When there are sitcoms that run as long as Friends did, they’re bound to have some hilarious and wholesome flashbacks - either to previous episodes or earlier parts of the characters’ lives. In this show, fans get to see college Ross and Chandler, the high school friendship of Monica and Rachel, and so much more.
With so many great flashbacks throughout the series, it’s hard to remember everything that went down. It’s time to reflect back on some of them and highlight some of the things that even die-hard fans might have forgotten about.
Young Chandler
That’s right, fans did actually get to see a young Chandler in a flashback on the series! The Thanksgiving throwbacks mainly revolve around the time at Monica and Ross’, where Monica cuts off Chandler’s toe.
Chandler hates Thanksgiving, and it’s pretty clear that Chandler doesn’t have the best relationship with his father or his mother. In a tiny little glimpse, fans get to see Chandler’s horrendous childhood Thanksgiving - that yes, everyone probably forgot about.
Ross & Chandler’s Band
That’s something that will definitely be remembered when that memory is triggered, and it’s still not any less funny. These two hanging posters for their band at their college will always be a treat when re-watching the show.
Clearly, neither of these two were fit to be in a band. While fans never get to know how that band turned out, they at least know it probably didn’t last long and definitely wasn’t good. Their ‘90s outfits were also something else.
Phoebe Is Actually A Year Older
They all celebrate being 30 when Rachel finally joins in, but it turns out that Phoebe is actually 31. After deciding to reconcile with her sister, Ursula shows Phoebe her birth certificate.
She’s a year older than she thought, and Phoebe thinks she ‘lost a year’. This little flashback also doesn’t really affect anything, but it’s kind of hilarious, and apparently, Phoebe is older!
Chandler Tried To Sleep With Rachel
It’s a little weird for fans to think that Chandler tried to pick up Rachel when she shows up at the bar (that used to be Central Perk) and runs into Monica, where they briefly catch up.
Rachel wants one more fling before she marries Barry, and Chandler tries to be that lucky guy. It’s a weird thought, and fans are glad it never happened, because they like Chandler and Monica and Monica and Rachel just the way they are.
Joey Tried To Sleep With Monica
There there’s two sets of best friends and the adorable relationship with Chandler and Monica, it’s frightening to think that Monica was attracted to Joey AND that Joey tried to sleep with Monica.
In a parallel universe, maybe Joey would’ve hooked up with Monica and Rachel with Chandler. Of course, it’s a horrific thought for fans, and this is forgotten because they like to repress anything that challenges Monica and Chandler.
Chandler Did Actually Kiss Rachel
In ‘The One Where The Stripper Cries’, Chandler finally admits to Ross that he did actually kiss Rachel at a party in college. Ross is furious, but the two seem to be even after they realize their pact was broken over another girl, anyway.
However, it gets even weirder when fans find out that Ross actually kissed Monica (a strange sibling dynamic) - and not also Rachel - that same night. Fans probably didn’t forget that part, but they might’ve forgotten that Chandler did kiss Rachel once!
Phoebe & The Ball Race
It might take a couple seconds, and fans might be scratching their heads wondering if, in fact, there actually was a scene of Phoebe racing and jumping on a ball for her birthday.
It did happen, and it happened in a flashback to her thirtieth birthday during ‘The One Where They All Turn Thirty’. It has absolutely no significance, but it’s hilarious to remember after forgetting it ever existed.
Joey Had A Turkey On His Head First
Everyone remembers when Monica puts a turkey on her head to make it up to Chandler, who admits on Thanksgiving why she accidentally cut off his toe years before at her parents' house.
However, fans might forget that she does this because of the flashback where Joey puts a turkey on his head to scare Chandler. In doing so, he gets it stuck, and the gang has to get it off.
Chandler Compliments Monica
In the infamous ‘The One With the Flashback’ episode, Monica is upset because Phoebe moves out. She thinks she’ll never have a boyfriend. Chandler comes over, and assures her that she will.
In fact, he tells her that he’s surprised she doesn’t already, and deserves one and should have one. This is an adorable little moment for die-hard fans, and they were probably just yelling at them to get together already.
Central Perk Used To Be A Bar
This is one little fact that’s super quirky, and really adds absolutely nothing to the plot except for some weird humor. Of course, in season 3, fans get to learn that the gang used to hang out at a bar.
Fans of this show can’t imagine anything but Rachel serving coffee and this group sitting on the big orange couch with Phoebe playing guitar, but nonetheless, it existed once, before fans got to love Central Perk.