7 Times Chandler and Monica from Friends struggled to hide their relationship

Chandler & Monica | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television
Chandler & Monica | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television

The journey from friends to soul mates was one of the most cherished and well-crafted narratives of Friends. There are few storylines you will find that resonate as deeply as Monica and Chandler’s heartfelt romance. They were distinct because their love story developed authentically, a heartfelt progression from friends to life partners. Their relationship chemistry is one of the main reasons Friends is one of the best shows ever. Their relationship took off quite unexpectedly. Starting with a twist, followed by their marriage and future plans. Their love story added even more charm to the show.

Chandler and Monica’s story was packed with hilarious and cringe-worthy moments. Initially, when they started getting intimate, they were not sure about their equation, as they wanted things to be casual. But eventually they developed feelings for each other, and since they were still figuring it out, they wanted to keep it a secret from their friends. Since they all used to hang out together almost always, it was very difficult for them to hide their relationship from Joey, Phoebe, Rachel, and Ross. There were several hilarious moments when they almost got caught by their friends, but Monica and Chandler somehow managed to get away. Through this article, let us look at 7 times Chandler and Monica from Friends struggled to hide their relationship.


Chandler’s goodbye kiss blunder

Chandler & Monica | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television
Chandler & Monica | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television

What should have been a simple goodbye turned into one of the most unforgettable slipups in the history of Friends Rachel and Phoebe were positively confused about what they had just witnessed when Chandler decided to switch from a casual goodbye to a full-on lip lock in a heartbeat, and that was definitely not “just friends” energy. Chandler’s usual “see ya” turned into a surprise. So far Monica and Chandler had avoided every slip-up like pros, creeping through the corridors, sneaking into rooms, and spinning beautiful lies. But for Chandler Bing it is difficult to keep something a secret. It could have been a simple goodbye in the 2nd episode of season 5, but no, Chandler needed to show his love, and at that moment, even Monica went with the flow. And suddenly they realized they were not alone in there; there were Phoebe and Rachel also. While Rachel and Phoebe were trying to erase the moment from their minds to cover up the blunder, Chandler kissed them both as well, as if he was just being cool with a friendly kiss. This scene was hilarious and totally in line with the vibe of Friends.


Rachel overheard phone flirting

Monica | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television
Monica | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television

Rachel uncovered a spicy surprise, a voice message brimming with cheeky charm that instantly triggered curiosity and concern. The scene was made funnier by her reaction, which included wide eyes, sharp breaths, a sort of startled expression, and that iconic smirk of smug satisfaction. In the 12th episode of season 5, she tried to ask Monica indirectly, but Monica couldn’t understand, and that was somewhat irritating to Rachel. Finally, Rachel, who couldn’t take it anymore, was so agitated with the fact that Chandler and Monica are together. She went to Monica and told her directly that she heard her and Chandler’s voice message and she knows what is going on. But Monica channeled her poker face and dismissed the whole thing in a heartbeat. She literally said it wasn’t Chandler; she must have heard something else, and rather, she was talking with someone named “Bigot.” Yeah, you can laugh; she actually said it, "Bigot," similar to "Bing," only according to Monica in Friends. Well, of course Rachel saw right through it, but the outrageousness of Monica’s cover story was gutsy enough to stall the questioning for a hot second.


Chandler & Monica’s secret romantic weekend

Chandler and Joey | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television
Chandler and Joey | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television

Monica and Chandler’s little hotel escape was meant to be strictly professional, at least that’s the story they fed Joey and Phoebe in the 5th episode of season 5. They pretended in front of them as if it was a coincidence that they both were going to New Jersey. Though it was hardly a romantic getaway in Friends, as they were only fighting. But things got interesting after their return, when everyone’s favorite snack-loving Sherlock got a suspicious call from that hotel where Chandler and Monica went for that weekend. It turned out an eyelash curler had been left behind, and suddenly Joey started putting the clues together. Now the hilarious part is when he confronted Chandler, he got panicked and told Joey that it was his curler. If you see this episode, you will definitely ask in your mind, "Seriously, Chandler?" The scene was pure ridiculousness because Joey’s face screamed, "What the heck??" and "Oh no, and, eh, it makes sense all at once." Let’s face it, this is Friends, where nothing stays under wraps for long, especially with Chandler’s knack for impromptu chaos.


