The morning after Rachel declared the need for a break, she awakens ready to reconcile. However, Ross is discovered in bed, intoxicated, with Chloe, the copy girl. Joey and Chandler warn him that word will inevitably reach Rachel through the “trail” of gossiping women, and at every turn, Ross’s attempts to intervene are futile. When Rachel finally confronts Ross, their conversation is marked by prolonged denial, despite the underlying love that remains. Meanwhile, the other friends, reluctant to intervene, remain in the bedroom where Monica and Phoebe had been waxing.
Did you know ?!
• During the Friends: The Reunion (2021), when asked about this episode by host James Corden, all six cast members agreed that Ross and Rachel were indeed “on a break”.
• The background song played when Rachel and Ross broke up at Monica’s apartment was the same song played when they were first together in Central Perk in Season 2
• Both Jennifer Aniston (Rachel) and Angela Featherstone (Chloe) would go on to work with Adam Sandler in separate movies: Aniston in Just Go with It (2011) and Featherstone in The Wedding Singer (1998). Christina Pickles who plays Ross and Monica’s mother also appeared in The Wedding Singer (1998).
• The end scene in which Rachel officially breaks up with Ross was so emotional that both Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer cried after it was shot.
• Despite the classic “We were on a break” line being used by Ross at various times throughout the remainder of the shows run, much to Rachel’s chagrin, it was in fact Rachel who said it first in this episode. Ross didn’t say it for the first time until the following episode.
