10 Most Difficult Friends Episodes to Watch

The sitcom Friends, with numerous entertaining episodes that make it enjoyable to watch repeatedly, has a special place in my heart. However, despite my fondness for the show, there are certain episodes that can be challenging to get through due to various factors. The series was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and first aired on NBC in 1994. Its longevity is a testament to its popularity, as it ran for an impressive 10 seasons before concluding in 2004. Today, Friends is widely recognized as one of the greatest TV shows ever produced, with its finale often cited as one of the best, and it has left a lasting impact on television history thanks to various noteworthy events that occurred behind the scenes.

The idea behind “Friends,” which revolves around the lives of six friends as they navigate through personal, social, and romantic challenges, has proven to be a hit and remains popular today. As it’s now available on streaming platforms, its fanbase has grown even larger. However, rewatching the show has also highlighted some of its flaws. While “Friends” is known for its entertaining and memorable episodes, there are certain ones that can be difficult to watch due to their outdated elements, problematic storylines, or other reasons.

10. The One With Ross’ Tan

Friends Season 10, Episode 3

As a devoted “Friends” enthusiast, I must admit that the relationship between Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) was one of the most contentious couples in the series. The Rachel/Joey plotline has been a subject of debate among viewers for quite some time now, with some even rooting for them. However, it’s undeniable that their romantic connection lacked the spark that a couple should ideally have. It was evident throughout the show that they were better off as friends, yet the writers persisted in trying to make this relationship work until they eventually parted ways.

In season 10’s episode titled “The One With Ross’ Tan”, Rachel and Joey call it quits, making for an awkward viewing experience. During their first date depicted in the episode, things become tense when Rachel repeatedly pushes Joey’s advances away physically. A second attempt ends with Rachel accidentally kicking Joey, causing him to halt their advances. This leads them both to pause and reconsider their relationship dynamics, as it is evident that they are not meant to be together, which some viewers might find the episode to be superfluous given this prior knowledge.

9. The One With The Invitation

Friends Season 4, Episode 21

In the TV show “Friends,” there’s a special episode from season 4 titled “The One With The Invitation.” This story revolves around Ross (played by David Schwimmer) and his fiancée Emily as they plan their wedding. Emily feels uneasy about Ross inviting Rachel, but eventually allows him to send her an invitation. This decision, along with Rachel receiving the invite later on, sparks a sequence of memory flashbacks, focusing on Ross and Rachel’s romantic history. Eventually, Rachel decides not to attend the wedding, reminiscing on their past together.

The particular episode of “Friends” that features Ross and Rachel’s tumultuous relationship isn’t widely appreciated, as it’s a rehash of their well-documented drama without any fresh insights. This episode, often considered the least watched among “Friends” episodes, lacks appeal due to its repetitive focus on Ross and Rachel’s chaotic romance, with Rachel’s decision not to attend the wedding (only to later change her mind) adding little excitement to the storyline. In simpler terms, this episode might be skipped by some viewers because it doesn’t offer much new about Ross and Rachel’s relationship, which has been extensively explored before in the series.

8. The One With The Male Nanny

Friends Season 9, Episode 6

Ross isn’t generally considered the most beloved character from the sitcom “Friends,” and there are several factors contributing to this. One such factor is the episode “The One With The Male Nanny” in season 9. In this episode, Ross and Rachel search for a new nanny for their child, and the ideal candidate turns out to be Sandy (played by Freddie Prinze Jr.), a compassionate man with extensive experience as a caregiver. Rachel finds him appealing, but Ross feels uneasy about Sandy’s sensitivity and his role as a “manny.” In fact, he even expresses doubts about Sandy’s sexuality. Despite hiring him initially and Joey developing a rapport with him, Ross eventually terminates Sandy’s employment due to his discomfort, not because Sandy was incompetent at his job (he actually excelled at it).

In simpler terms, “Even though Sandy tries her best to assist Ross in dealing with his past traumas, it doesn’t sway him from his stance, which only highlights his intolerance, close-mindedness, and rudeness. However, Sandy is an exceptional guest character on Friends; unfortunately, the episode is marred by Ross’ behavior.

7. The One With The Metaphorical Tunnel

Friends Season 3, Episode 4

In the third season’s episode titled “The One With The Metaphorical Tunnel,” it’s difficult to watch due to Ross’ reactions. In this episode, Ross is eagerly awaiting Ben’s weekend visit, but is taken aback when his son arrives with a Barbie doll. Here, Ross confronts Carol and Susan about why their son is carrying a Barbie doll instead of a “traditionally male” toy.

Indeed, I stand by them as they bring up the issue, with Monica disclosing an intriguing part of Ross’s past where he donned women’s clothing and hosted tea parties under the name “Bea.” In this episode, we see yet again how Ross displays his narrow-mindedness and intolerance. He even attempts to impose his own discomfort on his son, pushing toys onto him that he doesn’t seem keen on, merely because he feels uneasy about it.

