As Friends leaves Netflix, faith offers the real connection

Iconic US comedy sitcom Friends is finally leaving Netflix at the end of December. I’m sure I’m not the only one keen to binge-watch my favourite episodes one more time, curled up on the sofa next to the Christmas tree, (cue, The One with the Holiday Armadillo, Season 7, Episode 10).

I wasn’t allowed to watch Friends growing up in a Christian household because of its repeated taking of the Lord’s name in vain and because of the way the characters normalise casual sex. But when I went to uni, and my housemates had it on all the time, I admit, the hilarious one-liners, relatable everyday catastrophes, and lovable characters had me hooked! (Not to mention my girl-crush on Rachel. I love her.)

So why is Friends so loved by the masses, and why are fans so devastated about it leaving Netflix?

So why is Friends so loved by the masses, and why are fans so devastated about it leaving Netflix? One viewer said the news was ‘probably the worst thing that’s ever happened to me’, while another said she was ‘genuinely heartbroken’.

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I think we love Friends so much because it shows us a life we all deeply crave - to be known, loved, and accepted for who we are. The group of six men and women, all from different backgrounds, meets in the Big Apple of New York City, each with their own stories of brokenness and imperfection. We watch them as they navigate one another’s edges and quirks, become friends, lovers, and, essentially, family, all while carrying out hilarious escapades that will make you belly-laugh.

Friends also depicts that season in life for some of us when we make friends who become like our family. You share your secrets, wear your pyjamas around each other, cook pasta, share chores, and spend every waking moment together. For me, that period was a year out in London, and then three years at university in Leeds, where I made some of my best friends for life.

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Then we enter the workforce or parenthood, and it can feel like we have to put those friendships on hold for a season. Raising babies, work, and general adulting mean we can’t live like ‘Friends’ like we used to, popping into each other’s homes, having constant sleepovers, and spending every moment of our free time together anymore.

So having an episode of Friends on after the kids go to bed is like a sweet dose of comforting nostalgia. I relate to one fan who said,  ‘Watching Friends while eating my favourite dinner is one of my small joys in life. Friends is “the ONLY thing I go onto Netflix every day for. I watch it non-stop back-to-back, my absolute comfort show.’ When September rolls around, I have it queued up and ready on Netflix every year. I’ll pop on an episode while cooking the kids’ dinner, or I’ll even make my hubby watch one with me after a stressful episode of something a little more high-drama.

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As believers, we also know we were made for connection with God, and with our brothers and sisters in Christ, so maybe that is also what Friends taps into and makes it so popular? Could the heartwarming show about always being there for each other be pressing on the God-shaped hole in hearts that can only be filled by him?

I know some Christians might agree with my mum in the 90s, that Friends is too secular a show, and it’s not good for believers to watch too much of. There are certainly themes included that aren’t edifying, such as womanising, casual sex, adultery, and idolising of careers (it’s also very sexist and dated in its attitudes, but that’s a topic for a different day). But there are some good themes of friendship, marriage, loyalty, and faithfulness in there, too.

I’m sad Friends is leaving Netflix, but I’m sure a break will do me good. Like with all content and worldly pleasures we can run to instead of Jesus, I want Jesus to be my primary source of comfort and strength so as I’m waving goodbye to Joey, Chandler, Monica, Rachel, Ross and Phoebe this December, I’m focussing on my Advent Bible reading plan instead, and on inviting my real-life girlfriends over on Friday night for mince pies and cups of tea on the sofa for authentic connection and community.