Summary

• Ross and Rachel's relationship in Friends resulted in interesting character development for both, but their frustrating moments were hard to overlook.
• Ross made some incredibly questionable decisions throughout Friends, from making a pro and con list to lying about his divorce to Rachel.
• Although Ross and Rachel's relationship in Friends had its moments, their constant miscommunication and manipulation caused unnecessary drama.

One of the most extensive continuous storylines in all ten seasons of Friends, Ross and Rachel’s relationship entertained audiences, but the pair often got so ridiculous that it was hard not to get fed up with them.

The journeys that Rachel and Ross took, individually and together, in Friends resulted in some interesting character development. Neither character was the same in the Friends finale as they were at the show's start, mainly because of each other. Rachel was a rich daddy’s girl with no idea how the real worked, and Ross was a mopey divorcee with little going on in his life. Although Rachel and Ross' relationship in Friends made them better people, they still had plenty of frustrating moments.

10 Rachel Trying To Convince Ross Not To Sleep With Julie

Season 2, Episode 4: The One With Phoebe's Husband

In Friends season 2, Ross dated Julie (Lauren Tom), unaware that Rachel had developed feelings for him. In “The One With Phoebe's Husband,” the gang gathered at Ross’ apartment, and Rachel spent the entire evening dragging the conversation out so that he wouldn’t have sex with Julie. When she eventually left late in the night, Rachel continued to push Ross on his decision to be intimate with his new girlfriend, looking at him lingeringly outside his apartment door.

Rather than telling Ross how she felt, Rachel was a terrible friend and tried to manipulate his relationship because she was jealous.

Much like Ross throughout the show, Rachel could have avoided heartache if she had been honest. Rather than telling Ross how she felt, Rachel was a terrible friend and tried to manipulate his relationship because she was jealous. Rachel didn't consider Ross’ feelings and how happy he was with Julie, his first partner since Carol (Jane Sibbett) had broken his heart. Unfortunately, despite Rachel’s best efforts, her plan failed.

9 Ross' Pros And Cons List

Season 2, Episode 8: The One With The List

When faced with the decision between being with Rachel or Julie, Ross made a pro and con list of the two women but ultimately decided that Rachel was the one for him. However, Ross managed to screw everything up with Rachel within a matter of seconds as they prepared to leave for their first date. When Rachel discovered Ross’ list, she was heartbroken to see that he’d referred to her as "spoiled,” “ditzy,” “too into her looks,” and “just a waitress." On Julie’s cons side, however, all Ross could come up with was “she’s not Rachel.”

It was unbelievable that Ross thought it was a good idea to write the list in the first place, let alone print it out from Chandler’s (Matthew Perry) computer.

It was unbelievable that Ross thought it was a good idea to write the list in the first place, let alone print it out from Chandler’s (Matthew Perry) computer. Rachel’s reaction to the list was more than justified, too, and even though Ross tried to get her to understand by banging at her window and shouting positive things about her over the rain, he should have let her calm down. Ross’ constant persistence was one of his worst qualities, and this caused him to miss out on being with Rachel, which it would continue to do throughout the show.

8 Ross And Rachel's First Break Up

Season 3, Episode 15: The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break

The first time Rachel and Ross broke up in Friends was by far their most frustrating moment in the show. Ross’ uncontrollable jealousy and annoyance at Rachel's constant work made him mistreat his girlfriend, which erupted into a huge argument. When Rachel suggested they take a “break from [them],” Ross assumed they broke up and immediately went out and slept with Chloe (Angela Featherstone). Although there was always a divide on whether the pair were broken up or not, it was still disrespectful that Ross would have sex with someone just hours later, regardless of his relationship status with Rachel.

This was a disappointing moment for Ross in Friends because rather than breaking the news to Rachel himself, he was too focused on covering it up, and she had to hear about him cheating from Gunther (James Michael Tyler).

