While Lost was an action-packed series while it was on air in the first decade of the 2000s, it didn't skimp of the relationship drama. From the death of Libby to the continued will they/won't they love triangle of Kate, Jack, and Sawyer, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
But just because it was entertaining to watch the characters figure out how to survive and maintain romantic ties in a seemingly supernatural world, that doesn't mean every couple was adored or even approved by the fan base at large. There were a few relationships that fans actually despised, heading online to express their displeasure, and sometimes offering alternatives that could have been more fun.
Hated - Nikki and Paulo
Nikki and Paulo were two crash survivors (rather than Others) who appeared late on the scene. Apparently writers wanted to add them in to offer some insight into what other 815 survivors had been doing while our main cast had been dealing with the island's greater mysteries.
They were not a beloved addition. In fact, these diamond thieves were so despised by the fan base that they were killed (buried alive in fact) as a way for the writers to apologize to viewers. Literally, no one cared about their relationship.
Wanted - Kate and Sawyer
The reason the Kate/Jack/Sawyer love triangle worked was that there were enough fans in both camps. While in the end, Kate chose Jack, fans very much wanted to see Kate and Sawyer as the end-game. Their shades of gray backstories made Kate and Sawyer better suited for one another.
There's also always something exciting about pairing off the female protagonist with the bad boy rather than the boy scout. Kate is the reason Sawyer grew into a better person, it would have been nice to see that continue.
Hated - Sayid and Shannon
Sayid's relationship with Shannon always felt a bit forced. It was as if the writing team just needed to pair off some of the main ensemble cast and Sayid and Shannon were right there. The torturer with the brother lover was a very strange combination.
It was as if they were both each other's choice as a bad rebound from more meaningful relationships. It never felt natural or well planned and fans could sense it the entire time.
Wanted - Charlie and Claire
When Charlie died at the end of season three, drowning as he let Desmond know, "Not Penny's Boat," he got one of the best ending's of any Lost character but that ruined the relationship he had been building with Claire and baby Aaron.
They never got to fully embrace, or even put a label on their relationship before Charlie was lost. Fans certainly wish they had been given the opportunity. Certainly, Clarie's storyline could have used the addition.
Hated - Jack and Juliet
When Juliet made her entrance in Lost season three she and Jack were the first to pair off. They were both doctors, they had the same profession, but that seemed about the only thing the pair had in common.
It felt a bit forced (especially after Jack watched Juliet's actions first hand as they try to operate on Ben and hold Sawyer and Kate hostage). It also broke up the love triangle of Jack/Kate/and Sawyer and made it into a very annoying love square that was never as compelling as the triangle the proceeded it.
Wanted - Jack and Sawyer
Jack and Sawyer were two-thirds of the best love triangle on Lost and many viewers would have enjoyed the love triangle being a true triangle. Jack and Sawyer bickered constantly, already like an old married couple.
They were always sacrificing themselves for one another. Whether it was Sawyer jumping out of the helicopter, or Jack holding Ben's life in his hands. Their love/hate friendship made them the most interesting adversaries and would have made them the most interesting couple as well.
Hated - Jack and Kate
Just as fifty percent of viewers wanted to see Sawyer and Kate end up together, they also hated that Jack and Kate were end game. There was too much on again off again over the seasons, it was too drawn out.
Their morals never seemed to truly line up and, if they hadn't been stuck on a desert island together, it felt very unlikely that the two would have ended up together under any other circumstances in the world. Jack was supposed to be the big hero, so he needed to end up with the main female protagonist, but that doesn't mean it felt right.
Wanted - Sawyer and Ana Lucia
There was always hope that the tail section of flight 815 would get along better with our main cast from the front of the plain, alas it wasn't to be. What could have been was a very tumultuous relationship between bad boy James "Sawyer" Ford and former cop, and tail section big shot, Ana Lucia.
Big personalities could have made for big sparks. But, once again, a death got in the way.
Hated - Sawyer and Juliet
If there's one thing everyone knew about Sawyer it was that the man could hold a grudge. It's literally his main goal as a character, to find the man responsible for the death of his mom. So, the fact that he was able to cultivate a romantic relationship with one of the Others who was responsible for his kidnapping and torture (as well as that of Kate and Jack) was always a bit confusing.
Add to that their relationship again felt forced when they were some of only a handful of lead characters left on the island and it was hard for their relationship to ever feel natural or meaningful.
Wanted - Tom/Mr. Friendly with Anyone
Tom, otherwise known as Mr. Friendly, was the only out gay character in all of Lost's many highly-rated seasons. It would have been nice, even if Sawyer and Jack were never a possibility, to see some representation on the show.
He admits to Kate, when she is in captivity, that she is not his type (when she obviously seems to be the right type for literally everyone else). If the writers wanted to offer viewers that detail it would have been better to see them act on it as well.