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It's finally over. After what seemed like the longest build up to a series finale in the history of television, Friends finally ended its run, on May 6th 2004. When it first hit the airways in '94, I will admit that I liked it a lot, and bought into all of the friend-zy (sorry, I couldn't resist) that took the show to the top of the ratings and made superstars out of its cast. While I have seen almost every episode, I have to say that, I actually thought the quality of the show wasn't as good during its last season and it should have wrapped after year nine. Therefore, the final Friends episode, to me was overhyped, predictable and anticlimactic.

The ending was telegraghed long before the show even aired when it was announced that Joey (Matt Le Blanc) would be getting his own spin-off. Series creators Marta Kaufman and David Crane, along with executive producer/director of the finale Kevin S. Bright took these characters nowhere that wasn't already fortold in other episodes in the series. C'mon did anyone really think Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) wouldn't end up together? I found it hard to imagine that it would end any other way for them. Considering their decade long back and forth, and the fact that they already have a child together (where was Emma anyway?) Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) tied the knot as part of Febuary sweeps and by episode's end seemed ready to start a family with Mike (guest star Paul Rudd). Monica (Courtney Cox Arquette) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) were already headed to the hospital, with the surrogate mom about ready to give birth to their child, in the penultimate episode. All of this as they were about to move into a newly puchased home. I'm not saying that someone should have died or something like that, but as I say, everything was telegraphed. There was nothing compelling. Some of it made me chuckle but that's it. I may be in the minority here but I believe that it would have been better if Ross and Rachel just missed each other...There's nothing like a missed opportunity. It would have been unexpected and made it more poniant for me. Even though, Friends was just a sit com, considering all the hype NBC heaped on the finale--playing it safe was, I guess, the only way to go. The finale seemed more like an afterthought or a postscript.

The fact that the studio is putting this out on DVD so fast just proves that all they want folks to do is spend hard earned dough on something that will be aired again before too long...Can you say milking it. The disc features the finale (with unseen footage), the series pilot (already released on DVD), outtakes and more...I liked Friends a lot during its run. As for the end--it was past its time...and not quite the classic conclusion that the end of Cheers, The Mary Tyler Moore Show or Newhart was.

If you love the show Friends", but don't feel like going bankrupt buying all these complete seasons, this nice, afforable DVD is a good pick. You get the excellent finale that easily ranks among the all-time best farewells. It spares any uneeded twists and just gives what we love-the cast at their funny best. When they all turn in their keys at the nicely sentimental ending, you're left with the feeling that what you've witnessed the end to was really something special, even if it is just a TV show.

You also get the extended version, which has a completly different beginning and some other extra footage. While extra footage can be iffy (it generally is cut out for a reason after all), this is defiantly an exception. All the extra scenes score. There's also a great bonus feature that shows ten years of those unforgettable opening credits.

The only downside is that it does not include the clip show shown with the original airing. I would have really liked to have that. It also would have been nice if it included some of the interviews shown during the last week. However, it's not like that's what you paid for. It is called BONUS material for a reason. The finale is the product and this product does not dissapoint.

You who did not have the guts to state your name, you are the opinionated one because you do not believe others have a right to their opinions. You must see that this review forum is not just for 5 star reviews, it is so people can voice their opinions on a show/DVD. In my case, I must in all honesty rate this show one star. You may do as you wish, in case you didn't notice my one-star rating did not prevent many 5-star ratings. All I can say is, YOU should get a life if all you do is look at reviews on Amazon and rip people for having a different opinion.