After 10 seasons, Friends concluded with Ross and Rachel once again back together, but Ross and Phoebe would have actually made a better couple. Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, Friends premiered on NBC in 1994. Earning impressive ratings from the outset, the show still managed an upward trajectory to become one of the most successful and popular television shows of all time. It ultimately culminated in 2004 with a two-part series finale watched live, globally, by over 50 million people. The show has also seen a new lease on life in recent years, with a new generation coming to the show via Netflix. The show, however, will soon move to HBO Max, with a Friends reunion special already confirmed with the full cast.
Friends told the story of a titular friend group as they navigated life, love, and career ambitions in New York City. Played by David Schwimmer, Ross Geller was the brother to Courtney Cox’s Monica, and the former college roommate of Matthew Perry’s Chandler Bing. As such, Schwimmer featured in each of the 236 episodes. He was also one half of the show’s central “will they/won’t they” couple with Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel Green. With Ross admitting his teenage crush on Rachel and broaching the idea of asking her out in the pilot episode, that particular arc spanned the entire run of the show. With many ups and downs, the relationship was a popular element of Friends — especially in earlier seasons — and produced many of the show’s most memorable moments.
In the Friends series finale, Rachel was torn between accepting a prestigious job in Paris or remaining in New York with Ross. After an ill-fated airport dash by Ross and some inspired intervention from Phoebe, Rachel ultimately opted for the latter. In a dramatic moment, as Ross desperately listened to a voicemail message from her, Rachel appeared in person to make her feelings known. Despite a poorly-timed quip from Ross, the finale episode concluded with them firmly reunited as the gang officially moved on to new chapters of their lives. Throughout the episode and the series overall, however, there was actually a better (albeit surprising) romantic choice under Ross’s nose the entire time: Lisa Kudrow’s Phoebe Buffay.
Why Ross and Phoebe Would Have Made A Good Couple
On the surface, the idea of Ross and Phoebe becoming a couple might sound ludicrous. However, it actually makes a lot of sense of numerous levels. Although Ross initially served as the supposed stable grown-up of the group, the oft-divorced paleontologist would increasingly prove to be anything but, engaging in a number of meme-worthy Friends exploits along the way. Ross proved himself irrational in many quirky and even worrisome ways.
Alternately, Phoebe was introduced as the most eccentric member of the group. Despite that, it was repeatedly evident that she longed for the kind of stability and normalcy she was never afforded early on in life. That was never more clear when it dawned on her that she wanted to be a Volvo-driving soccer mom. In that regard, Ross and Phoebe were always two sides of the same coin. Such is why, despite his penchant for patronizing people, Ross often defended Phoebe’s quirks as “endearing.” It’s also why Phoebe always tried to help Ross with his social flaws. As seen in the flashback where they actually almost did get together, they clearly see something in each other and support bringing their more positive traits to the surface.
That connection even extended to their various interests — from a love of animals and beyond. Both sought to seize the day and were always willing to try new things — be it leather trousers for Ross or learning to ride a bike for Phoebe. Ross was even instrumental in the latter, not only buying a bike but guiding her on her first ride. That isn’t even the only time they have supported each other, with Ross and Phoebe bonding over their love of music and performing. In fact, so deep was their potential connection that Phoebe understood Ross’s style of music on a level the others couldn’t even fathom — right down to when he seemingly lost his mojo. Both also have a commitment to improving themselves and education. For Ross, that’s through his work and eventual foray into academia. In Phoebe’s case, that manifested in numerous vocational skills such as massage therapy and literary classes.
It is this commitment that makes Phoebe far smarter than many would initially give her credit. This level of intelligence has often been most notably utilized against Ross. In early seasons, Ross and Phoebe often found themselves on opposing ends of numerous debates. Whether it be the subject of evolution or reincarnation, their views couldn’t have been more different. Despite that, unlike many who go up against Ross, not only does Phoebe keep him from resorting to his peak hysterics but actually bests him intellectually. While her thoughts of evolution may not be backed up with science, she’s able to pick enough holes in the often shifting validity of scientific statements — like when the Earth was believed flat — to stun Ross into silence. Even more than that, she actually gets Ross to admit that there is always a possibility she may be right. Of course, Phoebe immediately twists the knife to mock Ross, but her victory still stands: She got Ross to successfully see another person’s side.
