Jennifer Aniston has a favorite Friends episode, and it happens to be one that changed Rachel’s story forever. The 1990s saw some of the most influential TV shows of all time, among them Friends, created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. Despite its simple premise of following a group of young adult friends in New York City, Friends was a massive success, making TV history for different reasons. Although some things about Friends haven’t aged well, the show continues to be one of the most influential and beloved ones.
The popularity of Friends also boosted the careers of its main cast, who went on to have successful careers in TV and film. The main cast of Friends has been very open throughout the years since the show ended about its impact on their careers, pop culture, and TV history, and have shared a couple of behind-the-scenes stories. The cast has also been honest about their thoughts on the show, including their favorite episodes, and Jennifer Aniston’s favorite was key to her character’s development.
Jennifer Aniston's Favorite Friends Episodes Are The Ones About Their Past
Friends Had One Too Many Flashback Episodes
During the James Burrows Tribute in 2016, the main cast of Friends (except Matthew Perry) reunited on stage. That night, Jennifer Aniston shared what her favorite Friends episodes are, revealing she always loved the flashback episodes, of which the show had many. However, she referenced season 2’s “The One With the Prom Video”, which coined the term “lobsters” and saw a flashback to Monica and Rachel’s senior prom. The episode sees Joey (Matt LeBlanc) giving Chandler (Perry) a tacky gold bracelet, while Ross (David Schwimmer) keeps looking for Rachel’s forgiveness after the list.
Parallel to this, Monica is given a box of her old possessions by her parents, where she finds a video of her and Rachel getting ready for their senior prom. The video sees Monica before losing a lot of weight and Rachel before her nose job, as well as a younger Ross sporting a very retro hairstyle. In the video, Monica and Rachel are excited about prom, but Rachel is stood up by her date, Chip Matthews.
Ross’ father encourages him to take Rachel to prom, but right as he steps out of his room with his tuxedo on, ready to take Rachel to prom, the girls leave as Chip surprisingly arrives. Ross is left heartbroken, and the video ends with a look at a sad Ross. Moved by Ross’ gesture, of which she had no idea, Rachel forgives Ross and kisses him.
"The One With The Prom Video" Is One Of The Most Important Rachel Episodes
“The One With The Prom Video” Had To Happen For Rachel’s Story To Move Forward
While most of Friends’ flashback episodes are for exploring the characters’ past with no direct impact on the present timeline, “The One With The Prom Video” is different. In this episode, the flashback serves a purpose in the story, especially that between Ross and Rachel. Ross had been in love with Rachel since they were in high school, but Rachel never paid attention to him. Rachel genuinely had no idea of the extent of Ross’ love for her, and the prom video made it clear for her.
Rachel was in the process of maturing and becoming a better person when the prom video happened, and her acknowledgment of what Ross did and her forgiveness for the whole mess with the list showed how far she had come – and, of course, the episode was also key in the development of Ross and Rachel’s relationship.
How The Prom Video Changed Rachel And Ross's Relationship Forever
Rachel & Ross’ Relationship Wasn’t The Same After That Night
Ross and Rachel’s potential relationship became a key focus of Friends from its first episode. Ross’ attraction to Rachel was revealed in the pilot, and Rachel’s arrival in their lives after running away from her wedding only made those feelings grow. However, there was always something or someone in the way of Ross and Rachel, and when it seemed like they could finally be together, Rachel found the list Ross had written of pros and cons of being with her.
The prom video made Rachel forgive Ross and give him a chance, and that was the official beginning of their relationship. Surely, Ross and Rachel’s relationship wasn’t easy at all, nor were they Friends’ best couple by the end of the show, but the drama in their relationship kept the show afloat many, many times. “The One With The Prom Video” is regarded as one of Friends’ best episodes, and it’s also one of its most important ones in terms of story and character development.
Source: James Burrows Tribute via US Magazine.
