🌆📺The Sitcom Café☕🛋️

*Please note there are spoilers in Friends here, the post discusses episodes from Season 1 to Season 10 so if you have not seen all of Friends please do not go any further if you do not wish to know*

Let’s start by discussing the comparison of Phoebe’s two main love interests in the series and ultimately deciding who it makes sense for her to end up with. I like to think I am Team Mike but let’s hold on a second and discuss the possibility of who was best for her overall.

When we first meet David, it was love at first sight really for him. From the moment he saw Phoebe he was already head over heels over her looks alone. It was a puppy-dog sweet love between the two.

For Phoebe and Mike, they had an unconventional way of meeting. Phoebe and Joey were supposed to find each other blind dates (as in people they know) to set each other up with. Joey forgets and ends up calling out a random name in Central Perk and finds Mike. The fact it ended up working out very well for them shows it was meant to be. I like their meet-cute, it is different and quirky just like Phoebe.

David made her blush, whereas Mike made her laugh and blush.

Mike: “My name in Mike, and I do play piano.”

Phoebe: “Prove it.”

Mike: “There isn’t a piano here.”

Phoebe: “That wouldn’t stand in the way of a true pianist.”

Mike: *Plays air piano*

Phoebe: “You are really good! I play a little guitar myself.”

Crane, David, Marta Kauffman, and Brian Buckner. “The One With The Pediatrician.” Friends, season 9, episode 3, NBC, 10 Oct. 2002.

The Reasons for Breaking Up:

David had to leave New York for his job for a unique travelling experience that took him all the way to Minsk. At first, David turns down the offer even though it would advance his career and he would be doing something he loved with his friend who is also his lab partner. Phoebe realizes this is too good of an opportunity for him to miss out on just because of her and decides to let him go. Had David not gone to Minsk, I think they would have lasted as a great couple in the series.

One of the major flaws with Mike was his previous marriage, which had ended poorly, to say the least. He expressed to Phoebe that he probably wouldn’t be interested in getting married again. Initially, Phoebe, not wanting to lose Mike, agreed to these conditions. However, she soon realized that marriage was a non-negotiable aspect for her. Having experienced a challenging and unconventional life, Phoebe longed for a sense of normalcy and stability – which we all know and think she rightfully deserves.

After deciding to try to stay away from Mike, knowing he cannot offer her what she desires, Phoebe is torn.

Even down to the proposals, when David is in the middle of proposing to Phoebe, Mike shows up to confess his love for Phoebe. David being the nice guy he is, lets Mike talk to Phoebe before he can ask to marry her – this might have changed everything! Phoebe said she might have said yes, had David got the opportunity to ask. What if Mike’s plane came in late? What if he could not find where they would be at that particular time? How would we really feel about Phoebe and David ending up together?

Well, had Mike not shown up at all and Phoebe and David ended up together I wouldn’t be all too disappointed. David was willing to love and care for Phoebe as he always has, he was gentle, kind and very sweet. It would feel like the story came full circle from when he left to go to Minsk in Season 1 to make it together all the way in Season 10 would have been nice, but it also would have been a little too – boring for Phoebe’s character. I think the plan was to keep David, but people loved Mike so much they had to change the ending to Phoebe ending up with him instead. But just because it was the more popular choice by people at the time, doesn’t mean there couldn’t have been a great David ending.

Mike’s proposal, or should I say proposals? Did not work out the first few times either. First, when he comes to see her in Barbados he does propose to show that he is willing to get married again – AKA the reason they didn’t work out – and Phoebe says no. Then when they go back to New York, Mike tries a few other times which results in him changing when or how to propose, ultimately leading him to just yank it out of a cake and do it right there and then at a romantic dinner they were having.

These proposals and how they did not go as planned show the indecisiveness of Phoebe and the viewers, both are great guys that even Phoebe was unsure of at first.

Here’s the thing, I am mostly Team Mike myself, I get how he loves Phoebe and I see how happy they are together – so I obviously love that for her. I see David and love when a love story works out that has been building over the seasons, but it just didn’t feel right for Phoebe, Phoebe is fun, weird and likes things different to the norm. Her love story taking a wild turn like Mike coming out of nowhere and proposing is something that would happen to her. She loves weird and new which describes Mike more than David, who is more of a nerdy, romantic type of guy for her.

I do see why people prefer David and maybe it just comes down to personal taste, I prefer someone like Mike for Phoebe so that is why I am Team Mike.

However!

The real guy for Phoebe, the one I secretly (not so secretly) think she maybe should have ended up with is…

…

…

…

…

That’s right, Mr. Joey Tribbiani, crazy, no?

