THIS is why Ross and Rachel had to break up in Friends

Katie Baillie

(Picture: Alice S. Hall/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

There was a reason Ross and Rachel had to break up in Friends, and it’s kind of heartbreaking.
There was the time Ross bought Rachel that pin she’d spotted in the window of an antiques shop having harboured a crush on her since teenhood, followed by the time he made that list about pros and cons of dating Rachel that broke her heart.
Then all was lovely again after she saw a video of him ready to save the day and take her to prom when her date dropped out.

(Picture: Danny Feld/NBCU Photo Bank)

Then there was the time Ross got all jealous and they took the infamous break that led to Ross cheating, followed by them rekindling things when he unwittingly agreed to take responsibility for everything.
Then he took it back.
Later he called her name while getting married to Emily, then they got married in Vegas – before getting divorced.
Then further down the line Rachel fell pregnant with his baby following a night of passion on Chandler and Monica’s wedding invitations, followed by them FINALLY getting back together in the last ever episode.
Jeez – More ups and downs than an Olympic trampoliner.
See a pattern? Massive conflict. The whole 10 years were pretty much an argument for them. But why? Why were things so up and down? Why couldn’t they have just be together forever???

(Picture: Danny Feld/NBCU Photo Bank)

Here’s the reason they were so on again/off again – No one likes happily ever after. Simple as.
James Burrows, the show’s creator and the person whom the cast will be celebrating with their NBC reunion on February 21, explained:
‘It’s the same as Sam and Diane [from ​Cheers]. They flirted for a lot longer, but you have to shake it up.… If you don’t fight, and if you don’t get angry, you have no place to go.’
Sad, sad times.

(Picture: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)

One of the Friends cast was also left a bit heartbroken when she realised something about her character – Lisa Kudrow was the only one of the six to have to audition for her part twice.
She played Phoebe Buffay for the entire 10 year run of the show, and during the tribute to James Burrows on NBC, Lisa learned she was the only one called back to audition for the creator.
She said: ‘But I had to come in and audition for Jimmy.’
Courtney Cox revealed the truth by asking: ‘Did you?’
None of the others had had to do that. Awkward.

(Picture: Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

They also spoke about how they all became real friends while making the show.
Matt LeBlanc said: ‘[Burrows] really encouraged us all to get along and get to know one another and be kind to one another, and support one another, help one another.’
Aw bless.