s01e01 Rachel: I was looking at this really gorgeous Limoges gravy boat.

Why is Limoges gravy boat that exciting to Rachel?

It is the very beginning of the show. The scene is about introduction of Rachel as a character. Rachel runs into Central Perk in a wedding dress and bumps into Monica and her friends. Now when she has ordered her coffee, she starts to tell her run-away-from-the-wedding story.

Rachel: "I was in the room with all the presents.. and I was looking at this really gorgeous Limoges gravy boat."

What sort of gravy boat is Limoges gravy boat? Why writers would choose for Rachel to start the story from some Limoges gravy boat?

Rachel is the most attractive character in the most popular series of all time. Explain to me why, during the most critical first moments of the viewers’ acquaintance with Rachel, the writers make her talk about “some kind of gravy boat from some town of Limoges”?

See this particular gravy boat is more than just a dish. This is a symbol that opens the door for us not only to Rachel’s past, but also to the future from the 10th (!!!) season.

First of all Limoges gravy boat comes from French town called Limoges. Now I invite you to listen to the name of this French town. L-I-M-O-g-e-s. Do you hear it? Yes! You did read that right! This particular area in France gave name to the most shell I say «celebrated» car, the symbol of status on four wheels - the Limo, Limousine. What an elegant hint at how Rachel lived before FRIENDS, don’t you think?

Secondly, it happened that the ancient town of Limoges has been the capital of French porcelain for over 200 years. 

Listen to how the words roll off your tongue again: FRENCH PORCELAIN. Do you hear it too? I myself instantly feel like a character of Audrey Hepburn in a movie SABRINA. The daughter of a chauffeur picking at a luxurious party from the branch on a tree. All those dress codes, orchestra and sparkling tableware they charm me into something unattainable. 

Yes, writers do laugh at Rachel, who has gotten so detached from real life that most of her problems sound champagne ones. But at the same time they introduce Rachel as someone that has developed a great taste in the world of beauty. A taste that would later lead Rachel to work in the fashion industry. And by season 10, Rachel will receive a much desired job offer (where?) yes, in France. Such a full circle from the first episode of the first season to the last episode of the last season!

Now, I bet, you will never look at those first scene of Rachel’s introduction with the same eyes.

What do you think? 

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Katia 

https://www.youtube.com/@grab-a-spoon-with-katia