The "Will they choose A or B?" trope is exhausted. Unless the choice represents a genuinely different life path (e.g., stability vs. adventure, city vs. country), the triangle feels like filler.
If we look at the specific romantic storylines that scored highest with test audiences during the 24 01 16 cycle, one trope dominates: The Forced Collaboration. The "Will they choose A or B
If the entire conflict could be solved by a single text message, your storyline is dead. Audiences in this era have group chats; they know that people talk. A character who doesn't text back for three days isn't mysterious—they're a red flag. This is the signature move of 24 01 16 storylines
Goal: Show individual reflection and attempts to repair or move on. stability vs. adventure
Pattern:
This is the signature move of 24 01 16 storylines. Characters explicitly state they do not want a relationship. They may even write a "contract" or set ground rules (e.g., "No feelings, no exes, no sleepovers"). The audience knows this is a lie, but watching the characters convince themselves is the source of the tension.