Yes, after careful speculation and a lot of thought, we all seem to miss how close Phoebe and Joey really are and never really think to think of him as a love interest for Phoebe. They are FRIENDS after all, and we’d love to believe that out of the 6 Friends, they all shouldn’t end up with everyone because it might have been predictable or cheesy right? I’m here to say… not necessarily.

It only makes sense after spending years living close together and hanging out every day that they would each develop feelings for each other as single men and women – obviously with the exception of Ross and Monica as they are siblings. It’s not a crazy idea, also these two have crazy chemistry, Joey even admits how beautiful he thinks Ursala (Phoebe’s twin sister) is which is showing how beautiful he thinks Phoebe is.

They have complementary personalities. Phoebe’s quirky and free-spirited nature was perfectly complemented by Joey’s carefree and easygoing personality. While Phoebe embraced her eccentricity, Joey accepted her for who she was without judgment. Joey’s humorous and laid-back demeanour brought out the best in Phoebe, creating a lighthearted and fun dynamic between them. Their chemistry was evident in their playful banter and shared laughter throughout the series. They love to be fun and different together, they are Regina Phalange and Ken Adams, for Pete’s sake!

They were there for each other in emotional support. Joey had a knack for understanding Phoebe’s emotional needs. He knew when she needed someone to lean on, offering a comforting presence during her lowest moments. Whether it was helping her cope with her difficult childhood or being there for her when David left to go back to Minsk, Joey provided a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear. His emotional support was invaluable to Phoebe, demonstrating a deep connection beyond mere attraction.

They have shared values. Although Joey and Phoebe had different perspectives on certain matters, they shared core values such as loyalty, honesty, and a love for their friends. Both characters were known for their big hearts and unwavering loyalty to those they cared about. This shared sense of morality and loyalty formed a strong bond between them.

We all know Joey doesn’t share food, right? Well, there sure seems to be an exception for Phoebe.

Phoebe: “Joey, can I have a sip of your coffee and a bite of your muffin?”

Joey: “Okay.”

Phoebe: “Thank you.” *Pours his coffee in a thermos and puts his muffin in her purse*

Joey: “Pheebs, have you ever been bitten by a hungry Italian?”

Crane, David, Marta Kauffman, and Peter Tibbals. “The One Where Rachel Goes Back to Work.” Friends, season 9, episode 11, NBC, 9 Jan. 2003.

When Phoebe is pregnant and the babies are craving meat, Joey offers to not eat meat until they come so “she could eat his cows.” This is coming from someone who tried to save a sandwich from a bullet (car backfire), food means a lot to Joey, it may be his language of love and if so, the only person he wishes to share and help seems to be Phoebe.

The most important thing is that they have a genuine friendship. One of the foundations of a great romantic relationship is a solid friendship, and Phoebe and Joey had that in abundance. Their bond was rooted in mutual trust, support, and understanding. They were always there for each other, whether it was Phoebe teaching Joey guitar or Joey comforting Phoebe when David had to leave for Minsk. Their genuine friendship laid a strong foundation for a potential romantic connection.

On top of all this, they constantly openly flirt with each other, they have kissed many times already and when Joey thinks Phoebe is pregnant he offers to marry her – which (although Phoebe wasn’t the one pregnant after all) she still says yes to! It almost happened, imagine if they went through with it!

It should also be noted that had Phoebe not married by the age of 40 and Joey didn’t (which we know he doesn’t, as he goes off on his spin-off Joey) they would have hypothetically gotten married since they were each other’s back-ups. There was so much set-up for Phoebe and Joey to end up together, so much foreshadowing that led to – just friends in the end.

It just didn’t make sense, the “Rachel-Joey” dynamic – that felt a little forced and we all knew it wasn’t going anywhere because it’s always going to be Rachel and Ross. There is an answer for why Rachel and Joey might not have worked and maybe it’s because it should have been Phoebe. It’s always been Joey and Phoebe that feel like there’s something between them.

While Ross and Rachel may have been the ultimate ‘will they, won’t they’ couple and Chandler and Monica showcased a beautiful partnership, it’s important not to overlook the understated potential of Joey as the best love interest for Phoebe on Friends. Joey’s genuine friendship, complementary personality, emotional support, shared values, and mutual growth make him an ideal match for Phoebe. Their connection was built on a solid foundation of friendship and brought out the best in each other. So, let’s give Joey the credit he deserves as a remarkable love interest for Phoebe.

What do you think? Am I absolutely crazy to think they should have ended up together? Are you also Team Mike but also agree she should have ended up with Joey? Let me know what you think in the sit-comments below 🙂

Subscribe To The Sitcom Café Here⭐