Friendly life lessons: how did " friends" teach us to cope with troubles
by Nina Dymchenko
After the last “F.R.I.E.N.D.S” reunion in May, the characters of the popular series reminded us about themselves. It encouraged people to watch the episodes one more time.
"Friends” is one of the first sitcoms that defined the genre of TV series. Previously comedy series were based on family relationships and conflicts. The characters of "Friends” are not relatives (except Monica and Ross), they are buddies. They are trying to settle down, live together and move away, fall in love and break up but continue to meet in the “Central Perk” coffee shop. Such plot twists force the screenwriters to look for a new language of communication with the audience.
Friends treat problems differently and always find a way to solve them.
Think outside the box
as Phoebe Buffay does
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Phoebe has her own reasons to run away from reality. During her life, she faced many difficulties. She lived with a "guy named Sidney who talked to his hand." On her sweet sixteen, she was chased after by an escaped mental patient who wanted to kill her “or whatever." Phoebe is a genius in her way: she speaks Italian and French, although the woman has not studied languages anywhere. Someone seriously considers her a medium, because once she read Joe's thoughts.
Phoebe usually treats her problems calmly and unconventionally. She does not complain about her painful experience, recalling it only in conversations. The burden of past grievances does not prevent her from creating – the woman is extraordinary in everything she does. By nature, Phoebe is a seeker. She is happy to try something new and supports even the strangest ideas of her friends.
Phoebe's principles anticipated modern world trends in environmental friendliness – she became a vegetarian and refused to work for large corporations. Phoebe is principled, though sometimes she fails to follow her rules. Her body, weakened by pregnancy, requires meat, so she has to give up vegetarianism. When unemployment leads to poverty, she has to start working for a chain of massage parlors.
Treat problems easier
Catch vibe Joey Tribbiani
Joey would like to become an actor, but he is addicted to behavior patterns. He is handsome but foolish. Joey is a stereotypical and terrible actor: oversexed, under-educated, and constantly looking for work.
Joey thinks like a stereotypical comedy hero, but in some situations he surpasses this cliche. He is sensitive to women, especially if they are pregnant. Perhaps this is due to his family, which includes countless women.
Joey thinks like a stereotypical comedy hero, but in some situations he surpasses this cliche. He is sensitive to women, especially if they are pregnant. Perhaps this is due to his family, which includes countless women.
But Joe is also committed to vulgarity. Their first meeting with Monica shows the perception differences - Joey sees sexual overtones in neighborly friendliness. Later, Joey also has affairs with neighbors – for example, with Janine. For all his cliché, Joe behaves like a child. At a housewarming party, he gives Monica and Chandler a chick and a duck named Chick, Jr. and Duck, Jr. Isn't that cute and childish (in a positive way)?
Joey embodies the problems of teenagers, but he knows what he wants to achieve in life. His goal does not change, despite the failures on the way. Such steadfastness might be mistakenly justified by stupidity, but in fact, perseverance and hard work are inherent in Joey's character. The fraction of success that falls to his lot is much less than all the efforts that he has put in, but Joey is not discouraged.
Keep the knightly nobility
To make Ross Geller jealous of your endurance
Ross is a beloved child in the family, but at the same time it is difficult for him to create his own family, because women treat him without maternal forgiving adoration. The first wife leaves Ross for a woman, he perceives it as a treachery. In the future, Ross will betray many women: Rachel, whom he will cheat on, and Emily, whom he will call the name of his ex at the wedding.
Ross is confident in his exclusivity, because in childhood parents told him that he would be successful. Therefore, he painfully perceives his failures in relationships, hardly overcoming them. Ross has learned the basics of a patriarchal family, so it's hard for him to accept that a woman next to him can be more successful.
Meanwhile, Ross is a real romantic. He knows how to surprise his lovers. Ross also helps women, so his sister Monica often turns to him for advice. In stressful situations, Ross behaves emotionally. However he knows how to admit his mistakes and not bury himself in guilt.
Go through it confidently
follow Rachel Green
The first time we see Rachel is when she runs away from a wedding and becomes left without the financial support of a wealthy father. Although this cliche is typical for the plots of the 90s-00s, Rachel is spiritually outgrowing these social problems.
At the beginning of the series, new friends help Rachel overcome the public condemnation caused by her breakup with Barry, the groom. By the end of the series, the girl is quite successful, raising a child and developing a career. Rachel is not interested in what others think about her. At the same time, Rachel is more aware of her own desires and aspirations. Confidence is evident in her character.
At the beginning of the series, new friends help Rachel overcome the public condemnation caused by her breakup with Barry, the groom. By the end of the series, the girl is quite successful, raising a child and developing a career. Rachel is not interested in what others think about her. At the same time, Rachel is more aware of her own desires and aspirations. Confidence is evident in her character.
During the series, Rachel learns to accept people with their advantages and disadvantages, to be more tolerant. Gradually, she opens her heart to mature love, where there is no place for ultimatums and demands from a partner.
Rachel becomes more conscious by the end of the series by taking responsibility for herself and other people. She approaches her problems in a more adult way. She accepts Ross's offer to move in because she understands that it’ll be more convenient to raise a child together.
Rachel becomes more conscious by the end of the series by taking responsibility for herself and other people. She approaches her problems in a more adult way. She accepts Ross's offer to move in because she understands that it’ll be more convenient to raise a child together.
Make a plan
which Monica Geller will approve
Monica is an unloved child. Her mother treated her imperiously and sometimes cruelly, and the girl learned this model of behavior. She has taken in since childhood that she must do everything flawlessly so that there are no quibbles from the elders.
Monica used to keep everything under control. Her craving for perfectionism is evident in many episodes. For example, Phoebe moved out of Monica's flat because she was tired of keeping the house in excellent order. During the serial, she learns to lose control. Her relationships with men are collapsing because she plans every trifle and holds too much in her mind. Finally, the woman creates a happy family with a person who accepts her perfectionism and tries to match it.
Monica trusts her husband, and when she finds out that they’re going to have two children, her passion for planning prevents her from rejoicing. Chandler's easy attitude to life becomes the key that persuades Monica and helps her enjoy the moment.
Enjoy the moment
as Chandler Bing do
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The difficult pre-divorce situation of the parents affected the hero’s character, so he became more withdrawn and nervous. To be noticeable, he resorted to sarcasm. During the series, Chandler has become calmer – he has learned to relax, his humor has become less reminiscent of knight's spades.
Partly in the person of Monica, Chandler finds the parental home that he did not have. Her perfectionism becomes the personification of stability for him, so Chandler's character softens.
However, his sense of humor still helps to treat problems easier, cool the head, and look at the cause of the alarm differently. Chandler is very insecure about himself, but he struggles with shortcomings and works hard. He is the one who wants to drop the case halfway permanently. However, if for some reason he follows through difficulties, the situation improves.
Act as if a TV series is being filmed about you
In many ways, the success of the series "Friends" was determined by non-standard heroes who acted like real living people and were not afraid to make mistakes. The main lesson that Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Ross, Monica and Chandler taught the audience is not to be afraid of yourself, your ideas and plans, and to find unexpected compromises.
cover photo: kinopoisk.ru
