Friends

Guide Note

Friends was an American TV sitcom that ran on NBC from 1994 to 2004. The show was about the lives of six friends that lived in New York City.

The first season introduces the main characters, Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe. Rachel has just left her fiancee Barry at the altar and has come to New York City to live with her high school friend Monica. In this season we learn that Ross has been in love with Rachel since high school, but he has not told her. Ross learns that his lesbian ex wife Carol is pregnant with his baby. in the last episode of the season, Chandler accidentally tells Rachel that Ross is in love with her, and Ross so happens to be away in China

Monica begins dating Richard, a friend of her father who is about 20 years older then her. They eventually break up when Monica find out Richard doesn't want to have any more children. Rachel goes to meet Ross at the airport but finds that he is not alone. Ross met up with Julie, an old friend and now he is dating her. Rachel goes crazy with trying to get over Ross. Eventually Ross finds out about Rachel and breaks up with Julie. Finally Ross and Rachel get together.

Rachel starts a new job at Bloomingdales and Ross becomes extremely jealous of Rachel's co worker Mark. This leads to Rachel suggesting that they go on a break. Ross is upset with this and sleeps with another woman. Rachel completely breaks up with Ross after finding out. In the last episode, the group of friends go to the beach. Rachel and Ross share a kiss. Pheobe finds out the her mother wasn't her birth mother and that her mom's friend Phoebe was really her mother. The end of this season leaves the audience wondering if the two are getting back together.

Ross and Rachel decide they want to get back together. Rachel writes Ross an 18 page letter, which Ross falls asleep while reading. The couple end up breaking up again. Phoebe becomes a surrogate for her brother and his wife, who cannot have children. She ends up having triplets. Ross begins dating an English woman named Emily. The couple soon become engaged. The wedding day comes quickly and Rachel decides to come to London to see the wedding. Ross becomes distracted and says Rachel's name instead of Emily's during the vows. Chandler and Monica sleep together in London.

Ross' marriage to Emily ends quickly. Monica and Chandler decide to keep their relationship hidden from their friends, but decide they would like to get married. Everyone learns of their relationship. In the last episode, Ross and Rachel stumble out of a wedding chapel.

We learn that Ross and Rachel were married. Ross tells Rachel that he will take care of the divorce, but doesn't. Monica and Chandler become engaged.

Chandler takes off right before the wedding, but comes back in time. Everyone believes that Monica is pregnant, but she says she's not. It is soon revealed that Rachel is the pregnant one.

Rachel is pregnant with Ross' baby, but doesn't want to get married. Rachel gives birth to a baby girl.

Ross and Rachel live together with their daughter Emma, but Rachel moves back in with Joey following a fight with Ross. Phoebe begins to date Mike Hannigan. Monica and Chandler find out they are unable to conceive a child together.

Monica and Chandler chooses a surrogate that has twins. Phoebe and Mike get married. Ross and Rachel get back together. Monica, Chandler, and the twins move into a house in the suburbs. The series ends with the friends standing in Monica's empty apartment.

Fast Facts

1. Created by: David Crane, Marta Kauffman
2. Almost all episode titles start with "The one with..."
3. Starred: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox Arquette, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer
4. Theme Song: The Rembrandts – I'll Be There For You
5. Syndicated on TBS
6. Spinoff: Joey