Approximately 12 minutes before she contemplated throwing Chandler over for Richard, who is about 20 years older than her, wasn't she making fun of Ross for going out with Elizabeth, who is only 12 years younger than him. And while Richard was a nice blast from the past (and he never really did feel like stunt casting, he was always a good sport in terms of really playing a character), it hurt the romance for me, a bit. How could she think about leaving Chandler if she loves him as much as she says, just because he acted loony for an afternoon? And if she loves Chandler that much, then marrying Richard would be morally wrong. I don't think they've given us any reason over the past two years to think that Monica didn't really love Chandler, so it felt false for her to think of picking Richard tonight. And, it was inane, even by Chandler/Joey standards, for Chandler to be so crude. That scene in the coffee shop -- he went too far. Anyone who made a pronouncement about marriage like that to a marriage-minded person knows they're risking an immediate break-up, Richard or no Richard. But just the specter of Richard should have been enough for Chandler to know that, since that's why she broke up with Richard, even though she loved him. We didn't need the real thing -- Chandler himself should have known he went too far just by remembering the past. The more I write, the less I liked that plot, although I think the engagement scene itself was very nice. (And, I loved the Phoebe/Rachel/Joey/Ross scene. Very funny.)
Monica the hypocrite
Okay, I just said I wouldn't post anymore, but oh well-:)...
Yeah, but Elizabeth is TWENTY. Monica was, like, 28-30. Monica, by that time, knew what she wanted. Elizabeth definately does not. And Monica and Richard's relationship DID end, and a lot of it had to do with their age--Richard already had kids and didn't want more, Monica had none and wanted kids. That's why it made sense that of all the characters, it was Monica who forced Ross to decide whether he wanted to continue the relationship.
And
But Monica loved Richard too, but ended their relationship a DAY after finding out that he didn't want kids. If Chandler was so set against getting married, I'm not surprised Monica would consider ending it.
But it was never about Monica picking Richard over Chandler because she loved Richard more than Chandler--it was about choosing the guy whose future goals were similar to hers. It was always Chandler for her.
And, it was
By Chandler/Joey standards, it seemed perfectly acceptable to me. In the actual proposal scene, he admits to Monica that he wanted so badly for it it to be perfect and surprising. By being extra-antagonistic of marriage would, he thought, allow for that to occur.
But Richard was with another woman at the time, so Chandler--although uncomfortable in his presence--never considered him a threat.
Lewis.
S p o i l e r
s p a c e
f i n a l e
s t u f f
I don't think Monica ever really thought about getting with Richard, she was just really hurt with Chandler's cavalier attitude about something that was so obviously important to her. Like she was saying to Ross at the table about how it all comes down to the question of if he could see himself married to her. She obviously felt that Chandler was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Then he acts completely immature and in comes the old love of her life..she was confused but she never intended to go with Richard. I mean she went to Richard's and complained about Chandler, she said maybe she needed a more adult relationship, but she didn't say she wanted Richard or that she loved him at any time. He asked her if she ever thought of him outside of being a eye dr, and she said no.. She was thinking about the idea of marriage and a family, not being with Richard. It really hurt her to think that the man she loved was unwilling to give her that. She told Richard he was being unfair, and he really was. The ending proved that Monica really was in love w/ Chandler, look at all the trouble she went through...lol she was gonna be the one to ask him, remeber?
====== "Life is never without love" -Sheryl Crow