Paul Rudd Saved ‘Friends’ Final Season

The big picture

• The decrease in the quality of
  Friends
  in its penultimate season it could have compromised the show's satisfying ending.
• Paul Rudd's character Mike Hannigan played a crucial role in rejuvenating the show and bringing energy and excitement to the final season.
• Mike's relationship with Phoebe was a breath of fresh air and added a new dynamic that helped
  Friends
  end on a high note.

Friends had an incredibly impressive run on NBC for 10 seasons, and the show has only grown in popularity since hitting syndication and streaming platforms. The surprising popularity of Friends in the years since its end can best be attributed to the consistency of the show's quality. Show how Seinfeld or The Simpsons had several boring or offensive storylines that make them harder to watch again, and while Friends it hasn't aged perfectly, it came to a natural conclusion that was satisfying considering where the characters had gone and how they had changed. However, the penultimate season of the show began to indicate a decline in quality that might have threatened Friends'lovely ending. took Paul RuddMike Hannigan's character it helps get the series back on the right foot.

Season 9 of 'Friends' had a big problem

It is not surprising that when Friends fans are asked about their least favorite season, Season 9 often comes up. This was the season that, for sheer lack of ideas on how to liven up the interactions between the core groupdecided to develop a story with the participation of Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) love for Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston). It was obviously a move of desperation, but it signaled a bigger problem: this FriendsThe characters no longer had anything new to offer. Now that Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) and Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) were married, the only thing that Friends What I could do with them was engage them in arguments, which usually made at least one of them look ridiculous or look downright nasty. Ross (David Schwimmer) the string of potential romantic partners became less interesting, and after a while, his heartbroken longing to find someone to spend the rest of his life with became hateful.

It was clear that Friends necessary to change the status quo in an important wayand it seemed like the only way to do that was by developing a romantic storyline for Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow). Phoebe's dates and acquaintances were generally fun, both the physicist David (Hank Azaria) and silly police officer Gary (Michael Rappaport) were hilarious guest stars. But it was clear that his stories were only intended to be a series of gags. Phoebe developed a lot in the later seasons, between becoming the biological mother of her brother Frank (Giovanni Ribisi) children and learn the truth about their father (Bob Balaban), and was forced to think about his future in several cases. It was about time he found a way to get out of the core group naturally. The only challenge was finding a character as quirky, charming and existential as her.

Enter Paul Rudd. In addition to being one of the most likable (and ageless) comedic actors of his generation, Rudd had a lack of self-seriousness that served as the perfect counterpart to Phoebe. Rudd and Kudrow could match each other's sneering comments, but it was clear that Mike wasn't just a male version of Phoebe. Although Phoebe never seems to apologize for anything, Mike has a very self-deprecating sense of humor and he was more than willing to be the butt of a joke. Phoebe was never ashamed to talk about her past and how tragic it really was, but Mike was less willing to talk about her wealthy upbringing as he felt a sense of shame at his parents' intolerance. There were legitimate issues the two had as a couple that helped make the penultimate season more important. It was clear that the romantic dynamic between Joey and Rachel was never meant to last, but Mike and Phoebe had a real future together.

Paul Rudd was a natural fit for 'Friends'

Whenever sitcoms try to insert a new character into an established dynamic, it often goes astray, but Mike was a natural fit for the group. Mike delivered some of the series' most heartfelt moments, especially when he stood up to his family and explained why he loved Phoebe. In a season that largely felt superfluous, Mike added a sense of realism, which somehow felt more heartfelt. It was also critical that Mike didn't come in, sweep Phoebe off her feet, and immediately set up a future for her. In fact, Mike and Phoebe initially break up when he reveals that he doesn't want to get married, since he's already been through a divorce. It's one of the saddest scenes to watch, as it's clear the two cared for each other, but the details of their relationship could get in the way.

Ironically, Mike benefits from being included in one of the show's worst storylines. The two-part season finale, “The One in Barbados,” focused heavily on the strange romantic mix and match between Joey, Rachel, Ross, and new character Charlie Wheeler (Aisha Tyler), with Phoebe, Monica, and Chandler just messing around in the background. However, the appearance of Phoebe's ex-boyfriend David, who was intent on proposing to her, added a legitimate sense of tension and drama. It was clear that both Phoebe and the audience preferred Mike, and the only question was whether he would actually show up in time. His final reveal appearance and commitment to marry Phoebe not only redeemed the underwhelming season, but added a legitimate sense of excitement about how Friends would wrap

Having Mike as a recurring cast member in the tenth and final season of Friends it felt natural as each character was preparing for a new journey. While there were more mature themes that came up during the storyline involving Monica and Chandler's potential children, the glitz and glamor that came out of Phoebe and Mike's eccentric wedding was felt again. FriendsEarlier seasons, more silly. In a season that was largely about reflection, Phoebe and Mike's relationship seemed like something new to get excited about, as the series could not end on a purely nostalgic note. Without Rudd's critical input at the right time, Friends it might have been remembered as a series that came too soon.

Friends is available to watch on Max in the US

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