Rachel realized her mistake the following day and wanted to fix things with Ross, so she headed to his apartment, unaware that Chloe was still there. Ross decided to keep his infidelity under wraps and not tell Rachel about Chloe, and when he realized that a string of mutual friends were hearing about it, he started to chase them down. This was a disappointing moment for Ross in Friends because rather than breaking the news to Rachel himself, he was too focused on covering it up, and she had to hear about him cheating from Gunther (James Michael Tyler).

7 Rachel's Letter

Season 4, Episode 1: The One With The Jellyfish

The first, yet brief, time that Ross and Rachel got back together only happened because of an incredibly long letter. After she convinced Ross to break up with Bonnie (Christine Taylor), Rachel gave Ross a letter “eighteen pages long, front and back” – a collection of her deepest thoughts about their relationship and breakup. Although Ross attempted to read it, he fell asleep at the kitchen counter in the beach house and agreed to Rachel’s “does it?” despite having no clue what she meant.

Ross could have easily told Rachel that the emotional turmoil of ending things with Bonnie and the two of them possibly getting back together meant that he needed time to read her letter properly.

Even though it may have upset her, Ross could have easily told Rachel that the emotional turmoil of ending things with Bonnie and the two of them possibly getting back together meant that he needed time to read her letter properly. He also had plenty of opportunities to tell Rachel after agreeing to her , yet he didn’t and went back to New York and slept with her anyway. Although Ross found the letter's length absurd, this moment proved that he didn’t care about Rachel’s feelings as much as he made audiences believe.

6 Emily's Surprise Party

Season 4, Episode 16: The One With The Fake Party

When Emily (Helen Baxendale) was due to return to London, Rachel took the opportunity to compete with Ross about her new relationship with Joshua (Tate Donovan). Although Rachel hosted the surprise party to be ive in some ways, she also used the occasion to try to seduce Joshua and prove that their relationship was just as serious as Ross’. However, Rachel’s cringey behavior throughout the party was uncomfortable for many reasons. She made the party about her, showed off by dressing as a cheerleader and making a big fuss, and even forced a juvenile game of spin the bottle.

It was hard for Ross to say goodbye to Emily, but Rachel wasted his last evening with her because of her selfishness.

Rachel was so concerned with keeping up appearances for Ross that she failed to think about how he felt about the party. It was hard for Ross to say goodbye to Emily, but Rachel wasted his last evening with her because of her selfishness. Although she was genuine in throwing the party, Rachel saw the occasion as a way to almost “win” their break-up and make Ross think she had moved on just as much as he had. Both Rachel and Friends spectacularly flopped, but it wasn't surprising considering Rachel’s behavior at that moment.

5 Ross Lying About His Divorce To Rachel

Season 6, Episode 1: The One After Vegas

After a quick Vegas wedding they both initially forgot about, Ross and Rachel returned to New York to begin annulment proceedings. At this point in the show, Ross had already been divorced twice, which made this his third failed marriage. When he realized this, in a panic, he decided not to go through with the dissolution and not tell Rachel about it. However, he made the mistake of letting this detail slip to Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), who was determined to call him out on his behavior.

It was borderline sociopathic that Ross felt he could get away with lying to his ex-girlfriend about something so significant and legal and that Rachel would carry on with her life unaware that she was married.

It was borderline sociopathic that Ross felt he could get away with lying to his ex-girlfriend about something so significant and legal and that Rachel would carry on with her life unaware that she was married. Even when it was pointed out that he was still in love with her, Ross denied it and remained adamant that he didn’t want to get divorced once again. At least if Ross had acknowledged he still loved Rachel, it would’ve softened the blow. When Rachel eventually found out, Ross’s lies worsened the entire situation, and his actions unnecessarily turned her against him.

4 Ross And Rachel's Pretend Wedding

Season 8, Episode 18: The One In Massapequa

After announcing they were expecting Emma, Ross and Rachel attended Judy and Jack’s (Elliott Gould) wedding anniversary party. When they arrived, Ross and Rachel discovered Ross’ parents had told their friends they were already married. Because of the number of gifts and cheques Ross and Rachel received from people, they quickly spun a tale about their so-called wedding day to the crowd of relatives and old friends. The intricate details Rachel provided gave audiences an insight into what she hoped for on her wedding day, and she even made herself cry for effect.

