It’s Valentine’s once again and you know what that means: the internet’s an inescapable minefield of love hearts and consumerism.
Also, new Tomb Raider Remasters.
Hang in there, friends!
For those of you who aren’t partnered up either because you prefer that lifestyle, you’re focusing on you right now, or because cats and dogs are better than people, I imagine it’s all pretty exhausting. As well, with current events rearing their ugly heads and exacerbating any pressures you were already feeling in your personal lives, I imagine the last thing you need right now is another blog about romantic love. That’s why today, in no particular order, we’re going to be celebrating some of my favourite friendships in media.
This list is in no way exhaustive, especially as I was trying to make sure I didn’t double up on titles or franchises. There’s also a good chance next year’s will look totally different, but here are my top best friends from the media I’ve been interacting with lately.
Alternatively, check out a video version of this blog:
Pike and Grog – Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina
Whether it’s the Amazon TV series, the origin comics, or the original tabletop YouTube series where it all began, it can’t be denied that The Legend of Vox Machina is rife with complex characters and their respective relationships, whether they’re romantic partners, friends with benefits, frenemies, or in the case of Pike and Grog, wholesome best friends forever.
A bit of backstory: Pike’s great-great grandfather, Wilhand, was captured and almost killed by a band of goliaths, except for one who stood up against his herd because he didn’t agree with the murder. The goliaths turned on that individual instead, leaving him for dead, but sparing Wilhand. Out of gratitude, Wilhand had his great-great granddaughter Pike use her healing powers to nurse the goliath back to health. That goliath was Grog, who remained Pike’s lifelong friend and protector.
Throughout the series, Grog is an impulsive, emotional individual who doesn’t always make the wisest choices. He’s kind of like a big bulldog: a fiercely loyal sweetheart that’s 99% muscle and 1% brain cell. That’s where Pike comes into their odd couple duo: she’s Grog’s cool head, his logical voice, and his guiding influence. As well as being his shoulder to cry on, she’s Grog’s voice of reason and mentor, and is often the only one capable of talking him down when things look tense. Watching Ashley and Travis embody these characters at the DnD table is an absolute joy as well, adding a secondary layer to the wholesomeness of their friendship.
It’s so darn cute that I WOULD LIKE TO RAGE.
Tifa and Aerith – Final Fantasy VII: Remake/Rebirth
Square Enix’s 2020 Final Fantasy VII Remake project has done a lot in the way of adding depth and substance to parts of the original that could have used more attention. My favourite addition is the fleshing out of Tifa and Aerith’s relationship, which is far and away one of the best representations of female friendship that I’ve seen in modern media–especially in the realm of video gaming. More of this, please!
In the original Final Fantasy VII and its eventual related compilation, Tifa and Aerith were both lovely people in their own right and got along well enough, but much of their interactions revolved around Cloud and their respective feelings for him. He always felt like the link holding them together and defined much of their scenes together.
Remake and Rebirth threw this out and gave the ladies an almost immediate bond based very much on their own traits, histories, and individual experiences and humour. Though Cloud’s intention to rescue Tifa from a night with the lecherous underworld boss Don Corneo is what brings Tifa and Aerith together, it’s only their initial meeting, and they steal the show by taking Corneo’s cronies down with a coordinated fight scene showing their compatibility as friends. I love this scene so much because rather than being dark and threatening, the ladies turn it into an upbeat girl power moment showing off their strength and how well they work as a team.
Throughout the games, we see Aerith and Tifa care deeply for one another with how they regularly stand up for one another, engage in girl talk that Cloud is completely removed from, and lift one another’s spirits when things look their worst. They are each the family that the other has lost and would definitely stay in touch and hang out frequently if Cloud and his adventure weren’t a factor in their lives.
Jaheira and Minsc – Baldur’s Gate 3
I’ll admit, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the only installment I’ve played in the Baldur’s Gate series, so that’s where my limited knowledge comes from regarding the characters and the world of Faerûn. If I miss something crucial or seem to have misunderstood anything, absolutely feel free to let me know in the comments.
Introduced in the original Baldur’s Gate in 1998, Minsc and Jaheira are both respected heroes–legends in their own right by the time Baldur’s Gate 3 comes around thanks to their adventures over one hundred years ago, during which they defeated Bhaal’s then-avatar Sarevok. After years of journeying together, Minsc and Jaheira have bonded over their various losses and know one another better than anyone else. They’ve also seen many battles together and share experiences only they fully understand.
