There are many types of relationships.  You have the main relationships throughout your lifestyle and then there are relationships that some people may never see.  Some are not interested in it and some people disagree with and argue that those people are wrong, but you really cannot say something is bad or ugly unless you have seen it or experienced it. 
The alternative relationship that intrigues and disgusts people is the BDSM lifestyle.

Basically, BDSM refers to bondage & discipline, dominance & submission, sadism & masochism.  That is what the term refers to; however, the lifestyle of BDSM and the various relationships create wider spectrum.  This lifestyle does not necessarily promote sexual relationships.  There are many activities people in a relationship living this lifestyle can do.  There is dominance and submission, discipline, punishment, bondage, sexual role-playing, sexual fetishism, sadomasochism, power exchange, spanking, flogging, as well as many others. 

You need to keep in mind that having a relationship and living the BDSM lifestyle gives no person the right to abuse another person.  Those in the BDSM relationships are at the legal age and have consented.  Everything done in a relationship is agreed upon.  If you ever wish to try this out and come up to someone who does not believe in safe words or giving you a chance to speak out when you don’t like it, then they are not living the true BDSM lifestyle.

Please do not believe everything you see on TV, especially the crime shows.  BDSM is not bad people make it bad.  Just be sure whoever you have a relationship with in this lifestyle that they believe in the motto of safe, sane, and consensual.  That is what the lifestyle should be based on, if lived correctly.