The One with the Ick

With so many of us rewatching Friends at the moment, Alex Berry decided to take a look at one of the story features the show does best - the ick.

When we’re going through a difficult time, whether it’s loneliness, tiredness, grief, or even just the feeling of not wanting to get up, many of us turn to TV, and usually our favourite shows. 

For many, this default, modus operandi, guaranteed ticket to comfort, nostalgia and safety is Friends. If, for whatever reason (perhaps rock-submersion) you aren’t aware, Friends was a popular sitcom made in the 1990s. Set in New York City, it centres around a group of six friends, following the evolution of their friendships, relationships, jobs and everything in between over the course of 10 epic seasons. 

When the news broke last month that Matthew Perry, who had played the beloved Chandler Bing for those 10 sweet seasons, had tragically passed away, many did what they do in times of hardship and trouble – they turned to Friends. 

Almost instantly in the trending category on Netflix, the show –which had been watched and loved for decades, with over 52 million viewers tuning in for its finale episode, and new generations discovering its charm each week – re-entered people’s lives in a different way. 

So, if you’re one of the millions currently trawling through Friends, whether that’s watching it for the first time, joining somewhere around season five, or re-starting from the pilot, you are likely to come across one of the tropes that Friends does so well:the strange, quirky, and non-negotiable facet about someone which makes them vehemently unsuitable to date. 

An incident, personality type or unusual hobby that you might not have been expecting but usually comes out of the woodwork a few dates in. A make-or-break; thing which makes you look back on a relationship and say, “There’s absolutely no way I could date someone who does *this* again”. Some might call it “the ick”.

But what Friends does so well is that it lulls you into a false sense of security. Aside from the two central love stories on the show, some slightly lengthier flings, and the rare success of Paul Rudd’s character, Mike, these dates are written into the script to make us laugh, before they ultimately fail. 

Much like watching Titanic and thinking, “Maybe this time the iceberg won’t hit the ship and they won’t all die”, we find ourselves watching each new relationship bloom, thinking “What could go wrong here?”. And then, usually after an episode or two, when the date has been introduced to the rest of the group and we’re all starting to get attached, the iceberg hits the ship and we realise, exactly, what is wrong here. 

Now, please indulge us as we share some of the best instances of this in Friends. We hope it will keep you on your toes and make you watch out for these brewing storylines, as some of them will arise when you least expect it - just like in real life.

Phoebe and Gary

Season 5, “The One with the Ball”

Poor Phoebs has her fair share of bad dating experiences on Friends, but when she finds a mysterious police badge and meets Gary, a policeman, it seems her luck has changed. But, after what appears to be a promising start of a beautiful relationship, Gary shoots a bird out of his apartment window for chirping too loudly. Forgiving, animal-loving, vegetarian Phoebe realises it’s never going to work and ends things.

Ross and Cheryl

Season 4, “The One with the Dirty Girl”

When Ross finds himself dating blonde bombshell Cheryl, played by former model, Rebecca Romjin, we’re all wondering how he could possibly fumble this one, or what might go wrong. But the problem soon becomes clear when Ross goes back to her place and realises her apartment is a total mess, filled with old food, general waste and dirty underwear. When he suggests they go to his, Cheryl refuses as she doesn’t like the smell. He sticks it out a bit longer but when he finds a rat rummaging around in a bag of crisps, he calls it.

Monica and Alan

Season 1, “The One with the Thumb”

When Monica is nervous to introduce her new boyfriend, Alan, to her friends, she is thrilled when they end up loving him so much that even spend one-on-one time hanging out with him. However, when she eventually realises things aren’t right and she doesn’t feel a connection, she fears her friends’ reaction to breaking it off. Although the group is distraught, she goes through with it. Alan shares that he has had a great time with Monica but the punchline comes right at the end of the conversation, when he tells her he “couldn’t stand [your] friends”.

Chandler and Marjorie

Season 4, “The One with All the Wedding Dresses”

In a classic Chandler and Joey scene, when attending a sleep clinic to cure Joey’s snoring, the duo find themselves flirting with Marjorie, who eventually dates Chandler. She warns him that she’s a sleep-talker, but things take a turn when she turns out to be pretty vocal throughout the night, before screaming. Alarming the bemused Chandler, and annoying a frustrated Joey, Marjore becomes another character fated to a one-off appearance.

Rachel and Tommy

Season 3, “The One with the Screamer”

One of the many starring guest appearances on Friends is Ben Stiller, who played Tommy, a man who briefly dates Rachel. While around her, he appears to be a nice, harmless guy. However, when Ross meets up with the couple at the cinema and Rachel leaves momentarily, Ross watches Tommy unleash a disproportionate level of rage at an elderly couple. After a warning to Rachel from Ross, and a subsequent row between he and Tommy over an almost spilled cup of coffee, Rachel still doesn’t believe Ross’ concerns, dismissing them as a ploy to split up the new couple so the will-they-won’t-they couple will reunite. However, when Tommy aggressively screams at Chandler and Joey’s chick and duck and Rachel and the others overhear, he accepts his rage is out of the bag and breaks up with Rachel.

Joey and Sarah

Season 10, “The One with the Birth Mother”

Perhaps one of the show’s most iconic scenes and lines stems from one of Joey’s many unsuccessful dating attempts. This time, it’s with Phoebe’s friend who she initially refuses to set up with Joey due to his promiscuous past. Eventually changing her mind, Joey bags a date with Sarah, who unfortunately breaks Joey’s one, non-negotiable dating rule: she takes some food off his plate, hence, “Joey doesn’t share food!” After some failed attempts at fries-based compromise, he is shocked to learn she won’t even share her food with him, causing him to retaliate and finish off her dessert while she’s in the bathroom. Suffice to say she does not become a recurring character.