In the early days of Friends, Carol and Susan were integral parts of Ross’s complicated life, forming the backbone of some of the show's most groundbreaking and emotional storylines. However, as the series progressed, their appearances became sporadic and, eventually, they disappeared altogether. Why did two characters, who initially played such crucial roles in Ross's life and the show’s narrative, gradually fade from the spotlight? Let's take a deeper dive into the reasons behind their disappearance and what that shift says about the evolution of Friends as a show.
When Friends began, Carol Willick and Susan Bunch weren’t just background players—they were central to the development of Ross's character and the show’s exploration of more complex themes. Carol was Ross's ex-wife, the mother of his son Ben, and the first major character to come out as a lesbian on network TV.
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