The Day Friends Died

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An exploration into the history of Friends, the aspects that made it special, and the one episode that sparked the show's downfall to mediocrity.

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[EntertainTheElk]

*What should I explore next in my Day __ Died series?*

[Allydette]

I used to really hate the Joey/Rachel storyline but it could have worked if they hadn‘t made Joey an absolute idiot in the later seasons. Matt LeBlanc always sold the character but they didn‘t give him the character development that he deserved. If they had used the crush on Rachel as a motivator for Joey to figure out what he wants in life beyond acting, it could have been pretty great. His family is barely mentioned (aside from his little sister). They never explored the son-from-a-big-Italian-family angle and that‘s a missed opportunity in my book!

[trinaq]

While Joey suddenly having feelings for Rachel came out of nowhere, Matt's solid acting ability managed to make it work, and Rachel gently turned him down. What I found the most unbelievable was Rachel randomly returning Joey's feelings after seeing him read a play, and having a heated dream about kissing him.

[henri]

Chandler and Joey's bromance and friendship was always my favorite part of the show, the soul of Friends

[SuperNuclearUnicorn]

The best word I've ever seen to describe Friends is "comfy"

Idk what it was like back at the time it was airing because I was a bit too young to care, but watching it in a modern setting is just comfy. You know there won't be anything serious, you just get to vicariously live through the lives of people you wish you were in a time period that is pretty nostalgic in 2021. If you're having a crappy day, or it's a cold Sunday and there's nothing you really want to do, you can just throw on some random episode and take yourself back

[TheTrueProxy]

Ross’ reaction to the relationship was hilarious. Even when the plot of Friends sucked, the jokes still hit.

[CharlieGoldDirector]

Joey having feelings for Rachel is fine, it's believable to fall in love with your friend after many years, but once Rachel turned him down that's where that story should have ended.

[marywallace]

After Monica and Chandler’s wedding in season 7, they could’ve spent season 8 really building and solidifying how different the friends’ dynamic is. Everyone’s coming of age story could have been told properly and season 8 could’ve been the last. It could’ve ended with Monica and Chandler moving, Rachel taking that job in Paris (Emma would not exist), Joey taking some sort of responsibility in his career and dating habits, Phoebe finding Mike (probably not marrying him because it would be too fast for a proper arc, but at least implying she’s found someone to call home, since she never really had one), and Ross, idk, finally letting Rachel go and going to therapy lmao. Instead of dragging it on for 3 more seasons until everyone, especially Joey, is just exaggeratedly defined by one characteristic they were given.

[publiusvelocitor]

When Ross left Julie. She was great, had more common interests, was more mature, and was on his intellectual level. Leaving her for Rachel was a sitcom move, that only made sense from the perspective of heightening the drama. In real life, we mature, and often realize how poorly suited some of our adolescent crushes actually would have been for us. In sitcoms, nobody ever grows or learns.

[GabrielKnightz]

Whenever a show overstays it's welcome the characters tend to turn into caricatures of their caricatures. Amplifying whatever the audience responds to until they become unrecognisable. Which is why i would love to see your analysis of Frasier. A show despite being a spin off, running for 11 seasons, different writers, remained consistent to the characters and spirit of the show (99 percent of the time).

[MaxCrouch.mp]

Even if the show died before it ended, The Thanksgiving Episode with Brad Pitt will never not be funny.

[amehil]

Friends is one of those shows you can just…watch. It’s just easy to watch because you know nothing that bad can happen. I feel like that’s why so many people can go to it even now when your having a tough time or just need something to watch to make you feel better. In my opinion it’s an amazing comfort show

[kaspermygenfordt]

This really made me think, that I, being 25 is in that time of my life the show takes place. Most of my friends are moving to different cities, some have started lasting relationships. I think I'm going to enjoy this time in my life while it lasts, but I'm glad for this realization, this introspectiveness, so I don't forget. Maybe these are some of the best days of my life...

[loveisanopendoor]

I miss these type of shows though. Shows that just follow normal people, normal interactions and normal life. No supernatural, no murders, nothing that is unrealistic or too out of the ordinary. Shows like Friends, Gilmore Girls, Anne with an E, All American, Dawson’s Creek etc that are just so simple but that’s the point. If asked to explain the plot you wouldn’t know how to but there’s a deep sense of comfort as you grow and watch your favourite characters do the same. Idk I just think this genre has pretty much died out and if nowhere near as made as it used to be and I wish that wasn’t the case.

[carilabok]

I am actually one of the only people who liked the idea of Joey and Rachel together. They had fun together and enjoyed each other's company, and their chemistry only got better when they became roommates. Whereas, other than Rachel and Ross's attraction to each other, they didn't seem to have any shared interests or even like each other. They constantly mocked each other for their chosen careers, which was something both characters were very passionate about in their respective fields. Rachel and Joey never bickered like that. In fact, Rachel loved the soap that Joey starred in and Joey respected the fashion advice that Rachel gave him over the years. And Rachel and Joey, in universe, are portrayed as being the most attractive members of the group. So it doesn't seem so out of left field that they could be physically attracted to each other too. Rachel had never considered Joey a prospect before, because of his notorious history as a womanizer, and Joey never consider Rachel because she was his friend's girlfriend. But by the time, Joey developed feelings for Rachel, Ross and Rachel had been broken up for years. And Joey appeared to have a longing to settle down with one woman toward the end of the series. I actually think that all of the things that kept Ross and Rachel apart for the better part of a decade were the same reasons that would cause their relationship to fail. I think it would been really interested if they actually gave Rachel and Joey a fair chance, instead of immediately ending it before it began.

[SceneComparisons]

I completely agree. Their romance was awful.

[jerner]

Honestly the smartest thing they did was jumping the shark in season 1, with Ross getting a monkey as a pet. Made everything else super tame in comparison

[drewevans]

I definitely feel like Phoebe getting angry a Ross over a dream and her trying to get a rise out of Ross about evolution didn’t work as story points. Also Joey not being able to speak French came off as completely ridiculous like he memorised medical jargon on Days of our lives so he’s definitely not a complete idiot

[picklesthewise]

This would have worked better as a one-sided crush that could have contributed to Joey's growth as a more mature character. Having Rachel like him back just so Ross would get jealous literally made it a nothing subplot.

[HelloZukoHere]

I was born in 98 so my mom was obsessed with this show and always referencing it and of course I saw it on tv all the time. But I rewatched it about 3 years ago on Netflix and I was shocked about how they just pulled Ross and Rachel out every finale to tease it, then the first episode of the new season was tearing them down and that just happens over and over. I know sitcoms aren't supposed to be binged like that, but it obviously destroys their value as a couple when they've broken up and gotten back together so many fucking times haha.