But audiences didn’t care about critics. The pilot earned a (approx. 31 million viewers), finishing #1 in its timeslot. By episode 6, it was a top-5 show. By season 2, it was the #1 show on television.
The camera lingers on Ross’s face. He looks at Rachel. She doesn’t notice. The audience realizes: this isn’t just a show about six friends. It’s a seven-season-long slow-burn romance. friends season 1 episode 1
Ross Geller, Monica’s older brother, is freshly divorced from Carol, his lesbian wife. He’s mopey, insecure, and carrying a futon up four flights of stairs (“Pivot!” doesn’t happen until S5, but the spirit is there). He’s had a crush on Rachel since 9th grade. But audiences didn’t care about critics
Central Perk café. The orange sofa. The exposed brick. Monica’s older brother