For an institute that documents the supernatural horrors that plague the corners of our world, it still manages the warm and fuzzies on occasion.
- One of the earliest statements involving the Lonely involves Naomi Herne, who was engaged to Evan Lukas before he passed away. While trapped in an endless fog, she heard Evan's voice telling her to go left. Though she was hit by a car, the implication that it saved her from being trapped by the Powers is sweet, especially given the Lukases' roles as servants to the Lonely.
- Similarily, episode 150 is about a man going through a divorce with his ex-husband getting stuck in an infinite suburban hellscape. He spends an unknown amount of time there, with his phone and car dead, even finding the corpse of another victim who killed themselves to get out, and is about to give up himself when his phone start ringing. When he picks up, it's his ex-husband calling to chew him out for being late to a meeting, but the man is so relieved that he breaks into tears and can only choke out "I love you!" The statement ends with the man mentioning he and his husband are trying to work through their issues, but have moved out of suburbia.
- Georgie and Jonathan's friendship; from what we learn of their previous relationship they seem to be a textbook example of Amicable Exes.
- In a very strange, quite sinister fashion, Elias does seem to be protective of the archive team. Unfortunately, this turns out to be an act.
- He is particularly protective of Jon, although in a roundabout way. He's clearly invested in Jon's growth as the Archivist, and while Elias often thrusts him into extremely dangerous situations, it's explicitly with the goal of promoting personal growth. Every time Jon develops his powers further, Elias cannot help but fawn over him. Overall, he treats Jon as a protégé more than a pawn. Unlike with the rest of the archive staff, in Jon's case it's mostly sincere, and even as he mocks Jon for falling into every trap he's set, Elias still tells him that the new world he's created will be an ideal one for him.
- Jonathan displays a surprisingly adorable Kindhearted Cat Lover side when talking to the Admiral, who obviously loves Jon just as much.
- Agnes Montague's short-lived relationship with Jack Barnabas.
- There's something sweet about Agnes having someone in her life and going on ordinary dates like anybody else for a time. Jack is probably the first person she ever met who liked her for her, not knowing or caring about her powers or destiny. He just thought she was interesting and wanted to get to know her better. Even during the statement, when he remarks that she was "so weird," he seems to say it with affection.
- And, though it ends tragically, it seemed like Agnes genuinely liked Jack and Jack acknowledges that even if he knew how things would've ended, he isn't sure he would've done things differently.
- Agnes sincerely thanks Jack for the time they shared. When he realizes he'll never see her again, Jack asks if she'll kiss him, and she does… which results in his disfigurement. But the fact that he was merely disfigured is a sign of how much she was holding back; her powers certainly would've killed him instantly had she not been being careful.
- Furthermore, Jack's unwittingly saved the world from the Desolation's ritual by introducing doubt into her mind through showing her affection.
- Though it's implied Jude Perry is partly responsible for keeping his misfortunes post-Agnes, the only reason the Lightless Flame hasn't completely wrecked havoc on him? Because Agnes asked them not to. Gertrude later intimidates The Cult of the Lightless Flame from going after him anymore, too.
- Jon finally honoring his promise to Gerard Keay and burning his flesh book page, even though he knows he could get more information from him and it clearly physically pains him to do it because of his connection to the Beholding.Jon: You owe me one, Gerry. Rest in… just rest.
- Melanie can be rather disturbing to behold when one sees what she's willing to do, but the subtle heartwarming bit is why. She immediately tries to ice Elias after she pulls his Manipulative Bastard schtick, but it's not because of any hidden fear or prior trauma. At the climax of Season 3, she sees what Elias has done to Martin and immediately reiterates that he needs to die, insisting that it's not just for Martin, despite her tone making it clear she thinks that it's disgusting he went through that. Melanie just...
gives a damn. She's not super close to anyone at the Archives, but Elias is abusing the closest thing she's got to friends and for that, he needs to go. - Despite the fact it's not working due to many, many hostile external factors, Jon finally trying to connect with the rest of Team Archives is very sweet. (He even tells Martin he misses him, completely genuinely, and although Martin has to force himself not to reciprocate it's clear the feeling's mutual.)
- Jon risking eternal torment in the coffin to rescue Daisy, and feeling that there ought to be no question of whether the team should try to rescue her, despite the fact that she's been incredibly hostile towards him and once tried to kill him.
