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Associates: Each episode ranked | The Independenttheinsiderinsight

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Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Over the course of 10 years and 10 seasons, the writers of Associates delivered no fewer than 236 episodes to their ever-increasing fan base.

Look again on the present, which celebrates its thirtieth anniversary this month, and it feels as if every 20-or-so-minute nugget contributed its personal signature phrases and cult moments, which stay firmly embedded in popular culture these days.

But it’s attention-grabbing to comb by these mixed 4,720-ish minutes of tv and separate the highs from the lows. Associates will certainly at all times have a particular place among the many sequence that set the requirements of the sitcom style.

That’s why the present stays a related subject of debate to this present day, and why it has come beneath renewed scrutiny as some (together with this author) have tried to dissect the best way it broached subjects akin to gender, sexuality, ladies’s rights, and physique politics.

A few of Associates’s greatest episodes nonetheless stand out for what they contributed to the historical past of tv – an all-too-rare lesbian marriage ceremony, a surrogacy storyline, the empowering story of a younger girl discovering her footing within the company world. Others are, fairly merely, humorous in a laugh-out-loud, goofy method, fuelled by the type of moments that specify why Associates is, for a lot of, the televised equal of consolation meals.

Right here it’s, then: a full rating of all 236 episodes of Associates, from worst to greatest.

236. The One with Chandler’s Dad – Season seven, episode 22

The portrayal of Chandler’s mother or father – many viewers are actually satisfied, in hindsight, that Chandler’s “dad” was really a transgender girl – was problematic all through the present, and this episode isn’t any exception.

235. The One with the Large Poking System – Season three, episode eight

“Ugly Bare Man” was one of many least humorous – and most offensive – gimmicks employed by the sitcom. A big a part of this episode revolves round it, so it’s no shock to see it tumbling in the direction of the underside of this rating.

234. The One with the Vows – Season seven, episode 21

There may be nothing crucially fallacious with this episode, besides that it’s made up nearly totally of flashbacks from earlier instalments. Are you able to think about tuning in, again when Associates was nonetheless airing weekly on community TV, solely to be served what primarily quantities to a rerun? Boring.

233. The One with the Ick Issue – Season one, episode 22

Monica dates somebody youthful – whom she presumes to be a senior in faculty – solely to find he’s really a 17-year-old senior in highschool. Icky certainly. It’s simply a type of episodes the place the central joke doesn’t land.

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232. The One with the Fact About London – Season seven, episode 16

This episode would have occupied the center of this rating if not for a short sequence wherein Phoebe wonders what would have occurred if Monica and Joey had ended up collectively. On this different actuality, a fats Joey struggles to carry his chair as much as the desk as he sits down to a different epic dinner cooked by his companion. It’s fat-shaming at its worst, and it’s profoundly uncomfortable to observe.

231. The One with the Metaphorical Tunnel – Season three, episode 4

Ah sure, The One The place Ross Freaks Out As a result of His Son Desires To Play With a Barbie Doll. OK, Ross. The one redeeming high quality is the tip sequence wherein a younger Ross is seen dressed as his feminine alter ego, Bea, and internet hosting a tea social gathering.

230. The One with Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E. – Season six, episode 20

One other flashback episode, this time pegged to Chandler’s failure to relay essential information to Joey concerning a doable TV present position.

229. The One with the Rumor – Season eight, episode 9

Rachel Inexperienced’s former classmate Will (performed by Jennifer Aniston’s then-husband Brad Pitt) needed to make up an embarrassing hearsay about her in highschool, and apparently, essentially the most humiliating possibility was to make Rachel supposedly intersex. This one doesn’t actually have to be defined, does it? Activists have spoken at size concerning the stigma and disgrace related to being intersex. That is one instance of how popular culture has contributed to these points.

228. The One with the Ballroom Dancing – Season 4, episode 4

Look, the storyline wherein Joey agrees to assist Mr Treeger follow his ballroom dancing is, partly, reasonably cute – but it surely’s ruined by the mockery he faces for it. “How goes the dancing? Homosexual but?” Monica asks him in a type of moments that can remind you that Associates hasn’t at all times aged nicely.

