The Friends are returning to the small screen for a reunion special, and everyone is talking about how the characters might have changed between the season finale and today... but what about how much they changed between the series premiere and the season finale?
Over the course of Friends, the gang went from single 20-somethings to thirty-somethings who (for the most part) got themselves together. It wasn't a short journey, of course (is this ever?) as they went through rough breakups, career mistakes, and more - and Rachel Green had some of the most dramatic changes, as she went from a spoiled brat living on Daddy's money to a total career girl with a beautiful baby... and those weren't the only changes!
10 The Hair
This list just wouldn't be complete without including that iconic hairstyle and how it changed over the years. In the first season of Friends, Rachel's iconic hairstyle became a global sensation, as fans everywhere went to their stylists to ask for the same shaggy locks. However, her hair grew up along with the character, and over the years she had a range of styles (most of which also inspired legions of copycat fans). She had a stylish bob, long, straight, sleek hair, and everything in between - but nothing will compare to that original Rachel style.
9 Becomes A Mom
Just like her hair, this is a pretty obvious change from start to finish, but it's also a huge one. In the first seasons of Friends, Rachel didn't really know how to cope with kids - she thought she might want kids eventually, but when Ross brought baby Ben over, she was completely incapable of dealing with him.
She didn't know how to hold him, and was extremely awkward about spending any time with him alone. By the end, though, she has taken care of the triplets, figured out how to hang out with Ben as an older kid, and finally had Emma, and dealt with motherhood like a champ.
8 Learns To Manage Her Money
Early Rachel definitely knew how to spend money, but that was about it - she had never had a job, she didn't understand how taxes worked, and Daddy paid her credit card bills. When she finally got a job, she was wildly confused about who 'this FICA guy is', and she struggled with figuring out how to not just manage her money, but actually do very well for herself with it. It may have taken time, but she did a complete 180 when it comes to money, and that's no minor thing.
7 Embraces Her Sexual Side
This one might not be quite as PG as the rest of her changes, but it's definitely worth mentioning! In the first season of the show, Rachel made a point of talking about how her romantic life with Barry was incredibly boring (when the gang are sharing stories of the 'craziest' places that they had been intimate with a partner). However, she started to grow into her sexuality over the years, from her purely physical relationship with Paolo to her wildly unprofessional adventures with Tag.
6 She Gained Serious Perspective
This goes along with her just growing up in general, but it's clear that Rachel looks back at her life pre-friends with some real perspective by the end. Even in the first seasons, when she ran into old friends, she became increasingly unimpressed with the way that they behaved - and learned that she wanted something more. Initially, she was often sad about everything she had given up in order to become a waitress, but by the end, it was clear that she knew she made the right decisions in her life.
5 She Developed An Adult Relationship With Her Parents
Rachel's relationship with her parents was never easy, from the pilot episode when she ran away from her wedding and tried to explain it to them (who can forget 'it's a metaphor, Daddy'?) through their vicious divorce (and her disastrous two parties). Even toward the end of the show, she struggled with being honest with her father about her pregnancy, but she slowly managed to build a real, adult relationship with both of them - and that's no small feat.
4 She And Joey/Phoebe Become Truly Close
At the start of the show, Rachel only knows Ross, Monica, and Chandler (although there's an awkward moment in the pilot where she is introduced to Chandler as though she hasn't met him a hundred times), but by the finale, she has developed deep and meaningful friendships with Joey and Phoebe, too.
In fact, she's actually lived with both of them by the end, and has had a relationship with Joey (albeit one that failed to really get off the ground). This may be an unsurprising change - of course she became close with the other members of the group - but it's still a notable one.
3 She Learns How To Be Respectful
Although Rachel is always pretty charming, she's not exactly kind or tactful at the start. In fact, there are times when she is downright rude - although usually because she's just utterly clueless. She's just a bit of a brat (although this isn't totally her fault, her parents spoiled her rotten), and the gang initially struggled to be nice to her - as a later episode reveals, Monica made them! By the end, however, she has become kind, caring, and tactful.
2 Finally Admits Her Feelings For Ross
Because he's her lobster... Rachel and Ross are the central will-they-won't-they couple of the Friends universe, and it takes her from before the pilot episode (thanks, prom-night flashbacks) right to the finale to finally figure out that she wants to be with him. And that's with a wedding and a baby in between! For some fans, it was a huge relief when Rachel got off the plane, while for others, it was a disappointment... but either way, Rachel finally got together with Ross in the end, and we can only assume that it was for good.
1 Becomes A Total Boss
Of all the friends, Rachel may end up with the most impressive career, in the end. Phoebe is a masseuse at a chain spa, Ross works at the university, Monica is a chef, Joey is still a struggling actor, and Chandler is in advertising - and while they are all great jobs, do any of them really compare to working for brands like Gucci or Louis Vuitton? Rachel has turned what felt like a ditzy love of shopping into a major career, and learned how to manage bosses, hire assistants (and not sleep with them), and push for better opportunities. She was even about to move to Paris for work! There's no doubt that she's come a long, long way from the terrible waitress she used to be.
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