The best and worst moments of Friends

Now that the Friends reunion is almost here, those of us who have strayed (and disgracefully so, might we add) need a few reminders as to who did what in the series. Seventeen years have passed since we last witnessed the six deal with the challenges of adulthood in New York City. But when we find ourselves reflecting on the actions of this friend gang, it becomes apparent that they had their fair share of moments when their friendship was tested. The show teaches us that even the best of friends will have their differences over the years and that true friendships stand the test of time. And isn’t that what makes Friends even more relatable?

Before we wipe tears away (read: bawl) later this week when the reunion episode is set to air on ZEE5, let’s take a trip down the memory lane and analyse the best and worst acts of the gang.

Best of Phoebe Buffay - Carrying Frank’s children

Phoebe has a heart of gold. She’s pure, childlike and quirky but exhibits astonishing levels of maturity when it is needed. Our favourite thing that she does in the show is agree to be a surrogate for her brother’s babies. Frank and Alice are having trouble conceiving and Phoebe steps in to help them without a hint of hesitation. She even feels the overwhelming pressure of being fertile enough for the procedure so that the couple’s money doesn’t go to waste.

Worst of Phoebe Buffay - A terrible guitar teacher to Joey

Though she usually shares a wonderful bond with Joey, Phoebe gets mad at him when he decides to practise on a real guitar. She’s a terrible teacher who does not listen to Joey and forces her way of learning on him. It is so unlike Phoebe to make people do something they don’t want to, especially since she’s one of the most relaxed and understanding of the bunch.

Best of Chandler Bing - Helps Joey out with money

Chandler is the one who ends up paying for Joey’s acting classes, new sets of headshots, apartment bills and more. And not once does he complain or pressure Joey into giving him the money back. When he moves out of the apartment, he even tries to trick Joey into taking money which will help him stay afloat for the next couple of months. All in all, Chandler’s love for Joey is one of the most beautiful plot points in Friends.

Worst - Gets cold feet on the day of his wedding and tries to run away

We know Chandler has commitment issues, but fans thought that the issue was past him when he decided to marry Monica. Thus, when he unexpectedly disappears before the wedding after hearing Monica call them “the Bings” on her answering machine, fans are left to wonder if he will ever come back. It was an especially low point for Chandler since he knew Monica’s fear of never getting married and how much this wedding meant to her.

Best of Ross Geller - Buys Phoebe her first bike

Over the years, it has become clear that Ross is not the most liked character on the show. This has a lot to do with him being “on a break” and presumably abandoning Ben after the birth of Emma. But Ross loves his friends dearly and cares about them deeply - he buys Phoebe her first bike, adorned with pink bows and a flower basket, when he finds out about her sad backstory. He even proceeds to teach her how to use it and agrees to install training wheels when she fails.

Worst of Ross Geller - Lies to Rachel about the annulment

Ross and Rachel drunkenly get married in Vegas and have to file for an annulment. Though Ross tells Rachel he has already taken care of it, turns out he was planning on keeping their marriage a secret all along. He even tries to convince her to stay married and avoid his fate of having three divorces. Pretty selfish, don’t you think?

Best of Monica Geller - Cooks Thanksgiving dinners every year

Even when she doesn’t want to, Monica diligently customises Thanksgiving dinners for her friends in all 10 seasons so that they feel comfortable on the family holiday. She has a brilliant spread laid out each year, makes mash potatoes different ways, and even lets them bring their special guests. Monica even manages to forgive Rachel, Ross, Joey and Phoebe when they show up late one Thanksgiving and let the dinner go to waste.

Worst of Monica Geller - She harassed her maid

Certain that her maid is stealing from her, Monica proceeds to creepily look at the maid’s jeans up close and then encourages Chandler to seduce her. Not only is her behaviour borderline sexual harassment, it is also extremely sad that her need to know the truth about her missing clothes is more important that maintaining social boundaries. What’s worse is she was wrong and the maid was never stealing from her.

Best of Rachel Greene - She kept her pregnancy a secret for Monica

Monica and Rachel get into an argument on the day of the former’s engagement since Rachel tries to get together with Ross and the gang finds out. Monica feels that Rachel purposely tried to steal her thunder and Rachel’s intention behind not revealing that she is pregnant around the days leading up to Monica’s wedding is to ensure that Monica’s big day stays that way. Her emotional vulnerability is evident when she tears up in the bathroom with the girls after having taken a pregnancy test. Thus, she shows that she can put her friends’ needs above hers when needed.

Worst of Rachel Greene - She swoops back into Ross’ life when he is involved with other people

Rachel is guilty of ruining multiple relationships for Ross and then choosing not to rekindle their relationship. She does not care for how Ross feels about her till she sees him with Julie. She travels all the way to London to break up Emily ‘s wedding with Ross and tells him that their relationship is never off the table even though she is not interested in pursuing him. Overall, Rachel caused a lot of trouble for Ross’ love life.

Best of Joey Tribbiani - He kept Monica and Chandler’s secret

Keeping secrets kills Joey, but he maintains his secrecy when he finds out about Monica and Chandler. Even when he is caught in awkward moments that are actually the couple’s doing, he takes the blame up and is judged by the rest of the gang. He threatens to let the cat out of the bag on multiple occasions, but being Joey, is unable to do that to his best friends.

Worst of Joey Tribbiani - He was not the most loyal significant other

Joey has dated plenty of women throughout the show. His dialogues, especially those related to women, have not aged well since the show ended. Not only has the character received a lot of flak for the way he treats women, fans have also picked up on how Joey has cheated on multiple partners without an ounce of guilt. He even cheats on Kathy, who he really seems to like.