Analyzing The Incestuous Relationships In Friends

platonic love?
Follow me on socials:
Twitter: / tronnvs
0:00 Introduction
3:20 Rachel
14:10 Chandler
18:41 Phoebe
21:55 Monica
25:15 Joey
27:07 Ross
#friends #Rachel #jenniferaniston #monicageller #phoebebuffay #joey #chandler #ross

[@luchs_english]

Chandler also kissed Ross. In season 3 episode 11, Chandler apologizes to Monica for kissing her when drunk, to which Monica, Ross, and Rachel in a unison said: "it's okay".

[@summerbruce932]

chandler and joey kissed in a nye episode aswell haha

[@luchs_english]

@@summerbruce932 well the narrator told about Chandler and Joey in the video, but didn’t mention Chandler and Ross.

[@AwesomeTimeTraveler]

​@luchs_english I thought the joke was that it's okay Chandler kissed his sister

[@luchs_english]

@@AwesomeTimeTraveler it didn’t seem as if Ross was concerned about his sister at this moment 😆

[@hellochicxs5630]

yep the only ones who did not kiss were joey and monica but they show them together in the one that could have been

[@RilianSharp]

monica deciding to lose weight because of chandler is a kind of thing that does happen in reality. however the fact that she managed to lose all that weight and overcome her disordered eating in 1 year is emphatically unrealistic.

[@Jessie12N]

i agree, it takes years. . .speaking from experience.

[@mojadah10]

I always thought it odd; she was thinner than the average adult woman and managed to maintain that (fairly easily, seemingly) after being an overweight/overeating child.

[@milolavander3563]

Yeah I agree also speaking from experience it takes years and sometimes even takes more then a year to recover mentally and even physically

[@gypsywoman9140]

​@@mojadah10Especially with all her cooking. She wasn't shown to be a carb counter or anything like that, which would have been a more realistic depiction with her OCD and past bosy issues

[@RilianSharp]

@@gypsywoman9140 it was sometimes implied that she cooked *for others* instead of for herself. there were also a couple times when they actually mentioned or showed her having a food addiction or bingeing compulsion. but for the most part she had it under control. for me it's a been a 13-year struggle that i'm just barely making it through. the idea that you could defeat it practically completely in 1 year is a nice fantasy though.

[@8bitgalaxy98]

Weird how almost all the actual incestuous relationships revolve around Ross

[@shag139]

Umm isn’t that the only pair that even fits the definition? And it’s an insane stretch to label this incestuous when Ross thought he was kissing Racheal in the dark.

[@willig7649]

Wasn't ross into his cousin

[@marieangels6]

Only that one kiss was incest! CUZ NO ONE ELSE IS RELATED

[@soilgrasswaterair]

@@marieangels6Many people don’t understand the meaning of the word, and instead use it in this way eg. in this video. I mean, sure they are a tight nit group, and had some rotation when it came to s*x, kisses, flings, relationships and such but they are as you say not related (at least not the ones who did those things). Anywho, one of my favorite scenes with Monica and Ross is when they went to a New Year’s eve party with Joey and Janine and the episode ended with their sibling dance😂❤

[@rileyb8767]

@@willig7649 yeah but i am 70% sure it was before he knew they were related and the rest of the episode was him tryna get over it. could be wrong. but yes ross was attracted to his cousin.

[@Swifly_Norman]

Honestly, I like how Joey and Phoebe are like flirtatious friends. I love their friendship because they’re both the crazier ones of the group and they just help each other embrace that.

[@liablau]

Yes!!

[@mauve9266]

I also love that they never get together. It showed how platonic relationships are significant and valuable in and of themselves, not just as stepping stones to romantic relationships.

[@J.Soffer]

Don't forget they get together about once a month to discuss the others. 🥰

[@Mal_Freeman0451]

Joey isn't crazy. He's just low-IQ. Ross is the craziest of the guys.

[@scarlettscholes1612]

I also like them cos they are more relatable in the fact that they don't come from extremely privileged homes like the rest of them

[@channelname511]

After Ross slept with the printer woman, he spent the entire next day hiding it from Rachel, going so far as to get other people to lie for him. He knows what he did was wrong.

[@veronika.5775]

Exactly! It always bothered me afterwards when he tried to justify it by saying that it wasn't technically cheating but if he didn't think it was cheating, why did he run around trying to shut everyone up? He knows what he did was wrong, he knows it was cheating yet just because he didn't want to be in the wrong, he never let it go.

[@raddle9932]

@@veronika.5775they were on a break

[@plumdutchess]

Because he wanted to get back together with Rachel, when she came by in the morning. But just for the record, they most definitely WERE on a break. Timing is questionable, but I'm with Ross on this one. He was depressed and a cute girl went for him. 🤷‍♀️

[@plumdutchess]

​@@veronika.5775 Because Rachel came by in the morning asking to GET BACK TOGETHER (her words, which implies she also thought they were broken up) and Ross didn't think that was an option. So after that he spent the whole day trying to stop Rachel finding out. If Rachel was still on the "on a break" train, he wouldn't have to.

[@channelname511]

@@plumdutchess but if he truly believed he was in the right he would not go through those lengths to hide it from her.

[@HeatherMcTrevor]

Some friend groups really are this messy though 💀

[@Tronn9672]

lol I know! but it was my first time seeing it on tv

[@krishafyme]

Ikr it's gets so heavy to be in a same room with them tho,

[@ThatKidTitan]

Yeah watching Friends now as a 26 year old, I can see the parallels in the dynamics of the Friends cast and my own friend groups 😂😂😂😂

[@rachelmartin5187]

*cough cough* Gossip Girl *cough cough*

[@ryanstardust_]

My friend group is like this. So, so messy, always. We literally had open relationships so we could all hook up with each other 😭

[@auwanho]

I always like the idea that Phoebe and Joey never ended up together because it really ties back to the thesis of the show: they are friends and just friends. If everyone had been ended up together within the group then it really undermines the show as it shows male and female cannot have a purely platonic friendship.

[@homuras]

perfectly said.

