In a world dominated by a romantic narrative, the power of platonic love often goes unnoticed. Unlike romantic relationships, which are initiated by lust and attraction, friendships are built on trust and compassion. Whether you have known them your whole life or just met a year ago, the moment you find your platonic “other half,” you almost immediately know it is going to last.
Best friends, platonic soulmates, confidants: these people are always a constant, a rock in your life. Romantic relationships come and go, but a best friend is forever.
Modern television sheds light on the impact of platonic relationships, offering a refreshing outlook on the bonds formed outside the realm of romance. Here are some examples:
Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey – “Grey’s Anatomy”
This dynamic duo is famous for their 10-season-long friendship on the fan-favorite drama, “Grey’s Anatomy.” From the very first season, Cristina and Meredith clicked as they both endured the struggles of being hospital interns and challenged each other to be better surgeons. As time went on, they became well known as the “twisted sisters;” they understood each other to a deeper extent than anyone else and stood by each other through thick and thin. These two witnessed one another break up, go through divorces or failed weddings, pregnancy, miscarriage, love and loss; this friendship is the foundation of what a platonic soulmate is.
Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, Phoebe Buffay, Rachel Green, Monica and Ross Geller – “Friends”
The TV show “Friends” centers around a group of six friends living in New York City, navigating the ups and downs of adulthood. The characters’ unwavering bond is the heart of the show, as they demonstrate constant support for each other through challenges in their career, heartbreaks and personal accomplishments. The entirety of the show relies on the exploration of the power of platonic love. They are there for one another in the happiest times and in the saddest times, and are truly each other’s non-blood-related family.
This show also demonstrates that friendships can surpass societal norms, such as the iconic friendship between Rachel Green and Joey Tribbiani, which deals with gender dynamics. Their relationship denies the theory that men and women are not capable of being simply “just friends,” since their friendships trump all else.
Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Charlotte York and Miranda Hobbes – “Sex in the City”
“Sex in the City,” a show all about romantic relationships and finding love in New York City, has an undercover but powerful theme of friendship exhibited between the four main characters: Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Charlotte York and Miranda Hobbes. These four girls show up for each other amid challenges regarding romantic relationships and self-identity.
What is so powerful about their dynamic is how different each girl is from one another. Over shopping trips, brunches, nights out on the town and late-night heart-to-hearts, they provide advice and tough love for each other, guiding them through the difficulties of adulthood.
Riley Matthews and Maya Hart – “Girl Meets World”
In the TV show “Girl Meets World” the two main characters, Riley and Maya, are best friends who learn about growing up and discovering their individuality together. The way they help each other grow and discover themselves uncovers the importance of platonic soulmates. They also help each other in the face of school drama, familial problems and spontaneous adventures in New York City. Despite their differences, they form an inseparable duo, complementing each other’s personalities and strengths. Through their shared experiences and unwavering loyalty, they demonstrate the perfect example of a best friend who overcomes the test of time. Moreover, their friendship exemplifies how friendship plays an integral role in the journey to discovering oneself, as their support fosters an environment allowing each other to thrive, learn and grow as individuals.