- During the darkest point of the episode, when Jon thinks that he misjudged and is now trapped in the Buried forever? To quote the transcript:
DAISY: N-Not alone, though. - The way Gertrude defeats The Lonely's Ritual is astounding. Peter Lukas built a block of flats designed to make people feel as isolated as possible— the bottom four floors are intentionally vacant, the rooms are too small for a double bed or a sofa, the hallways twist in such a way that it's rare to see anyone else. His eventual plan was to remotely lock the doors and shut off internet access and use the horror caused by the sudden isolation to fuel the Silence. Gertrude, contrary to her usual method of interrupting rituals, tips off a newspaper to the existence of the building, which causes an outpouring of social outreach programs and neutralizes the feeling of isolation. Essentially, the people inside being reminded You Are Not Alone defeated the Lonely.
- Jon's journey into The Lonely to save Martin in episode 159, especially their reunion at the end.I see you, Jon. [He lets out an incredulous chuckle, then another. His echo goes away.] I see you.
- All of "MAG Fluff - Epiphany". Taking place shortly before the Prentiss invasion in the Season One finale, Tim checks in on Martin, who's living in the Institute, and gives him a pep-talk encouraging him to act on a secret crush he clearly has. Jon is also genuinely caring towards him.
- Jon and Martin's official Relationship Upgrade. Even Helen is happy for them!
- The revelation in 167 that, as competent and badass as Gertrude Robinson was, she would not have done well in the apocalypse precisely because her brand of cold pragmatism kept her from truly trusting or caring for anyone beyond their use in furthering her goals. Up to this point, Gertrude has always stood in comparison to Jon as someone he could never measure up to, and this episode makes it explicit that Jon is actually better off than she would have been, in his position.Martin: [coy] So. If you say Gertrude wouldn’t have been able to go on without a reason—Jon: [overlapping, audible fond eyeroll] Yes, Martin, you are my reason.Martin: Just wanted to make you say it!
- In episode 169, Martin reveals that he's terrified of being burned, which will happen if they enter Jude Perry's domain (it won't kill them, but it will hurt them), and Jon says that if Martin doesn't want to go in, he will give up his vengeance on Jude because Martin's more important.
- Episode 170 is recorded by Martin, who has been drawn back into the Lonely. Most of it is heartbreaking, except at the end, where he finally overcomes it and reunites with Jon:Martin: My name is Martin Blackwood and I am not lonely anymore! I am not lonely! I want to have friends—no, I do have friends! A-and I'm in love. I am in love, and I will not forget that; I will not forget. (stronger) I am Martin Black—Jon (calling): Martin!
- Episode 190 has Jon and Martin reunite with Melanie and Georgie, who have been pulling people out of domains. Especially nice is Martin and Melanie having a real, friendly conversation and getting to know each other for the first time.
- While it's a sad conversation—being about Jon's potential death—the talk Jon and Martin have in 191 is also very sweet. Jon asks Martin not to stop him if it turns out he has to make a Heroic Sacrifice, and Martin agrees, but only on the condition that Jon do his best to make sure dying really is the only option before taking it, which Jon promises to do. It shows how far they've both come, in their relationship and on their own, that they can talk to each other like this.
- In episode 194, Parting, Martin and Jon get into a huge fight over what to do about Jonah. The Eye tries to convince Jon to join it, but Jon realizes that Martin is right, and tells The Eye:Jon: If that’s the most compelling argument you have… [smiles] I’m going to go apologise to my boyfriend.
- In episode 196, after realizing that Annabelle Cane must have killed Salesa for the camera, Martin asks if he suffered. To her credit, Annabelle reveals that, since he was kind to her, she honored his wish for a painless death, killing him in his sleep. A kind sentiment, in its own twisted way, that Annabelle may be the Avatar of long-played malicious plans, but even she's not needlessly cruel.
- Episode 197: While on their way to rescue Martin, Basira advises Jon to hear Annabelle Cane out before they kill her. Jon reluctantly agrees, but says if she hurts Martin, all bets are off. Basira says if that happens, she'll be right there with him.
- Episode 198: Despite everything, Melanie is clearly relieved when she hears Basira, and pulls her in for a hug. You can also hear a rare smile in Basira's voice when she says hi.
- From episode 199:Martin: If one world still matters in an infinite spread of dimensions, then one person does, too.
- Despite the series ending on a bit of a bittersweet note, the final scene is ultimately a positive note to end on. Melanie, Georgie, Basira, and even Rosie are alive and together, and will get to continue living in a world without the Dread Powers. Even the Admiral is well.