[@cartmansfatass23]

tho I feel like phoebe and Joey should've dated instead of ross and Rachel

[@ieatteeth5605]

@@cartmansfatass23THIS

[@mrpopsful]

RIP Matthew Perry, who carried 100% of the show's humour

[@bitfusionsouthafrica]

Could you be more accurate 🙏

[@Narra0002]

RIP

[@Narra0002]

RIP

[@KamenSentaiMetalHero]

26:50 Fun Fact: Apparently, Joey and Monica were originally intended to be a couple at the start of the series. Not only that, but they were supposed to be the main "will they, won't they" romance of the series, but that was quickly changed due to the popularity of the Ross and Rachel ship.

[@bboops23]

It's so weird because I felt like they had no chemistry, but it's also hard to plan for chemistry of actors like that

[@skylarjohnson7779]

So we almost lived in the world where she was making all his favourites for dinner?

[@KamenSentaiMetalHero]

@@skylarjohnson7779 I guess

[@nithyaniranjani]

This js funny because I felt like Mondler overshadowed them xD

[@Escorducarla]

@@skylarjohnson7779 Fried stuff with cheese all the way down.

[@chaeyoungsstrawberryfarm3327]

It’s weird that Ross has kissed four of the five other friends and the one he haven’t kissed WASNT his sister😀

[@MortanAMrk]

Wait who didnt he kiss?

[@soultune908]

@@MortanAMrkchandler

[@shayla106]

@@soultune908Nope drunk chandler kissed him as well.

[@gypsywoman9140]

I always wanted to see Phoebe and Joey get together. They had a natural flirtatious banter and understood eachother perfectly.

[@melenatorr]

Phoebe was my favorite of the female friends, and I felt she was under-used compared to the others. She did have some very interesting connections to Ross: They both love performing shall we say ... unconventional ... music. They have fun debates. Ross understands how to get her to ride the bicycle. There's a possibility with Phoebe and Ross that never was really gone into, but the seeds are there.

[@ATRAXXUSA]

Agreed.

[@ATRAXXUSA]

I feel like they had the most chemistry

[@soilgrasswaterair]

@@ATRAXXUSA To me they never had romantic chemistry, but more so a sweet bond that resembled two siblings (in my opinion).

[@tylercoughranmusic]

Phoebe and Ross were so sweet together. They should have made an episode raising the question of them getting together

[@Loverofallthingsliving]

I have always found it weird how comfortable Ross and Monica were about discussing their sex lives...

[@queenelizabethll2683]

Very close siblings? Idk

[@Rose-vy5bj]

THIS! I've always thought this!!! And when rachel and Ross did it for the first time Monica was all ears!! Im sure its different when you're older but they had only recently gotten close (5 years max) idk..

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@Rose-vy5bj not every sibling relationship is the same

[@Rose-vy5bj]

@@rexibhazoboa7097 I understand that but I can't image ever wanting to know about my brother &ex life yk?

[@BazzyWasHere]

i think their relationship was deeper and closer than normal as adults bcs as kids, due to their parents favoriting ross and pretty much emotionally abusing monica her whole life, they couldn't really be as close.

[@Super_Grover_]

Rewatching as an adult, I see Ross’s behavior as very very toxic, controlling, entitled, and sexist (I could go on and on). I’ve always been disappointed in the finale. Of course in 2004 pop culture, Rachel would pass up her dream job for a crap ex 🙄🙄🙄

[@OlympiaPeel]

Ross is the best character what u on about

[@thesun564]

@@OlympiaPeeluh ohhh

[@kerob-sx6kx]

ross was the main villiain all along

[@jzwalz51robin45]

Of course you do. Smash the the patriarchy, men are toxic, hail to woman power....

[@haroldchan2749]

Rachel and Ross were equally toxic

[@Showtunediva]

I am in the minority that feels Joey & Rachel should have ended up together. By that point in the series I was over the on/again off/again relationship between Ross & Rachel. Can I ask a question would Monica & Richard’s relationship be considered incesteous because she knew him since childhood?

[@Tronn9672]

I’m not sure if I’d say incestuous but borderline predatory. The reason I said the friends cast is incestuous is not because they’re related but because they’re really close friends that spends most of their time together, so them dating and sleeping together is borderline incestuous because they have become a family for one another.

[@Showtunediva]

@@Tronn9672Thank you for clarifying that. I agree with what you said about Rachel & Ross’s relationship.

[@maddiemcnugget1076]

Nah I agree I liked Joey and Rachel. The writers were like “OwO this feels WRONG teehee” and I’m like… no. I think while they’re kinda cute together and I feel like it would help both parties grow. Mostly Joey from what we saw, but Rachel deserves a relationship outside of “we were on a break”

[@sarahnaithammou]

Frankly, incestuous doesn't really capture any of the relationships here accept Monica and Ross kissing. But they literally thought they were kissing other people, so I really don't make much of that. I don't find Richard and Monica's relationship problematic. They got together as fully grown adults with developed brains after not having even seen each other for years. I don't know if it matters that he's her dad's friend because it's not as if their relationship started when she was a teen, and he groomed her. I really think people are making something out of nothing here. Monica was in her mid to late twenties during that relationship. To call it predatory is to assume the worst of Richard and is infantilising to a grown woman, wellllll over the age of consent. Unless we're saying Monica was manipulated into the relationship, it wasn't predatory.

[@babadoudidadouda]

I think they were cute (Joey & Rachel).

[@liesbethverlaeckt8083]

I was a kid when Friends aired and I remember watching it and being fascinated and thoroughly convinced those incestuous relationships were normal adult experiences 😂😅 Also I remember rooting for Rachel and Joey to end up together because even 10 year old me could see Ross wasn't good for her!

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I wanted and still want joey and rachel to be end game. 1) friendship to lovers b) due to their friendship, they had a foundation c) he treated her well and actually respected her and d) they had more in common. Why did she leave the plane? Ugh!

[@alyzu4755]

​@@gabrielleduplessis7388Yes! I wish she'd stayed on the plane!

[@Angellenaaa]

HELLO THANKYOU WTF

[@RachaelTheRed]

​@@alyzu4755yes! I know it's supposed to be a cute moment when she appears in the doorway and says "I got off the plane" but I can't help but scream at the TV like I'm Michael Scott "No! No, no, no!"

