A banal, excruciating mess – you review Friends: the Reunion

The show you've waited 17 years for aired at last - and could you BE any more emotional? But what did you rate and what did you hate? And why did Matt LeBlanc come out on top?

Friends was a huge part of my life. Growing up, and realising I was gay but having nobody to talk to, I felt very alone and very isolated. Watching Friends got me through some really dark moments.

I sat down to watch [the reunion], fully expecting to hate it, but was crying within minutes. All the feelings I had growing up came back. I loved seeing the cast get together and hearing how they felt on set and how they reacted when they arrived. The bond they all share is so clear and strong. I always felt as if I was a part of Friends, as silly as that may sound, but watching it definitely influenced my personality. I'm sarcastic like Chandler, a clean freak like Monica and a little bit different like Phoebe.

Seeing them all together again just reminds you that lifelong Friends' are achievable. I just wish I could let the cast and the writers know how much it means to me. Scott, 30, Essex