character development

[slackermonkey]

I thought this would be a good opportunity to have some more in-depth topics than another "what's your favorite season" or "which friend is the funniest" kind of topic.

Which friend do you think underwent the most development throughout the series?

Who do you think changed the most? The least?

Who changed for the best? The worst?

[slackermonkey]

My responses:

I think either Rachel or Chandler were the most developed. Rachel went from being dependent and not very world-wise, to having the responsibility of being a mother and working at a high-profile job. Chandler was able to mature slightly enough to get married and start a family, and was less insecure than he was at the beginning of the series.

Ross probably changed the most. The later seasons focused more on his neurotic and loser-ish side than his geeky, hopeless romantic side. The least would probably be Joey. Aside from becoming sweeter and a little dumber, he hadn't really evolved much further from the pilot.

The best change was probably Chandler. He was able to develop as a character and still retain the stuff people love about him. Worst would be either Ross or Monica for me. They developed into far too shrill characters.

[DukeDevils9192]

I'm pretty much with you slackermonkey on all accounts.

I think that Rachel and Chandler evolved the most. Rachel went from a waitress to a successful business woman (I think that's a huge gap in logic, but who cares?) and was able to become a successful mother (if not the best one--leaves her daughter with a stranger so she can give a presentation at work? Not cool). Chandler was far less insecure at the end of the series, though I'd say he was still a little uncomfortable in some situations. The important thing is that he learned he could keep a relationship.

Ross definitely changed the most. He went from Woody Allen to, well, some random psycho. I think his psycho character was funny, hilarious at times, but he was far better suited to play the innocent, dorkish romantic. I think his humor was far more subtle in the earlier seasons and that's what made the Ross/Rachel thing so successful. Monica changed a lot, too, however. She went from really cute and gentle, yet competitive and compulsive, to shrill and pretty obnoxious. They took the cleaning thing just a little too far and she became way too controlling. The early Monica would have made a great mother. The later Monica? I feel for Jack and Erica.

Joey and Phoebe changed very little overall, though, you could say that Joey was much more of a pig in the first season and then they eventually changed him to dumb and charming--something I really liked. I think the big problem with Joey's character is that the writers were never quite sure how to use him. Sometimes he was really dumb. Other times, he showed real insight and emotion. I liked him either way. Matt grew into a fabulous actor.

The best change? Hmm. Tough call. I'll go with Chandler as well.

[slackermonkey]

True. The only change is that they made Joey sweeter. In the earlier episodes, he was more of the stereotypical macho Italian guy.

But when you think about it, there really wasn't much reason to have Joey evolve.