Summary
The cultural impact ofDavid CraneandMarta Kauffman’sFriendsis almost immeasurable.
From haircuts and fashion trends to quotable one-liners and present-day memes (“Pivot!
“), thebeloved series has remained in the spotlightfor almost three decades.
Image by Jefferson Chacon
With 65.9 million viewers, the series finale was thefourth most-watched television finaleever.
And it was a spectacular finale.
It was exactly what audiences at the time wanted.
Ross Geller, Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, and Phoebe Buffay are six twenty-somethings living in New York City. Over 10 years and seasons, these friends go through life lessons, family, love, drama, friendship, and comedy.
But is it what Rachel deserved?
It was a step back for a character who had come to embody the spirit of independence and self-empowerment.
Through this struggle, she grows in confidence and character, and she begins to see her true potential.
For ten seasons, viewers watched as Rachel progressed from a spoiled debutante to a fierce fashion maven.
The confidence she gained from finding her passion and pursuing her dreams is what made her transformation so inspiring.
We watched her pay her dues and build a career from the ground up.
Her romantic relationships, though intriguing, were not the defining moments in her narrative.
After ten years of getting to know the characters, audiences were invested in their happiness.
And what is sweeter than the idea of an unrequited high school romance working out in the end?
Sure, leaving New York would have been complicated for Ross.
Which is exactly what the show delivered…thefairy-tale ending.
In the confines of traditional gender roles, this made sense.
Rachel’s character went from a would-be homemaker to a self-reliant single mother with a thriving career.
Family and friends surrounded her, and her happiness was not dependent on anyone else.
Her narrative deserved a resolution that supported her tale of self-discovery and independence.
In this case, Rachel deserved more.
Friendsis available to stream on Max in the U.S.
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