[@ThatKidTitan]

I’d say that is pretty normal - I think if you have a friend group of 5+ people that are all really close over a few years, there’ll probably be at least one pairing at some stage

[@arianarunpop2202]

Fun video!: I have to add that when you say the cast is all straight… Phoebe is at least bi-curious. Y’all saw her with Cassie. 😂

[@teresadedos8492]

Same goes for Chandler. He kissed a guy. A very pretty guy, to be fair, but still.

[@plumdutchess]

​@@teresadedos8492 But he didn't KNOW it was a guy, so that doesn't count. Also, Joey broke up with a girl who had the biggest Adam's apple, so he definitely had an experience there. 😂

[@teresadedos8492]

@@plumdutchess Whatever dude, Chandler still kissed a guy 🤪 He's said more queer stuff over the course too.

[@Katya_Lastochka]

I think you guys need to get some friends. Straight people play gay for laughs all the time. And most bi women are not really bi. Theyll make out with women for attention or out of boredom.

[@schoo9256]

​@realray3320 the great question of the ages: is Joey bi or is everyone else just Joeysexual? (Correct answer is "probably both")

[@nyx6903]

If you think this is bad....Grey's anatomy.... That's a messy relationship spiderweb

[@kaymccat8084]

I'm getting war flashbacks lol! Kinda wild to imagine the romantic/sexual spiderweb for Greys!

[@nyx6903]

@@kaymccat8084 I made one during lockdown on a whiteboard..........It was bad. It was really bad. It would be worse now...

[@lilliesinthegard32]

Never watched greys anatomy but it feels funny that they are doctors and that messy

[@nyx6903]

@@lilliesinthegard32 The Hapsburgs have nothing on the mess that is past relationships in GA 😂😭

[@Diego55fs]

Ross was soooooo weird with Monica

[@TheLastSane1]

Yeah I am sorry but those two had very weird things going on.

[@abbyrose6660]

it wasnt just ross. monica was a little too keen to know the finer details of his relationship with rachel. i kinda get it though. they shared the same friends with whom they shared their sexual exploits with so they probably got used to oversharing around each other. but i do think they got a little up close and personal in ways that would be deemed too close for siblings to be hanging off each other. that danny guy and his sister definitely had a way more inappropriate relationship though.

[@marvinabigby5509]

Taking a break is not a breakup.We take breaks from alot of things it doesnt mean we dont pick up a few hours later and go on.

[@SallyBMcgill]

Saying we need a break from us is a breakup. Rachel herself said on her voice message to Ross that they were on a break. She's only insisting the opposite so she could look like the sole wronged party

[@KyLewin]

Agreed. They were absolutely broken up. What Ross did was messed up, but it wasn’t cheating. Her insistence that it was and trying to paint herself as the victim was very emotionally manipulative.

[@plumdutchess]

Rachel herself asked Ross if they could GET BACK TOGETHER, when she came by his apartment the morning after. She implied they were broken up. She just feels hurt, but she knows they were broken up.

[@jvjay]

But when Ross says let's take a break, get some yogurt and cool down, Rachel specifically clarifies "A break from us". Which meant she thought it was a break up too. What Ross did with the copier girl was truly insensitive, but that doesn't mean Ross and Rachel hasn't Broken up

[@annanowak9620]

​@@SallyBMcgillI agree.

[@pppmanly]

I have always felt that in another time Chandler and Joey could have been a couple. I think the show hinted at that several times but, given that American TV viewers were thought to be even more homophobic & conservative during the show's run than they are today, to be safe the show would always pull back, say they were only (very straight) close friends, and run off their affection as a joke.

[@dracyan3552]

I think if the show were made today Chandler and Joey definitely would have gotten together at some point. Honestly Rachel and Pheobe too.

[@Katya_Lastochka]

Some people just really cant stand the idea of 2 men being friends. Stop the male friendship-cide.

[@littlemissmello]

I heard someone mention Joey being aro the other day and it felt so right!

[@carat_light]

​@@littlemissmelloaromantic joey would honestly make sense to me... he feels sexual attraction but the only kind of love he ever feels is strong platonic love toward his friends, like i.e him saying rachel was the woman he's loved the most but ending up just friends with her. i feel like him as aromantic would explain his character a bit more too

[@whippedtm8145]

@@Katya_Lastochka but every female-male pairing of friends in this show getting together or fucking at one point is perfectly fine huh?

[@lovxshua]

for the name emma, it was actually mentioned in earlier seasons that ross wanted to name his daughter emily, but since obviously a emily existed- the name emma seemed better

[@kerahbundy5705]

Emma was Monica's name for her potential daughter, but Rachel liked it so much that Monica let her have it.

[@TheGreatDevlin]

As a kid, I really liked the Rachel-Joey pairing. But looking back, it was just because I liked both characters and wanted them to be happy. I see the problems with it now.

[@nikkinassib3066]

I honestly don’t see that many problems with it, and hear me out. Yes, they were super close friends and that could’ve definitely made it awkward, coupled with Ross and Rachel’s history in the way. But overall, the bottom line was that Ross was incredibly controlling of Rachel and they never had a healthy history together - they both even admit that them together was a nightmare. Rachel and Joey could have made so much more sense if Ross and Rachel accepted that them together was just so messed up and moved on. Side note I think Rachel was better at this than Ross until the end of the

[@possomt6211]

I liked that there was a mix of relationships in this friend group. Siblings, childhood friends, roomates, new friends

[@Caisadilla]

Ik Joey and Phoebe is popular but i never thought it'd really work out. I feel like Joey does all those things for Phoebe because he's a nice guy. Flirtacious friends always felt natural for the two of them but at the same time they have a track history of flirting with other characters a lot too. Plus, in relationships Phoebe had in the show, it's apparent she holds her values higher than most other things. So i get the feeling that Joey being a huge eater (especially of MEAT sandwiches) being a pretty dicey issue for Phoebe

[@zavu._]

Tbh I truly loved their moments together but I don't think they would have worked out,at the end of the day they are very different people, and want different things from life, pheobe needs someone like Mike who will handle her weirdness with maturity and not just freak out which is I think Joey would have done.. Phoebe and Joey both need someone mature with them, to cancel out the quirkyness, them being together would have been to messy, cause I know phoebe would have had to become the bigger person most of the time which would not have been fair

[@abbyrose6660]

i agree that joey and phoebe were better off as friends but i highly doubt she would have cared about joey being a meat eater, since all her friends ate meat. i dont see how it would make a difference if she was dating joey.