6. The One With The Fake Party

Friends Season 4, Episode 16

In the beloved sitcom Friends, each principal character experiences an awkward moment or plotline, but Rachel’s relationship with Joshua (Tate Donovan) stands out as particularly cringe-worthy. From their initial encounter to their eventual split, this storyline is hard to stomach, but it reaches its zenith in season 4’s episode “The One With The Fake Party.” In a bid to impress Joshua, Rachel accidentally invites him to an unplanned going-away party for Emily. Desperate to salvage the situation, she scrambles to organize the gathering on the fly.

Observing Rachel’s attempts to win over Joshua, while not being genuine, is hard to watch. It reaches a peak when she dons her old cheerleading outfit, hoping for good fortune. It’s never enjoyable to witness someone humiliate themselves as Rachel does in this particular episode, and unfortunately, her story with Joshua doesn’t end there. Despite everything, he agrees to go out on a date with her.

5. The One With Chandler’s Dad

Friends Season 7, Episode 22

In the sitcom “Friends”, each principal character experienced family troubles at some point, including some who endured traumatic childhoods due to distinct circumstances. One such character is Chandler (portrayed by Matthew Perry). His parents divorced because his father admitted to being gay, and his mother discovered him cheating with the pool boy. Later in the series, Chandler’s father makes an appearance in season 7, where he is introduced as a drag artist performing in Las Vegas under the alias Helena Handbasket.

The issue with this episode lies in how the character of Chandler’s father was portrayed inconsistently, which has made it seem outdated. Initially introduced as a drag artist, she later appears to live life as a woman, suggesting possible transgender identity. However, the show never acknowledges her as a woman, which would be handled more sensitively in today’s context.

4. The One Where Eddie Won’t Go

Friends Season 2, Episode 19

The moment Joey vacates Chandler’s apartment is an unusual phase for both, and things take a turn for the bizarre when Chandler acquires a new roommate named Eddie (Adam Goldberg). Initially, they seem to get along fine, but gradually, Eddie’s behavior becomes increasingly odd, peaking at his most unsettling in the episode “The One Where Eddie Won’t Go.

The unusual behavior of Eddie, his deception towards Chandler regarding moving out, and the palpable fear that Chandler exhibits, being in his own home, makes this episode hard to bear. Even though Eddie departs at the conclusion when Joey arrives back, the chain of events leading up to it is tough to endure.

3. The One With The Morning After

Friends Season 3, Episode 16

The focus often falls on the tumultuous relationship between Ross and Rachel, and one of their most challenging scenes to witness is the morning following their famous breakup, when Ross sleeps with Chloe, the Xerox girl. In the living room, Rachel and Ross engage in a heated argument, leaving Monica (Courteney Cox), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Chandler, and Joey stuck in Monica’s bedroom, unwilling to disturb their disagreement. As they become restless due to boredom, thirst, and an urge to escape the room, coupled with the discomfort of watching Rachel and Ross’ argument, this episode is far from smooth sailing.

2. The One That Could Have Been

Friends Season 6, Episodes 15 & 16

In “Friends,” there’s an episode that combines flashbacks with an alternate timeline narrative, split into two parts. Entitled “The One That Could Have Been, this storyline imagines how the lives of our six friends might have turned out if certain events had occurred differently. For example, Rachel married Barry, Chandler wrote comic books, Joey was a famous TV star, Monica never lost weight, Phoebe invested in the stock market, and Ross remained with Carol. Some viewers find this peek into an alternate reality enjoyable, while others consider it a time-waster. However, what makes this episode challenging to watch is the portrayal of Monica.

The sitcom “Friends” has faced criticism for its character Monica Geller, played by Courteney Cox, who was portrayed using a fat suit. Today, such representation would not be deemed acceptable. The episode in question perpetuates harmful stereotypes about overweight individuals, including depicting them as immature, constantly preoccupied with food, and undesirable.

1. The One With Ross And Monica’s Cousin

Friends Season 7, Episode 19

In the seventh season of Friends, the preparations for Monica and Chandler’s wedding unfold, and an episode titled “The One With Ross and Monica’s Cousin” is introduced, welcoming a new relative into the Geller-Bing family. This time, it’s their cousin Cassie (portrayed by Denise Richards), who makes her appearance but catches Chandler’s eye. To avoid complications, Monica asks Ross if Cassie could stay with him, however, the predicament arises when Ross too finds himself drawn to his own cousin.

In a more troubling turn of events, during a shared movie moment, Ross interprets indications he believes suggest his cousin’s affection, but unfortunately, those signs were misread. It’s already disconcerting that Ross has feelings for his own cousin, but it becomes even more unsettling when he attempts to kiss her and later justifies his actions by mentioning his lack of intimacy over the past few months. This unwanted plotline seems out of place as Cassie isn’t present at the wedding, making Ross appear quite inappropriate.

2025-05-21 17:09