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Friends - The Complete Tenth Season
Warner Bros. // Unrated // November 15, 2005
List Price: $44.98 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Show
We all know that saying goodbye to an old friend is never easy. But, saying goodbye to a fictional friend can be just as tough. And when there are six friends to bid farewell, the task is heart-wrenching. This was the case when Friends left the air after 10 successful seasons. Having spent a decade with the characters, they felt like a part of the family and letting go was bittersweet. Now, those emotional times can be relived with the newly released Friends -- The Complete Tenth Season DVD set.
(SPOILER WARNING!: In order to describe Friends Season 10, I must divulge some of the plot-lines for the shows, as well as discuss events from Season 9. So, if you haven't seen Season 9 and want to be surprised by Season 10, read with caution.) During its latter years, Friends seemed to subsist by creating multiple couples and pairing off characters with one-another in different combinations, and the finale of Season 9 was no exception. The group had gone to Barbados with Ross (David Schwimmer), who was presenting at a paleontology conference. Joey (Mat LeBlanc) had brought his current girlfriend, Charlie (Aisha Tyler), along, unaware that Ross had feelings for Charlie. Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) had been accompanied by her old flame, David (Hank Azaria), but her recent beau, Mike (Paul Rudd), arrived to put a damper on David's plans. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) tagged along as well, confused by her feelings for Joey and her dislike of Charlie. And Monica (Courteney Cox-Arquette) and Chandler (Matthew Perry), well, they were the married couple who got in the middle of everything.
As Season 10 opens, the couplings from Barbados trip begin to fall into place. Rachel finds herself in the arms of Joey. Ross finally admits her feelings for Charlie. Phoebe and Mike get back together. And Monica gets dreadlocks. Once the group returns to New York, they must deal with these new relationships (and Monica's hair) and begin to plan for their futures. While Rachel wants to have a physical relationship with Joey, she finds that she can't stop thinking about Ross. Ross, in turn, has many issues with Joey and Rachel's coupling, and this affects his relationship with Charlie. Phoebe and Mike begin to talk about marriage. Monica and Chandler, realizing that they can't conceive a child, start the adoption process. As these storylines weave together, this tightly-knit group of friends say goodbye to their current, comfortable situations, and take their first steps in a new journey.
Some may ask if the final season of Friends was a satisfying one, and there's no real answer for that, as there were most likely fans of the show who were disappointed by how the show ended. However, it's quite clear that the series' producers and writers took the steps to study each character and try to wrap up as many loose ends as possible. One of the most satisfying aspects of Season 10 is that each character gets their own story arc. Past seasons of been guilty of focusing on only some of the Friends and leaving others in the background. In this season, all six characters are given specific story arcs to follow. Not all of these storylines last the entire season, but at least it allows each character to be at the forefront for a time being and as everyone has their favorite "Friend", it should appease the viewers as well.
After 10 seasons one would assume that the power-that-be behind Friends would have run out of fresh ideas, and at times this shows through. The Joey/Rachel storyline still feels very contrived and never seems genuine. As pointed out in the audio commentary on this DVD set, the Monica/Chandler baby saga represents the fourth birth on the show, and some of these moments feel recycled. There are other subplots, moments, and one particular scene featuring Chandler and his old nemesis which have quite the deja vu air to them. (One can argue that this was done for nostalgia, but it feels like lazy writing.) There are also some references to prior seasons which are inaccurate.
These problems make the final season somewhat tedious at times, but they don't detract from the fact that when Friends is cooking, it can be one of the funniest shows on TV, and there are some truly classic moments in Season 10. As noted above, this is truly an ensemble piece season, and everyone gets their chance to be funny, although Chandler, Joey, and Ross still seem to be blessed with the best lines. Along with the comedy, the writers pile on the emotional moments, especially in the final episode. There are some very moving scenes here, and to quote Chandler, I found myself saying, "...I wasn't prepared for this today...". Those who aren't "in to" entertainment won't understand this, but after 10 years, there is a true emotional attachment to these characters and seeing them go had the impact of saying goodbye to someone in reality. It's never easy to say goodbye, but knowing that I can pull out this DVD at any time makes things a little easier.
Video
Friends -- The Complete Tenth Season comes to DVD courtesy of Warner Home Video. The four-disc set contains all 17 episodes from this season of the show. (And, for those who are wondering, this set contains the same extended version of the final episode as contained on the Friends: The Series Finale DVD.) The episodes are all presented in their original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The visual quality of the shows contained in this set is good, especially when compared with the grainy nature of some of the past Friends releases. The images here are very sharp and clear, showing virtually no grain. However, we do get an occasional white spot from the source material. The colors look very good, most notably the pastel colors of Monica's apartment and Phoebe's bright costumes. I noticed some sporadic ghosting effects when characters would move, but otherwise, this transfer rivals digital broadcast quality and is free from major problems.