Joey’s bumbling sacrifice for Monica & Chandler

Chandler & Monica | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television
Chandler & Monica | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television

Among the most hilariously over-the-top moments of Friends, Joey Tribbiani redefined loyalty way beyond the usual; this wasn’t just basic bestie behavior. The moment Rachel spotted a stray pair of men’s underwear and a questionable photo of Monica, it was obvious that someone’s secret love life was just about to get blown open wide. Joey was the only person at that time who knew about Monica and Chandler. But he didn’t know the whole scenario of that incident or what Rachel was referring to, though one thing he definitely knew was who those things belonged to. In the 9th episode of season 5, as soon as the questions started swirling, Joey threw himself under the bus, and you know what he said? “They are mine.” And everyone was shocked and concerned that Monica had decided to get with Joey. A cocktail of shock, confusion, and total disbelief. Phoebe raised an eyebrow, somewhere between curious and kind of impressed. Joey held firm to his tale like a pro because Joey knew how Monica and Chandler were struggling to hide their relationship, and he just wanted to support them. In that perfect, unhinged Friends way, this scene is a blend of comedy, chaos, and unexpected warmth.


Rachel asked Chandler about Monica’s secret boyfriend

Chandler & Monica | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television
Chandler & Monica | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television

Chandler’s hips don’t lie, especially when they’re doing an awkward happy dance in Monica’s apartment. After all, hearing that your secret girlfriend told someone you are the best person she’s ever been with is a wonderful moment. That was surely enough to make Bing break into a victory wiggle. In one of the sneakiest and funniest moments from Friends, Rachel cornered Chandler at Central Perk, casually dropping the bomb: “Monica has a secret boyfriend; any idea who it is?” Cue Chandler’s panic-flavored poker face, followed by a series of nervous gulps, shrugs, and some truly impressive deflections. But deep inside, he was buzzing because Monica told Rachel her mystery man was amazing. And hearing this from Rachel, Chandler started behaving just like Rachel, as if he was in cloud nine. In the 4th episode of season 5, while Monica was trying to maintain her poker face in a bid to hide their relationship, Chandler was dancing in her drawing room in front of Rachel and Phoebe. Trying to play it cool while being grilled by Rachel is no small task, but in classic Friends fashion, Chandler’s excitement almost gave it all away. His pride, his nerves, and his wobbly attempts to lie made it more endearing.


Phoebe’s flirtation game

Chandler & Phoebe | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television
Chandler & Phoebe | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television

That iconic scream of Phoebe, “My eyes, my eyes,” in Friends is one of the most hilarious moments of all time. She did what any whimsical guitar queen would: she turned revelation into an elaborate prank. Phoebe and Rachel paired up for a playful seduction stunt to unsettle Chandler and crack his cool in the 14th episode of season 5. Phoebe took no time; she started pulling her moves on Chandler, acting like she was interested in him. Cut to the next scene in Friends, Phoebe walks towards Chandler, starting to use her charm on Chandler by saying, “Oh, hello, Mr. Bicep.” At first, Chandler thought it was casual, but as her flirting went on, he started panicking. But he couldn't back down; he flirted right back with fake enthusiasm. He was determined to stay in the game. He was a panic-prone softy who was absolutely terrible at keeping things under wraps, beneath all the sarcasm. As Phoebe was not backing out and cranked up the flirt by talking about bubble baths, spa oils, and some very intimate freckle checking, Chandler’s confidence melted like butter on a barbecue grill.


The bathtub moment

Chandler | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television
Chandler | Image Via: Warner Bros. Television

In one of the most delightfully awkward moments from the Friends episode 2 of season 5, Monica and Chandler were deep in their secret-sparkly romance phase, bubbles, wine, candles, and all the steamy sweetness that comes with sneaking around. They were enjoying some cozy bathtub time, giggling and soaking in bliss, when boom! Joey barged in like Kramer on caffeine. Monica vanished under the bubbles faster than a heartbeat, while Chandler scrambled to look like a man enjoying a solo spa day with scented candles and two glasses of wine. Joey, blissfully clueless as always, started chatting away and asking if Chandler wanted fried chicken. He completely ignored the suspicious steam and Chandler’s deer-in-headlights expression. As soon as Chandler asks Joey to get out, Monica tells Chandler that she would like some fried chicken that Joey was about to order. It was chaotic, hilarious, and peak Friends, as the couple tried desperately to keep their love undercover, literally.

Edited by Sangeeta Mathew