Ross and Rachel had a tumultuous on-off relationship on the cult sitcom Friends. The question of their “temporary separation” continues to heat the minds of the fans to this day.
Friends (Quelle: tmdb.org)
- In “Friends” Ross and Rachel were THE serial dream couple.
- But had the two really taken a break from relationship when Ross cheated?
- We recapitulate the biggest debate of “Friends” and let experts have their say.
- At the very end of the article, you can vote and express your opinion!
On May 27th, 2021 the big “Friends” special edition “Friends – The Reunion” on HBO Max and in Germany at Sky published. Presenter James Corden asks the assembled cast of the series in the special: “Were Ross and Rachel temporarily separated?” and asks for a simple yes-or-no answer.
The series stars around Courteney Cox (Monica), Matthew Perry (Chandler) and Co. answer without exception all with “Yes”: Ross and Rachel were “temporarily separated” (in the English original: “on a break”). Even Jennifer Aniston, whose series character Rachel in “Friends” fought for her view of things as energetically, determined and doggedly for many seasons as her counterpart Ross (David Schwimmer), reacts with an unequivocal and affirmative: “Absolutely.”
Ross and Rachel’s Temporary Separation: What Happened?
The question of whether Ross and Rachel had taken a break from the relationship or not, even 17 years after the series ended, still heated the minds of the numerous “Friends“Fans and all over the internet.
The short version of the story: Ross and Rachel have an argument in season 3. Rachel suggests a break from the relationship (or an end?) (“Let’s take a break.”). Ross is leaving That same night she went to bed with Chloe (Angela Featherstone). Rachel calls in the morning and wants him back.
When the truth about the (supposed) fling comes to light, there is a dispute between Ross and Rachel for several seasons. This culminates in Rachel wrote an 18-page letter written on both sides.
Ross and Rachel seem to have reconciled, but the “Were they separated or not” question divides the iconic “Friends” couple again – and until the end of the series, Ross and Rachel do not get back together.
Of course, the “Friends” series makers fueled this heated debate with relish and deliberately as the grandiose sitcom continued. The phrase “We were on a break.” or in German “temporarily separated” became an almost as iconic running gag as Joey Tribbian’s legendary anmache “How are you?”
Both sides have good arguments
But who was actually right? Rachel believes Ross cheated on her and cheated on her. Ross had assumed the relationship would end. So should Rachel have forgiven Ross? Or was Ross just immature?
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Indeed, it seems to speak against Ross that he hopped into bed with his one-night stand Chloe just a few hours after the breakup. Especially with a couple like Ross and Rachel, who have known each other for so long, it seems rather tactless and thoughtless.
Relationship therapists get involved – does an online poll bring clarity?
The American Cosmopolitan even sought the professional opinion of some couple therapists on the “Were they separated or not” question. Therapist Patrice N. Douglas recognizes that The core of the problem lies in the unclear formulation of “Let’s take a break.”
Ross and Rachel should have clearly defined what they mean by “temporarily separated” – that is, set rules. According to the therapist Rachel actually said: “Let’s take a break.” If the “Friends” figure had said that, the whole problem would probably never have existed.
Psychotherapist Yoon Kane, however, says that the whole argument about who is right and wrong doesn’t help. Either you choose to be right – or for the relationship.
The dating app Plenty of Fish even conducted a survey on the “Were they separated or not?” Question. The result: 60 percent of respondents think that Ross is right. 44 percent of the women surveyed think that Ross has cheated, while only 36 percent of men share this view.
Can the heated debate among fans of the cult sitcom “Friends” ever be resolved satisfactorily? Hardly likely. And by no means should a clear decision or “correct answer” be presented here. And now it’s your turn! What do you think Take part in the Netzwelt reader survey:
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