227. The One The place Nana Dies Twice – Season one, episode eight

Ross visits his household as they put together to say goodbye to his late grandmother, and discovers dozens of sweetener packets (which she cherished to gather) tucked away in her bed room closet. It is a very candy second so why, oh why, smash it with a whole storyline about Chandler’s sexuality and whether or not he offers off some type of homosexual vibe

Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Monica (Courtney Cox) in the classic Friends episode 'The One With All the Thanksgivings'

Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Monica (Courtney Cox) within the traditional Associates episode ‘The One With All of the Thanksgivings’ (NBC/YouTube)

226. The One with the Thumb – Season one, episode three

Is it Phoebe’s extraordinarily unbelievable discovery of a whole human thumb in her can of soda, or is it the truth that the present was clearly nonetheless struggling to understand its personal identification when this one aired in 1994? Both method, one thing about this episode feels off.

225. The One with the Male Nanny – Season 9, episode six

Aka The One The place Ross and Rachel Discover the Absolute Good Nanny After a Troublesome Search however Must Let Him Go As a result of Ross Has Outdated Concepts About Masculinity.

224. The One with the Inappropriate Sister – Season 5, episode 10

Keep in mind that bizarre time Rachel dated a man named Danny who had an uncomfortably shut relationship together with his sister? Sure, I had blacked it out too. That storyline appears plain bizarre, and the remainder of the episode isn’t compelling sufficient to make up for it.

223. The One with Joey’s Interview – Season eight, episode 19

Oh, nice, one other flashback episode. This time, it’s pegged to Joey’s interview with an leisure reporter (a tough train for Joey, who tends to place his foot in his mouth whereas talking to the press).

222. The One the place Ross Dates a Scholar – Season six, episode 18

Because the title would recommend, Ross, a college professor, begins relationship a scholar – and his shocked when he learns that’s not merely “frowned upon” however plainly forbidden by the powers that be. Come on, Ross.

221. The One the place Ross Meets Elizabeth’s Dad – Season six, episode 21

When the aforementioned scholar’s father (performed reasonably brilliantly by Bruce Willis) finds out his daughter is relationship an older man able of authority, he’s none-too-pleased. As an alternative of accepting that reality, Ross enlists his personal ex, Rachel, to speak him as much as the coed’s father. After all he does.

220. The One with the Breast Milk – Season two, episode two

When Ross finds out his ex-wife Carol’s companion Susan has tasted Carol’s breast milk, he desires to strive it too. However that is Ross, so naturally he’s torn between his rivalry with Susan and his aversion for stated breast milk. To not be overly crucial of Ross, however this is not his most interesting second.

219. The One with Monica’s Boots – Season eight, episode 10

Monica buys dear boots and her husband Chandler (who is definitely a number of episodes away from quitting his job, thus placing monetary stress on his marriage) thinks they’re too costly. So Monica pledges to put on them perpetually, and when it seems they damage, she tries to cover it from him. I realise Associates is only a enjoyable sitcom, however this episode is sufficient to make you query whether or not you’d ever prefer to have a joint account with anyone.

Out of Rach: Jennifer Aniston in 'Friends'

Out of Rach: Jennifer Aniston in ‘Associates’

218. The One with the Lady Who Hits Joey – Season 5, episode 15

Far be it from me to be the Debbie Downer right here, however I don’t discover jokes about Joey’s girlfriend hitting him significantly humorous? Positive, the storyline is performed for laughs, however one thing appears a bit tone-deaf right here.

217. The One The place Chandler Cannot Keep in mind Which Sister – Season three, episode 11

Little life tip: if you are going to idiot round together with your pal’s sister, possibly bear in mind which one it was? Taking a look at you, Chandler Bing misplaced in a sea of Joey’s siblings.

216. The One with Joey’s Fridge – Season six, episode 19

Let’s return to Ross’s resolution so far a scholar for a second. On this episode, he will get so insecure when his girlfriend goes away for Spring Break (you realize, as she ought to) that he follows her on her seaside getaway. The sequence the place David Schwimmer is seen dancing on what seems to be MTV Spring Break is nearly humorous sufficient to redeem all of it. Virtually.

215. The One with Phoebe’s Ex-Companion – Season three, episode 14

With a view to preserve Rachel from attending a vogue seminar together with her colleague Mark (who he is satisfied is courting her), Ross decides to accompany her – besides Ross doesn’t care about vogue and is so uninterested he falls asleep. Within the phrases of Joey: how Ross acquired three ladies to marry him, I’ll by no means know.

