Criticism in TV Guide

I was just going to start a thread on this, but you beat me to it :-)

 I must be missing something.  For the most part, I thought this was a
strong season, particularly when compared to last year. Ross is back on
track. The only thing that really bothered me was the whole Tag thing, but
even that, fortunately, finally ended.
  Of the expanded episodes, only one seemed like it was weak. For the rest,
I can't really think of any outright duds.  Even the first episode of the
season, while not executed very well, did try to address many of the
concerns we fans had raised about the show last year.   Joey auditioning for
the part of a 19-year-old?
Ross and Rachel again? All of these issues were handled in that first
episode.  And the rest of the season has helped move the characters in terms
of their development as well.   It's only natural for Chandler and Monica to
come together, and unlike other shows that soured with a marriage, there's
no reason why Chandler can't still be buddies with Ross or Joey....or why
Monica still can't hang out with Phoebe or Rachel.  And that's because this
group has always been presented as a group of friends who are so connected
to one another.
  Here's my take on why some critics have soured on "Friends."  When the
show began it was presented as the contrast to the creators' "Dream On," in
that their older show was about people who had already made important
choices in life, and had come to regret them. "Friends" was full of
characters who had yet to make important decisions about their lives. But
over the last several years, they have, of course, made these various
decisions, which some (Ross) regret, while others (Chandler/Monica) don't.
Too many critics probably see some of themselves in the characters' regrets.

Then why doesn't Chandler do that? :)

"Mike the Real American Hero" wrote in message news:[email]...

there's

Well, he did. I'm afraid of getting into too many specifics because of the whole overseas spoiler thing that was getting out of hand here before. But remember the cheesecake episode this season, Chandler's scenes were primarily with Rachel and NOT just Monica. (Okay, not exactly Joey and Ross, but same general idea.)

In article , "David Ballarotto" wrote:

David, I must say I quite agree with your long post from yesterday, and you're right about Chandler as well. There was a bit too much C&M in the first part of the season, but now they do get out more. :)

Tennant Stuart

Ouch .... I only saw 5 episodes from the 7th season so far, but they were great! Although, I got to see the cousin episode and was shocked, and this lesbian kiss thing DOES sound like trying desperately to get more rating. I don't know why they put those lame storylines, especially when the season starts out so good!

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In article , Roni Raab wrote:

Which ones?

I don't see why you're shocked about the cousin episode, Ross didn't even kiss Cassie, just leant towards her. In Europe they could have got married and had lots of kids - it would be perfectly legal, and no-one would think twice about it. Albert Einstein & Charles Darwin both married cousins.

And as for the so-called lesbian kiss, there's nothing particularly lesbian about it, but judge for yourself when you *see* the episode.

Tennant Stuart

Hmm, I must admit, although I'm from Europe, I do think it would've been weird...

You're right. Although Winona and Jennifer are both really, really cute, that was so harmless. I can't understand all the fuzz about it. Same thing when Ross kissed Joey. No bigger deal. *shrug* In A LOT of other countries, it's absolutely common to kiss (m/m, f/f, m/f) when greeting each other (e.g. Turkey, France...).

All in all, that whole criticism is imho not really justified. Since I've only the last two episodes to watch, it's safe to say, that I enjoyed this season more than season 6 (which was also good).

Didi

In article , "Didi" wrote:

Other Germans I've spoken to about this thought nothing of it.

Yep. When Melissa tried to kiss Rachel back, that *would* have been a lesbian kiss, if Rachel had not quickly moved away from her.

I totally agree.

It's a shame that people were put off watching these two episodes by the advance publicity - if only they'd seen them they wouldn't be so shocked.

Tennant

Tennant Stuart wrote:

The first 5 ... I only got to see the cousin episode because I was on a trip to California

I just thought that the idea of Ross having a crush on his cousin is weird, and it's just too low. I was more shocked to see that instead of the good jokes we had in earlier seasons, we now have these kind of storylines, to get rating. As for the kiss, i guess you're right. All I heard about the episode is that there's a lesbian kiss, so I'm not objective until I see the episode (in a few months only)

Well remember, he hadn't seen her in 10 years and he wasn't very close to her. It is kind of questionable, but I bet many people have had simialar feelings and don't act on them because it's "icky." Now if he had hit on Monica..then I'd be worried about Ross. :)>ll I heard about the episode is that

It's not really a "lesbian" kiss. I'm not gonna spoil it for you, but let's just say it was pretty overhyped.

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In article , Roni Raab wrote:

Ah, of those I only liked 703 & 705 - the season got into its stride with 706 which was brilliant, and since then a few have been better than that, and a lot more were very good. You're so gonna love the rest of Season 7.

He didn't have a crush, it was merely lust for a beautiful woman whom he hadn't seen since she was a gangly girl. You wouldn't say that Chandler was betraying Monica, or that Phoebe was cheating on Jake, would you?

It's best described as a same-sex kiss, no more gay than Joey/Chandler in 110 "TOW the Monkey" or Joey/Ross in 224 "TOW Barry and Mindy's Wedding".

Tennant

Tennant Stuart wrote:

I don't know who Jake is ... i guess that's later in the series ... :-)

Ok, that doesn't sound as bad as i thought