To think Monica and Chandler were a much better couple

[Lostinbooksandcoffee]

Than Ross and Rachel?

I'm currently rewatching Friends on Netflix.
Ross was possessive and jealous. He couldn't stand when Rachel was successful in her new career and wanted everything about him, even with his own sister. She could do so much better and I still hate the fact she ended up with him, despite having a child together. They didn't suit each other at all and were complete opposite. Plus the whole 'we were on a break' thing was just ridiculous.

Monica and Chandler, however, were such a natural couple. He really grew up when he got with her. They loved each other despite their differences and quirks. If anything, they seemed to be better as a couple because of them. I loved them together.

Yes, I'm aware they're just characters in a TV show but amuse me.

YABU - Ross and Rachel were a much better couple

YANBU - Monica and Chandler had the best relationship

[Mumoblue]

Ross was the worst.
I hated the ending. Rachel gives up her dream job to be with a possessive asshole.

[vanillandhoney]

Again, I don't mind Joey - funny guy but if we're judging bad behaviour, Ross doesn't come last to me at all.

Oh agreed. Joey was awful in terms of how he treated women.

[Tormundsbeard]

Without Ross/David Schwimmer I think the series would not have been so good. Watching reruns, I appreciate Rachel/Jennifer Anniston’s comic timing more.

Also the scripts were very funny. I still laugh at some even when I’ve seen a episode several times.

[Badassmama]

The thing is - Ross was always the joke, his controlling behaviour was literally a caricature and the whole time other jokes were being made to demonstrate what a baby he was. I think that was the point, to make fun of that kind of behaviour and show how outrageous it was. He wasn’t a bad guy per se, he was a guy who allowed his needs and wants and selfish behaviour to make him into a clown. His character more than any other created dialogue about how much say a partner should have in your life, it normalised a lesbian relationship and demonstrated how ridiculous it was to think any other way about gay marriage, it made fun of toxic masculinity in so many ways- the naps episode, the one where he demands to go to a fashion lecture etc etc and at that time, there weren’t any other mainstream shows doing that. It kind of paved the way.

[rayoflightboy]

Plus Ross had some of the darker storylines.It was still made funny but it did hightlight depression.

Plus Ross was actually written for David Schwimmer,all the others where cast later.

[Andthewinnerislucky]

David Schwimmer was excellent as Ross. I've rewatched Friends a hundred times (can you tell?) and grew to appreciate Ross's character and David's perfect comedic timing and portrayal of Ross.

Before then, it was Chandler all the way. Still love him and his character development but first few seasons' Chandler was hilarious.

[UnagiSalmonSkinRoll]

I loved Ross, he was my favourite, especially as the series went on., and I can imagine if Ross was to die, it would be by a blimp 😂
Loved Monica and Chandler, rooted for Chandler when he wanted to propose and Richard and his mustache came back.
Loved beginning where Chandler always ended up with Janice.
Rachel and Joey was so wrong, glad that ended when it did.
Much preferred Mike to David.
Hated Emily, even though it was Ross's fault for saying the wrong name.
Hated Susan, she was overstepping the mark so much when Carol was pregnant and Carol didn't even do anything!!
Hated Mona, so much!!!!

[StoneCold316]

@lilgreen

Unpleasant Phoebe? Must’ve been watching something else!

She definitely was. She liked to see others squirm and Would bend the truth to get her own way

[bananaskinsnomnom]

Oh I liked Ross, I didn’t think he was a bad guy. Spoiled by his parents perhaps.....I liked the episode where he was trying hard to prove he didn’t always have to be right 🤣🤣

@NameChange84 I’m waiting for a Chandler too - I’m 4 years behind you but same boat!
Meet you in Central Perk?

[Tappering]

There's an excellent post on here from years ago, about why Ross is controlling and not very nice. I want to say that it was posted by Show of Hands but wouldn't swear it. I'll see if I can track it down.

[Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches]

I might have got that mixed up about Carrie. As you were.

[Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches]

I another note, I always really liked Janice and thought she was a basically really nice person. Seemed really unfair that she was always referred to as annoying etc

I’d also love to see Janice and Mattress King spin off!

[Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches]

But I think in the end she does divorce him and gets together with some one else - she’s having a child with someone else when she is giving birth at the same time as Rachel, isn’t she?

[Tappering]

Found it - and it was ShowOfHands who did this rather excellent analysis. IIRC it was affectionaly known as the Ross Rant:

The thing with Ross is that he's actually a v sinister character. If you take his relationship with Rachel in isolation, it's a good sketch of an abusive, controlling man. He adores her, pines over her for years until he's obsessed. When he finally gets into a relationship with her he becomes obsessive and controlling. He's planned their life together, their children's names, where they'll live.

He tells her what to wear with a view to making sure that she's not attractive to other men (on her first day in her new job he tells her to wear trousers and a high neckline). He implies she only gets the new job because Mark wants to have sex with her. He goes to her work and makes a scene on several occasions, he phones up and bothers her, he accompanies her on work trips to stop her going with Mark and then falls asleep, he belittles her job, he sulks over her ex partners, he hates her working overtime and tries to stop her doing her job. He then shags somebody else and lies about it, deliberately trying to keep it from her. When confronted about it he says he only did it because he though she was sleeping with Mark, making it her fault he cheated. He never accepts responsibility for it, even lying about it (18 pages front and back, he never read them and lies about it in order to get her back into bed).

He tells Carol Rachel cheated on him with Mark. Even apart he controls her. Doesn't tell her they're married, let's her move in with him and has a baby with her but starts hiding messages from men who call wanting to date her. Drags another unstable woman to the apartment and humiliates her in order to make Rachel feel bad.

That's just Rachel. He also lies to Mona, dates a student breaking his professional trust, screams in people's faces, treats Emily terribly and on and on and on and on...

[StoneCold316]

Janice was probably my favourite character, outside of the main ones. She was hilarious and I loved that they brought her in near the end when Monica and Chandler were house hunting. I secretly wanted her to get with Joey, just because he hated her so much!

Mona and Emily were so annoying. I didn’t like Charlie much either but thought she was much better suited to Ross than to Joey.

[FrippEnos]

The character of Ross never grew.

Rachel's character did. She never became a particularly nice person, but there was growth.

I always find it interesting that Rachel's flaws and the shitty things that she does are overlooked when the Ross/Rachel releationship is looked at.

[StoneCold316]

@Tappering

Found it - and it was ShowOfHands who did this rather excellent analysis. IIRC it was affectionaly known as the Ross Rant:

The thing with Ross is that he's actually a v sinister character. If you take his relationship with Rachel in isolation, it's a good sketch of an abusive, controlling man. He adores her, pines over her for years until he's obsessed. When he finally gets into a relationship with her he becomes obsessive and controlling. He's planned their life together, their children's names, where they'll live.

He tells her what to wear with a view to making sure that she's not attractive to other men (on her first day in her new job he tells her to wear trousers and a high neckline). He implies she only gets the new job because Mark wants to have sex with her. He goes to her work and makes a scene on several occasions, he phones up and bothers her, he accompanies her on work trips to stop her going with Mark and then falls asleep, he belittles her job, he sulks over her ex partners, he hates her working overtime and tries to stop her doing her job. He then shags somebody else and lies about it, deliberately trying to keep it from her. When confronted about it he says he only did it because he though she was sleeping with Mark, making it her fault he cheated. He never accepts responsibility for it, even lying about it (18 pages front and back, he never read them and lies about it in order to get her back into bed).

He tells Carol Rachel cheated on him with Mark. Even apart he controls her. Doesn't tell her they're married, let's her move in with him and has a baby with her but starts hiding messages from men who call wanting to date her. Drags another unstable woman to the apartment and humiliates her in order to make Rachel feel bad.

That's just Rachel. He also lies to Mona, dates a student breaking his professional trust, screams in people's faces, treats Emily terribly and on and on and on and on...

I mean, that’s all true. Still, it wouldn’t have been a show without him

[leftovercoffeecake]

I love Monica and Chandler together! I found her relationship with Richard creepy, because he was her dad’s friend and a lot older.

