After Friends aired its series finale in 2004, the cast has continued to show their comedic talents but has moved into more dramatic projects as well. Jennifer Aniston has wowed fans as Alex Levy on The Morning Show, Lisa Kudrow played Linda on Feel Good, and Courteney Cox played Pat Phelps on Shining Vale and reprised her Gale Weathers role in Scream (2022).
While Friends has some hilarious quotes, the main characters dig deep into their emotions at times, whether Ross Geller and Rachel Green are processing their big break-up or Monica Geller and Chandler Bing are thinking about the future. Redditors have shared their favorite lines that are on the sad side.
“This can’t be it” “Then how come it is?”
Ross and Rachel break up in season 3
Ross and Rachel’s Friends relationship includes many sad scenes, including when they split up in season 3. Redditor szasy posed that this conversation is sad and wrote, “I love their acting in this scene. It feels so real, I think that’s why it hits me so hard!”
This quote is so impactful since Ross has been in love with Rachel since high school and never thought that they would actually date. When they start a relationship, Ross can’t imagine them ever being apart, and Rachel appreciates their connection as well. Fans are still heartbroken thinking about the pain the characters are in and how they’re unsure how to move on without each other.
“There’s a good chance this may never happen for us.”
Chandler talks to Monica about starting a family
Chandler and Monica become parents to twins Erica and Jack in the final episode of Friends, a beautiful moment that comes after a lot of hard times. Redditor karti24 posted the sad quote when Chandler tells Monica that starting a family hasn’t been easy and “It means that we can keep trying.”
The sitcom delves into the couple’s fertility struggles and shows how much they want to be on a parenting journey together. There is so much emotion in Chandler’s words and viewers know how much he cares about Monica and wishes he could fix this.
“We got some time” “Should we get some coffee?”
Monica and Rachel are emotional in the series finale
The series finale of Friends is full of feeling and nostalgia, as the main characters reflect on what they have been through together but know that things can’t be the same. Redditor theparadoxicalnaari shared that it’s heartbreaking when Monica says “We got some time” and Rachel suggests grabbing one last coffee.
It’s tough to think that the characters have moved out of their apartments and are living with their respective partners and kids as their lives have officially changed and they won’t see each other as often anymore. This is the tough reality of growing up.
“I used to think of you as somebody who would never ever hurt me…”
Rachel is devastated about Ross sleeping with someone else
When Ross and Rachel go on a break on Friends, viewers have many opinions about whose side to take. Fans agree that the split is messy and the characters are at a standstill. Redditor southside-best wrote, “The whole break-up episode is so emotional, they both done a phenomenal job of portraying heartache over cheating.”
While Ross doesn’t feel that he was unfaithful because he assumed they weren’t together anymore, Rachel sees it differently. No matter what fans think about this debate, Rachel’s words about trusting Ross and thinking that he would always take care of her and look out for her are tough to hear.
“It’s just the luckiest baby in the whole world.”
Phoebe talks about Ross and Carol’s baby
Carol Willick gives birth to Carol and Ross’s baby Ben in season 1, and Ross is full of emotion about becoming a father. Redditor FriendsMagic94 noted that it’s sad when Phoebe talks about how lucky the baby is because Carol and Ross will be amazing parents. Redditor pointlesmiserables added, “Phoebe is the most tragic character.”
While Phoebe’s plotlines focus on her jokes, songs, and optimistic attitude about life, Phoebe has had a terrible childhood full of so much pain, something that she carries around all the time.
“So what do we do now?” “We dance.”
Monica and Richard break up
Monica and Richard Burke’s Friends romance feels doomed because he’s so many years older. Redditor Loocylooo thinks it’s sad “When Monica and Richard are dancing at the wedding after realizing they should break up.”
The relationship is a perfect, relatable example of two people who care but know that they have to think realistically about what their love story means in the real world. Richard doesn’t want Monica to miss out on having a family, which is selfless of him.
“Getting over you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
Monica opens up to Richard about their tough breakup
Monica has a tricky and complicated experience when she sees Richard again and wonders if they made a mistake. But when she thinks about getting back together, she tells Richard how much pain she was in. Redditor kurdapy posted the sad Monica quote, “I don’t think I could do it again.”
Monica is known for loving to clean and organize dinners for her friends, and there are times when she can be too focused on organization. But Monica is also a great example of a character who is real about her feelings and who speaks her mind.
“You didn’t marry your Barry, honey. But I married mine.”
Rachel’s mom shares her unhappiness in her marriage
It’s tough for Rachel to hear Sandra say that marrying Leonard was a mistake, but at the same time, Rachel appreciates that her mom is being honest. Redditor Glasgowghirl67 mentioned this quote and added, “she married someone because it was expected of her and was miserable.”
Sandra acknowledges that Rachel was smart and realized that Barry Farber was the wrong person for her and while the journey has been tough at times, Rachel has forged ahead and stood strong.
“Well, if you’re gonna cry…”
Phoebe has a sweet scene with the triplets
For Redditor alicelily, Phoebe having triplets for her brother is definitely an emotional part of the show. The fan wrote, “when Phoebe is talking to the babies after giving birth and she says ‘well, if you’re gonna cry’ and then cries…that always gets me.”
This is a unique Friends storyline and Phoebe’s pregnancy and birth are so meaningful to her brother and wife. Phoebe may be a funny character with quirks who thinks about herself a lot, but she also cares about other people, and the importance of what she has done is sinking in.
“I can’t even begin to explain to you how much I’m gonna miss you.”
Rachel talks to Ross at her season 10 goodbye party
When Rachel has a goodbye party as she’s going to move to Paris, fans knew that she and Ross would have an emotionally charged moment. Rachel tells Ross that she’s going to miss him so much and Redditor romeroj113 mentioned this sad quote. Rachel continues, “When I think about not seeing you every day, it makes me not want to go…”
This line is so powerful as Rachel does ultimately realize that she belongs with Ross in New York City and she doesn’t want to be somewhere without him. After their terrible break-up and many arguments, it’s tough to imagine the couple not getting back together just in time for the show to wrap up.
