Tom and Liz (Blacklist) and Ward and Skye (AoS) comparison
Obviously I’m not going to compare which is better written, I’m talking about how, the two relationships are kinda like two alternate endings for the same situation. Spoilers for: Blacklist and Agents Of Shield.
Ok so, both relationships start at a similar concept: Main character is in a relationship or at least cares for another character and she trusts them without question. Then, it’s revealed that their love interest was undercover the whole time and just ‘faked’ loving them. And technically could be or is their enemy.
Here’s where the path diverges. And why I find this so interesting.
Agents of Shield difference: They waited an entire season for the reveal which led to the audience to trusting Ward as much as Skye and the team. Making us feel betrayed as well, leading us to dislike Ward. The characters are also an important difference. Ward decides to be loyal to Garrett and not his new team, especially Skye. Skye also immediately hates the backstabber for all his horrendous actions against the good people she’s met. Basically, Their relationship for the rest of the show is: Friends to (kinda) Lovers to Enemies.
Blacklist difference: They hint at it from the very first episode, and revealed it much sooner. Hence, making the audience have the reversed relationship compared to Ward. Instead of pulling the rug from under us it instead has to try to convince the audience that Tom genuinely cares for Liz. This is also helped with the grand difference between Tom and Ward: Tom puts his love for Liz over the mission and any other loyalties he had. Tom’s character development is the reversed of Ward’s as well. Liz also behaves differently. Besides being rightfully pissed for a while, she does eventually get back together with Tom. They even get a kid later!
Again, this wasn’t to say which relationship is better in any way, I just found this as a good example on how one story idea can be used in multiple creative ways.