I like the original Ross and Rachel relationship, but after their break I don’t think they work well. I honestly can’t imagine them staying together much longer after season 10 ends.

I’m glad they didn’t pair off Phoebe and Joey. It would’ve ruined it.

Phoebe should’ve ended up with David!! Also I think she definitely got meaner as the series went on and always thought she was cruel to Chandler.

Rachel and Joey were cringey together. I found it quite sweet when he had the crush on her, but it ruined it for me when she got one back. I can’t stand the Barbados episodes.

[Andthewinnerislucky]

"Rachel always doing what Rachel wants in Rachel land" loooooved the attention and near-worship Ross gave her. So much so that each time she decided she was done with him and he eventually stopped sulking and moved on, she would suddenly realise she still loved him (unless she had a date or boyfriend, then she didn't care) and would do anything to ruin that relationship. Eg: the one with the bald-headed woman (can't remember her name). Rachel got her to shave her head so 'Ross wouldn't be attracted to her anymore'. Rachel decided she loved Ross again and tried to break up his relationship with Julie. Rachel deciding she loved Ross and flew to Englaaand (in Joey's voice) to break up Ross"s wedding to Emily.

Couldn't stand Emily but felt sad for her at the wedding. Her worst nightmare had come through because she was so jealous of Ross and Rachel's continued friendship.

Ross had to break up his friendship network to save his marriage to Emily (because he always wants to do the right thing even if he unintentionally messes up sometimes) because Emily's ultimatum was he never was to see or speak to Rachel again. He was in love with Rachel but couldn't keep pining for her, yet Rachel never let him move on. Couldn't stand him being happy without her or unless she was happy elsewhere.

Think I need to get a life and live a little more perhaps

[amusedbush]

I loved Monica and Richard. It was obviously right for them to break up because they were at different life stages but they were really great together. One of my favourite episodes is after they break up and Monica's dad drives into the City to check on her - it's so lovely because she usually plays second fiddle to Ross.

Ross is revolting. I watched them as a child/young teenager and then saw the odd repeat on E4 as I got older but it wasn't until I binge watched the whole show when it was added to Netflix that I realised how abhorrent he is. He ruined the show for me and I found myself gritting my teeth with rage when he kept turning up at Rachel's work and bothering her.

[Stroller15]

19 years ago, when I liked to imagine myself living in NY, I found Ross incredibly annoying. He was creepy and I didn't understand what Rachel saw in him. Now, I appreciate David Schwimmer's physical comedy - many episodes relies on him being a creep/weirdo/over the top. Jennifer Aniston is very good too, I just rewatched the Brad Pitt episode and she made BP look like an amateur. I think Courtney Cox is much funnier in real life than Monica was. But yes, Monica and Chandler is a better couple.

[phoenixrosehere]

Yanbu.

The whole “break thing” actually annoyed me as a kid. It stuck out in my mind so much that when I went on a break with my first bf, I made it clear what I meant by it.

I thought they had broken up. I also think Rachel is just as bad as Ross. After she realised Ross was in love with her and he came back with Julie, she was trying to sabotage the relationship. She was also rude enough to Julie that Julie could feel Rachel didn’t like her. After Rachel broke up with Ross, she tried to sabotage him dating Bonnie, Phoebe’s friend, getting her to shave her head and then telling him she wanted him back. She set up Emily with Ross so she could go out with Joshua, not expecting them to hit it off, and once they were engaged she was interested in Ross again. They go back and forth. I sometimes think that Rachel wanted Ross to be the guy that always pines for her and when he wasn’t, here comes her feelings again when he is with someone or having to be involved somehow in his relationships. She even dated his girlfriend’s father. I think they deserve each other so no one else gets hurt by them.

[Iminaglasscaseofemotion]

I found the whole Monica and Richard thing a bit creepy considering he was her dad's friend, and he had known her when she was a child.

[Sammysquiz]

The most unrealistic couple was Joey & Charlie. Zero chemistry!