[@tozmarauders4187]

I’ve always thought that “taking a break” is a break up but you both understand that it’s only temporary. So you’re not totally together anymore but there’s no way Ross can sleep with that random girl and be surprised that Rachel is upset. He spent the whole day trying to cover his tracks because he knew what he did was wrong. It doesn’t matter if they were on a break or not, he felt like he had betrayed her and intended to lie about it forever because he knew she would feel the same. Being on a break doesn’t justify hooking up with someone else 6 hours after the fight. At the very least, you can understand why Rachel didn’t want to date him after that

[@williamsyeboah4268]

I don't think he's surprised she's upset. He actually understood. That's why he was apologising. But where I think both Rachel's and the masses don't get is that he's rather trying to defend his integrity. Sure he hurt her, but Rachel did say the next morning to Ross 'can I be your girlfriend again', making it clear enough they weren't TOGETHER at the time, hence it wasn't technically cheating. He just refused to be labeled 'once a cheater, always a cheater'.

[@optimistichaos9004]

I agree with most of the video EXCEPT the statement that they’re all straight. Even though it wasn’t explored, Phoebe and Chandler are clearly queer. We can see it in different interactions. One that comes to my mind right now is when Ross and Monica’s cousin comes to visit and we see Phoebe looking at her charmed to then hear her internal monologue: “Ask her out! She’s not your cousin!”

[@JakobIsOkay]

They are both straight

[@everythingisstupid]

Does queer mean bi or something different?

[@amelia1507]

I think it basically means anything that's not straight

[@maddiemcnugget1076]

@@everythingisstupidI honestly thought it was a slur but I think it’s ambiguous… but it just means you’re somewhere in the LGBTQIA+ community but don’t really want to put a label I guess.

[@kva5751]

Dude no, it was the 90s they were all straight. And this show was actually bold for the time bc they put a bit of lgtbq characters in the show. If they wanted to make them a part of that group, they would have. But they were straight.

[@JitteryJackanape]

The problem with Ross' jealousy over Mark is they never address that he lost his spouse due to an affair. Never once during that storyline do they even imply thats a realistic insecurity for Ross to have. Losing someone he loves to someone else. It doesnt help that he hears Mark on the phone at Rachel's apartment. In his mind that's enough to say its over. Im not team Ross. But the show did him dirty in that regard. Rather than talking about his first divorce in a real way its always the but of the joke. That sucks from a more dramatic standpoint. Which breaking up the characters was clearly what they wanted.

[@skunkskiestink6620]

i think a big issue for ross is communication. even tho it wasn’t included in this storyline i always remembered how carol and her affair affected him but it is on ross as an adult to be able to work through his problems and properly communicate. in relationships no one ever shows up perfect but at the very least you need to be open and communicative. i feel bad that ross went through that and it clearly created a deep insecurity and fear in him but he’s a big boy and it’s his job to heal, become a better communicator, or just take a break from romance if he can’t handle that at the moment. i don’t think it’s fair to put carols mistakes on rachel who was nothing but loyal and loving to ross. when he refused to take accountability for his own insecurities and made it a issue with rachel he became a highly toxic partner. we don’t want our partners to project their fears from their last partners actions on us instead of healthily communicate about how they’re still being affected by it. that’s not fair. to rachel or to ross.

[@FunnyMannager]

The show was trying real hard to keep carol as good or neutral person, whatever the reason was

[@JitteryJackanape]

@FunnyMannager because God forbid you write female characters who are despicable and have nothing redeeming about them. A male character can be awful just because he is awful. I have never seen a woman in fiction who is just purely antagonistic for the sake of it. We gotta know their backstory, why are they the way that they are. Who hurt them? Yet a lot of times in stories a bad guy is bad, just because that's what the story needs. Now obviously I'm sure there are female characters out there who just suck. I haven't seen every movie or TV show ever or read every book. But the vast frequency of awful male characters to female is a huge difference. But when a female character people don't like is done well, it's done really well. Skylar White in Breaking Bad, Anna Gunn did such a good job as the overly annoying nagging wife in the beginning that not up until the end did people truly feel sorry for everything Walter did to ruin their family. We wanted to root for Walter because it was his POV. Yet if we switch that the show is a hell of a lot more uncomfortable. People still give her shit a decade later. Phenomenal "bad" female character. Skylar is no Saint, but she certainly isn't as evil as Walter, or Jesse, or Gus. Yet she is nobody's favorite. On the other hand in Better Call Saul, Kim Wexler is far more despicable as a person towards the end. Yet she is beloved as a character by the audience. Granted this is a sitcom. And if I recall correctly Two of its creators and primary writers are part of the lbgt community. Carol and Susan should be unlikable bitches. But they aren't written that way. When in reality I don't think anyone would be on their side.

[@FunnyMannager]

@@JitteryJackanape the funny thing is this show is brave for lgbt representation yet the only prominent gay characters are total assholes💀💀and everyone treats the situation like it was just a conflict of interest.

[@JitteryJackanape]

@@FunnyMannager exactly. they had a chance to write really ahead of their time characters just being treated normally like everyone else, but its throwaway jokes or they are assholes. I never see anyone talk about how Ross walked Carol down the aisle. But man they hate him for a ton of stuff he did. I wouldn't be able to do that for my ex wife, are you kidding me?