Their story felt almost arrogant, and they didn’t acknowledge that they could have made their dream wedding day a reality.

This moment was ridiculous for both Rachel and Ross. They’d already married and divorced once and spent years together and apart. Their story felt almost arrogant, and they didn’t acknowledge that they could have made their dream wedding day a reality. Instead of drawing attention to themselves, Ross and Rachel could have offered a simple and uneventful tale and still accepted the gifts. Instead, they had to one-up each other over who could recall their imaginary wedding the best.

3 The Engagement Ring

Season 8, Episodes 23 & 24: The One Where Rachel Has A Baby: Parts 1 & 2

Both Ross and Rachel's behavior during Emma’s birth was frustrating. While Rachel was in labor, Ross’ mother, Judy (Christina Pickles), brought him an engagement ring to give to her, but he shut down the idea. However, he still pocketed the ring anyway, which Joey later found and accidentally proposed to Rachel after he dropped it. This was a baffling moment in Friends for multiple reasons. Rachel and Ross clearly still had something between them, but when faced with an easy future, Rachel told Joey she would marry him.

Although she’d just given birth, it made no sense that Rachel suddenly forgot about the father of her child and their past, especially to marry Joey, whom she was strictly platonic with at this point in the show.

Although she’d just given birth, it made no sense that Rachel suddenly forgot about the father of her child and their past, especially to marry Joey, whom she was strictly platonic with at this point in the show. Ross wasn’t innocent at that moment, either, however. Even though it made sense that he was cautious and didn’t want to rush into things with Rachel for Emma’s sake, Ross had plenty of opportunities to talk about their future and family. It was also unfair that Ross was so angry at Joey when he failed to take the plunge.

2 Ross' Reaction To Emma's Male Nanny

Season 9, Episode 6: The One With The Male Nanny

In Friends season 9, Rachel hired a male nanny for Emma named Sandy (Freddie Prinze Jr.), much to Ross’ dismay. Although Rachel loved Sandy, Ross was concerned about the nanny being “too sensitive” and suspected him of being gay, as if that mattered. Sandy was a brilliant and hands-on carer for Emma and would spend time playing her music and talking to her through puppets. Eventually, Ross grew tired of Sandy being emotional and fired him, which was awful and disappointing.

He also didn’t consider Rachel’s opinions, as if her opinion on who was looking after their child wasn’t necessary.

Ross’ preconceived ideas about what a nanny and a man should be were ridiculous, and they got in the way of Emma’s safety and well-being. He also didn’t consider Rachel’s opinions, as if her opinion on who was looking after their child wasn’t necessary. Although Friends was a product of its time, even then, it was utterly wild that those around him accepted Ross’ homophobic comments. It was a shame Sandy got fired, but the male nanny also deserved a better working environment than being around Ross.

1 Ross Bribing Rachel's Boss

Season 10, Episode 15: The One Where Estelle Dies

During the build-up to the Friends finale, Rachel prepared to move to Paris for a new life and job. Ross was heartbroken by this as he was still in love with Rachel, but also because she was taking Emma with her. To get Rachel to stay, Ross started visiting her boss, Mr. Zelner (Steve Ireland), and bribed the man with various dinosaur artifacts and fossils to give to his son. This set off a chain of events, with Rachel going back and forth on whether she would leave or not as her old and new employers started offering more money.

Rather than being up-front with Rachel and telling her how he felt about her, Ross went behind her back and tried to find a way to stop her from leaving without him being to blame.

This was a disappointing, albeit not surprising, moment for Ross. Rather than being up-front with Rachel and telling her how he felt about her, Ross went behind her back and tried to find a way to stop her from leaving without him being to blame. It didn’t even occur to Ross that Rachel was excited to go to Paris until she told him, failing to recognize what a fantastic opportunity it was for her. Even though Rachel did stay in New York for Ross in the Friends finale, he might have avoided all the drama if he’d been honest.