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Melissalane wins! Melissalane beat scarsandstories8 23 to 7.

Monica and Chandler were a more interesting couple than Ross and Rachel.

Melissalane

Record: 5 - 3 - 2

Winner! 23

scarsandstories8

Record: 6 - 1 - 3

Loser 7

Melissalane said

Yes, Ross and Rachel had pent-up desire, misunderstandings, long kisses in the rain outside Central Perk . . . and then they had incessant break-ups and long periods of time where they weren't a couple at all. By the final episode, I was merely pleased that Ross and Rachel ended up together--I should have been thrilled! However, as I've said before, I think it's a mistake when shows have couples break up and get back together often. I can't speak for all viewers, but this viewers loses interest.

On the other hand, Monica and Chandler began as friends--not "will they or won't they 'friends'," but actual friends. When they first hooked up in London, they assumed it was a fling, and when they kept not breaking up, it was as much to their surprise as anyone else's. Their first season together, during which they hid the relationship, made for some of the most hilarious episodes of the series. More importantly, we got to see them go through every stage together--courtship, engagement, marriage, and--in the final episode--parenthood. Much more interesting, to me, than the latest in a string of reconciliations, which is what the last episode had in store for Ross and Rachel.

scarsandstories8 said

You make super-duper good points, but I'm still going to have to disagree. I know what you are saying about the on again/off again dealio, as it is the same I feel with haley and nathan on one tree hill. However, for me... this is Ross and Rachel. I really don't know how else i can say that, so sorry if that is not understandable.
Ross and Rachel began on day one of the show, and I have been a fan of theirs since I first started watching Friends. Although I would have loved for them to just plain be together, them being apart is what really makes me realize how much I truly like them together. I mean, what is Ross and Rachel without Ross's wedding? "I Ross, take you, Rachel---". Haha, c'mon!
But that's not all-- so many of my favorite Friends memories are because of Ross and Rachel. One of my favorites is definitely Phoebe talking about Ross and Rachel being each other's lobsters. Classic. Or even Ross's "We were on a break!"
As for the finale, I absolutely LOVED it. Ross listening to the message and screaming at the machine wondering whether or not she got off the plane and then Rachel showing up behind him was classic.
I love Monica and Chandler... but it's Ross and Rachel!

Melissalane said

I think I know what you mean by "It's Ross and Rachel!" They did have some iconic, huge moments, and I loved all that drama at first. However, as with many other TV couples (Meredith and McDreamy, Sam and Diane, Joey and Dawson), their fighting and on-again/off-again status soon got old.

How refreshing, then, that Monica and Chandler never broke up once. Sure, they fought--but they always worked through it. That may sound boring to some, but since that's so rare on TV, I found it fascinating. I loved that before Chandler proposed, there were misunderstandings that could have resulted in Monica cheating on him with Richard--but she didn't. She went to see Richard, but left because she wanted to talk things out with Chandler.

With Monica and Chandler, the drama wasn't the typical stuff most TV couples go through, like cheating, keeping secrets, and breaking up often. Their dramatic scenes were more thought-provoking: Monica afraid Chandler wouldn't love her anymore if she became overweight again; Chandler leaving his job in Tulsa to be closer to his wife; the couple learning they may not be able to have a baby. I rooted for this couple because they felt so real.

scarsandstories8 said

You, once again, bring up many great points. You honestly even make me feel as if Monica and Chandler should be my favorite couple, to tell you the truth. But still, it remains Ross and Rachel for a reason that I can't seem to describe very well. Maybe I'm a sucker for the geek gets the girl? I don't know.
Truly, this couple is the usual couple for today's movies and tv shows (ie: summer/seth, serena/dan). But, when I think about it, it honestly seems as if Friends set the trend with Ross and Rachel. Yes, they are obvious--- or at least more obvious than Monica and Chandler. And, yes, Ross is "boring". But doesn't it count for anything that the show knows he's boring? There are constant jokes about his geekiness, etc. that he isn't accidentally this way.
Monica and Chandler worked in the same way that Taylor and Ryan did on The O.C.-- the unexpected couple that, after we get slapped in the face with a randomish kiss, we want more. And still it remains the same on the OC- as much as I love Taylor and Ryan together, Seth and Summer win me over.
There have been many shows where will they/won't they turns into "who cares?". But I believe Ross and Rachel never hit that dead end.

