Many fans binge-watch Friends over and over again with family and pals, as they watch these six crazy kids move through a decade of their lives in New York City. When first watching the show, one might feel that it tends to be all about the characters and the journey they go on, but upon a few repeats, viewers start to pick up on things that weren't immediately apparent.
There are a handful of these moments that can provide fans with a different perspective on Joey, Chandler, Ross, Monica, Rachel and Phoebe. A few are more obvious than others, and some of these ideas are a bit contentious for diehard viewers, even for a show that went off the air many, many years ago.
Monica & Rachel Replaced?
Sometimes TV shows have to do an awful lot of editing and crafting in order to get the perfect shot for every scene, and as a result, mistakes can fall through the cracks quite easily.
In two very notable instances, Monica and Rachel were both replaced by stand-in actresses when the camera was on someone else - and unfortunately, fans were able to see those stand-in actors in the final cut. If you want to check for yourself, watch season 8 episode 5 and season 9 episode 15.
Phoebe’s Glitz & Glamour
Phoebe’s background is a rough one, and even on a sitcom, one that’s hard to cover up. Writers made her upbringing a part of her identity, which helped her character to grow and mature as the seasons went on.
Alas, one element of her persona that we didn’t initially pick up on was how glamourous she really was. From the outfits she wore to the beautiful necklaces and accessories, Phoebe lived the life of luxury that she deserved.
Ross’ Arrogance
It’s unfair to outright label one character with a specific personality trait, but one issue that Ross Geller always had on Friends was his arrogance. He was never able to let things go in an argument, and despite how funny he was, he always managed to balance this with a condescending speech that highlighted why he felt he was the one in the right.
This comes back to bite him plenty of times, such as when he’s debating with Phoebe or trying to name all of the states, but it can still be annoying.
Chandler's Change
This point is clear as day for many, but when you’re young and watching Friends for the first time, Chandler's appearance doesn’t necessarily stand out as something that’s particularly important.
As time goes on, however, and more fans come to analyze the show in hindsight, many have come to learn that Matthew Perry went through a lot of personal and physical changes during his time on the show, and this was reflected in just how different he looked from season to season.
Eddie Or Jimmy?
When Joey decides to move out, he leaves Chandler with the dilemma of needing to find a new roommate. Eventually, he does, with the roommate in question being the now-infamous Eddie.
While Eddie may be absolutely crazy, the most surprising part actually stems from the spin-off show, Joey. When Mr. Tribbiani moves to Los Angeles, he is eventually joined by Jimmy, the father of his nephew Michael, who turns out to be the same actor.
Emily Written Out Early
Emily made a huge splash during her brief stint on the show, from meeting Ross and marrying him to divorcing him in the blink of an eye.
What some fans may not know is there was more to the story regarding Emily’s exit than first thought. Helen Baxendale, the actress who played the character, fell pregnant and began to appear far more infrequently - forcing the writers to cut her storyline short, as she couldn’t travel from the UK to the USA.
How Special Filming In London Was
From a storyline point of view, the London episodes were really crucial to the development of the entire show. Phoebe was pregnant with the triplets, Ross married Emily, Rachel realized she still loved Ross and Monica and Chandler began a relationship together.
But beyond all of the important plot points is the feat that the show accomplished in filming these episodes. They actually flew over to the UK and filmed scenes on the streets of the English capital. Filming abroad was quite unique for sitcoms at the time, and a big undertaking.
No Justice For Carol And Susan?
No fan of the show can be upset about Carol and Susan’s relationship because it’s quite clear they’re very happy together, but the circumstances behind them getting to this point weren’t exactly ideal.
There was a level of deception from both women in how they kept their partnership from Ross, and then when he found out, they still had a bad attitude towards him - as fans saw during the surname debacle. They didn’t have the right to act this way, especially when one considers what Ross had been through.
Joey’s Season 10 Decline
The story of Joey Tribbiani in Friends was an intriguing one, as he went from a comical charmer to a mature actor who wanted more from life and his relationships. Unfortunately, in season 10, the writers took a backward step in the character's development.
Many fans felt that his character's maturity regressed in this season. He was childish about sharing food, he threw tantrums about how quickly things were changing, he believed Estelle contacted him after she died, he failed on Pyramid and he could barely use a thesaurus.
The Many Unanswered Questions
When the show finally went off the air, fans were left with a parade of questions - and the same can be said after Joey finished, too. What did the future hold for Monica and Chandler and Ross and Rachel? Did Mike and Phoebe go on to have a family together? Did Joey and Alex live happily ever after?
Hopefully one day, perhaps in the upcoming reunion special, fans will get some answers.