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Running for 10 seasons and 236 episodes, Friends became more than just any other sitcom of its time. Following its premiere, the sitcom about a group of friends was the top comedy show for six years. Moreover, it still is one of the most-streamed shows globally, two decades after its culmination.
A major plot point for the Central Perk comedy, however, was the on-off relationship between two of its characters - Ross Geller and Rachel Green. Coming painfully close several times only to part ways, their romance was a roller-coaster from the very start.
Additionally, the numerous instances of mix-ups, arguments, tears, joy, and the famous “We were on a break!” became the cherry on top.
Thereafter, in the 10 years depicted in the upcoming seasons, a game of hooking up and breaking up continued. To sum up, by the end of the show, the duo might have dated on and off for a couple of years, or slightly more at best, before ending up for one another.
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The relationship timeline of Ross and Rachel in every season of Friends
The relationship saga between the two friends at odds became a central plotline of the show. Each season introduced twists and turns that either brought them closer or pulled them apart.
Here is how the showrunners stretched this love story before finally handing it the pay-off it deserved:
Season 1: Love is a secret no more
The first episode of the first season of Friends rekindled Ross’ crush on Rachel. Having recently split up from his wife, Carol, he began pushing sly hints to ask the runaway bride out.
With no headway, he went on with his shy flirting, but received a big jolt when Ms. Green began a fling with Paulo, whom Ross dubbed a “crap-weasel”.
Fortunately, a slip of the tongue from Chandler Bing and an expensive gift of a broach made Aniston’s character realize the state of affairs. Unfortunately, as she darted to the airport to receive Ross from a work trip to China, she found him with a new love, Julie.
Season 2: A brutal twist with a sweet kiss
Ross’s ongoing relationship with Julie brought extreme jealousy to Rachel. Completely into him, she kept messing things up, including a date where she drunk-dialed her flame. In this Friends episode aptly titled The One Where Ross Finds Out, the cat goes out of the bag, and both lovers understand each other’s true feelings.
However, in his conundrum, Ross made a pros-and-cons list comparing her long love with Julie. Sentences like “just a waitress” almost spoiled the deal. Yet, that old prom video came to the rescue, and the duo became a couple.
Season 3: This cannot be forgiven
Rachel finally got “one of those job things” at Bloomingdale. The newfound pressure at work had her working long hours in the office, where she shared the space with a co-worker named Mark.
Ross, on many occasions, got suspicious of the latter’s intentions while also feeling ignored. However, all hell broke loose when Rachel showed up late to their year anniversary, kicking off a major fight and the start of them being “on a break”. Later on, attempts to reconcile failed as the man’s fling with a copy-girl got highlighted.
Season 4: The break gets messy
Green believing the entirety of the fallout to be Geller’s fault, asked him to sign an 18-page letter, with text on both front and back. Unable to settle on a common ground, a loud yelling of “We were on a break” marked a split.
The duo started to move ahead in their own lives. While Rachel developed a crush on a client named Joshua, Ross fell headfirst for Emily. Things began to develop at a rapid pace for Ross and Emily and before anyone could know, they were getting married in London.
The whole Friends gang, minus Rachel and Phoebe, adorned the setting, but the former unexpectedly showed up as well. The groom though messed things up by saying “I take thee Rachel” instead of Emily, messing things up.
Season 5: A costly affair at Vegas
Ross tried his best to resolve things with Emily but to no avail. Fortunately, the latter dialed back and agreed to get things back in order, but only if her once-groom cut ties with Rachel. Unable to accept it, the two parted ways.
Meanwhile, Monica and Chandler have become a couple and Joey’s latest work gig had the friends head to Vegas. A playful face-doodling prank on the plane, followed by a drunk card playing at the hotel, led Ross and Rachel to head to a chapel and get married in Sin City.
Season 6: They are still married!
An unwelcome situation prevailed in Friends, as Ross and Rachel failed to have their marriage annulled. Instead, the only choice was to opt for a divorce, resulting in the former’s third and the latter’s first such instance.
Further ahead, Dr. Geller started seeing other people, including Rachel’s sister Jill, for a brief while. Thereafter, he got involved in an almost serious relationship with his student, Elizabeth, whose father, on the other hand, found Rachel quite a match and they began to hit it off.
Season 7: Rachel is pregnant
The opening episode of this Friends season kicked off with Ross and Rachel reminiscing about their old days and times. Things almost hit a serious level before cooling off immediately. A hiring call made by Green for a young assistant named Tag turned into something serious.
The two dated for a while before parting ways due to their age and maturity gap. The closing credits, however, put forth a surprise twist, revealing that Rachel is pregnant.
Season 8: Joey kicks Ross out of the frame
In Friends season eight, not long after the news of Rachel being pregnant fanned out, Joey and Phoebe began a search to narrow down the father. Initially mistaking him to be Tag, the air cleared out when the lady herself walked out to Ross to break the news.
A girl named Mona also played a small role as Geller’s flame for a short while. Yet, things went wrong soon.
At the hospital, Rachel was due to give birth. While waiting, Joey entered the room. Upon noticing a small ring on the floor, which had fallen from Ross’ pocket, he bent to pick it up.
Right then, Green turned her gaze on her friend and, witnessing him with a ring, mistook him to be proposing to her, ultimately ending up saying a “yes”.
Season 9: New love, new prospects
The start of this season of Friends had a furious Ross, unable to digest the events between Rachel and Joey. For a while, the Geller-Green duo lived together at the latter’s apartment with their newborn daughter, Emma.
However, she soon moved out and went back to live with Joey. Things remained the same until the paleontologist met someone of his caliber, a woman named Charlie, who at that time, was involved with the aspiring actor of the Friends group.
On a trip to Barbados, towards the end of the season, things change. Joey and Rachel grew closer while Ross got moving with Charlie.
Season 10: The one where they lived happily ever after
After a few episodes, things became clear as air. The fling between Joey and Rachel was over. Moreover, the fashion executive also received an offer to work for Louis Vuitton in Paris. While understandably emotional to leave her group of friends, she decided to take the leap for her career.
In a two-part final episode of Friends, she said her goodbyes to all the core cast except for Ross. Furious, he decided to go after her, aiming to stop her from boarding the plane and confess his love one last time.
Phoebe came to the aid and drove a taxi down the busy roads. Yet, a mix-up in airport names proved everything to be futile.
Remarkably, in a win for love that was destined to be, Phoebe’s last-minute phone call of a “missing phalange” as well as Rachel’s change of heart had her return to Ross’ arms.
The closing scene then had the group leave for one last cup of coffee together before going their ways, with Ross and Rachel firmly in each other’s arms.
Friends, one of the best sitcoms, featured a 10-year love saga between Ross and Rachel, creating one of pop culture's most popular couples. This timeline provides a quick summary of their story for fans.