214. The One with Rachel’s Assistant – Season seven, episode 4

Look, I gave Ross grief for relationship his scholar, however I additionally wasn’t significantly taken with Rachel’s resolution to rent her assistant Tag simply because she thought he was cute (although he was clearly under-qualified), turning down a wonderfully positive applicant named Hilda within the course of.

213. The One The place Chandler Would not Like Canines – Season seven, episode eight

After a number of episodes of lusting after Tag, Rachel lastly kisses her assistant and begins a secret relationship with him. Once more, I feel Rachel – who labored so exhausting to carve herself a spot within the company world and actually cherished her job! – deserved higher than this narrative arc.

212. The One with the Race Automotive Mattress – Season three, episode seven

Ugh. When Rachel brings her boyfriend Ross to dinner together with her personal father, it seems Dr Inexperienced isn’t precisely keen on the palaeontologist. Each males, nonetheless, find yourself bonding over their mutual disdain of sure features of Rachel’s life-style, akin to her resolution to seek the advice of a chiropractor. Ladies, am I proper?

211. The One That Might Have Been, Half One – Season six, episode 15

Flashbacks in Associates are at all times uncomfortable to some extent, primarily owing to the portrayal of younger Monica, performed by Courteney Cox in a fats go well with. This episode isn’t any exception to the rule: on this different actuality, Monica is a 30-year-old virgin, presumably owing to her physique form.

210. The One That Might Have Been, Half Two – Season six, episode 16

Extra of the identical. Half two one will get a barely larger rating than the primary as a result of the alternative-reality plot resolves to carry all six pals again to their precise conditions on the present (which means Rachel leaves her fiancé Barry, Ross realises his spouse is a lesbian, and Phoebe quits her job at Merrill Lynch). As for Chandler, he realises he’s in love with Monica, making their storyline barely extra nuanced than the 30-year-old virgin trope.

209. The One The place Underdog Will get Away – Season one, episode 9

Ross is uncomfortable talking to his unborn little one, however will get over his preliminary reluctance as soon as as a result of his ex-wife’s companion Susan does it. It’s barely superb what number of of Ross’s actions in earlier seasons have been motivated by his want to compete together with his ex’s companion. Additionally, any episode that includes Ugly Bare Man mechanically loses factors.

208.The One in Barbados, Half One – Season 9, episode 23

You understand there’s one thing fallacious with an episode when essentially the most attention-grabbing one-liners revolve round Monica’s hair and whether or not or not she’s going to go away The Supremes (as a result of the Barbados humidity made it poofy, get it?). This one additionally units up the “Rachel and Joey strive relationship” story arc, which by no means actually appeared fairly proper.

207. The One with Joey’s Bag – Season 5, episode 13

Each time Associates makes a joke about masculinity (Joey wears a shoulder bag! Absolutely he have to be a girl!), an angel loses its wings.

206. The One with Ross and Monica’s Cousin – Season seven, episode 19

I might have lived with out watching nearly your complete Associates forged oggle Denise Richards for the higher a part of an episode. In the meantime, Joey’s try to hide the truth that he’s circumcised (for a job wherein he has a full-frontal nude scene) with Monica’s assist is without doubt one of the most weird storylines within the historical past of the present.

Robin Williams and Billy Crystal played best friends who crash the iconic orange couch in Friends coffee shop Central Perk. Williams' character is stressing over suspicions that his wife is cheating on him.

Robin Williams and Billy Crystal performed greatest pals who crash the enduring orange sofa in Associates espresso store Central Perk. Williams’ character is stressing over suspicions that his spouse is dishonest on him.

205. The One The place Chandler Will get Caught – Season 10, episode 10

Absolutely, Chandler should get caught doing one thing attention-grabbing, if his antics need to be changed into the episode’s title? Properly, no. He’s consulting with a dealer as a result of he and Monica have determined to maneuver away from town to boost their youngsters within the suburbs. Truthful sufficient, however 1) the best way they unexpectedly break the information to their pals seems like a little bit of a betrayal, and a pair of) earlier than their announcement, the episodes goes by a complete sequence of flashbacks commemorating Monica’s life in her Manhattan residence. By now, you realize the rule in the case of flashbacks.

