By Colin McCormick & Adrienne Tyler
Updated
Follow
Followed
Thread
Link copied to clipboard
Friends
Related
The Best TV Shows Of All Time, Ranked
The 15 Best Friends Characters, Ranked
Surprisingly, One Of Friends' Most Famous Recurring Characters Only Appeared On Screen Twice
Sign in to your ScreenRant account

Summary
- Ross and Rachel's relationship on Friends is one of the most iconic love stories in television history. The couple's on-again, off-again romance kept fans hooked throughout the show's 10 seasons. Here's a timeline of their relationship:
- Ross and Rachel first meet in season 1 when Rachel moves to New York and gets a job at Central Perk. Ross is immediately attracted to Rachel but keeps his feelings to himself.
- Their relationship was filled with ups and downs, including memorable moments like the "we were on a break" debate and Ross saying Rachel's name at the altar. Despite dating other people throughout the show, Ross and Rachel were always meant to be together in the end.
As the most prominent relationship on Friends, Ross and Rachel's timeline extended throughout the entire run of the beloved sitcom. Their relationship was hinted at from the very beginning, with Rachel joining the group in the pilot episode after running away from her wedding, and Ross making it evident that, after all these years, he still had a crush on her. Though the show featured a number of great romances in its 10-season run, the focus on Ross and Rachel, and their many ups and downs, cemented them as an iconic sitcom couple.
This couple was the source of many of the show's most iconic moments, such as Friends' “we were on a break” debate, and Ross saying Rachel’s name instead of Emily’s at the altar. Their relationship was so complicated that it’s easy to forget some of the best moments that happened between breakups and make ups. The first seasons were heavily focused on Ross and Rachel’s “will they, won’t they” situation, their time together, and all the mess that happened after they broke up. Although Ross and Rachel spent years apart, just as friends, they were the true endgame of the show.
Related
The Best TV Shows Of All Time, Ranked
The best TV shows of all time will be debated forever, but there are clear contenders. These are the very best TV shows of all time, ranked.
7
Friends: A Complete Timeline Of Ross & Rachel’s Relationship
Ross And Rachel Start Dating (After Some Miscommunication)
Ross & Rachel Milestone | Episode Number | Episode Title |
---|---|---|
Rachel gives Ross a "thank you" kiss | Season 1, Episode 5 | "The One With The East German Laundry Detergent" |
Rachel and Ross kiss for real in the coffee shop | Season 2, Episode 7 | "The One Where Ross Finds Out" |
Rachel finds Ross' "pros/cons" list about her and Julie | Season 2, Episode 8 | "The One With The List" |
Rachel kisses Ross after seeing the prom video | Season 2, Episode 14 | "The One With The Prom Video" |
Ross and Rachel's relationship timeline began when they met in high school. Even though Ross was older, and Rachel was his sister's best friend, that didn’t stop him from developing a crush on her, though he never really made a move. Rachel lost touch with Ross and Monica until she ran into Monica a year prior to the Friends pilot episode, and she later moved in with her after running away from her wedding. Though Ross confessed to having a crush on her in the first episode, once again, he didn't ask her out.
Most of the first season follows this set up, with Ross clearly in love with an oblivious Rachel, and though they have the odd moment together, nothing truly develops. One of the biggest moments of the first season, then, was when Ross was away for work, and Rachel finally realized that he had feelings for her - and for a moment, it seemed as though the two might end the first season together. However, Friends was never going to make it that easy for the two to get together.
The first episode of Friends aired on September 22, 1994.
By midway through Season 2, the show dangled another 'possibly' for the couple, when Ross and Rachel very nearly get together. Ross leaves Julie, and the two are on the cusp of their first date, when Rachel finds Ross's pro-con list, and walks out on him. This became their first major 'break up', with multiple episodes of their drawn-out arguments. It was a great way to continue to build tension between them, without actually giving the audience the payoff of a real relationship. Eventually, though, the tension breaks with an emotional kiss - and Ross and Rachel are about to have their first phase as an actual couple.
