MovieChat Forums > Friends (1994) Discussion > Worst storylines?

Worst storylines?

posted 7 years ago by jackrt (206)
36 replies | jump to latest

The worst story lines for me have to be:

Ross being jealous of Mark.
-In fact, I just hated Ross and Rachel's relationship when they were first together - I wish they only got together at the end of the show

Emily.
-Literally just her being in the show full stop.

Rachel thinking Joey proposed.
-Honesty... such a ridiculous situation that both Rachel and Joey put themselves in. Its really not a thing that would happen to anyone (especially people that's are not in a relationship).

Ross against a male nanny.
-First of all, how can anyone's masculinity be THAT fragile? Jeez. First time i watched that episode (i was about 12) i just couldn't figure out why he was so uncomfortable with it. Ross can be so annoying at times.

That's all i can think at the top of my head.
One more thing i would add is the fact that Ross was very jealous with Rachel but then literally hours after breaking up he slept with someone? Now i hate the whole "break" debate and storyline but that's just something i find weird and annoying.

The show really could have gone without the "Break" storyline in my opinion.

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

The Joey and Rachel romance was one of if not THE worst thing about the show.

[–] captainbucky (15252) 7 years ago

This!!!! No chemistry at all. I cringed whenever they kissed

[–] captainbucky (15252) 7 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TandyMan (11115) 7 years ago

I'm one of the few fans of this storyline, though I do agree it wasn't executed as well as it could have been. I've known a few couples that got together just to try it out, cause they were good friends, and never had any chemistry. I thought it fit the show.

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

I don't believe for a minute Rachel and Joey would try it out. Rachel's interest for him came out of nowhere and Joey would never do that to one of his best friends. They also had no romantic chemistry.

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

Agree about Emily and don't get me started on Janine and Kathy

Rachel going from Waitress to buyer in a top fashion house seemingly overnight.

Joey being annoyed at Chandler for kissing his sister.

Phoebe's twin.

[–] TandyMan (11115) 7 years ago

Hate how they just sort of rewrote Rachel's character without bothering with any kind of believable arc.

[–] RebelBlood (213) 4 years ago

I haven't watched this in order in awhile, but do they ever clarify whether Rachel finished college before meeting her ex-fiance? I know she had to get a job quick after her dad cut her off, but I think she'd need a marketing degree and 5 years experience to be so successful.

[–] captainbucky (15252) 7 years ago

I didn't like how after they broke up the second time how angry and hateful they were, and how awkward the group was. How Rachel said we should move on, start dating other people, so Ross dates Emily and Rachel decides she wants him back again

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

Didn't like that either. While the ski trip episode was funny, it was also annoying because of all the tension.

[–] DamienThorn1976 (74) 7 years ago

The Ross jealousy storyline seemed totally in character for him but I'd agree, it was irritating and it's a reason he's one of the least likeable characters on the show. He may be insecure but he was very possessive of Rachel for most of the show. Ross was allowed to move on but any time Rachel tried he acted like a child.

Emily was essentially there as a character set up to be hated. The story for her character was essentially another obstacle for the dragged out Ross/Rachel love fest throughout the show.

I also think Ross reaction to Rachel and Joey having a relationship was incredibly petty. A lot of the reasons I stopped watching Friends regularly is because his character is so Insufferable.

Ross was one of the least manly men on TV at the time and he had a problem with a feminine man. Just didn't suit him at all.

Also I'd add the storyline where Chandler kisses Joeys GF Kathy behind his back bothered me because I didn't think that was in Chandlers character at all. The way it played out again also made the woman out to be a total monster which the actress didn't deserve.

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

"It's a reason he's one of the least likeable characters on the show."

Speak for yourself. It's mostly snowflakes on Tumblr that seem to have an issue with him.

Ross' reaction to Joey and Rachel is petty? Then how about Rachel's reaction to Ross dating her sister? Or him dating Emily? Or him dating that bald chick? All petty, jealous and possessive. At least Ross tried his best to be okay with it.

While Ross became a caricature like the other characters, at least his physical comedy still kept the show entertaining, which can not be said of the others.

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

One of THE funniest moments in the entire show was Ross with the leather pants.

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

Very funny and very memorable, especially since I had a teacher who constantly wore leather pants. I just hope he was wise enough never to mix the lotion and the talcum powder!

[–] kjc211 (52) 7 years ago

"Speak for yourself."

I think it's clear he was since it's a post talking about his opinions and he doesn't say everyone thinks he's unlikable. Not that hard to get.

"Ross' reaction to Joey and Rachel is petty? Then how about Rachel's reaction to Ross dating her sister? Or him dating Emily? Or him dating that bald chick? All petty, jealous and possessive. At least Ross tried his best to be okay with it."

Why do people constantly respond to critical comments about Ross with "WELL RACHEL DID THIS!!!!!!!!!"? People get so triggered anytime Ross is criticized and Rachel isn't. Careful who you call snowflakes.

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

They clearly were talking in general, otherwise they would've said "one of my least favourite characters".

Blame it on the old IMDb boards, but it's simply dumb how people complain about the jealousy of one and ignore the jealousy of the other. Their whole relationship consisted of jealousy and pettiness on both sides. Clearly the poster doesn't feel the same way about Rachel, otherwise they would've mentioned it as well. This thread is NOT specifically about Ross.

Kjc, we got along just fine on the old boards, don't be an asshole now. Do I need to remind you of how you tried to ram your opinion of Full House through other people's throats? When someone mentioned they liked the shoe, you would jump on them.

[–] jackrt (206) 7 years ago

I think Ross definitely is one of the least liked characters though. Whether he's your favourite or not, i feel like he'd definitely fall to the bottom of a popularity poll.