204. The One with the Apothecary Desk – Season six, episode 11

This episode was only one main commercial for Pottery Barn, the California-based house furnishing chain. Rachel loves Pottery Barn, Phoebe (essentially the most anti-capitalist of all six pals) doesn’t. A lot product placement ensues. It is really not a foul episode, however the Pottery Barn overload feels unsettling.

203. The One with All of the Thanksgivings – Season 5, episode eight

So many features of this episode are insulting to Monica, it’s exhausting to know the place to start. Over the course of 20 minutes, we’re taken by the group’s previous Thanksgivings, together with some within the Eighties when Monica was youthful and fatter. Courteney Cox is again in her fats go well with, and as is customary on Associates, younger Monica is portrayed in a pathetic gentle – lusting after Chandler, who clearly thinks he’s too good for her. When Monica overhears Chandler referring to her as Ross’s “fats sister”, she stops overeating – as an alternative of, you realize, telling him off. The subsequent 12 months, she exhibits off her slimmer determine in entrance of him, fuelling the “altering your self for a person is the final word act of revenge” narrative. And in spite of everything that, she’s the one who has to make amends within the current day for by accident chopping off certainly one of Chandler’s toes again within the day (she dropped a knife). All I need to do is give younger Monica a hug, suggest remedy classes, and urge her to by no means, ever marry that jerk.

202. The One in Barbados, Half Two – Season 9, episode 24

The jokes about Monica’s hair – particularly, concerning the cornrow braids she will get after her hair frizzes within the Barbadian humidity – haven’t aged significantly nicely.

201. The One with the Joke – Season six, episode 12

Nothing basically fallacious right here, however this entire episode simply appears forgettable. Ross and Chandler argue over who got here up with a joke printed in Playboy. Rachel takes offence with Phoebe’s declare that she’s a pushover. Joey is fired from Central Perk, then re-hired. You might take away this episode from the season and all the things would fairly stay a lot the identical.

200. The One with the Nap Companions – Season seven, episode six

If Ross and Joey prefer to nap collectively, allow them to! Life’s too brief to let a wonderfully positive nap companion go to waste. Additionally, on this episode, Monica learns that Chandler as soon as broke up with girlfriend as a result of she had gained weight – and worries he’s going to do the identical to her. Monica, if that is ever a priority, dump him. Simply dump him.

199. The One with the Boob Job – Season 9, episode 16

Chandler thinks Monica is considering getting a breast augmentation and units out to persuade her that he finds her excellent the best way she is – which leads Monica to consider that Chandler is apprehensive about her physique altering if she ever will get pregnant. Truthfully, are you able to blame her for misreading this one?

198. The One with Phoebe’s Rats – Season 9, episode 12

Phoebe and Mike handle a litter of rats: OK. Joey is unhappy as a result of he can’t make a transfer on Rachel and Ross’s “scorching nanny” Molly: fairly offensive, and admittedly repetitive at this level. Ross getting heartbroken after Rachel kisses another person: once more, we’ve been there so many occasions earlier than.

197. The One with the Invitation – Season 4, episode 21

Positively essentially the most entertaining of all flashback episodes. On this one, Rachel has to determine whether or not or not she is going to attend Ross’s marriage ceremony to Emily in London. She finally ends up planning to not go, claiming that she should keep to take care of Phoebe (who’s pregnant with triplets and can’t fly) however, as flashbacks of her relationship with Ross clarify, it’s just too painful for her to observe him marry another person.

196. The One with the Halloween Social gathering – Season eight, episode six

It’s Halloween, and Ross clothes up as Spudnik (a cross between the Sputnik satellites and a spud). This makes up for the marginally lacklustre central plot that sees him armwrestling with Chandler to… impress the ladies within the room?

195. The One with All of the Haste – Season 4, episode 19

Rachel and Monica lastly get again their residence (which they’d misplaced to Chandler and Joey a number of episodes in the past). Ross proposes to his girlfriend Emily on a whim, leaving Rachel secretly brokenhearted – and laying the bottom work for the emotional rollercoaster of his disastrous London marriage ceremony.

