Since its announcement this reunion has been one of the most anticipated televisual events to happen since the creation of Friends itself. The iconic show ran for ten seasons, from 1994 until 2004. Since the finale, the 6 cast members have only been in a room together once… until now.
17 years later and here we are, we finally have Friends: The Reunion – something we’ve long wanted and what a wait it’s been.
The moment you see the opening title, memories start flooding back. Even the song that’s played in the finale, Embryonic Journey by Jefferson Airplane, brings you some serious nostalgia (and emotional) vibes. I myself was only nine when the finale aired, but I grew up watching the show on repeats on Channel 4 throughout my childhood, adolescence and even now as an adult. It’s become a staple in my household and I’m sure it’s the same for millions of others around the world.
It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t seen at least one episode of the hit show and it’s something that’s brought us all together. Friends wasn’t just a TV show, it was part of our lives for 10 whole years. It helped people through hardships and the tough times and when watching (not only Friends but this reunion episode), it feels like you’re getting a much needed hug from a big sister, brother, friend or loved one. It gives you the emotional support that we all need right now and it’s hard not to feel so much love and emotion whilst watching Friends: The Reunion even 10 minutes into it. It’s the ultimate nostalgia trip, and it is exactly what everyone wanted and more.
The show is only an hour and a half and it just flies by. It feels like no time has gone at all. You just want more and more. It’s so much fun to watch and you feel the warmth when you see the cast come back together. The reunion is hosted by James Corden and is filled with special guests, unseen bloopers and interviews with the cast and creators of the show as well as celebrity fans. As well as all this, we discover new information and secrets about the cast and the life of the Friends that span over the ten plus years. It’s fascinating as well to hear from the creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane about the casting process of each character. It’s clear to see now that if one person hadn’t been cast, the whole aesthetic would be completely off and Friends would be a different show to what we know it to be today.
Friends resonates with so many people and the reunion is honestly one of the best things I’ve seen this year. I laughed so much and probably cried even more, but I felt so warm and loved and that’s what we need right now, whether you’re a Friends fan or not. It’s the ultimate nostalgia for anyone who has seen the show. For the first time in a long time, these six beautiful souls can be together again but as themselves, which is a rare sight to see.
236 episodes and 52 million viewers for the finale and here we are. Our hearts are so full with love and all the emotions that go with it, that it’s hard to come to terms that this is it. There is no more Friends. Everyone wants there to be another episode or a film but deep down, we know that’s not going to happen. Friends: The Reunion was it. This is what we had waited for and it’s finally here. It’s unique and special. You’re not just a bystander, you’re part of the family and it’s something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.