[@zemancova-3147]

Joey And Pheobe are such a missed opportunity for a deep love relationship

[@iamvaleriee11]

Rip Matthew Perry. This was a crazy blow to me 💔

[@shadywiskerz]

Logically you can be team Ross but the problem was how Ross went about things ultimately. “Going on a break” and the rules vary depending on the person. Some people could interpret going on a break as a temporary break up (Ross) and others see it like taking a break from each other (Rachel) Rachel never specified exactly what she wanted from that break (iirc) and Ross never asked either. Ross was wrong because right after he hooked up with someone else which can make anyone feel a type of way if right after a break up you’re with another person. But I don’t think it’s wrong of him to assume they were breaking up even if that means temporary. And even if said break up it’s temporary, I don’t necessarily think it’s bad to talk to other people either. The biggest issue was the lack of communication. And of course this was the 90s so most people still had very black and white views of relationships and communicating boundaries and let’s be honest again, Ross and Rachel weren’t the most healthy people when it came to relationships 😂. Especially Ross.

[@Tontoquienloleation]

Rachel didn't specify the terms of the break because as soon as she asked for a break, Ross left through the door and didn't let her talk anymore.

[@cryingwatercolours8127]

yeah plus ross running around getting everyone to lie for him isn’t a good look

[@RachaelTheRed]

My stance has always been that yes, they were on a break but Ross is in the wrong here. Ross was openly being jealous, unsupportive, and possessive, Rachel opened the floor for honest communication by suggesting the break (which she obviously intended to just be some space to breathe and think) and Ross shut down that communication by just storming out (which IMO made it a break up because he wasn't willing to talk it out). He then IMMEDIATELY sleeps with someone else and then gets back together Rachel while the other girl is still in his apartment literally right next to him. The icing on the cake is him going through such extreme lengths to hide it from her, asking MULTIPLE people to lie for him, and then insisting that Rachel immediately forgive him. Like, I would feel cheated on too if I was Rachel. She was trying to find a solution to the relationship struggle and at the first uncomfy suggestion Ross walked out and slept with someone else. I wouldn't have ever taken him back after that and I always hated that in the end she gave up everything for him.

[@whycaninotfindagood]

I feel like people forget a crucial moment: Ross calls Rachel before going out and hears that Mark is over. That is why he did what he did. And I feel like it justifies him because the one person he was threatened by was the one person she turned to after iniating a break. Additionally, given their history and how Rachel was careless with his feelings in the past, I don’t find it wrong to assume what Ross assumed. And therefore I was always team Ross.

[@skunkskiestink6620]

ross literally ran out of the apartment after she asked for a break there was no change to communicate about it. secondly yes technically if you are temporarily broken up you can go and fuck someone but it is highly counterproductive to fixing the relationship you’re on a break from. considering ross was the one who caused the break because he couldn’t trust rachel at her job and would follow and pester her at work (toxic if not borderline abusive behavior) it’s especially egregious to that he would go off and have sex with someone just a few hours later. i don’t know what it is with ross and his devils advocates but he CLEARLY was in the wrong. he destroyed their relationship with unfounded jealousy and control issues and then immediately did what he accused rachel of doing the second he got the slightest inclination of not having to be loyal to rachel anymore due to her asking for a break

[@milesboop]

what the FUCK i always liked joey and rachel, there's something so sweet about the two characters known for being promiscuous and kinda emotionally dumb finding love and comfort in one another after so many years of not knowing what that kind of connection was like :')

[@nikkinassib3066]

them being together felt so natural for this reason honestly

[@kupkate04]

ikr? i always loved the two of them together and was honestly surprised to find out most other people didn't feel the same.

[@tpampe25]

The biggest crime of the writters was not getting Joey and Phoebe together I WILL NEVER EVER FORGIVE THAT

[@OlympiaPeel]

Yeah but then don’t you think it would of been to predictable for the end of the show becuase when I gave watch like the first few series I already thought that it would be Ross Rachel , Joey and phoebe, mom is and chandler

[@tpampe25]

@@OlympiaPeel yeah true but I think it'd be amazing even so (at least I wouldn't bother). It would've been better than spend 3 season with the Joey-Rachel thing to have it come to nothing (although I don't hate them togheter like people, I genuinely like) and leave him without a conclusion ://

[@kupkate04]

I dunno, I disagree. I think it's nice and refreshing to have a male/female friendship in the media that's strictly platonic. Sure, they love each other and are super flirtatious, and they wouldn't mind being together or anything, but that's because they're so close. They kinda remind me of Morgan and Penelope from Criminal Minds (two people I also do not ship). Plus, it WOULD have been painfully predictable.

[@JSulikowska]

Yes I always thought if guy and girl are best friends, and they have similar personalites. They match as a copule. Phoebe and Joey have way more sense than Rachel and Joey

[@ThatKidTitan]

Btw for those that don’t know, “incestuous” isn’t used in the literal sense in the title. It’s a commonly used term to describe friendship groups where multiple friends have some sort of sexual encounter with one another… except for Ross and Monica of course

[@Stunningaura]

I feel like phoebe might be bi or pan

[@justjoannak]

Agreed

[@777holy67]

No

[@natasha5553]

​@@777holy67cry homophobe

[@777holy67]

@@natasha5553 no proof so no this show has very fruity friendship...

[@natasha5553]

@@777holy67 there is alot of proof for ppl to assume that actually

[@muhammadmufly23]

In reality Rachel's feelings for Joey are just a crush while she loves Ross even after their breakup. Rachel actually tells Ross she still loves him when he's dating Bonnie and when he's married to Emily. Rachel really wants to be with Ross and knows he loves her too at the time she starts dating Joey but due to a breakdown in communication, she's not aware of just how much Ross loves her. Joey does love Rachel but is hesitant about starting a relationship with Rachel because he believes Ross and Rachel are supposed to be together. They do continue their relationship with Ross's reluctant approval but it's clear that Rachel is not totally comfortable with continuing, especially after seeing how badly Ross reacted to them being together. The fact that Rachel and Joey are unable to consummate their relationship makes them realise they're just too good friends to continue having been just friends for many years. Ross and Rachel are the best example of love always wins all the barriers in the way, Chandler and Monica are the example of how bestfriends can turn into incredible lovers , Phoebe and Mike proves that love can be found in very unexpected way and Joey is the example of a great friend

[@petkamoravcikova]

Incest requires a family relation, I'd specifically argue that it either needs to be a blood relation, or people growing up in a single household as a family. A group of friends, no matter how close, will usually include some couples. The main issue within an incest relationship are power dynamics or genetic issues for the children anyway, and neither would be a thing for most of the cast.