Audio
The episodes carry Dolby Digital 5.0 audio tracks. These tracks provide clear dialogue and sound effects with no evidence of hissing or distortion. The stereo effects here are good, and are most noticeable when a new character enters a room. The surround sound effects are basically limited to the noise of the studio audience coming from the rear speakers. The tracks are somewhat off-balance at times, as the laughter of the audience or the musical interludes will be much louder than the dialogue. Other than that, the sound is perfect for a sitcom.
Extras
The Friends DVDs have never been known for being overrun with great extra features, and Season 10 is no exception. As with past season sets, executive producers/creators Kevin S. Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane provide audio commentary for three episodes; "The One Where the Stripper Cries" (Disc 2), "The One with the Late Thanksgiving" (Disc 2), and "The Last One" (Disc 3). As usual, these are fun and insightful commentaries as these three colleagues share their thoughts on the episodes. They balance talking about the story, the cast, and the production. The talks are a bit dry at times (it has been 10 years), but the commentary for "The Last One" was particularly good.
The remainder of the extras can be found on Disc 4. "Friends Final Thoughts" (25 minutes) is a retrospective featurette which includes comments from the six members of the main cast, as well as Bright, Kauffman, and Crane. The speakers talk about the casting process and working with the ensemble cast. Then, they discuss each of the individual characters. The segment ends with each participant sharing their thoughts about the show's finale. These thoughts are intercut with clips from all 10 seasons. In an odd move, the DVD includes "Gag Reels" from Season 1 (5 minutes), Season 2 (6 minutes), Season 3 (5 minutes), and Season 4 (5 minutes). These are labeled as "Flashback Gags". The gag reel for Season 10 (20 minutes), includes a very bizarre introduction by Conan O'Brien. Sure, some of the bloopers are funny, but the framing device is just weird. "Friends of Friends, Part IV" (17 minutes) continues the series of featurettes in which guest stars of Friends talk about their experiences on the show. Here, we get comments from Aisha Tyler (Charlie Wheeler), Paul Rudd (Mike Hannigan), and Christina Applegate (Amy Green). The final extra is a strange music video for a song called "Joey Joey" (no artist given) which features many clips of Joey.
At the time that it was airing, I'm sure that many were put-off by the behind-the-scene events on Friends, as the cast was persuaded to do a tenth season, which would be a truncated (17 episodes) one. But, reliving Season 10, it's easy to forget about those "People Magazine" headlines and focus on the final bow for one of the best situation comedies in history. When many shows never make it past the pilot stage and few last more than a handful of seasons, a show which lasts ten years must be doing something right. The final season of Friends isn't perfect, but it is a fitting way to bid adios to a group of characters who came into our homes each week and made us laugh. And there's nothing wrong with a little laughter.
We all know that saying goodbye to an old friend is never easy. But, saying goodbye to a fictional friend can be just as tough. And when there are six friends to bid farewell, the task is heart-wrenching. This was the case when Friends left the air after 10 successful seasons. Having spent a decade with the characters, they felt like a part of the family and letting go was bittersweet. Now, those emotional times can be relived with the newly released Friends -- The Complete Tenth Season DVD set.
(SPOILER WARNING!: In order to describe Friends Season 10, I must divulge some of the plot-lines for the shows, as well as discuss events from Season 9. So, if you haven't seen Season 9 and want to be surprised by Season 10, read with caution.) During its latter years, Friends seemed to subsist by creating multiple couples and pairing off characters with one-another in different combinations, and the finale of Season 9 was no exception. The group had gone to Barbados with Ross (David Schwimmer), who was presenting at a paleontology conference. Joey (Mat LeBlanc) had brought his current girlfriend, Charlie (Aisha Tyler), along, unaware that Ross had feelings for Charlie. Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) had been accompanied by her old flame, David (Hank Azaria), but her recent beau, Mike (Paul Rudd), arrived to put a damper on David's plans. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) tagged along as well, confused by her feelings for Joey and her dislike of Charlie. And Monica (Courteney Cox-Arquette) and Chandler (Matthew Perry), well, they were the married couple who got in the middle of everything.
As Season 10 opens, the couplings from Barbados trip begin to fall into place. Rachel finds herself in the arms of Joey. Ross finally admits her feelings for Charlie. Phoebe and Mike get back together. And Monica gets dreadlocks. Once the group returns to New York, they must deal with these new relationships (and Monica's hair) and begin to plan for their futures. While Rachel wants to have a physical relationship with Joey, she finds that she can't stop thinking about Ross. Ross, in turn, has many issues with Joey and Rachel's coupling, and this affects his relationship with Charlie. Phoebe and Mike begin to talk about marriage. Monica and Chandler, realizing that they can't conceive a child, start the adoption process. As these storylines weave together, this tightly-knit group of friends say goodbye to their current, comfortable situations, and take their first steps in a new journey.
Some may ask if the final season of Friends was a satisfying one, and there's no real answer for that, as there were most likely fans of the show who were disappointed by how the show ended. However, it's quite clear that the series' producers and writers took the steps to study each character and try to wrap up as many loose ends as possible. One of the most satisfying aspects of Season 10 is that each character gets their own story arc. Past seasons of been guilty of focusing on only some of the Friends and leaving others in the background. In this season, all six characters are given specific story arcs to follow. Not all of these storylines last the entire season, but at least it allows each character to be at the forefront for a time being and as everyone has their favorite "Friend", it should appease the viewers as well.
