Living in New York City can be challenging for anyone. Luckily for Ross Geller, he has his sister and close friends to lean on. Fans and critics consider the groundbreaking sitcom Friends one of the greatest of all time, and Ross is a major part of that.
The series just wouldn't be the same without Ross. Indeed, Ross and Rachel's romance is one of TV's greatest love stories. Of course, Ross had his fair share of shocking moments. He participated in some of the most memorable episodes and cliffhangers in the show. He also made some appalling decisions that hurt his friends and loved ones.
Ross Didn't Like The Male Nanny
In the season 9 episode, “The One With The Male Nanny,” Ross and Rachel interview several candidates to be Emma’s nanny. Ross is appalled when a man, Sandy, shows up for the position. Ross can’t wrap his head around the idea that Sandy’s a male nanny playing into outdated and gendered stereotypes. However, Rachel convinces Ross to hire him because he’s so good with Emma.
Indeed, Sandy’s excellent at his job, but regardless, Ross wants to fire him. This is narrow-mindedness shocks fans.
Ross's Memorial Service
Throughout the series, several characters celebrated their birthdays and got married. However, Ross is the only one to attend his own memorial service. In the season 9 episode, “The One With The Memorial Service,” Ross and Chandler take pranking each other a bit far. After going back and forth, Chandler posts on their college alumni site that Ross died. Ross is devastated when nobody comments on his passing. Therefore, he throws himself a memorial service to see how many people mourn him.
Ross hides in the bedroom and is elated when his college crush shows up. Of course, he immediately reveals that he’s alive, and she leaves in disgust. It's really quite shocking behavior and crosses many lines.
Ross Didn't Get An Annulment
Ross and Rachel's relationship had many twists and turns. However, Ross had two major surprises in him this time around. In the season 5 episode, "The One In Vegas," Ross and Rachel have a wild night and get married as a joke.
Later, Rachel wants an annulment, but Ross doesn't want another failed marriage. Therefore, he doesn't get it annulled and lies to Rachel. Ross continues to lie to her for several episodes. He wasn't going to tell her, but she found out the truth. This was a shocking lie for Ross to tell someone close to him!
Ross And Chandler’s Mom
Ross and Chandler became best friends in college and remain close after graduating. They even bonded with each other’s families. Shockingly, Ross gets close to Chandler’s mom in a different way. In the season 1 episode, “The One With Mrs. Bing,” Nora Bing visits Chandler and his friends. During dinner, Ross becomes upset because Rachel brings Paolo.
Nora tries to comfort Ross, and they end up kissing. Joey points out that Ross broke the sacred code of never kissing a best friend’s mom. Chandler’s furious with Ross for quite some time. It's pretty unexpected that Ross would kiss his best friend's mom and out in the open too.
He Tried To Scare Rachel And Phoebe
Ross often bragged about his extraordinary karate abilities. However, his skills didn't help him with Rachel and Phoebe. In the season 6 episode, "The One With Unagi," Rachel and Phoebe take a self-defense class. However, Ross mocks them and mentions his superior karate background.
Ross even hid and scared them to prove they're not as skilled as he is. However, they got him back, and he was embarrassed. Therefore, Ross goes to a self-defense instructor to get tips on getting revenge. Of course, the instructor is appalled at the idea. Later, Ross tries to sneak up on them again, but it ends up being two different women. Fans were shocked that Ross would stoop so low for his pride.
Rasing And Forgetting Ben
For the first few seasons, Ross's life revolved around falling in love with Rachel and raising his son Ben. Ross formed a close relationship with his son and spent a lot of time with him.
Later, however, Ben suddenly disappears from the show and Ross's life. He seems to forget about his son. Ross mentions him a few times but shockingly pays him very little attention. Instead, Ross focuses all his attention on his daughter, Emma.
We Were On A Break
Ross and Rachel finally become a couple during the second season, but their happiness is short-lived. During season 3, Ross and Rachel begin to have problems because of Ross's jealously. In the season 3 episode "The One Where Ross and Rachel Take A Break," the fighting and jealously becomes too much for Rachel to handle.
Rachel feels she needs a break, but Ross assumes the relationship is over. Astonishingly, Ross wastes no time and finds another date. Rachel did say she needed a break, but Ross moved on surprisingly quickly. Of course, this resulted in Ross yelling, "We were on a break" several times in the series.
Kissing Monica
The series often featured flashback episodes showing Ross, Chandler, Monica, and Rachel in their high school and college years. These episodes sometimes reveal new information about their pasts. For instance, Ross shared an intimate kiss with every character, including his sister. In the season 10 episode, "The One Where The Stripper Cries," Ross and Chandler attend their college reunion and reminisce about a party in 1987.
At the party, Ross believed he kissed Rachel for the first time. Monica also remembers an encounter with her midnight mystery kisser at the same party. Well, it turns out they kissed each other. It was a shock to discover!
Ross And His Cousin
Ross made some questionable choices throughout his life. However, making a move on his attractive cousin is one of the most shocking. In the season 7 episode "The One With Ross And Monica's Cousin," Cassie visits her cousins living in New York. Cassie briefly stays with Ross when Chandler can't stop staring at her.
However, Ross ends up being very attracted to her as well. While watching a movie, Ross assumes Cassie's flirting with him. He gives it very little thought and attempts to kiss his cousin. Of course, he gets rejected.
Ross Said Rachel's Name
The season 4 finale, "The One With Ross's Wedding," features one of the most unexpected moments in the show's history. First, Ross and Emily surprised everyone when they decided to get married after knowing each other for six weeks.
Of course, nothing tops Ross messing up the wedding vows. During the vows, Ross famously said Rachel's name instead of Emily. The iconic season finale stunned the other characters and fans across the globe. Ross saying Rachel's name is one of the most famous cliffhangers on Friends.