[@Lexekiel]

Thank you!

[@LeilaleilaZ]

Ik, wtf was this title

[@kitkat7074]

Thank you I thought I was crazy

[@ThatKidTitan]

The title isn’t to be taken literally - “incestuous” is commonly used to describe friend groups where multiple friends have had some sort of sexual encounter with one another

[@TheLastSane1]

@@LeilaleilaZ the title is fine, incestous is not the same as incest its just similar. In friend groups or any group of people, dating within that group is often called incestous because its dating within the group.

[@haliehall4086]

Great video but Ross and Monica were an accident I don’t really think there relationship is weird. None of the others are related so it’s not incestuous

[@crevette_sablee6853]

The accident is a joke as its intent is being incestuous. And there are other instances this happens, for example at Valentines Day when Ross picks the dress of Monica for her sleeping with Chandler, when Chandler has to tell him to "stop staring at his wife's legs .. no no, stop staring at his sister's legs", they play strip poker together, ... All in all I find it a little weird sometimes, even if just meant as jokes.

[@dza_kicuf]

You mistook the what if episode and the one where Janice asked if they almost... Ross and Phoebe actually kissed, the same happened with Monica inviting Joey for some lemonade. In the what if Joey and Rachel almost have an affair, Phoebe suggests threesome to Ross, Carol and Susan and Monica and Chandler sleep together (I think this solidifies their real relationship as they would be together even in another timeline).

[@nikkinassib3066]

I always thought it was so interesting that in that “what if” episode, there was no substance between Ross and Rachel. Like in that other life they didn’t even exist.

[@m2kay42]

WELL...we know Ross and Rachel have kissed, and we know Rachel and Joey have kissed. We know Chandler kissed all 3 girls! We know Ross has kissed Joey. Joey kissed Chandler. Phoebe kissed Rachel. Ross and Phoebe kiss. Did Joey and Monica ever kiss? 🤔🤔🤔

[@Maryannkf]

in a fantasy I believe they did like an alternate future episode

[@reginaphalange7469]

Yes, they did in the reality! When the girls got back their apartment in season 4 (they swapped with the guys after a bet) they kissed the guys in order to have it back (we don't see it on screen though)

[@reginaphalange7469]

But did chandler and ross kiss? I'm not sure, they might be the only two that didn't aha

[@tessajones9393]

and ross and Monica kissed back in the day lol

[@MrParkerman6]

Phoebe and Monica have kissed. Monica and Ross kissed.

[@TadanoCandy]

As an aromantic person, shows like Friends really confuse me. I have a hard time understanding alloromantics being able to distinguish feelings toward “friends” from those toward “girlfriends/boyfriends/partners”. However, these types of shows imply that they could develop romantic feelings towards friends at any time? Idk

[@themochi8329]

Yea for some people that happens where you’re friends then all of sudden start developing feelings towards them but this show just cranked it to the max lol

[@auroramichael1110]

I’m my experience, proximity creates feelings (generally). That’s why boundaries are important. Amount of time spent together, environment, intimacy of conversation, etc all contribute to attraction. That’s why cheating isn’t accidental. You know when attraction is starting and that’s your cue to change what you’re doing.

[@soilgrasswaterair]

@@themochi8329 It’s more common that people are friends or some type of relationship before they start to date and have a proper romantic relationship. Even if it might start with an attraction and people go on a date, they build from there. Romantic relationships would have nothing to build on if there weren’t any friendship initially or one that developed when they start to date. Attraction will not solely hold any romantic relationship together.

[@soilgrasswaterair]

@@auroramichael1110 For some it’s not really even about attraction, but wanting something different and feel their self-esteem getting a boost. Cheating can be very complex.

[@auroramichael1110]

@@soilgrasswaterair you’re absolutely right. I think that makes the choice to cheat even more nefarious.

[@jmarbsua]

Honestly I would’ve liked to have seen Ross and Phoebe together since they’re so vastly different.

[@aliciakossler9351]

Joey and Rachel should’ve been endgame I don’t care what anyone else says also Monica and Chandler were so great together

[@kenzie4217]

Friends is like fan fiction. But its a show. Everyone just fucks constantly whether or not it makes sense

[@billybob6332]

I haven’t seen friends in over 6 years I’m so ready for this 😭

[@J.Soffer]

I like to believe that Rachel got off the plane but didn't give up the job. I hold on to the dream that she works it out and finds a way to travel to Paris and sometimes work from home. After a year or two, they move to Paris with Ben visiting summers and holidays. Ever since Donna got off the bus in That 70s Show and didn't go to college, my faith has been shaken. I hold on to this idea so my heart can heal. 😢. ❤. 😅.

[@gavinamos9036]

5:13 In the reunion special on HBO, it's revealed that everyone in the main cast, including Rachel's actress, are all on team Ross. Yes, they were on a break, which means that he never cheated. Socially speaking, he did nothing wrong. Morally speaking, he screwed up big time and he should've never done that, but that was never up for debate, it was always whether or not he cheated, which he didn't, and even Jennifer Aniston agrees that he didn't cheat.

[@linej8630]

What about chandler and Rachel making out at a party when he was in college

[@JenandTonic95]

But why did Monica know the date and anniversary of when Ross and Carol had sex...

[@cici.ngxenge]

Ross probably told her

[@TheLastSane1]

Because Ross and Monica are very weirdly a thing. They do not have healthy boundaries

[@GMP1isReal]

In concept, I'm team Ross because anyone would be feeling emotionally shit and vulnerable after a breakup, and he heard another guy with Rachel over the phone where, even if it was a misunderstanding, still would make him feel even worse, so of course he would get drunk and make a stupid decision and holding it against him would solve nothing. Thing is Ross handled it horribly afterwards when he was sober so I can't say I'm fully on his side at that point.

[@anondotpdf]

don’t forget the fact that chandler and rachel made out back when he was in college n she was in HS visiting them bc they had a party. this was season 10 episode 11

[@alzayia164]

Joey and Ross was my end game

[@marialoveday9443]

This is probably the most random main cast ship I’ve ever heard 😅. Although tbf them napping together was cute❤

[@courtneylane7639]

Do......do you know what incestuous means?

