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I Rewatched "Friends" And Realised Monica And Richard's Relationship Is Actually Terrible

I don't know what was going on in the '90s.

If you're a human, you've probably seen that pillar of '90s pop culture, Friends. Over the holidays, I decided to start rewatching Friends, even though there are about 300 other TV shows I currently want to watch.

When I made it to Season 2 (embarrassingly quickly), I realised something: The relationship between Monica and Dr Richard Burke is gross. Like, seriously disturbing.

After coming to this realisation, I decided to turn to the internet to make sure I wasn't the only person who sees the true horrors of this relationship. But NO.

Seeing as everyone seems to love Richard and I'm stressed out about it, I think it's time for a little recap. This is Richard:

According to the Friends Wiki, which I'm sure you'll agree is an extremely credible source, Richard is 21 years older than Monica. Listen, whatever. I'm not judging the age gap. You do you.

What I AM judging is the fact that Monica and Richard know each other because Richard is friends with Monica's parents. Because they've been friends for years. And because Richard knew Monica WHEN SHE WAS A BABY.

When Ross finds out Monica is going on a date with Richard and reacts badly, everyone acts like he's being unreasonable, but this is the only time in 10 entire seasons that Ross is actually correct.

All the friends seem to think Monica dating Richard is fine just because he's hot and forget the fact that he LITERALLY KNEW MONICA WHEN SHE WAS AN INFANT.

What makes it even worse is that Monica went to high school with Richard's daughter, Michelle.

At the end of their first date, Monica and Richard decide the whole thing might be a little too weird and they should just stay friends. This was the RIGHT DECISION.

But, of course, because apparently people didn't know how to be sensible in the '90s, they made out anyway and got into a serious relationship.

Just to be clear, I don't blame Monica for this. She was just a twentysomething looking for love. But Richard was a 50-year-old grown-ass man dating his best friend's daughter, who, I will remind you, HE PROBABLY HELD AS A NEWBORN.

And I'm only scratching the surface of creepiness when it comes to Monica and Richard. Like when Joey and Chandler hang out with him because they see him as a cool dad.

Eventually they break up because Monica wants a baby and Richard doesn't. Which is fair enough! Because he's already been through that and now has grandkids! But it shouldn't have gone this far in the first place!

And don't even get me started on him coming back in Season 6 and trying to ruin Monica's relationship with Chandler.

Because let's face it: Monica and Chandler were the only Friends couple who actually mattered.