Ross and Rachel (Finally) Dating (seasons 2-3)
Ross & Rachel Milestone | Episode Number | Episode Title |
---|---|---|
Ross and Rachel sleep together | Season 2, Episode 15 | "The One Where Ross And Rachel… You Know" |
Ross and Rachel say "I love you" | Season 2, Episode 20 | "The One Where Old Yeller Dies" |
Ross and Rachel fight and decide to take a break | Season 3, Episode 15 | "The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break" |
Ross sleeps with Chloe, not knowing Rachel wants to reconcile | Season 3, Episode 16 | "The One With The Morning After" |
The rest of season 2 finds Ross and Rachel now fully committed to their relationship and beginning to reach some of those important relationship milestones. As the title of season 2's "The One Where Ross And Rachel… You Know" suggests, the couple sleeps together for the first time, which happens to be in the museum where Ross works. The episode "The One Where Old Yeller Dies" finds the two arguing about their future together but it ends with them telling each other "I love you" for the first time.
Their romance carries on nicely over the course of season 2 and into season 3, which is when some complications begin to creep in. While it was enjoyable to see them in a happy relationship, the stress between them is much more fun to watch! Ross starts getting jealous of Rachel's relationship with her coworker Mark and all the time she is spending with him.
He also seems jealous of the time she is spending at work, despite the fact that she is finally in a career she is passionate about. The frustration between Ross feeling ignored and Rachel feeling controlled leads to an argument that ends with the decision of Ross and Rachel's infamous "break" in season 3's "The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break".
Thinking their relationship is over, Ross sleeps with a woman named Chloe, not knowing that Rachel has changed her mind and wants to get back together. However, she quickly finds out what Ross did, and following a long fight, they decide to break up for good. Their huge fight here was so long, in fact, that it ends up being referenced multiple times later in the season - and was the centerpiece of a truly iconic episode. This season is also a huge one for Rachel, as she is growing in her career, and evidently from this, in her self respect. However, the two still absolutely have feelings for each other, and it's clear that their relationship isn't truly over yet.
Post Break-Up, Two Weddings, And Three Divorces For Ross (seasons 3-6)
Ross & Rachel Milestone | Episode Number | Episode Title |
---|---|---|
Rachel tells Ross she still has feelings for him | Season 3, Episode 25 | "The One At The Beach" |
Ross and Rachel get back together then quickly break up after arguing about their "break" | Season 4, Episode 1 | "The One With The Jellyfish" |
Rachel asks Ross to take out her boss' niece, Emily | Season 4, Episode 14 | "The One With Joey’s Dirty Day" |
Ross announces his engagement to Emily | Season 4, Episode 19 | "The One With All The Haste" |
Rachel flies to London to stop Ross' wedding to Emily and tell him she loves him | Season 4; Episodes 23 | "The One With Ross’ Wedding, Part 1" |
Rachel chooses not to tell Ross; Ross says Rachel's name at the altar instead of Emily | Season 4; Episodes 24 | "The One With Ross’ Wedding, Part 2" |
Emily tells Ross she will have him back if he never sees Rachel again; Ross chooses Rachel | Season 5, Episode 6 | "The One With The Yeti" |
Ross and Rachel drunkenly get married | Season 5, Episode 24 | "The One In Vegas, Part 2" |
Ross and Rachel officially divorce | Season 6, Episode 5 | "The One With Joey’s Porsche" |
Not only does Ross and Rachel's romance fall apart, but they also struggle to maintain their friendship throughout the rest of season 3. This is not helped by the fact that Ross begins dating Phoebe's friend Bonnie. However, when on a trip to a beach house, in which Bonnie joins them, Rachel admits to Ross that she still has feelings for him and they kiss. Rachel suggests that they can get back together, but though they do briefly, season 4's "The One With The Jellyfish" finds them quickly breaking up over a disagreement about their "break". This became another iconic moment for Friends, with the debate still raging over whether or not they were on a break.