In terms of reincarnation, and the belief that her deceased mother has returned in the form of a cat, Phoebe bests Ross even more dramatically. In this instance, she strikes at Ross’s lack of emotion and compassion. As she points out, her belief system is hers and not his to deride. Whether or not he shares it is irrelevant: As a friend, he should support and be there for her. It is in the wake of this that Ross backs down and apologizes. Therein lies the crux of their true compatibility as a couple. Phoebe is self-aware and strong-willed enough to not only curb Ross’s more toxic traits but actually provokes him to be a better person — to grow and evolve in his way of thinking.
Why Ross and Phoebe Would Have Been Better Than Ross and Rachel
Conversely, it was increasingly clear throughout Friends that Ross and Rachel’s relationship was founded on idealized versions of each other — versions that were not sustainable in the long term. Ross had held Rachel on a pedestal since high school. Meanwhile, after a string of poor choices and ill-fated relationships, Rachel saw Ross as the embodiment of passionate intimacy and devotion she had previously lacked. Given that, it was unsurprising when their relationship ultimately imploded — the reality unable to match the long built-up fantasy. Ross couldn’t handle that Rachel was growing and evolving outside of who he believed her to be. Equally, Rachel felt perpetually smothered by Ross. That tension manifested in numerous explosive arguments that became the norm for the couple.
To call Ross and Rachel’s union toxic would be an understatement. That’s to be expected in a show built on bringing couples together and pushing them apart for the sake of dramatic and comedic tension, as well as longevity. However, as Chandler and Monica proved, that doesn’t need to be the case. As such, Ross and Rachel should have officially called it quits once and for all the morning after their ill-fated beach house reunion in Friends season 4. The bulk of Rachel’s arc on the show was her personal and professional evolution as she found independence and her place in the world. The relationship with Ross was often counter to that — especially in later seasons.
After a time, Ross and Rachel’s reunion became inevitable; just as the characters would reunite out of need for solace in the face of particular situations, audiences embraced the relationship for the sake of familiarity. So much time had been devoted to the Ross/Rachel on-again-off-again romance, that it was merely habitual that they would frequently return to each other. Habits are not always necessarily healthy, however. Unlike Ross and Phoebe, Rachel largely served to bring out the worst in Ross, and vice-versa. Neither of them truly enabled the other to grow.
Ross and Phoebe Together Could Have Fixed Later Seasons
The domino effect of Ross and Phoebe becoming a couple would have been widespread. For starters, it could have avoided such weaker, unnecessary plot elements as Baby Emma, which only served to demonstrate Ross’s fickle nature regarding the son he already had. Equally, as entertaining as Paul Rudd is as Phoebe’s eventual husband Mike, he always felt shoehorned into the established group. With Phoebe in a relationship with Ross, it would have opened the door for him to still appear, albeit in a less forced capacity. It also could have allowed the show to omit the Joey and Rachel romance. Though many fans believe Joey to have been a better option for Rachel, it was largely perceived as nonsensical — so much so, it was even referenced as such on an episode of The Good Place.
While there was a plan to pair up everyone in Friends, the creators ultimately decided not to go all the way incestuous within the group. That would have benefitted both Joey and Rachel. As the two more socially confident of the six, keeping the characters single would have still retained the show’s avenue for guest-stars. Many of Phoebe’s dates latter in the series could have just as easily gone to Rachel will little change. The same could be said of Ross’s romantic endeavors that could have gone to Joey. All the while, it would have allowed the characters of Joey and Rachel both to flourish in the arcs where they both really shined comedically — their respective careers.
Ross and Phoebe As Endgame Would Have Benefitted Rachel’s Arc
While Joey’s journey as an actor is the source of some of the show’s best comedic moments, Rachel’s character arc is as rooted in drama as much as in comedy. Since she first appeared in the Friends pilot episode, Rachel’s trajectory had been one of independence and individual fulfillment. Starting out as a waitress in Central Perk, Rachel not only worked her way into her dream profession, but rose steadily up through the ranks. By the time Friends drew to a close, Rachel had the chance to pursue her career further in Paris. As much as many fans no doubt cheered when she chose Ross, it was a shame that it came at the expense of her dreams.
Had the narrative evolved so that Ross and Phoebe had been an endgame couple, that would have allowed Rachel to follow her ambitions. Like the others, she would have been free to pursue a new chapter of her life rather than slipping back onto a comfortable, familiar one — especially one that hadn’t changed enough to imply it would end differently than before. By having Rachel ultimately venture to Paris, it would have helped bring Rachel’s overall story full circle. Leaving in the final episode as she arrived in the first, but armed now with the confidence and independence she had spent seasons 1 – 10 cultivating. As such, Friends could have concluded with the added notion that success, happiness, and fulfillment can come as much from other sources as it can from romance.
More: Friends: Why The Joey & Rachel Romance Was The Worst
