Friends, a massively successful comedy, captured hearts after its 1994 debut. It aimed to resonate universally, but perspectives have shifted.
When Friends hit Netflix, a fresh wave of viewers encountered it, anticipating light-hearted comedy. Instead, they found outdated takes on serious topics. To this generation, it lacked the charm it held for their parents.
Attitudes evolve. While younger audiences aren’t wrong in critiquing it, Friends always had its contradictions. The main characters often showed questionable morals, huge egos, and surprising levels of pettiness.
Plot holes and overlooked details became glaringly obvious with easy binge-watching. Let’s explore the perplexing issues that might have faced criticism if not for the show’s unique appeal.
Rachel’s Lucky Breaks
Rachel arrives as a privileged woman attempting independence in New York City, lacking work experience. Her first job is as a waitress at Central Perk, where she struggles, yet remains for three seasons.
Fashion becomes her true calling, and after a brief stint in a garment factory, she secures her dream job at Bloomingdale’s. Suddenly, she is an assistant buyer at a leading store, skipping unpaid internships or entry-level positions.
After her boss passes away, she’s demoted to personal shopper, which seems more grounded. Then, quickly, Ralph Lauren hires her, providing a fancy office and assistant. Rachel’s ascent seems unusually rapid.
What’s With The Weird Animals?
Animals often bring charm to comedies, and in Season 3, the writers gave Joey and Chandler pets.
Oddly, they chose a chick and a duck. These pets transformed from cute additions to noisy farm animals loose in an apartment lacking suitable accommodations.
The show also featured a monkey and a hairless cat, kept in rent-controlled apartments usually restricting pets, but apparently fine with livestock and monkeys.
The Trouble With Joey
Joey’s character might not fly today, given changing perceptions. Beyond that, Joey’s love for food reaches extremes, yet he’s an actor who doesn’t struggle with weight.
He’s proud of his Italian background but can’t speak the language to his Italian-speaking grandmother.
Joey is also a trained actor, implying script comprehension, stage direction, and complex language skills. Despite this, he’s portrayed as lacking intelligence, misunderstanding simple concepts and mispronouncing words.
Stuck In A Rut
Imagine: young, attractive, single, living in a cool New York apartment. They spend all their time with the same small group at the same coffee shop or the same apartments.
The Friends rarely explore their city or travel. They stick to the same sofa with Gunther as their only outside contact, needing to broaden their horizons.
Chalk And Cheese
Phoebe appears as an outsider with little in common with the group. How does she truly fit in?
She once shared an apartment with Monica, fitting the part of the quirky roommate. How could Monica, a neat freak, maintain a friendship with Phoebe?
Phoebe had a criminal past and lived on the streets. She’s the kind of person Monica would avoid, yet they’re close friends.
Phoebe’s living situations were confusing. She shared an apartment with her grandmother and then the unseen Denise. After her grandmother’s death, Phoebe inherits the apartment, raising questions about why this resource wasn’t available during her homelessness.
Family Ties
Phoebe’s family background is complex. She has a twin sister, and their mother committed suicide after their father left.
She meets Phoebe Abbott, who reveals that she became pregnant with twins after a teenage relationship involving Frank and Lily.
Phoebe Sr. gave the babies to the couple and then left. Her missing father appeared in one episode, and she became a surrogate for her half-brother, bearing triplets.
Confusingly, the Buffay clan disappeared in later episodes, absent from Phoebe’s wedding.
What About Kathy?
Janice is remembered as Chandler’s mistreated girlfriend, but Kathy also suffered. Chandler fell for Kathy, who was dating Joey, betraying his friend by not telling him.
When Chandler and Kathy got together, he became jealous and controlling, criticizing her acting. Despite Janice being repeatedly dumped, Kathy was publicly shamed and then dumped by Chandler.
Joey and Chandler remained friends, never revisiting the incident.
The Trouble With Monica
Monica and Richard were portrayed as a great love story, despite the age gap. He was old enough to be friends with her parents and had known Monica since childhood.
Monica also had a relationship with Ethan, who was still in high school, before dating Richard’s son. She eventually married Chandler, a close friend, blurring platonic boundaries.
Bad Timing
Friends contains timeline inconsistencies due to the filming gaps. However, Rachel’s pregnancy seems unusually long.
Rachel took a pregnancy test on Monica and Chandler’s wedding day, May 15. This suggests the baby was due around February.
Yet, Rachel is depicted as nine months pregnant during a hot New York summer, creating a timeline discrepancy.
You’re Wrong About Ross
Ross faces much criticism for his treatment of Rachel and his jealousy. Is he truly misunderstood?
Ross is the most emotionally mature, having been married and had a child. His insecurities stem from his divorce and lack of confidence.
Ross shows kindness, like buying Phoebe a bike and teaching her to ride. He also supported Joey and aided Rachel. Perhaps it’s time to offer Ross a break.
Friends remains iconic, but revisiting it reveals questionable aspects. From plot inconsistencies to evolving social norms, these elements highlight the show’s complexities. While it holds a special place in pop culture, it’s worth viewing through a modern lens.
What are your thoughts on these confusing Friends moments? Leave your comment below!