194. The One with Rachel’s Large Kiss – Season seven, episode 20

Rachel insists she as soon as kissed her former sorority sister named Melissa (and performed brilliantly by Winona Ryder). Phoebe doesn’t purchase it, as a result of she thinks Rachel is simply too “vanilla” to have kissed one other girl. Joey, naturally, finds the entire thing very titillating. Ross, in the meantime, feedback that “that makes two of my wives” – as a result of his former partner Carol is a lesbian, get it? It’s a type of episodes that hasn’t actually stood the check of time.

193. The One with the Butt – Season one, episode six

At this stage of season one, Associates was nonetheless making an attempt to determine its personal identification, and it exhibits. Joey hopes to get his large break in movie (little does he know he’s going to have to attend for a number of extra seasons), Chandler can’t deal with relationship a girl who can be seeing different males, and Monica is a neat freak. The plot traces are a bit far and wide, and none is especially satisfying.

192. The One with the Secret Closet – Season eight, episode 14

OK, right here’s the factor: most of Associates was at the least fairly good, so we’re attending to the a part of the rating the place some episodes find yourself in the direction of the underside just because they are not as nice as the remainder. Right here, the one attention-grabbing story arc is Rachel’s, who experiences Braxton Hicks contractions and depends on Joey’s help – main Ross to grasp he desires to be extra current in Rachel’s life as she’s anticipating their little one. Aside from that, Monica makes sexual noises when Phoebe massages her, and he or she additionally has a secret messy closet.

191. The One with the Soccer – Season three, episode 9

Watching Ross and Monica compete for the Geller Cup (a made-up award from their childhood) is fairly cute. Watching Chandler and Joey compete for a girl, much less so.

190. The One with Chandler’s Work Giggle – Season 5, episode 12

Monica will get mad at Chandler for… wanting his boss to love him? Ross dates Janice? What’s occurring right here?

189. The One with Rachel’s Crush – Season 4, episode 13

I had forgotten how horrible Chandler was at relationships early on within the present. This time, he’s mad as a result of his girlfriend Kathy, an ACTOR, performs a prostitute in a play, which he finds too sexual. Then date an accountant and depart the poor girl alone?

Danny Devito starred as 50-year-old stripper 'Officer Roy Goodbody' at Phoebe's bachelorette party.

Danny Devito starred as 50-year-old stripper ‘Officer Roy Goodbody’ at Phoebe’s bachelorette social gathering.

188. The One with the Evil Orthodontist – Season one, episode 20

Chandler desperately desires a girl to return his calls, then finds her needy when she lastly comes to fulfill him in particular person. Joey tracks down a girl who was spying on the group from the alternative constructing. Rachel sleeps together with her ex-fiancé Barry earlier than realising she was proper to go away him on the altar. Once more, I don’t hate this episode with the hearth of a thousand suns – it’s simply inferior to the remainder.

187. The One with Mrs Bing – Season one, episode 11

Phoebe and Monica combat over… a person who has by no means met them and is now in a coma (by their very own fault)? Ross makes out with… Chandler’s mom? All the things about this episode is a bit odd.

186. The One with the Low-cost Wedding ceremony Gown – Season seven, episode 17

Monica has to surrender on her dream marriage ceremony gown in order that she will ebook the band Chandler desires for his or her reception. Given all the things that’s occurred over the course of the earlier seasons, one may query whether or not Chandler is basically value it, however OK, honest sufficient. Surprisingly, the higher a part of this episode revolves round Ross and Joey’s competitors as they each determine to take the identical girl out on two separate dates. Normally, I’m not a fan of the “girl as a contest prize” trope, however on this case, it’s diverted in a method that feels really humorous. (Trace: Joey makes an attempt to sabotage Ross’s date, the 2 get right into a screaming combat, the lady leaves, which these two don’t even discover till she’s gone and so they’re left to eat dinner collectively.)

185. The One with the Bullies – Season two, episode 21

Ross and Chandler realise that simply because they’re adults doesn’t imply they’re carried out with playground bullies. Additionally, Phoebe goes to go to her organic father, with whom she doesn’t have a relationship. After by accident operating over the household’s canine, she finds out that her father has walked out on them too, however meets her half-brother Frank Jr – who, as everyone knows, will present an attention-grabbing story arc for Phoebe in seasons to come back.

