Let’s talk about the show that changed our idea of friends, family, and relationships. It’s been more than 25 years since “Friends” first debuted on NBC and we are still talking about it! The 90’s favorite sitcom aired for 10 seasons and lots of us still quote our favorite characters from this beloved show.
So, what about “Friends” that makes it so iconic? Why does Netflix still have it as the most-watched show? Why do we tune in every Friday to watch Monica (Courteney Cox), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Ross (David Schwimmer), Chandler (Matthew Perry), and Joey (Matt LeBlanc)?
From the pilot episode, The One Where Monica Gets A Roommate, we got a taste of what exactly the show is going to be about. Their parents were out of the scene, marriages were abandoned, the support systems these six friends would rely on every week were each other. The twenty-somethings were a bit clueless while muddling their way through career, relationships, and life. They were not sure where they were heading, but they were not very stressed about it either.
So, let’s talk about a few moments where the show handled some controversial issues seriously but with grace (at least by the standards of the ’90s). Let’s talk about the brilliant things the show is not known for. Here comes the list.
- The One Where Monica Slept With A Guy On Their First Date, And It Was OKAY!
It was no biggie when Monica shared having a great time on her first date after ending up sleeping with the guy. This is something that Phoebe and Rachel also did later in the series. It might not be a big deal today, but back in the ’90s, it was a bold step in normalizing a woman’s sexuality and breaking the hypocrisy.
- Changing The Concept Of A “Normal” And “Conventional” Family Throughout The Show
Unlike the traditional family story with a husband, wife, and kids, America’s all-time favorite show flipped the storyline with Ross raising his son in a blended family, Rachel becoming a single mother, Monica and Chandler considering adoption, or Joey remaining bachelor till the end.
- A Girl And Boy Can Be Friends With No Romantic Relationship
Even though almost every friend kissed the others (basically the women kissing each other and the men kissing each other), for the most part, it showed that a man and a woman could be just friends without feeling the romantic tension.
- When Phoebe Became A Surrogate For Her Brother And Sister-In-Law
Though Phoebe struggled with the idea that she wouldn’t be raising the triplets, she passed over them very delicately yet funnily at the same time. The scene where Phoebe, the “future’s favorite aunt” is having a sweet, emotional talk with the babies right before handing them over, has a unique blend of mixed emotions.
- Sometimes, A Breakup Is The Need Of The Moment, Even Though Both The Partners Still Love Each Other
You can be friends with your ex! Though breakups are always heartbreaking, you still can respect each other’s choices just like Richard and Monica who broke up because they wanted different things in life. Ross and Rachel ended things due to trust issues but they still remained best friends. But it completely shattered the concept that a break-up means there is no love or friendship left between two people.
No matter how many plot holes, sexist jokes or inappropriate storylines were there, we still love F.R.I.E.N.D.S with its flaws, relatability, and happy vibes! We can just totally binge-watch all the 236 episodes even after twenty years from now and it will still feel personal.