The next big storyline for the pair centers on Ross's second marriage, to Emily. When the two first get together, it's clear that Rachel is struggling, and dislikes Emily as a result. The entire gang, minus Ross, knows how Rachel feels, which is an interesting parallel to season one - but in the end, Rachel decides not to tell him how she feels. However, in one of the biggest twists in the show, Ross says Rachel's name at the altar, and it was clear that the game between them was not going to end just because Ross married someone else! Emily, and their relationship, was written out of the show shortly after.
The Friends episode "The One In Vegas," which served as the season 5 finale, is one of the funniest moments in Ross and Rachel's timeline. After arguing with each other throughout their trip to Las Vegas, Ross and Rachel end up getting drunk and marrying each other in a spur of the moment decision. They are so drunk, in fact, that they don't even realize they got married at first! However, Rachel doesn't want to be married, and despite Ross being very hesitant to make it official that he has three failed marriages, they finally get divorced in the season 6 episode "The One With Joey’s Porsche."
Post-Divorce - And A Quiet Period (seasons 6-7)
Ross & Rachel Milestone | Episode Number | Episode Title |
---|---|---|
Rachel and Ross nearly sleep together | Season 7, Episode 1 | "The One With Monica’s Thunder" |
For the first time in the series, season 6 and season 7 kept things pretty quiet for Ross and Rachel. However, there is one moment together in season 7's "The One With Monica’s Thunder" when the couple nearly sleeps together. After reminiscing about their relationship, and admitting it was out of control at times, they realized that they never had a "bonus night" following their break-up. However, this falls through when Rachel and Monica end up getting into a fight.
This episode may have felt a bit random, but it was an excellent way to keep the tension between the two simmering, and remind fans that their relationship wasn't over yet - before building into the massive change that is going to see them both becoming parents!
Ross and Rachel Have a Baby (seasons 7-8)
Ross & Rachel Milestone | Episode Number | Episode Title |
---|---|---|
Rachel confirms she’s pregnant | Season 8, Episode 1 | "The One After ‘I Do’" |
It’s revealed that Ross is the father of Rachel’s baby | Season 8, Episode 2 | "The One With The Red Sweater" |
Rachel gives birth to their daughter, Emma | Season 8, Episode 22 | "The One Where Rachel Is Late" |
Ross and Rachel argue about her dating life; she moves in with Joey | Season 9, Episode 13 | "The One Where Monica Sings" |
After a brief hint at the end of season 7, it is confirmed in season 8's premiere episode, "The One After ‘I Do’", that Rachel is pregnant. While she initially hides the identity of the father, "The One With The Red Sweater" reveals that it is Ross' baby. In the season 8 finale, Rachel gives birth to their daughter Emma while Ross contemplates rekindling their romance. However, this is sidelined when Rachel, emotional from the delivery, accepts Joey's accidental proposal, offending Ross.
The two decide to simply co-parent their daughter together while all living in Ross' apartment. However, things get too awkward when they both start dating other people and Ross proves uncomfortable with it. As a result, Rachel and Emma move back in with Joey. From there, the couple begins to pursue other romances, including the controversial romance between Rachel and Joey.
At times, during this period, it did feel as though Ross and Rachel were truly done - despite co-parenting, there was no real move toward a relationship, and both were dating other people. When Rachel and Joey got together, that may have been the final nail in the coffin. However, by this point, this would have been a disappointing end to their story, and Rachel and Joey (thankfully) broke up.
Ross And Rachel End Up Together (Season 10)
Ross & Rachel Milestone | Episode Number | Episode Title |
---|---|---|
Rachel and Ross sleep together | Season 10, Episode 16 | "The One with Rachel's Going Away Party" |
Rachel decides to stay and get back together with Ross | Season 10, Episode 17 | "The Last One" |
With the final season of Friends looking to wrap things up, the relationship between Ross and Rachel is dealt a blow when she is offered a job in Paris. Season 10's "The One with Rachel's Going Away Party" sees Rachel saying a one-on-one farewell to all of her friends, but skipping over Ross. When he confronts her about it, she admits it is too hard to say goodbye to him and they end up sleeping together.
