Rachel's character growth in the TV show Friends, from a dependent fiancée to a successful professional, mirrored the changing perceptions of women in the '90s and early 2000s. Her career was always the primary focus of her storyline, with her romantic relationships serving as secondary plot points. However, the decision to have Rachel sacrifice her career progression for a relationship with Ross in the finale undermined her narrative of independence and self-discovery. The cultural impact of Friends is undeniable. From influencing haircuts and fashion trends to creating quotable one-liners and popular memes, the beloved series has remained in the spotlight for almost three decades.
It quickly gained a large audience and became one of the most successful and long-running sitcoms in history, with its series finale being the fourth most-watched television finale ever. After ten seasons of immense personal growth, Rachel's character was poised for more. She had transformed from an unhappy runaway bride to a successful fashion industry executive.
However, the finale undermined her transformation with an all-too-tidy romantic resolution, showing a disregard for her narrative. It was a step back for a character who had come to embody independence and self-empowerment. Rachel's journey from a dependent fiancée in Season 1 to a successful professional in Season 10 is a cornerstone of Friends. She broke off her engagement, worked her way up from being a waitress, and eventually landed a job at Ralph Lauren. Her growth reflected the evolving perceptions of women during that time. While the Ross and Rachel relationship was an integral part of the show, their finale resolution came at the expense of Rachel's character arc.
Instead of leaving the ending open and honoring both their relationship and Rachel's independence, she was forced to sacrifice her career for Ross. This undermined her character's growth and perpetuated the idea that a woman's happiness is tied to her romantic relationships, not her achievements. The finale of Friends provided a crowd-pleasing conclusion to Ross and Rachel's romance, but it did a disservice to Rachel's character. Her narrative deserved a resolution that supported her journey of self-discovery and independence. The choice made highlights the challenge show creators face in balancing a character's growth with conforming to conventional narrative expectations. This finale choice showed that Rachel deserved more. Friends remains an influential show and can be streamed on Max in the U.S.
