Friends: The Reunion And The Messy Truth

I did something last night, which in retrospect I shouldn’t have! I should have left it as it was…

I watched the reunion show of Friends on Zee 5 premium.  

Clichéd as may sound, Friends is one of my favorite shows, EVER! When the show came out, I was in my teens, and although I watched the show when I was in my early 20s, I could still relate to it. Who wouldn’t! 6 guys, around my age, who don’t know how to be an adult, and yet were trying their best; albeit with mistakes and all. I mean, it seemed the most relatable thing ever. I never realized how much the show meant to me until last night.  

Arguably, the show wasn’t the most intellectually stimulating one and God! It was highly politically incorrect; a lot of those ideas and pieces would not fly now, in fact it would have garnered an enormous amount of backlash. For example;, the way it walked over transgender rights with a running gag on Chandler’s father who was a transgender in the show. OR body shaming – making fun of young Monica when she was big or the one with Denise Richards where Ross gets attracted to his cousin (cringe-worthy)… 

Despite its occasional weirdness, the show was exceptional. Friends also managed to showcase issues that were important. They spoke about surrogacy, single parenthood, childlessness and adoption. Plus, it showed us that life isn’t always a bed of roses. It sucks but we love it, anyway. 

The D-Day

I have waited for this moment for ages just like millions of other fans, but I realized I was making a huge mistake by watching this reunion right from the moment David Schwimmer walks into Stage 24. It’s not that the show was bad or anything, it was just so real and it gave me a super whammy when least expected. I was hoping for fun and reminiscence. What I got were tears, reality bites and lots of reminiscences. 

I didn’t even know how to feel when Matthew Perry walked in. Chandler is my man, and for my show-addled young mind, Chandler always equated to Matthew. Chandler and Matthew had permanently ruined my idea of a perfect man forever because no one can be as humorous, sarcastic, loving and trustworthy (he can keep everyone’s secrets) as Chandler. Now that I am older and much more disillusioned than before, I am still heartbroken, knowing that the person behind the exceptional character is broken just like you and I. 

These “friends” are not supposed to grow old, they are not supposed to have life-threatening illnesses, or should not be sad.They are to remain young, happy and evergreen.  

Watching and re-watching episodes of the show were like coming home after a hard day… and now knowing that the home is growing old and will eventually wither away, makes me sad. 

I realized its not only me, but many found the especial episode bittersweet and equally real. Read more.