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Love triangles are the quintessential soap storyline. The love triangle theme dates back to Greek and Roman mythology, which is filled with tales of adultery, and then there is the ultimate love triangle of all time between Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot. Soap writers incorporate this classic theme into their story lines, adding their own original subplots and twists, and after all these years the love triangle theme still has the power to capture the attention of viewers and create intense drama.

Any true soap fan can list at least a dozen love triangles of past years, and just about everyone has a favorite love triangle. In fact, I do not think a person can truly call themselves a soap star unless his/her character has been involved in at least one love triangle. Of all soap storylines, the love triangle is one that never gets old because each triangle is unique in some way, and it never fails to peak the interest of viewers. It is also the kind of storyline that, with the right characters and the right circumstances, can go on for months or even years. These storylines are also effective because they are realistic. Everyone watching has either been involved with or knows someone who has been involved with a love triangle situation.

The love triangle can come about in a number of ways. One way is through the "new guy/girl in town" scenario. A couple may seem happy, but then someone new moves to town. Usually the person at the center of the triangle has to work with the new person or be in contact with them for some other reason. Either they have some sort of attraction for each other from the very beginning and try to deny it, or they actually despise one another at the beginning but then eventually fall in love.

Then there are the "best friend" love triangles. For example, a character is in a relationship, but he also has feelings for his best friend, or his best friend has feelings for him. Or in other cases, two people are in a relationship and the girl or guy falls for the best friend of her/his significant other.

Often the love triangle begins because there is an absent lover. The lover may "die," go to jail, or leave town for an extended period of time, and in his absence, his significant other finds someone else, and upon his return the triangle begins. This type of triangle can also begin during a short absence. A character goes away on a business trip, and his significant other cheats on him while he is away, or he finds himself in a hotel room with

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