feeling listless

TV In my previous review of ‘Friends’ way back in November 2002, the best I could muster that it’s “It’s actually quite good. Not classic.” The ninth season began on Channel 4 tonight (shockingly early by all accounts – only a day behind E4 – we’re actually watching a season which is still on in the US), and for the first time I was satisfied. For the first time in months, I laughed for moment after moment throughout the entire episode. And then did it again with the second in the double bill. I didn’t recognize the writer’s names in the credits, but they had their characterization was perfect. Joey was not simply dumb for it’s own sake; Ross was pathetic, but in the way we all can be. This was back to basics stuff, the six characters so fully formed now we know what they’re next move could be, and yet we were still surprised. The complex plots which have hampered the show in recent times shorn away to basics. Rachel trying to stop her baby from crying; Joey trying to apologise to Ross; Chandler trying not to move to Tulsa. That last plotline was a joy, a return to the mighty Weenus moments of previous seasons as he wrestled with office politics. Yes, the meeting with his boss was unrealistic, but this is a sit-com … and it’s good that for the first time in ages everyone seems to have remembered that. Roll on episode three.