Remember when TV couples slept in twin beds and everyone pretty much assumed that Little Ricky was the product of some immaculate conception? Remember when you could watch a show and not worry about a parent or nephew walking in on you? Remember when David Caruso's bare buns on NYPD Blue was as steamy as it got, which is to say, not steamy at all?
Now you don't even need cable to see your favorite TV characters doing the deed, though it certainly doesn't hurt. Viola Davis is pulling out her back. Merkin sales must fly through the roof when Outlander is filming. Frank and Claire Underwood are having threesomes and Remy Danton is a cunning linguist. Thanks to Broad City, "pegging" has entered the mainstream lexicon.
It's hard to play favorites, especially when so much of the good stuff isn't available on YouTube, but these small-screen sex scenes stand out from the rest. Was it good for you?
Don & Rachel, Mad Men
Don Draper had a lot of affairs, but his love for married store owner Rachel Katz was the hottest, deepest, and realest relationship he seemed to get into.
Lip & Helene, Shameless
Lip's forbidden affair with his older female professor created some of his hottest scenes on the series to date -- in part because he finally got emotionally invested in his sex life.
Henry & Casey, Party Down
The sexual tension between these two finally came to a head when Casey told Henry she was getting a divorce.
Poldark & Demeiza , Poldark
Demeiza goes from house maid to future wife in one very seductive twirl of the dress.
Spencer & Tracy, Ballers
Talk about taking the advice to do "what's best for you" literally -- office sex!
Ragnar, Lagertha, & Athelstan, Vikings
When two godless heathens try to tempt a priest into their bed, this is what happens.
Bill & Sookie & Eric, True Blood
Whether you were Team Bill or Team Eric, we has to admit that this dream sequence brought us the best of all worlds.
Alex & Ryan, Quantico
It's a meet-cute in reverse when you have super hot car sex on the first date, right?
Jake & Amanda, Melrose Place
They fight, they make up, wash, rinse and repeat -- that is the formula for hot sex on a nighttime soap.
Mary & Francis , Reign
It took a long time, as was the custom for the time period, but when Francis and Mary finally consummated their marriage it was magical.
Tommy & Grace, Peaky Blinders
He's a bad man and she's a spy, but when they finally come together it's worth crossing enemy lines.
Mary Jane & Andre, Being Mary Jane
The hotness just jumps off these two whenever they're together, and they get together in some really sexy spots.
Nancy & Jack, Weeds
The hair pulling is only beginning of this sexy scene revolving around domination.
Buffy & Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Anticipation is the key to Buffy and Angel's love, but when they finally do connect physically, it turns sour — quickly. But goodness, all the time we spent waiting for that moment to come!
Karen's Fantasy Threesome, Mistresses
It's very, very difficult to lead a group marriage counseling session when all you can think about is the hot threesome you'd rather be in.
Jimmy & Gretchen, You're the Worst
If you ever wonder what keeps Jimmy and Gretchen together, it's their amazing sex life.
Belle & Her Favorite Client, The Secret Diary of a Call Girl
There's a lot of sex in this series about the life of a call girl, but most of it is not terribly sexy. When Belle is reminiscing about a meeting with her favorite client, however, things get really, really hot.
Eddie & Sarah, The Path
This is what hot, married sex looks like. Eddie and Sarah are constantly negotiating their differences, but they often resolve their problems with amazing sex. Frequently in the kitchen.
Pictured: Aaron Paul and Michelle Monaghan in The Path.
Photo: Courtesy of Hulu.
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Ali & Emily, Pretty Little Liars
Emison is born with one hot kiss under the covers, while a longing version of "I'll Be Watching You" plays in the background — sexy and mysterious.
Jessica Jones & Luke Cage, Jessica Jones
When two superheroes get carnal, everything around them gets destroyed. It's super sex.
Danny & Alex, London Spy
Ben Whishaw and Edward Holcroft steam up the screens in this British spy drama. The scene drew some viewer complaints, but they weren't from us.
Video: Courtesy of BBC.Chuck & Blair, Gossip Girl
This limo scene started one of the greatest relationships of our time. #Chair forever.
Video: Courtesy of CW.
Jon Snow & Ygritte, Game of Thrones
It turns out Jon Snow does know something.
Pictured: Kit Harington and Rose Leslie in Game of Thrones
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.Kate & Sawyer, Lost
It's animalistic and hot, except you can't help but wonder how Kate's armpits are still hairless when she's been imprisoned on a deserted island for so long.
Video: Courtesy of ABC.Connor & Paxton, How To Get Away With Murder
"He did this thing to my ass that made my eyes water," Pax said after their copy room hookup.
Nicky & Morello, Orange Is the New Black
In which Nicky makes Morello see God.
Pictured: Natasha Lyonne and Yael Stone in Orange Is the New Black
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
Libby & Robert, Masters of Sex
One second, they're discussing the roles to which society confines them, the next, they’re making rapturous love on the kitchen floor.
Pictured: Caitlin Fitzgerald and Jocko Sims in Masters of Sex
Photo: Courtesy of Showtime.Olivia & Fitz, Scandal
Let's be honest: There were a lot of scenes to showcase from Scandal, because Olivia and Fitz's chemistry is off the charts. There was that time on the campaign trail, "If you want me, earn me," and the cabin in Vermont. We're choosing the phone sex, though, because how often do you witness truly hot phone sex on TV?
Video: Courtesy of ABC.Alisha & Future Simon, Misfits
Do Brits do TV sex better? A very important case study.
Video: Courtesy of E4.Kalinda & Lana, The Good Wife
Kalinda employs a creative manipulation technique here. Alas, the uncooperative Lana is left with some proverbial blue balls.
Video: Courtesy of CBS.
Sons of Anarchy, "Fucktage"
Almost every member of the SAMCRO gang is getting it on in the explicit opening montage of an episode called "Faith and Despondency." Also note Wendy engaging in some battery-operated self-loving.
Pictured: Charlie Hunnam in Sons of Anarchy
Photo: Courtesy of FX.
Marnie & Desi, Girls
It's nice to see Marnie trying new things.
Pictured: Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Allison Williams in Girls
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Noah & Alison, The Affair
Four episodes in, we finally get to see the titular affair. It does not disappoint.
Pictured: Dominic West and Ruth Wilson in The Affair
Photo: Courtesy of Showtime.Charlotte & Harry, Sex and the City
She can't believe he'd find her sexy in her glasses. The bachelor pad in which he's squatting is repulsive. Neither of things matter because it's on.
Video: Courtesy of HBO.
Jamie & Claire, Outlander
She’s conflicted because of her overwhelming attraction to the young Scot and the fact that she’s technically married to someone else in the 20th century. He’s nervous because he’s a virgin. They figure it out in no time flat on their wedding night.
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