Would you really call Gilmore Girls a soap opera? It played more like an hour long sitcom highlighted by key dramatic scenes. Luke-Lorelai definitely had the rhythms of a sitcom will they/won't they.

Zachary Quinto is a mediocre Spock, isn't he? I blame the writing more than the performance, though.

Apples and oranges. Jim and Pam was in the tradition of the will they/won't they formula perfected by Sam and Diane. Tim and Dawn was a subplot in a limited series from one writer. Completely different animal.

You hit the nail on the head with the Santiago-Peralta chemistry feeling like a sibling relationship as opposed to a traditional will they/won't they.