It may be the "snowflakes" who are genuinely offended by stuff he does/says, but in most cases people just find him annoying and whiny in general.

Personally, I don't think Ross kept the show entertaining ever. His comedy and storylines were so dull compared to others. I know plenty of people who love him but i honestly struggle to watch episodes where he's being stupid and whiny. I'd probably like him so much more if the whole Rachel and Ross storyline wasn't a thing in the first place.

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

Yes, I think it's mostly the snowflakes who are offended by everything these days and have a double standard when it comes to men and women. Or Jennifer Aniston fans who can't deal with anyone hurting their poor little princess in a fictional tv show and think she deserves so much better than the awkward nerd.

Sure, he's whiny, they all have annoying character traits. But you complained about his jealousy and possessiveness and Rachel showed disturbing behavior in the examples I gave. Weird how you're not bothered by that even though she's the other half of the Ross and Rachel storyline. And weird how you can't even appreciate Schwimmer's physical comedy like the majority of people can.

[–] jackrt (206) 7 years ago

Rachels jealousy did bother me. Their whole relationship was just annoying all together. Ross and Rachel are by far my least favourite.
I only mentioned Ross because of the annoying ways he would act when he got jealous and possessive.

I can absolutely appreciate his comedy, and he definitely has funny moments. But out of all six characters, to me, he was the least funny. And his annoying mannerisms and character traits really took away from his comedy in my opinion. I think he could have been a perfectly good and likable character if they didn't drag Ross and Rachel's on-again-off-again relationship.

Ross doesn't stop me from watching the show so obviously i don't find him THAT bad. I think i just despise how much they centered the show around that relationship.

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

Well yes, I don't think there's any fan of the show who isn't somewhat bothered by their relationship. It gave some of the most annoying moments of the show, especially when they didn't get along.

[–] Ken12602 (498) 7 years ago

The worst storyline for me was Ross dating his student.

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

Never liked that one either. Bruce Willis made it even worse.

[–] jackrt (206) 7 years ago

The storyline was weird and tacky but i didn't find Ross as annoying as he usually is during those episodes.

[–] kjc211 (52) 7 years ago

I didn't really mind Ross being jealous, but I hated how he was acting while jealous. He makes those episode unwatchable because he's so whiny and irritating. Like when he barges into Rachel's office and sets her desk on fire and talks loudly while she's on the phone. That's not funny, it's just annoying. If he hadn't acted like that, I think that storyline works better.

Rachel and Joey's romance is of course repulsive.

Joey's hand twin thing in Vegas. Who thought that was a funny or clever idea? It was neither.

I never liked the whole Kathy storyline. I hated how Joey acted after Chandler kissed her. He barely cared about his relationship with Kathy and Chandler was genuinely sorry. He even told Joey himself, other people would have hidden it.

HATED Joey and Charlie's relationship. They had zero chemistry whatsoever.

[–] jackrt (206) 7 years ago

The hand twin thing was ridiculous. Just reminds me how much they would pick and choose when to make Joey smart or dumb.

The only reason i really hated the Kathy storyline was because the way Joey and Chandler acted after it. The way Joey was mad even though he was seeing two girls at once and they way Chandler was acting when they broke up.

Charlies character was literally just a repeat of Kathy but this time with Ross (goes out with joey, kisses Ross, goes out with Ross, cheats on Ross). Barbados episodes would've been better just showing Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Mike to be honest.

[–] BillySlater (4241) 7 years ago

Rachel and Tag. His character was just so bland, I think he is the main reason I hate season 7 so much. Alot of what the others have said I agree with. Ross is my favourite character. His physical comedy is brilliant, he had some annoying tendencies but he was good hearted. Its weird how Ross gets so much hate, while Phoebe is universally loved when she could be a downright bitch sometimes.

[–] jackrt (206) 7 years ago

Although Ross is my least favourite, i actually think he is probably the best friend out of all of them. Ross and Joey seem to care the most.
Phoebe is my favourite and i would say she is probably the worst friend. I think most people, including myself, base their favourite on who makes them laugh the most.

Funnily enough, two of the most caring moments in the show, in my opnion, were Ross and Joey being there for Phoebe. Ross giving phoebe a bike and Joey being there for her on her 30th/31st birthday.

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

-Rachel and Joey (barf!)
-Stupid, useless baby Emma
-Boring ass Paul Rudd

I don't get Ross sleeping so soon with someone else, but his excuse is that he thought Rachel was sleeping with Mark due to her lying about him being at the apartment. So he had comfort sex because he thought the relationship was over.

The "break" storyline was infamous, of course. But rewatching it now, it's hardly entertaining and just annoying most of the time.

[–] BillySlater (4241) 7 years ago

He was clearly blackout drunk, its a real thing if its never happened to you, since he wakes up not knowing that he slept with the xerox girl. I did enjoy the ski trip episode after the break, and the gang hanging out in Monica´s room while they are breaking up is pretty funny too.

[–] Stratego (30535) 7 years ago

He had forgotten when he woke up, but afterwards he clearly did remember what had happened. He remembered telling Chloe about Rachel and what she was like in bed.

There were some funny moments, but overall the storyline gets more annoying the more I see it.

[–] BillySlater (4241) 7 years ago

good point, has been a while since ive seen it.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Ones I skip...

Rachel's pregnancy, and anything involving Emma (really boring)

Chandler and Monica getting together (boring, and ties in with the Emily storyline, which I also didn't really like)

Ross / Joey / Charlie (yawn)

Ross and Elizabeth (didn't like Elizabeth or her dad)

Chandler and Monica trying to have kids (ugh)

Ross and Rachel being on and off... perhaps Monica and Joey being the main love story could've been more interesting, but I suppose the actors didn't have the right chemistry.