As well as their overworld interactions and their shared scenes that feel like watching an old married couple, what I love about Jaheira and Minsc is their loyalty to one another. If the player drags their feet and risks missing the chance to find Minsc, Jaheira will leave to do so herself. Once recruited, if either Minsc or Jaheira’s approval falls too low, they will both leave, one wishing to stay close to the other regardless of what their own approval rating is with you.
Even when Minsc is the Stone Lord and creating problems around the city, Jaheira’s faith in his character is unwavering. She harbours guilt for leaving him behind, and time has only reinforced her determination to be there for him and make things right. Minsc, sweetheart that he is, holds no grudge. He’s the light and life and positivity to Jaheira’s more cautious, skeptical nature, and it’s a combination that meshes beautifully, rife with the frustrations of old friends and lessons they can still yet learn from one another. If you haven’t done a playthrough yet with these two in your party, I definitely recommend it; you won’t regret swapping out your faves for these two legends!
Dwight and Jim – The Office (US)
For most of The Office (US), Dwight and Jim are very much at odds. You’d think they were sworn enemies (especially if you listen to Dwight) with how they target and undermine each other, but there is another level to their relationship as seen in more serious moments such as Dwight’s messy breakup with Angela.
In these times, we see Dwight and Jim lay down their arms to bring the other comfort, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because they want the other to return to their regular self again. As in his return pranks towards Jim, Dwight goes one step further in his show of affection too by being there for Pam and CeCe as needed, even renovating their kitchen while Pam is in the hospital, thereby showing a loyalty to Jim’s family as well as to the man himself. His mask slips most noticeably when he lashes out at Jim for seemingly leaving to pursue his new venture Athlead, and the relief that compels him to hug Jim when he walks back into the office again, having changed his mind at the last minute. Jim goes on to be Dwight’s Assistant to the Regional Manager and his “Bestest Mensch” at his wedding, turning the nature of his pranks on their head for the day to be “Guten Pranken”, or lovely surprises that make the day special.
These moments (despite Dwight denying even liking Jim and keeping his true feelings guarded), show us a more complex relationship, suggesting perhaps that their pranks and butting of heads weren’t out of a sense of dislike, but out of a want for attention. I’d say that by the end of the series we see two men who have become like brothers, albeit with Dwight not quite understanding boundaries and bringing his passion to the fore to affectionately torment Jim. Still, each brings something to the relationship that is undeniably ‘them’, and that cannot be replaced–a lesson each man is made to learn when it looks like the other is about to slip out of their life.
Ann and Leslie – Parks and Rec
Brought together by a town hall meeting during which Ann complains about the pit by her house, Leslie and Ann become an unstoppable pair on a mission to turn the pit into a park. It’s unsightly, it’s hurt more than one person (and one person more than once) after falling in, and they want to see it made into something useful to their community.
When she and Leslie meet, Ann is caring for her injured boyfriend Andy while also working as a nurse, likely trying not to see how her boyfriend is taking advantage of her good nature. When this relationship inevitably crumbles under his deception, Ann has Leslie’s friendship to fall back on, and seems to find joy in Leslie’s untethered positivity and enthusiasm despite the disrespect she is shown as a government official. Leslie gives Ann someone to care for who is also trying to give something back to her and consider her needs. Conversely, Ann is the straight man to Leslie’s comedy, and provides the cool head that keeps Leslie grounded, manages her expectations, and becomes a soft place to land after a hard lesson. Much like Tifa and Aerith above, they come together by chance and quickly find affection for one another, forging a sisterhood that stands the test of every season.
They have their own conflicts of course, but what friendship doesn’t? They make this list because despite life’s trials, the pair persist and remain each other’s cheerleaders even when things look helpless at the hands of their hearts and government red tape.
Viv and the Team – Legends and Lattes
I couldn’t possibly choose a singular pair of best friends from my favourite fictional coffee shop, and I won’t undermine the relationship between Viv and Tandri by simply calling them ‘friends’, so I’m going to end this list on a high by appreciating the whole crew of Legends and Lattes, as everyone brings their own flavour to the mix that really makes it shine. From Cal’s gruff but gooey heart to Thimble’s creativity and devotion, and even the loyal assistance from her old crew when things get tough, Viv has surrounded herself with love and I think that’s just incredible. She and her social groups remind me that home isn’t the bricks you lay down, it’s who you build it with, and by pooling the efforts and passions of those you surround yourself with and working damn hard, you can accomplish more than you probably ever dreamed of.
What did you think of my picks? Did you agree, or were there some important ones that I missed? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear your top friends and maybe hear some new titles I’ve never tried before!
Happy Valentine’s/Lara Croft Day! I’ll see you again next time for more Tails by the Foxfire.
Leave a Reply