[@Jollyinha]

I hope this is just a clickbait title bc calling it incestuous is just... 💀

[@biomefest]

it's being used kind of unconventionally, like when people say hollywood is incestuous because all the famous people date each other

[@TheLastSane1]

@@biomefest No its normally called incestous when a group begins to date among themselves and become an insular unit. Its can be just as problematic as actual incest.

[@TheLastSane1]

Incest and Incestous are not the same words. Incest is about blood relations or those legally related engaging in sexual acts. Incestous is about close groups such as friends, co-workers, squadmates, etc engaging in sexual acts or relationships with one another.

[@kwesttttt]

@@TheLastSane1blantant misinformation

[@theaterviolinist338]

Haven’t seen friends yet. Decided to watch this to confuse myself

[@evamatej694]

Chandler and Joey hugs were always the best and heartfelt❤

[@arcyarcanine]

"Incestuous" is a strong word.

[@garaling9148]

I'm always been pretty sure that Phoebe it's not straight, she's, at least, bisexual. Remember with Monica and Ross cousin 😂 She is a free spirit.

[@LeRodz]

Almost an year since i saw anything related to Friends, and this out of all things shows up lmao. I'm curious where this is going.

[@Urmeema]

ngl I shipped Joey and Ratchel, but I think its because they brought out a nice romantic dynamic

[@Yeahimamusicalfan]

Ratchel? 💀

[@Prod.treybeck]

i had the tv on this show named 8 simple rules was playing. wasn't really paying close attention but what i did notice is how much weird jokes all the family members made to each other, it could possibly be worse then the family realtionships you talk about in the modern famiy video. great video btw

[@lovxshua]

it's funny tho, I used to think that ross and rachel should have not gotten together. But when I rewatched the show again, I realized for the first 6 seasons, it felt like they never should get together; but from then on, it started to seem like they could make it work.

[@Pawlmer]

This was more of a summary rather than an analysis

[@mei4674]

personally, i don't think ross cheated but he definitely deserved some of the backlash for sleeping with someone just 6 hours after declaring their relationship was on a break

[@ponyosoul]

5:32 also, the whole "break" thing was provoked by ross, if he hadn't been so insecure about their relationship and disrespectful of her job, he wouldn't have made her feel extremely fed up to ask for a break. it was his fault.

[@RasenRendanX]

I am a Joey/Rachel fan i liked the friendly dynamic between Joey and Pheobe. glad it stayed that way.

[@TheJotaroKujo]

The Rachel and Joey hate will never cease to fascinate me. People will try to make countless debunkable arguments and make the most ridiculous mental gymnastics, but there is only ONE reason why people hate it. Because they ship Rachel with Ross. That's it. If people truly hated on it in favor of a more healthy relationship that made more sense, that should be Joey and Phoebe, not Rachel and Ross, the most toxic relationship in the show by far. Joey and Rachel haters do not care about Joey and Phoebe, only Rachel and Ross. It's honestly pretty headscratching. I sometimes wonder if things would have been any different if Ross and Rachel had never had Emma, but I truly think fans would have acted the same exact way even under those circumstances. People never let Ross and Rachel go, even when it was shown time after time that they were horrible with each other, and pretty much forced the writers to stick them together in the ending. Why are people so obsessed with this ship? Because of "true love"? That would be Monica and Chandler. And even that relationship doesn't have a passionate devotion as strong as Rachel and Ross. So what's the deal? I simply can't tell.

[@JSulikowska]

I think pepole which ship Rachel and Joey hated Ross. I don’t see somebody which like Ross and ship Rachel and Joey

[@rowan5891]

I have never watched an episode of Friends yet here I am

[@botigamer9011]

Goodbye Chandler... we will miss you

[@theinvisibleme4104]

They were on a break!!!

[@ajaxmusicgames296]

I was team Ross, I don’t think what he did was right and I wouldn’t have done it that soon, but if they took a break I don’t think that was cheating

[@GannerRhysode]

Rosss argument never made sense? Rachel told Monica that she and Ross broke up, asks Ross the next morning if she can be his girlfriend again. It’s really clear that Ross did not cheat on Rachel

[@BazzyWasHere]

i mean he didn't technically cheat, but considering the fact that he was in love with rachel for years, claimed he loved her so much during their relationship, and even technically asked her out first then as soon as they break up for about 2 seconds, he goes and sleeps with someone else right away? either way, rachel had every right to be hurt.

[@johnnotrealname8168]

A problem with television in general is that it is near impossible to have someone date or cheat or whatever with someone outside the regular show. Bringing someone new makes the audience have to become invested in a potential throwaway character (This is less problematic in Friends (1994-2004) which did this often but again as throwaway characters.) thus any invested relationship tends to involve pre-established characters or a new character that will stick around for a while. I felt this with Rookie Blue (2010-2015).

[@coffeebux]

Chandler and Joey were almost as married as JD and Turk and their game of gay chicken was quintessential 2000s

[@kerahbundy5705]

Did... Did he just say that RACHEL was PHOEBE's maid of honor??? They agreed that they would each do it once. RACHEL was MONICA's, MONICA was PHOEBE'S, and PHOEBE will be RACHEL'S.

[@babadoudidadouda]

I don't think Phoebe's straight.

[@XHikarixxx]

idk anything abt this show but im so invested in this

[@Mandred85]

That's what I call a very prude insight XD As someone spend his youth at that time, I can tell you, the 90s and early 00s where WAY WAY WAY more open than today. Skinshipping between friends was nothing!

[@daynawilliams3990]

I liked this video..I actually wanted to see Joey and Rachel paired together and most definitely Joey and Phoebe paired together but we all know how that turned out....btw are you Jamaican or from the Caribbean by any chance...in the beginning of the video I heard a slight accent.

[@manueltedesco]

25:10 (in reference to Ross and Monica being together) "I guess that's the best we could hope for a potential incestuous pairing"... uuum, buddy, it kinda sounds like you wanted a more developed incestuous relationship... I think you may have issues.