The last episode of Friends aired on May 6, 2004.
This leads into the finale in which Ross decides to confess how he feels to Rachel and stop her from leaving. While she initially chooses to go, she reveals that she got off the plane and Friends ends with Ross and Rachel finally together after a long and complicated romance.
The Cast Has Confirmed That Ross And Rachel Were On A Break
How Did The Confusion Of Ross And Rachel's "Break" Begin?

Ross and Rachel's "break" debate ran throughout most of Friends, but the cast confirmed that the couple was "on a break." During the Friends reunion, interviewer James Corden asked the infamous question to the cast, and they each agreed that, yes, Ross and Rachel were on a break. The break began in season 3 when Ross became insecure about Rachel's career taking off. She ends up having to work on their anniversary, and Ross tries to surprise her at the office, disrupting Rachel's busy day, because she's busy.
Ross blames her attractive coworker Mark, and she proclaims that the two need a break from each other, leaving Ross to bring someone home from the club. He decides not to tell her the next day when she wants to get back together, but the woman in question is roommates with Gunther and the truth comes to light. "The break" obviously meant something different to both parties: Rachel probably just wanted space, but Ross took it as a full-blown breakup. But they were unequivocally on one.
Related
The 15 Best Friends Characters, Ranked
Friends has entertained fans for almost three decades by now thanks to the quirky set of characters. So who did Ranker fans vote to as the very best?
David Schwimmer And Jennifer Aniston Were Crushing On Each Other While Filming Friends
How The Friends Actors' Relationship Resembled Ross And Rachel's Earlier Moments
During the Friends reunion, David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston revealed that they had crushes on each other while filming the show. Schwimmer was the first to reveal the behind-the-scenes secret, admitting that he had a "major crush on Jen" during the debut season. Aniston confirmed that she was attracted to her co-star, too, though their mutual attraction may not have been at the same time. Schwimmer went on to say:
"At some point, we were both crushing hard on each other, but it was like two ships passing because one of us was always in a relationship and we never crossed that boundary."
While nothing happened between the two, it's interesting to know that Ross and Rachel's chemistry might've been just as palpable behind the scenes. Aniston admitted that the actors just ended up putting all their love and adoration for each other into their onscreen relationship. This tidbit makes Ross and Rachel's journey all the more interesting when watching it in hindsight. These on-set missed moments and signals mirror Ross and Rachel's trajectory perfectly with them never seeming able to get on the same page.
How Many Other Partners Do Ross And Rachel Have In Friends?
Which Character Had More Romances On Friends?
Though the Friends finale makes it clear they were meant to be together, both Ross and Rachel had numerous other partners throughout the show. Over the course of Friends, Rachel had 17 boyfriends, including Ross. She started off the series by escaping her wedding to Dr. Barry Farber, and while she and Ross got off to a great start directly afterward, they broke up so many times that there were bound to be people in between. Some of these boyfriends became fan-favorites, like her much younger coworker Tag Jones and the Italian-speaking Paolo. However, she was always meant for Ross.
Ross similarly had a slew of relationships over the course of Friends, and famously, marriages too. Including Rachel, Ross had 12 girlfriends, with three of them being promoted to wives. Carol is by far Ross' most memorable marriage, as she had a son with him named Ben Geller and moved on to dating her partner Susan directly after coming out to Ross. His second wife was Emily, who had a hard time staying with him after he said the wrong name at the altar. Regardless, these relationships were meant to set up the tension necessary to create Ross and Rachel's will-they-or-won't-they dynamic that worked so well throughout Friends' run.

Success!
Friends
Friends is the popular sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, released back in 1994 and ran for ten seasons. The show follows a group of six twentysomethings through their lives in New York City and their time spent between their two apartments and their local coffee shop. The show features the group navigating tricky relationships with one another and comical misadventures.
- Cast
- Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer
- Release Date
- September 22, 1994
- Seasons
- 10
- Writers
- David Crane, Marta Kauffman
- Friends
Follow
Followed