Friends: 10 Biggest ‘What Ifs’ Of The Series Finale

After 10 seasons of popularity and success, Friends came to an end in 2004 with its season finale that pretty much saw the gang move on from the time in their lives where they spent all of their time together. It was, most definitely, an emotional episode, even to this day.

The finale has it’s main stories and attempted to bring all six together for a final moment in the famous apartment. However, a lot could have been vastly different about the finale if certain things were changed. Here, we look at 10 of these biggest “what ifs” of the finale.

What If Chandler & Monica Actually Named Jack, Joey?

When Chandler and Monica surprisingly get their twins delivered and finally have their children, they name them Erica, after their birth mother, and Jack, after Monica and Ross’ father.

Earlier in the series, though, they promised to name their child Joey. Obviously, everyone forgot, but what if Jack was actually named Joey? It is a small thing but could have led to a beautiful moment.

What If Something Went Wrong With Erica’s Pregnancy?

It is a bit heavy to think about, especially for a sitcom, but as one of the most significant aspects of the finale, something going wrong with Erica’s pregnancy could have changed the entire ending to the series.

It may have led to Monica and Chandler not moving, or maybe not even having made it as a couple. It is a heartbreaking thought, so we are glad it didn’t happen.

What If Joey Went To Live With Monica & Chandler?

Following the events of Friends, Joey moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career further since all his friends had moved on, and so began the Friends spinoff Joey.

However, it was mentioned by Chandler that he and Monica had a “Joey room” in their new suburban home. Joey very well could have gone to live with Chandler and Monica. It may have been a side step in life maturity, but some would argue it would have been better than Joey.

What If Phoebe Never Ended Up With Mike?

Phoebe does not have her own story in the finale. Instead, she is just a big part of getting Ross and Rachel back together. Her story pretty much wrapped up when she married Mike.

But, while not part of the finale, what if they never ended up together? What would Phoebe’s life look like with Joey in L.A, Chandler, and Monica in the suburbs, and Ross and Rachel taking care of Emily? The Joey-Phoebe romance may have even happened.

What If “The One That Could Have Been” Had Been?

Friends alternate reality

The One That Could Have Been” was a two-episode story in which the gang thought about an alternate world with some big changes. Monica remained overweight, Rachel stayed married to Barry, Ross to Carol, Joey was never fired from Days Of Our Lives, and Chandler wrote for the New Yorker.

It is very out there, but what if this alternate universe had actually happened? How I Met Your Mother had an alternate ending episode that was much better than its real ending, so what if the events of this “what if” Friends episode actually happened, thus changing the course of the series and the finale? Joey would have likely become much more successful, ditto for Chandler. Monica and Chandler would have been together in different ways, and who could possibly tell what would happen with Ross and Rachel. It is fascinating to think about what an alternate Friends ending would look like.

What If Joey Had A Story?

The only character who had nothing to do in the finale was, unsurprisingly, Joey. He had no story leading up to it, no romantic interest, no significant life events, nothing.

But what if he did? Would he be looked at better in hindsight as a better-written character? An actual story and some closure on the Joey character would have massively improved the finale.

Where Would Ross Be If He Hadn’t Gone After Rachel?

Ross tries to get to the airport to bring back Rachel

The Rachel “getting off the plane” moment is widely memorable. But it almost never happened, as Ross was hesitant about going to get her, reminiscent of his attitude in season one of the show.

Had he decided not to go after her, it would have seriously undone and made pointless a lot of Ross’ development in terms of romance. Rachel would never have known how Ross felt and ultimately, it would have made for a pretty sad ending thinking about how Ross would have been left behind, with everyone else having moved on with their lives.

What If Everyone Never Got A Last Moment In The Apartment?

It is hard not to shed some tears as a Friends fan in the final moments, as the gang stood in the empty apartment, set down their keys, and said goodbye to it forever. It is one of the shows best moments.

But what if it never happened? What if Rachel never got off the plane, Ross stayed at home, Joey was too stubborn, or Phoebe was busy with Mike? Any of these possibilities would have drastically changed Friends’ final moments.

Where Would Rachel Be If She Never Got Off The Plane?

Ross and Rachel reunite in Friends series finale

Now that it has been asked where Ross would be if he hadn’t gone after Rachel, it has to be said that if Rachel had not got off the plane, it would have broken many hearts. It would be even more hurtful if Ross had gone after Rachel, but the feelings were not mutual and so Rachel went to Paris after all.

Considering the pair’s history and everything that happened with Joey, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Rachel would be against giving up a dream job for romance with Ross. It is also a very realistic scenario that Rachel would not have been allowed off the plane, which would then have made for a very frustrating scene.

What If Monica & Chandler Did Not Move?

Ross, Monica, and Chandler moving boxes on Friends

Undoubtedly, the biggest “what if” of the Friends finale is this – what if Chandler and Monica did not move to the suburbs? It is the entire catalyst for the events of the finale and the reason everyone is going in their new directions and saying goodbye to the apartment.

If they decided to raise their children in the city, the show would have been more open-ended. Joey likely would have stayed in New York and perhaps the finale would be less bittersweet.

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