Canter Bridge

Talk about hitting your stride! That’s what the writers and cast of Friends accomplished in this memorable third season.

The narrative anchor of the season is Ross’ and Rachel’s breakup. Their conflicting anger and desire to get back together appear rhythically, right up to the season finale, ‘The One at the Beach’. Who was going to miss the fourth season after the brilliant ending, where Ross has to choose between Rachel – his forever love – and his beautiful latest fling, with her tragically shaved head? In retrospect, his choice seems inevitable, but as Season Three closed down, they all had us guessing.

While Ross and Rachel are figuring themselves out, each of their fellow characters gains greater definition and new depths of humor. We know them better now, and instantly catch every reference to their distinct packages of loopiness and obsession.

The writers must have known by this time what a winner they had, as well as how far to venture without ruining the recipe. Their confidence shows.

By this season, Friends felt to faithful viewers less like a promising sitcom and more like a slice of life, even of our own lives.

No doubt about it, Season Three was one of the best.