Despite the show’s enduring popularity, Friends’ highest-rated episodes (per IMDb) hinted at the uncomfortable reality of the sitcom. In the show’s infancy, the characters were not yet established and viewers were still getting to know each character’s backstory. Over time, the show gained widespread popularity because of the character’s portrayal of authentic friendships with a comedic spin.
Through their mistakes, breakups, and celebrations, Friends became a show that transcended generations and held more staying power than comparable sitcoms. Friends stood out because of aspects like Rachel Greene’s “girl next door” appeal, but the show’s iconic status needed time to grow. When the show first aired, Rachel and Monica Geller moved in together and Ross Geller was still dealing with the aftermath of his divorce.
Rachel was still perceived as a spoiled, rich girl and was still developing as she worked at Central Perk. She and Ross were also unwilling to reveal their true feelings to each other, continuously delaying their confessions and slowing down the series’ plot line. These classic stories laid the groundwork for Friends’ future success. However, on examination of the 10 highest-ranked Friends episodes on IMDb, it’s evident that viewers were more engaged once a few seasons had taken off.
None Of Friends’ Top 10 Episodes On IMDB Comes From Season 1
While episodes like “The One Where Ross Got High” from season 6 and “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” from season 5 are among some of IMDb’s highest-ranked episodes, none of the episodes from season 1 feature on the list. It was the following seasons that brought out some of the more pivotal story arcs that made the show such a pop culture lexicon.
The first season also did not appear in the top 20 Friends episodes list, primarily due to Monica and Chandler Bing’s untapped relationship. The list included the episode where Chandler proposed, which happened to be when the series took a turn and Monica and Chandler were just as much of a topic of conversation as Ross and Rachel.
In season 1, the group’s relationships as friends were still blossoming and felt lackluster compared to other seasons.
Because of Ross and Rachel’s unpredictability, Monica and Chandler were refreshingly consistent in bringing balance to the show. In season 1, the group’s relationships as friends were still blossoming and felt lackluster compared to other seasons. Before some of the later seasons, other characters like Phoebe Buffay were waiting for their career-launching moments, highlighting how season 1 kept some characters in limbo.
Some Characters Began To Assume A Stronger Presence
Friends’ improvement as the seasons progressed is perhaps best highlighted by characters who didn’t always dominate the narrative. In season 1, Phoebe’s character took a backseat, leaving room for Monica and Rachel. In the following seasons, Phoebe’s character began to assume a stronger presence. In one of the best-rated episodes, “The One With The Prom Video” of season 2, she got to show off her comic talent as she explained the lobster theory to everyone.
She was no longer the one-dimensional massage therapist of Friends season 1, but a colorful personality with an aptitude for mediating her friend group and making bold statements. Other characters also transformed after the pedestrian pace of season 1. As “The One With Monica & Chandler’s Wedding: Part 2″ came to a close, Joey Tribbiani had come a long way from his scatterbrained days in season 1.
