I Watched Friends After Matthew Perry’s Passing and these five Thoughts Kept Coming to Mind – Chanledr Bing Will Never Be the Same!
With the untimely demise of Matthew Perry, the joy of watching Friends will forever be tinged with sorrow, and the ache in my heart grew with each moment Chandler Bing graced the screen.
I’m one of those who enjoy random episodes of Friends during meals, after work, or when feeling low. In the past two weeks, I’ve been engrossed in binge-watching this iconic sitcom. However, the loss of Matthew Perry has left a void in my heart.
I was witnessing perhaps one of the finest storylines for Chandler Bing. He had moved out of his apartment with Joey Tribbiani, but their friendship had grown stronger. He was adjusting to his girlfriend Monica’s quirks but relishing every moment of their life together. He was diligent, devoted, and ever-present for his friends.
However, the knowledge that he was battling personal demons during the filming of these heartwarming episodes casts a shadow over these cherished moments. He had grappled with substance abuse to the extent that he felt nothing when Friends concluded its final episode. Ironically, it brings to mind the episode ‘The One Where Chandler Can’t Cry,’ where Chandler couldn’t shed a tear despite being reminded of his traumatic childhood or conversations about Monica on her deathbed. By the end of that episode, he was crying about almost everything, including why Rachel and Ross couldn’t make their relationship work. This mirrored Matthew Perry’s life last year when he expressed readiness for love and parenthood. Regrettably, it was too late.
I’ve delved into his little-known past, from smoking and drug addiction to his estranged relationship with his father and failed romances. It feels as if I can no longer see Chandler Bing as the witty, humorous character he once was because I’m constantly reminded of Matthew Perry’s tragic end.
Despite initial reluctance and with much-needed courage, I decided to continue watching Friends on Netflix. As I did, several thoughts repeatedly crossed my mind:
1. Is He Under the Influence Right Now?
Matthew Perry’s strength of will was remarkable. Despite spending $9 million on his path to sobriety, he continued to grapple with addiction until the age of 49. While watching his scenes, I couldn’t help but wonder, “Is he high in this scene?” yet he managed to entertain us. It’s impossible not to think about the immense difficulty he must have faced to appear on set, but he did it for his fans, for which we are profoundly grateful. Thank you for the laughter, Matt.
2. How Does He Deliver His Lines So Effortlessly?
Fans may have noticed changes in his appearance and weight, especially during Seasons 3-6. This period coincided with Matthew’s battle with alcohol and opioid addiction, which led to him having no recollection of some of the scenes he filmed. As I continued to watch, I pondered, “How does he recall all these lines?” and “How does he make it seem so effortless?” The answer is clear: he had a deep passion for acting and was unwaveringly committed to his craft. He may not have found a life partner, but he left the world with the most successful relationship he could have had – with his art.
3. Is This the Couch Scene Where He Dozed Off?
It’s well known that the Friends cast had a close bond, but a true Joey-Chandler moment unfolded when Matthew inadvertently dozed off during a coffeehouse scene, and Matt Le Blanc came to his rescue. He shared this incident in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” recounting, “One time, in a scene at the coffeehouse when I’m dressed in a suit, I fell asleep right there on the couch, and disaster was averted only when Matt LeBlanc nudged me awake right before my line. No one noticed, but I knew how close I’d come.” His Friend’s co-stars were indeed selfless.
4. These Are Friends Who Became Family!
Undoubtedly, dealing with Matthew Perry must have been challenging at times. Yet, neither the Friends co-creators nor his co-stars ever spoke about it publicly. In fact, Matthew revealed that Jennifer Aniston continued to support and check on him even after the show’s conclusion. These are not just friends; they’re family.
5. He Is No Longer With Us!
Let’s face it: each time you watch Matthew Perry on screen, reality sets in. There’s no more Chandler Bing sarcasm, no more laughter, and no more reunions. Every time the Friends cast comes together now, there will always be something missing, and accepting that fact will be an ongoing challenge.
Despite the struggles he faced, Matthew Perry managed to live a beautiful life. He aspired to improve, to shine more brightly, and these precious memories will remain with us forever.
