A scripted version of what happened to the actors behind these archetypal characters would have made for more compelling TV.

Oh. My. God. Could this have BEEN any more schmaltzy?

I have to admit that I, personally, was utterly sold from the first moment that Ross Geller walked on to the remade set. Waves of fondness. Constant smile. Not sure what's happened to me. No one told me life was going to be this way.

Despite being a tad schmaltzy, the long-delayed reunion is unapologetically nostalgic, and manages to recreate the magic of the sitcom all over again.