[@accio_firewhiskey8256]

I think he meant that if they HAD to do it, that's the least weird way they could, so that's the version we would hope for. The one where it's not super weird.

[@manueltedesco]

But why would they HAVE to?

[@accio_firewhiskey8256]

@manueltedesco674 the writers. Just like, if they, for whatever reason they did, chose this storyline, at least it wasn't as bad as it could have been

[@mbanerjee5889]

Funny thing is I didn't know Ross and Monica were related when I first started watching Friends, so I was kind of shipping them because I thought they had great chemistry and their personalities seemed compatible.

[@sarahk7477]

Rachel and Chandler also made out at the college party while Rachel and Monica were still in high school 😬

[@LizzieSAusten]

I'm team F*** Ross, he is a jerk, He was insecure because he didn't trust Rachel, found her less of a catch than being "just a waitress". Started stalking her and harrassing her at her new place of work First impressions are what defines someone's work's ethic at the very begining, he didn't care if she lost her dream job And to me it was a mirror effect, he is a cheater, he thought she was as shitty as him, She needs space, because she was upset and heartbroken,, he immediately cheated The reaction when he found out about the pregnancy. Yeah, calling the condom company for not putting the 2% chance of it not working. Yelling at them without aknowledging the "woman she loves" He bribed her last boss so she wouldn't go to Paris ... He is a jerk. I guess I hate him mostly because I like Rachel as a character that much, Her character arc is really great, but her biggest "saboteur" is her love for this pretentious douche..

[@sepnyte9422]

Not in Ross's defense but a lot of people seem to forget why Ross is the way he is. It's painted pretty clear in the first few episodes. Carol cheats on him and leaves him. She comes back, pregnant, and Carol and Susan then tries to push him aside from the get go, even though he wants to be there for his kid, are behaving extremely cruel towards him by pushing his buttons and his insecurities without adressing them and showing him some sort of empathy. He was traumatized and terrified of it happening again. Despite being treated so horribly, he still came through for them when Carol's parents didn't turn up for their wedding. Also, I absolutely love the pairing of Chandler and Monica. It was just such a perfect match.

[@ElGordo2497]

Ross and Joey napping together is still hilarious to me

[@ino_mation]

I think the thing they should have leaned harder into for "Joey" was the fact that he had shown himself to be so willing to take on a child that wasn't his. He got played up as a Himbo for years and years, and then late in the series, he's ready to be a father for everyone's kid who isn't his own, proposing to multiple friends just to be a man in a child's life. This and the longing for a relationship like what Chandler and Monica had, make it clear as to what Joey wanted, and as he was the *ONLY* friend without any ties at the end of the series, they sent him to CA for his own series, and really ran him even further into the ground, as if the emotional rides he had been on at the end of Friends, hadn't existed. He sort of became a father figure to his adult nephew, but it was very rooted in the Himbo actor image, not actually being a dad. Joey could have been good, and was a wasted opportunity.

[@RilianSharp]

ross is my favorite friend. crap bag is my favorite character overall though.

[@adamlisiewicz1777]

As a person who never watched friends I find this vid informable

[@duckyducky2000]

Something that always felt messed up to me (in favor of not using a non-YT-friendly word) is that Ross went to sulk but he calls Rachel and hears the guy that he thought was trying to get with Rachel (which, he was but Rachel didn't know that), so of course he feels like it's absolutely over. Copy girl was rejected not once but twice and she still kept pushing him (even a third time before Ross agrees) and. There's a timeskip so we don't know how much exactly Ross drank but he has poor balance and drags words a bit, he doesn't look comfortable. He was vulnerable, drunk, and the Copy girl still slept with him, doesn't that sound like borderline abuse? Y'all can argue if he cheated or not (I say yes but that there's more to it), and I can still feel bad for Rachel but the copy girl plotline felt icky and cruel on her behalf.

[@seanbeldia9531]

The only ones who did not kiss is monica and joey, i watched it so many times and i know for a fact they all kissed except thise 2

[@tobiasmohr3991]

I'm just here to say, that Phoebe and Joey were always my favorite characters ... like they're both kinda crazy and I just really like tgat ... also always had a crush on Joey ...

[@forkie6897]

I would have LOVED for Joey and Chandler to be a couple. It would be the cutest thing ever.

[@whitneyhendrix8075]

I thought no one was on track Rachel because they were on a break. Even tho he stormed out and it didn’t feel confirmed, when Rachael came over to make up she said “so I can be your girlfriend again?” Meaning she stopped being his girlfriend. Not saying what he did was cool but she wasn’t his girlfriend at the time

[@mybackhertz]

Rachel and Joeys relationship felt like watching a brother and sister try to bang. it made my tummy hurt 😂

[@Mushruums]

I loved Ross but I also never liked Ross and Rachel as a couple. I may be in the minority but I liked the Joey/Rachel romance more.

[@LaurentLaSalle]

Chandler also kissed Rachel back in 1987 as shown in a flashback on "The One Where The Stripper Cries". Edit : Alright, just saw that you mentioned it later in the video. I don't get why this wasn't mentioned sooner thought... 😅

[@Stunningaura]

I used to make a Joey x phoebe fanfiction

[@GreekDudeYiannis]

Why does Ross, the largest friend, not simply eat out the other five?

[@ericakat6322]

EAT OUT

[@kupkate04]

um WHAT?

[@theresag.4188]

I really like you channel!!!! Cant wait to see more! Your so good at anaylzing everything..🙌 I was Team Ross! 😁 They were on a break. Should he have slept with someone so quick. No. But they werent together! Rachel is annoying and always wants what she wants when she wants it. Boo hoo poor Rachel her boyfriend loves her too much. I love Rachel but she is very much annoying and bratty throughout the whole series.

[@rita8274]

Ross and Rachel, I feel like someone felt the same way (maybe even Jennifer Anniston) because "The Break-Up" *SPOILER* has a similar up and down crazy relationships that is over when the movie ends. Vince refuses to take responsibility, Jennifer isn't willing to be more flexible and they're just an awful fit that just don't work in the end. Just like people felt about Ross and Rachel by the end of the show.

[@SJITZ]

That's it, I'm subscribing

[@Blastimal]

Team Ross FTW!