After 10 seasons one would assume that the power-that-be behind Friends would have run out of fresh ideas, and at times this shows through. The Joey/Rachel storyline still feels very contrived and never seems genuine. As pointed out in the audio commentary on this DVD set, the Monica/Chandler baby saga represents the fourth birth on the show, and some of these moments feel recycled. There are other subplots, moments, and one particular scene featuring Chandler and his old nemesis which have quite the deja vu air to them. (One can argue that this was done for nostalgia, but it feels like lazy writing.) There are also some references to prior seasons which are inaccurate.
These problems make the final season somewhat tedious at times, but they don't detract from the fact that when Friends is cooking, it can be one of the funniest shows on TV, and there are some truly classic moments in Season 10. As noted above, this is truly an ensemble piece season, and everyone gets their chance to be funny, although Chandler, Joey, and Ross still seem to be blessed with the best lines. Along with the comedy, the writers pile on the emotional moments, especially in the final episode. There are some very moving scenes here, and to quote Chandler, I found myself saying, "...I wasn't prepared for this today...". Those who aren't "in to" entertainment won't understand this, but after 10 years, there is a true emotional attachment to these characters and seeing them go had the impact of saying goodbye to someone in reality. It's never easy to say goodbye, but knowing that I can pull out this DVD at any time makes things a little easier.
Video
Friends -- The Complete Tenth Season comes to DVD courtesy of Warner Home Video. The four-disc set contains all 17 episodes from this season of the show. (And, for those who are wondering, this set contains the same extended version of the final episode as contained on the Friends: The Series Finale DVD.) The episodes are all presented in their original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The visual quality of the shows contained in this set is good, especially when compared with the grainy nature of some of the past Friends releases. The images here are very sharp and clear, showing virtually no grain. However, we do get an occasional white spot from the source material. The colors look very good, most notably the pastel colors of Monica's apartment and Phoebe's bright costumes. I noticed some sporadic ghosting effects when characters would move, but otherwise, this transfer rivals digital broadcast quality and is free from major problems.
Audio
The episodes carry Dolby Digital 5.0 audio tracks. These tracks provide clear dialogue and sound effects with no evidence of hissing or distortion. The stereo effects here are good, and are most noticeable when a new character enters a room. The surround sound effects are basically limited to the noise of the studio audience coming from the rear speakers. The tracks are somewhat off-balance at times, as the laughter of the audience or the musical interludes will be much louder than the dialogue. Other than that, the sound is perfect for a sitcom.
Extras
The Friends DVDs have never been known for being overrun with great extra features, and Season 10 is no exception. As with past season sets, executive producers/creators Kevin S. Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane provide audio commentary for three episodes; "The One Where the Stripper Cries" (Disc 2), "The One with the Late Thanksgiving" (Disc 2), and "The Last One" (Disc 3). As usual, these are fun and insightful commentaries as these three colleagues share their thoughts on the episodes. They balance talking about the story, the cast, and the production. The talks are a bit dry at times (it has been 10 years), but the commentary for "The Last One" was particularly good.
The remainder of the extras can be found on Disc 4. "Friends Final Thoughts" (25 minutes) is a retrospective featurette which includes comments from the six members of the main cast, as well as Bright, Kauffman, and Crane. The speakers talk about the casting process and working with the ensemble cast. Then, they discuss each of the individual characters. The segment ends with each participant sharing their thoughts about the show's finale. These thoughts are intercut with clips from all 10 seasons. In an odd move, the DVD includes "Gag Reels" from Season 1 (5 minutes), Season 2 (6 minutes), Season 3 (5 minutes), and Season 4 (5 minutes). These are labeled as "Flashback Gags". The gag reel for Season 10 (20 minutes), includes a very bizarre introduction by Conan O'Brien. Sure, some of the bloopers are funny, but the framing device is just weird. "Friends of Friends, Part IV" (17 minutes) continues the series of featurettes in which guest stars of Friends talk about their experiences on the show. Here, we get comments from Aisha Tyler (Charlie Wheeler), Paul Rudd (Mike Hannigan), and Christina Applegate (Amy Green). The final extra is a strange music video for a song called "Joey Joey" (no artist given) which features many clips of Joey.
At the time that it was airing, I'm sure that many were put-off by the behind-the-scene events on Friends, as the cast was persuaded to do a tenth season, which would be a truncated (17 episodes) one. But, reliving Season 10, it's easy to forget about those "People Magazine" headlines and focus on the final bow for one of the best situation comedies in history. When many shows never make it past the pilot stage and few last more than a handful of seasons, a show which lasts ten years must be doing something right. The final season of Friends isn't perfect, but it is a fitting way to bid adios to a group of characters who came into our homes each week and made us laugh. And there's nothing wrong with a little laughter.
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