her cop buddy Dirk with a stakeout. When Dirk's ex-wife shows up and is murdered with his gun, Savannah spends the days leading up to the holiday working to [[Clear Their Name|clear his name]] and find the real killer, comforting Dirk along the way and realizing, not for the first time, that her feelings for him might be a little more complicated than just friendship. At the end he thanks her for her support by splitting a heart-shaped box of chocolates with her.




== [[Live Action TV]] ==
== [[Live-Action TV]] ==
* ''[[ALF]]''
* ''[[ALF]]''
* ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'': 'Marta Complex' has a [[Love Triangle]] between the titular Marta and brothers G.O.B. and Michael.
* ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'': 'Marta Complex' has a [[Love Triangle]] between the titular Marta and brothers G.O.B. and Michael.
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* ''[[Who's The Boss?]]''
* ''[[Who's The Boss?]]''
* ''[[Will and Grace]]''
* ''[[Will and Grace]]''


== [[Newspaper Comics]] ==
* ''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]'' had a series of comics about Valentine's Day every year during its run. These tend to focus on Calvin's and Susie's nascent crush.
* ''[[Peanuts]]'' often used Charlie Brown's not getting valentine cards as a theme.




== Web Animation ==
== Web Animation ==
* ''[[Teen Girl Squad]]''. [http://www.homestarrunner.com/tgs12.html "Issue 12"] involves the girls trying to find dates for the big day. What's Her Face finds true love with the Wireless Wizard, the other three girls die. The episode is "drawn" in red pen for the occasion.
* ''[[Teen Girl Squad]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20131026041512/http://www.homestarrunner.com/tgs12.html "Issue 12"] involves the girls trying to find dates for the big day. What's Her Face finds true love with the Wireless Wizard, the other three girls die. The episode is "drawn" in red pen for the occasion.




== [[Web Comics]] ==
== [[Web Comics]] ==
* ''[[Xkcd]]'': Is fond of mixing love and science for Valentine's Day comics. [http://www.xkcd.com/63/ #63], [http://xkcd.com/223/ #223], [http://xkcd.com/543/ #543], [http://xkcd.com/701/ #701].
* ''[[xkcd]]'': Is fond of mixing love and science for Valentine's Day comics. [http://www.xkcd.com/63/ #63], [http://xkcd.com/223/ #223], [http://xkcd.com/543/ #543], [http://xkcd.com/701/ #701].
* ''[[SMBC]]'': [http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=1429 Had this couple] strengthen their relationship on Valentine's Day.
* ''[[SMBC]]'': [http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=1429 Had this couple] strengthen their relationship on Valentine's Day.
* ''[[Electric Wonderland]]'': "[http://www.platypuscomix.net/electricwonderland/index.php?issue=13&pageType=index&seriesID=11 Valentine's Day Massacre]" has the three main females argue over a guy and make fools of themselves in the process. The comic itself never refers to Valentine's Day by name.
* ''[[Electric Wonderland]]'': "[http://www.platypuscomix.net/electricwonderland/index.php?issue=13&pageType=index&seriesID=11 Valentine's Day Massacre]" has the three main females argue over a guy and make fools of themselves in the process. The comic itself never refers to Valentine's Day by name.
* ''[[Dangerously Chloe]]'' has [https://pixietrixcomix.com/dangerously-chloe/volume-2-page-1 Chapter 11 "Break it up, Girls!"] (published during February 2015). Some dating happens, also it turns out that Valentine Day has a tradition of succubi raiding the world of mortals to try and cause break-ups, while angels try to do the opposite — both teams being [[Glamour|disguised as humans]], of course. Considering [https://pixietrixcomix.com/dangerously-chloe/volume-2-page-6 how goofy] most demons and angels in "*C 'Verse" are, these efforts predictably amounts to little more than making a ridiculous mess ([[Theme Naming|Torrid Intrigue]] managed to cause enough that "[https://pixietrixcomix.com/dangerously-chloe/volume-2-page-35 it took two squads of riot police to get the crowds under control]", but she got lucky to run right into a perfect opportunity). Also, raising suspicions from the readers that most young succubi learn about the Overworld from [[Porn With Plot]].



== [[Western Animation]] ==
== [[Western Animation]] ==
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Holiday Tropes]]
[[Category:Holiday Tropes]]
[[Category:Episodes]]
[[Category:Significant Date Episode]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Holiday Special]]
[[Category:Holiday Special]]

Revision as of 20:33, 11 August 2023

Jewelry, Roses and Chocolates. Valentine's Day (technically Saint Valentine's Day) is a big deal, and boy do writers know it! The holiday on February 14 has been used a million times in all sorts of media to bring up love and romance. White Day is a similar holiday observed in Japan and South Korea on March 14. In some countries, it's normal to give Valentine's Day cards or gifts to friends, whereas in other countries you'd only give a Valentine's Day present to someone you are romantically interested in, leading to a bit of Values Dissonance for certain audiences.

In fiction, characters face romantic challenges or break new ground on episodes that revolve around valentine's day. A Valentine's Day Episode plot typically centers around hooking up, or with struggling to find the right gift, or with someone (usually the man, usually on some kind of comedy) forgetting about the holiday and struggling to find a suitable gift. There are any number of Love Tropes, comedic love tropes and Sex Tropes that are common to Valentine-centric plots. Can be fertile ground for Shipping Tropes. And likely to be a pivotal part of a Romance Arc.

