Friends was a series that saw the core six characters Rachel, Ross, Joey, Phoebe, Joey, and Chandler experience ups and downs while living in New York. And, being the attractive people they are, they would often venture into relationships that were destined to never really work out.
We now take a look at those that were doomed to fail right from the very start, revealing our reasons behind each inclusion as we go along.
Rachel and Russ
Let's start with a funny one. Rachel Green has just broken up with Ross Gellar after finding out about his infidelity despite David Schwimmer's character repeatedly insisting the duo were "on a break." And, in order to get over this break-up, Rachel starts dating a man named Russ.
Russ is exactly like Ross, and everybody can see it but her. It's obviously unhealthy to enter a relationship with somebody who is basically carbon copy of your ex, and, because of this—and the fact it was also Schwimmer playing Russ—it was obvious these two were never going to last for very long.
Phoebe and David
Phoebe and David start dating in season one, but their time together is cruelly cut short when he has to go to Minsk, where he's been assigned to work. David makes a few fleeting visits over the coming years, and each one gets tougher and tougher for Phoebe to take.
Eventually, they settle down together in series nine. However, too many years apart had opened up other doors and Phoebe is clearly still in love with Paul Rudd's Mike at the time. Because of this, it was no surprise when she ended up choosing Mike over David at the end of season nine when the gang are in Barbados.
Chandler and Janice
Chandler has always had low self-esteem and, because of this, finds himself unable to say no. Throughout the entire series, he often ends up going back with his irritating (albeit beloved) ex Janice. Janice doesn't just irritate him, though, but the entire gang, as well.
It was always funny to watch Matthew Perry's character going out with somebody he clearly doesn't like, and, as a result, it was a given that the duo wouldn't end up together. Chandler instead gets married to Monica, while Janice settles down with Barry Litman after her first marriage breaks down.
Monica and Richard
While we're on the subject of Monica, her own relationship with Richard was also destined to fail. There's no denying that they were sweet together and deeply in love, but, because of the huge age gap, it always meant the duo wanted different things from each other.
Monica wanted a baby, and Richard just didn't. By the time he changes his mind, it's far too late with Courtney Cox's character, instead choosing to get engaged to Chandler. The pair would fail to conceive a child naturally but end up adopting in the sweetest of sweetest finales.
Monica and Pete
A little while after Monica breaks up with Richard, she starts going out with Pete Becker (played by John Favreau). Initially, she has no feelings whatsoever for the billionaire, but, after he takes her to Rome for a first date, they decide to give things a go.
That itself was proof that they wouldn't be right for each other, and their time together ends somewhat comically. Pete is determined to become martial arts champion, but he's useless, and Monica, knowing this, can't stand by and watch him continually get his ass kicked. We don't blame her there, to be honest.
Joey and Kathy
Chandler meets a woman named Kathy, who it's clear he immediately falls for. He's left devastated, however, when she ends up dating Joey, instead.
Joey just isn't on Kathy's level intellectually and, while she's happy to be dating the Days of Our Lives actor, it's clear that Chandler is the one she wants to be with. Unless you're equally committed to each other, things seldom work out—and this meant that Joey and Kathy were a couple who were never going to be long term. Kathy gets with Chandler in the end, but she cheats on him, and they end up going their separate ways, as well.
Ross and Emily
It's Ross' turn now. In season four, he agrees to take an English girl named Emily out as a favor for Rachel, who has a date of her own. But the duo quickly hit it off, and, despite only meeting midway through the season, end it getting married in London.
The speed of which they did things means, however, that it was never going to go the way they might have hoped. Ross was still not quite over Rachel, whose name he says at the altar in the most cringe-inducing scene in Friends history. They later try and give things a go but, by this point, the damage had already been done.
Ross and Elizabeth
We all know that, if you're a teacher or lecturer, you can't go dating your own students. But, despite that obvious fact, Ross Gellar still decides to embark on a relationship with Elizabeth, a girl in his class.
Not only is the fact their relationship is taboo an issue, but there's also a big age gap between them. It's clear that Ross is way too mature for his pupil, with her spring break vacation causing him to worry. Quite simply, we don't know what was going through David Schwimmer's character's head when he decided to try and give things a go. Their break-up was the best thing for all involved.
Joey and Charlie
Everybody knows what Joey Tribbiani is like. Good-looking, loveable, funny, caring and... not exactly blessed with brainpower.
And that's exactly why he and Charlie, a woman he dates towards the end of season nine, were destined to fail. She's used to going out with Nobel Prize winners, and Joey... well, we'd be surprised if he even knew what one was. It's also clear that Charley has feelings for Ross, who she dates next. But she ends up ditching him, too, in order to get back with ex-boyfriend Benji.
Joey and Rachel
N'awrh, Joey and Rachel are the ultimate 'what could have been' couple. They're similar in so many ways, and yet, despite that, their brief romantic relationship could never get off the ground.
And that's because of Ross. There's just too much history between Ross and Rachel. too much chemistry. Both Joey and Miss Green know this, and they decide to end their fling to remain friends. Touchingly, when Ross and Rachel get back together, Joey is arguably the most-delighted out of everybody in the room.