Melissalane said

You bring up good points as well--the comparison to the OC's characters gave me pause, because Seth and Summer ARE the "classic" (to use your word!) couple compared to Ryan and Taylor. Here are two major differences, though:

1. Ryan and Taylor got together in the last year of the series. Had Friends ended at the end of Monica and Chandler's first year together, I'm not sure I'd feel as strongly about them as I do. What I loved about them was the fact that the show allowed them to stay together and grow over the course of five years. Monica and Chandler were adorable after one year, but after five they were much more than that.

2. Summer and Seth did break up and make up quite a bit, but their show only lasted four years. After four years, I was still enjoying Rachel and Ross (which is when Ross said, "I take you, Rachel" at his wedding to Emily, which I agree is classic). It's much harder to make a will they/won't they couple interesting over the course of ten years--and Friends didn't do that for me personally. Also, the making and breaking up is cute enough in high school and college--but weren't Rachel and Ross supposed to be grown-ups?

scarsandstories8 said

But for me, although I always wanted Ross and Rachel together, it wasn't like every episode was a will they/won't they. They both had long(ish) relationships with other people during the show. For instance, Ross and Emily and Rachel and Joey. Of course, all they while it was a will they/won't they for us, but that's our own fault. I'm glad that Monica and Chandler got together and stayed so, but I think the relationship between Ross and Rachel worked for them, as well. And, yes, it is a little high school drama-ish, but what TV show isn't?

Love 'em both, but what can I say? It's Ross and Rachel.

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scarsandstories8 03/25/08

sorry about my use of the word classic... haha

huzzah 03/25/08

Monica and Chandler were more interesting individual characters, ergo, the better couple. Ross and Rachel were the two most boring characters on the show. Gunther included.

CptSassyPants 03/25/08

I've always thought the same thing. I was way more invested in Monica and Chandler's relationship. It felt more real than anything else on the show.

Melissalane 03/25/08

I like the word classic.

Melissalane 03/25/08

I like the word classic.

scarsandstories8 03/25/08

Okay, then... I take back my apology :).

Melissalane 03/25/08

I'll accept your apology and offer my own: I'm sorry I'm always hitting "Save Comment" twice so my message appears more times than necessary!

scarsandstories8 03/25/08

Apology not neccessary, but accepted! haha

TV Fanatic 03/25/08

i think anybody coupled with ross makes for a boring couple.

scarsandstories8 03/25/08

awww... i thought ross was awesome, lol. you seem to share the majority opinion, though.

Melissalane 03/25/08

I thought Ross was awesome most of the time . . . but Chandler's so my favorite guy because he made me laugh more than anyone.

Liz 03/25/08

I thought that Ross and Rachel were just a horrible couple because they were complete opposites and they just never blended together. Monica and Chandler were meant to be together. Enough said.

fernie 03/26/08

Wow, I can't believe I never thought about this until now -- Monica & Chandler were a much more interesting couple. Sure, I was on the edge of my seat after the first misunderstanding between Ross & Rachel, but by the 15th? Not so much. I usually end up hating the 'main' couples in tv shows because of all the contrived drama (*cough* Meredith&McDreamy) & being much more interested in the secondary couples, that are allowed to evolve more naturally because the pressure wasn't on their relationship to be hyped as a Big Sweeps Event. (Plus, I never did like Rachel all that much.)

Moononastring 03/26/08

Though I liked Ross and Rachel a lot (yes even through all the ups and downs, I still loved the dynamic they had) I do have to agree that I was always more interested in (and identified more with) Monica and Chandler. Not only were they hilarious together, but their coupling really made sense. At the time, I remember thinking, "of course"...no why didn't I see THAT coming? It really did seem to work naturally in the context of the show, whereas the entire Ross and Rachel arch was a bit more forced.

HoneyBunny 03/26/08

I loved Monica & Chandler, always hated the Ross & Rachel hype. Thanks for creating this throwdown. Finally viewers can set the record straight on why we watched and who we enjoyed.

DRS248 03/27/08

Oh man, this is like asking me to choose my favorite child and I don't even have any children! I have to throw my hat into the ring for Ross & Rachel because their relationship gave me something to look forward too. Once Monica and Chandler got together, they were together and that was that. Yes it was a more mature relationship, but they got together and then got married and then had kids. Ross & Rachel didn't follow the typical path. And the fact that they had Emma out of wedlock and still found their way to each other despite the fact that "They Were ON A BREAK" makes me exceedingly happy. I will always wish we got more than just the series finale with them together, but they were always the "meant-to-be" couple and I was happy to be on the ride with them.