Friends, the iconic sitcom that ran for 10 seasons, remains one of the most beloved comedies of all time. However, like many long-running shows, it isn’t without its share of plot holes and continuity issues. While fans continue to adore the characters and their unforgettable moments, several inconsistencies have confused fans over the years.
These inconsistencies are often minor but still noticeable enough among eagle-eyed fans. One of the most striking plot holes is the timeline of Rachel Green’s pregnancy. Despite the highs and lows of the storyline, the pregnancy timeline has left fans questioning the show’s attention to detail. Here’s a closer look at the blunder.
Rachel’s pregnancy timeline blunder in Friends still sparks confusion among fans
In the final episode of Friends‘ Season 7, fans were shocked when Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), discovered she was pregnant. It was just in time for Monica and Chandler’s wedding reception. What followed was a rollercoaster drama as Rachel navigated her newfound pregnancy, all the while keeping the father’s identity in the dark. It wasn’t until Season 8 that viewers learned the father was none other than his ex, Ross Geller (David Schwimmer).
At Monica Chander’s wedding in May, viewers came to know that Rachel was already six weeks pregnant. Calculating the timeline, it is believed that the due date would have been roughly in February of the following year. However, as the series progresses, it becomes evident that Rachel’s pregnancy is dragging on much longer than expected.
By the time Valentine’s Day rolls around, nearly a year after the wedding, Rachel is still very visibly pregnant, which raises some serious questions. Given the timeline, it would have been impossible for her to remain pregnant for the entire duration between May and February. Fans quickly took to social media and online forums to point out the glaring inconsistency in the show’s timeline.
What happened to Ross’ children Ben and Emma in Friends?
Fans of Friends have also raised one of the most puzzling concerns of the show: the sudden disappearance of Ross Geller’s son Ben (Cole Sprouse). Introduced in season 1, the young boy was Ross’ child with his ex-wife Carol. Ben was a regular in the show’s early seasons, sharing moments with the group. However, as the series progressed, Ben was noticeably absent, even during major events for Ross.
While Ross’s daughter Emma, born to him and Rachel, was featured more prominently in later seasons, Ben’s disappearance remained unclear. Fans quickly noticed that Ben had never met Emma on screen. Some fans even speculated that Ross may have lost custody of him.
Emma, being very young, appeared less frequently throughout the later series. During key moments for Rachel, such as her move to Paris, she stated that Emma would stay with her mother; however, she ultimately ended up in New York City, building a life with Ross.
While the pregnancy timeline and Ben’s disappearance may have left many scratching their heads, it’s just a few instances where Friends sacrificed continuity for the sake of drama. Still, fans continue to love the show. Even more than two decades after the show’s end, the sitcom still remains one of the most beloved comedies of all time.
Friends is available to stream on Netflix and Hulu.
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