While many Valentine's Day Episodes will usually air just before or on Valentine's Day, this is not always the case. To be consider a Valentine's Day Episode a work needs to both explicitly mention Valentine's Day and have a plot focused on love, romance, and relationship, when that hasn't been the sole focus previously.

See Halloween Episode and Christmas Episode

Examples of Valentine's Day Episodes include:

Comic Books

  • The Hack Slash and Bomb Queen crossover was supposed to be this, though apparently due to delays causing it to be released after February the holiday aspect was dropped.
  • Marvel once produced a number of I (Heart) Marvel one-shots; the Spider-Man themed one, "Web of Love", was all about Spidey trying to think of a good Valentine's Day present for his wife, Mary Jane. In the end he had Tony Stark make a pair of web-shooting bracelets for her.
  • The Books of Magic had a Valentine's Day story called "This Is Not About Chocolate", in which Eros/Cupid attempted to strike back against his modern image as a cherub in a nappy (and by analogy, the comercialisation of romance in general).


Fan Works


Literature

  • Older Than Print: The first known connection between romance and Valentine's Day was made by Geoffrey Chaucer.
  • Harry Potter has had two:
  • The Savannah Reid mystery Sugar and Spite. Savannah laments somewhat over the fact that her only Valentine's Day plan is to assist her cop buddy Dirk with a stakeout. When Dirk's ex-wife shows up and is murdered with his gun, Savannah spends the days leading up to the holiday working to clear his name and find the real killer, comforting Dirk along the way and realizing, not for the first time, that her feelings for him might be a little more complicated than just friendship. At the end he thanks her for her support by splitting a heart-shaped box of chocolates with her.


Live-Action TV


Newspaper Comics

  • Calvin and Hobbes had a series of comics about Valentine's Day every year during its run. These tend to focus on Calvin's and Susie's nascent crush.
  • Peanuts often used Charlie Brown's not getting valentine cards as a theme.


Web Animation

  • Teen Girl Squad. "Issue 12" involves the girls trying to find dates for the big day. What's Her Face finds true love with the Wireless Wizard, the other three girls die. The episode is "drawn" in red pen for the occasion.


Web Comics

Western Animation

  • The Cleveland Show
  • Blue's Clues: Featured in an episode, though in a similar fashion to You Mean "Xmas", they refer to the holiday as "Love Day".
  • Futurama
    • 'Put Your Head on My Shoulder' focuses on a Fry/Amy relationship. Just as Fry decides to break up, they get in an accident and Zoidberg has to graft Fry's head onto Amy's shoulder to keep him alive.
    • In 'Love and Rockets', Planet Express gets a lucrative job transporting candy hearts, while Bender starts dating the Planet Express Ship's computer, then chooses the worst possible time to break up with her. The whole thing plays out as a very strange parody of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The episode also features some Ship Teasing for the Will They or Won't They? relationship between Fry and Leela.
  • Johnny Bravo had a Valentine's Day special, where it's revealed that Johnny was born on February 14. It had him finally meet a woman who likes him, only she turns out to be a secret agent.
  • Peanuts had a few Valentine TV Special, including "Be my Valentine, Charlie Brown" and "A Charlie Brown Valentine".
  • In The Simpsons:
    • After the actual death of Ned Flanders' wife, Ned at a Valentine's Day dance became conscious of the fact, thanks to Homer speaking out loud about the fact its a day for couples.
    • Another Simpsons example, Homer and a bunch of other married men got mad at Apu for making them look bad one Valentine's Day by his over-the-top romancing of Manjua - getting Elton John to sing for her, etc.
    • "I Love Lisa" focuses on a crush Ralph Wiggum has on Lisa.
  • The Spectacular Spider-Man: Gangland in season two has a huge group date...and a mobster summit where Hammerhead betrays Tombstone/The Big Man, and a three-way fight between Tombstone, Silvermane, and Doc Ock breaks out. The Green Goblin put Hammerhead up to it.
  • SpongeBob SquarePants had a story where he schemed to get the best Valentines Day present ever for Patrick. Things go wrong, Hilarity Ensues.
  • The House of Mouse episode "Goofy's Valentine Date."
  • Recess had "That Stinking Feeling" and "My Funny Valentines" paired together for airing. "That Stinking Feeling" was about Spinelli's crush on a boy, while "My Funny Valentines" (which is the more official Valentines episode) was about T.J. making joke Valentine cards for the girls of the school, but with them thinking that he had crushes on him. Ship Tease ensued between T.J. and Spinelli (again). Oddly enough, the episode didn't air anywhere near the Holliday (though the show is usually in it's off-season in February)
  • Doug's 1st Movie was set around Valentine's Day, centering around a Valentine's Dance.
  • While KaBlam! doesn't have an official Valentine's Day episode, "A Nut In Every Bite!" (where Henry falls in love with Dawn, the network executive's granddaughter) was usually re-ran in February.
  • Rugrats had a Valentine's Day two-parter.
  • The My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic episode 'Hearts And Hooves Day', in which the Cutie Mark Crusaders try to get Cherilee and Big Mac together using a love potion. It doesn't go as well as they'd hoped.
  • 101 Dalmatians: The Series had "Valentine's Daze", showing Cruella's dislike for the holliday as she has no one to be her Valentine.