Bare with this.
1) I have finally managed to succeed in downloading the *.asf version of 615 from Clark Kent's site. I feel that I should just say that it has to be the best, most imaginative, most familiar yet highly original episode of Friends since TOW Everyone Finds Out from midway through season 5. Yes, it relied on you having seen virtually all episodes from the past to get it's humour, to understand why the modified characters were as they were and are as they are. It was nice to see Barry and Susan back in the fold, albiet too temporarily. I'd began to wonder whether to two actors were reluctant to appear in the series ever again. (Also, I don't suppose it was Mindy that Barry was in bed with? The character or the actress?) However brilliant this episode was, (and it really was!!!), there is, as far as I can see, a downside to it. In my eyes, it could, and probably should signal the end of Friends....
2) .....the reason that 615 worked so damn well and was a hundred times
better than any recent episodes was becuase it was not focusing on the
increasingly repetative actions of the standard character personas. It
highlighted that the best days of the show are behind it, because it takes a
fantasy / flashback episode to make you realise how good, how brilliant,
Friends used to be; not just most of the time, but consistantly so. So I
would venture that Friends should certainly conclude at the end of its
current run. Now this, I am aware, would leave little time to resolve all
the storylines and issues that have ran through the series illustrious run.
This though, is how I reckon it could end by the end of season six. Chandler
and Monica, will eventually break up, because two such neurotic uneasy
characters cannot finish up happy and contented. The very nature of their
characters surely precludes them from finishing up any more happy than they
were when we were first introduced to them. It's how they are. It will be
their nature that eventually destroys their relationship, and now that they
live together, it should probably become an unpleasant, yet unavoidable
theme. Ross and Rachel are different though. They have been the series
longest running, and clearly most important relationship. And also it's
theme, as the majority of falshabck sections or episodes revolve around
thier history. They should end up together. How this would occur is
difficult to envisage to say the least, but it could be an epsiode that
features pretty much only them, stuck together for some reason. That's a
rather contrived idea, I know, but as far as I can see, there sin't much
option. And anyhow, Friends has always made good use of such situations.
Joey should accept a distraught Chandler back as his roommate very near the
end of the season. following a series of disfunctional roommate's, (Janine,
and perhaps one other.....), for him. Joey is a fairly positive character,
and so deserves a positive wrap up to his story. I think he should be
offered a one off return as the ghost of Dr. Drake Somethingorother, (can't
spell the surname!), with a possibility of a permanent role as the resident
ghost, because hey! Anythings possible in shows like Days Of Our Lives. The
Chick and the Duck will live happily ever after too, you can't really give
them too much of a story line!! Phoebe then. She's a problem, as she hasn't
had a large stortline since the triplets, and the way season six is going,
it doesn't look like there'd be too much time to get anything going. So it's
open season with her...I can't think of anything. maybe you can? Monica and
Ross' parents will feature briefly, to console Monica on her break up with
Chandler, and finally congratulate Ross on him and Rachle finally becoming
something of a stable item. Janice will bump inot Chanlderand realise that
he isn't, after all, stuck in Yemen, (the writers have really forgotten
about that haven't they?). This will emotionally destroy her and Chanlder
will take pity on her and the door will be left open for the possibility
that something may happen between the two at last. That'd be in the distant
future mind you.....! Carol and Susan should be split up by another lesbian
luring Susan away in ultimate reconpense for their relationship turning Ross
into what he was, a wreck who is, at heart, always wishing that Carol wasn't
a lesbian.
The reason I think that Friends should close at the end of the current
season is this. Sitcoms should not overstay their welcome. Teh greats, do
not do this. Fawlty Towers being the primest of prime examples. It will be
remembered for it's greatness. If Freinds were to end at the end of season
six, them the same, hopefully, will be said about is in twenty years time.
If it were to go on any further, (into a seventh season and beyond), then
however great it's formative and middle years were, it will not be
remembered for them. It will be remembered for the dodgy episodes and for
overstaying its welcome. That is dangerous, it would be sad, unjust, and
therefore not allowed to happen.
Finally, I think the three storylines running through the final hour
long episode, ( "The One With The End"), should be these. Firstly, and most
sadly, (but a good, Freinds pulling together finale type thing), Mr Treeger
should be made to die, (don't know how). And this should be revealed as a
shocking end to the penultimate episode,(Mr Treeger will feature heavily in
this episode), (The One With The Death Of A Legend). The funeral should be
the last scene before the scene where the credits roll. The second
storyline, and now I think about it, a possible reason for Mr Treeger's
demise, the coffee house should burn down, leaving Gunther with nothing to
do. That would be the third storyline, Gunther having to come to terms with
his own situation. This last episode of mine, as you can see, is focusing on
two minor characters. This is deliberate, because, by now, the six Friends
will all have their destiny's concluded, (as described earlier), and it is
clear that things for them will stay vaguely similar, but will eventually
change, (we will not be privy to that though). It's provide a good sense of
perspective on a rather unusually eventful six years! Finally, a poignant
final scene, (whilst the credits are rolling), should be in the brunt down
remains of the coffee house and Phoebe singing to keep spirits up. All the
cast and crew of the last six years will be there, either in character, (for
the actors), or pretending to be civilians, (for the crew). Phoebe will be
singing, with her guitar, the theme to Friends, (I'll Be There For You).
This may sound a somewhat surrela conclusion, but I think it will do a lot
to perpetuate well after the series is off the air, the overiding together
ness of the show. This is something that could be lost all too quickly if
the series continues on too long, what with money and all.............Sorry for the long post, and it maybe all a bit silly to imagine ever happening. But at this present time, and I must stress at this present time, this is how I believe Friends should end.
Chris