Perhaps the most radical shift is the inclusion of characters who do not desire romance. In a media landscape saturated with shipping, telling a story where a character says, "I don't want a partner, I want a library" is revolutionary. These storylines challenge the assumption that romantic love is the apex of human existence.
The best stories feature characters who have a reason not to be in a relationship. Perhaps they are afraid of vulnerability, haunted by a past betrayal, or focused entirely on a non-romantic goal. The romance serves as the catalyst for them to face their own flaws.
In the age of dating apps, audiences no longer believe in love at first sight. They believe in attraction at first sight, but love requires time. When a character declares undying devotion after two scenes, the storyline lacks earned intimacy . We need to see the characters get coffee, argue about politics, and see each other sick before we buy the devotion.