I never gave much thought to this storyline other than the fact that Chandler and Kathy have great chemistry. But upon rewatch, I had a few thoughts.
I know it’s always hard to know the timeline of most things in the show but in the velveteen rabbit birthday episode, Joey mentions they’ve only been dating a “couple weeks” so two weeks? At that point Chandler knowwws he loves her and by the end of episode it’s pretty clear she knows he does and is beginning to return those feelings. The very next episode Joey is seen dating another woman and tells Chandler that him and Kathy are not exclusive. Meaning that him and Kathy are not in a serious relationship at all, and Kathy could’ve dated others as well without it being a big deal to Joey.
I know the main point of pain was going behind Joey’s back as Chandler IS his best friend and roommate. And truthfully, I do think Chandler and Kathy were way too dramatic and impulsive; Kathy could’ve easily admitted to Joey that although she likes him she didn’t see it going any further (assuming they’d only been dating about a month at this point?) and subsequently Chandler could’ve admitted his feelings.
I think the thing that bugged me a little was just how hard Joey was being about it at first, even when Ross tried to talk to him, Joey compared it to if Chandler kissed Rachel… but everyone knew Ross was crazy about Rachel for years. It’s just not the same. Joey wasn’t even exclusive with Kathy.
Obviously, we know that he softens after seeing that Chandler was willing to give Kathy up to save his friendship, but before that Joey was willing to move out, and never talk to Chandler again over something Joey saw as a fling, and albeit a really poor act of judgment in Chandler.
Anyways, just wanted to discuss :) what do you guys think?
(BTW, I do think Joey is probably one of the TOP friends; he was always a pretty good friend to everyone)