Series Finale Speech

Lore & Background

The series finale resolves the long-running romantic arc between Ross Geller and Rachel Green. Throughout the series, Ross and Rachel were involved in an on-again, off-again relationship. Rachel first moved in with Monica in season one after nearly marrying Barry Farber. Ross had three failed marriages during the series: Carol Willick, a lesbian who is also the mother of his son, Ben Geller; Emily Waltham, who divorces him after he accidentally says Rachel's name instead of hers during their wedding vows; and Rachel, as the two drunkenly marry in Las Vegas. Following a one-night stand, Ross and Rachel have a daughter, Emma Geller-Green, in "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby, Part Two" at the end of season eight. In the final episode, Rachel gives up a dream fashion job at Louis Vuitton in Paris to be with Ross after they confess their love for each other.

In Their Own Story

In the final episode of the series, Ross and Rachel confess their love for each other, and Rachel gives up a dream fashion job at Louis Vuitton in Paris to be with him. This choice represents a pivotal moment for Rachel, who had worked her way up from a waitress at Central Perk to an assistant buyer at Bloomingdale's in season three, and a buyer at Ralph Lauren in season five. The confession and decision to stay together seal a decade of stories with one final choice.

Reader's Guide

The series finale aired on May 6, 2004, and was watched by around 52.5 million American viewers, making it the fifth-most-watched series finale in American television history and the most-watched television episode of the 2000s. All ten seasons of *Friends* ranked within the top ten of the final television season ratings, ultimately reaching the number 1 spot in its eighth season. The show's success led to a spin-off series, *Joey*, and a reunion special, *Friends: The Reunion*. Ross and Rachel's relationship was a central thread throughout the series. Rachel first moves in with Monica in season one after nearly marrying Barry Farber. Ross and Rachel are later involved in an on-again, off-again relationship throughout the series. Rachel dates other men during the series, such as Italian neighbor Paolo in season one; Joshua Bergin, a client from Bloomingdale's, in season four; Tag Jones, her assistant, in season seven; and Joey Tribbiani, one of her close friends, in season ten. Ross has three failed marriages during the series: Carol Willick, Emily Waltham, and Rachel. Following a one-night stand, Ross and Rachel have a daughter, Emma, by the end of season eight. In the final episode, Ross and Rachel confess their love for each other, and Rachel gives up a dream fashion job at Louis Vuitton in Paris to be with him. This conclusion validates the long-running question of whether they were meant to be together by having them choose each other one last time.

Did You Know?

• The series finale was watched by around 52.5 million American viewers, making it the fifth-most-watched series finale in American television history.
• The finale was the most-watched television episode of the 2000s.
• All ten seasons of *Friends* ranked within the top ten of the final television season ratings, reaching number 1 in its eighth season.
• The show's success led to a spin-off series, *Joey*, and a reunion special, *Friends: The Reunion*.
• Ross and Rachel have a daughter named Emma Geller-Green in 'The One Where Rachel Has a Baby, Part Two' at the end of season eight.