184. The One the place Rachel Goes Again to Work – Season 9, episode 11

Look, it’s nice that Associates tackled Rachel’s fears that she’s going to get unfairly pushed out of her job after occurring maternity depart. However the man who fills in for her, Gavin, acts like a dismissive jerk for many of his on-screen time, and out of the blue will get to emerge as a “very nice” man simply because he presents to babysit as soon as? I don’t assume so, Gavin.

183. The One with the Dwelling Research – Season 10, episode seven

Chandler and Monica panic after realising that the social employee who’s evaluating them as potential adoptive mother and father went on a date with Joey – and naturally, he by no means known as her again. In the meantime, Rachel reveals to Ross that she’s scared of swings (sure, the playground gear). It’s all OK, however the episode by no means fairly takes off.

182. The One with the Screamer – Season three, episode 22

Rachel dates a person with anger points. Joey’s co-star and girlfriend has to go away for LA. Phoebe tries to achieve the customer support for her damaged cellphone. It’s all fairly humorous, however once more, there are higher episodes.

181. The One with the Flashback – Season three, episode six

This is without doubt one of the nicer flashback episodes, primarily as a result of it takes place not too lengthy earlier than the present’s pilot, giving us a greater concept of how we acquired right here. We get to see Joey develop into Chandler’s roommate and meet the remainder of the group. It’s barely unusual to see the Central Perk as a bar (earlier than it was changed into the enduring espresso home), and the entire episode has a particular quirky vibe – however quirky’s good generally.

180. The One with the Lottery – Season 9, episode 18

This one belongs on the coronary heart of the “not unhealthy, however there are much better episodes” zone. The chums enter the lottery, and it’s just about a on condition that they’re not really going to develop into millionaires – though what a plot twist that will be for the present’s penultimate season.

179. The One with the Fertility Take a look at – Season 9, episode 21

Chandler and Monica go to a fertility clinic. Chandler makes many jokes about having to ejaculate in a cup. In the meantime, Joey tries and fails to impress his girlfriend Charlie by memorising details about varied artworks on the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork. This episode is simply positive. It’s simply not laugh-out-loud humorous or surprisingly transferring, which so many episodes of Associates have been.

178. The One with the Stain – Season eight, episode seven

Monica hires a maid, turns into satisfied that she is stealing her garments and tries to peek on the maid’s crotch to examine on a possible tell-tale ink stain on a pair of denims (which she thinks could be hers). Monica, are you OK?

Rachel once had to persuade Ben to stop playing pranks on his dad Ross

Rachel as soon as needed to persuade Ben to cease taking part in pranks on his dad Ross (Warner Bros Tv/Vibrant/Kauffman/Crane Productions)

177. The One with the Monkey – Season one, episode 10

Phoebe meets David (her scientist boyfriend and in addition the one which acquired away as a result of he went to Minsk to work on a analysis mission), Rachel hangs out together with her terrible crush Paolo (who additionally occurs to embody the stereotype of the promiscuous, womanising Italian), Monica invitations her personal boyfriend, Enjoyable Bobby, whose backstory is rarely really defined, and Ross adopts his monkey, Marcel. In different phrases, it is season one, and issues are a bit messy.

176. The One with the Hypnosis Tape – Season three, episode 18

Monica begins seeing a millionaire named Pete who takes her to Rome (sure, Italy’s capital) on their first date. Phoebe’s brother Frank marries his house economics instructor and Phoebe is, understandably, a bit shocked – however in the end accepts their relationship. This may be an sudden however attention-grabbing episode if not for the story arc that sees Chandler utilizing a hypnosis tape to stop smoking – besides naturally, the tape is for ladies and Chandler begins appearing in a increasingly female method. Any storyline that entails Chandler and masculinity loses factors. These are the principles.

175. The One with the Boobies – Season one, episode 13

Chandler by accident walks in on a topless Rachel, and this can be a sitcom, so as an alternative of apologising and transferring on, Rachel embarks on a quest to get again at Chandler by strolling him on him whereas he’s bare – however finally ends up peeping on all of the fallacious folks. Fairly cringey in actual life, however humorous in a piece of fiction. In the meantime, Joey struggles after discovering out his father is having an affair, and Phoebe dates a psychiatrist.

174. The One with Joey’s Award – Season seven, episode 18

Monica momentarily panics when she realises that being engaged to Chandler means she is going to by no means expertise the fun of a brand new relationship. It’s a reasonably widespread trope, however refreshingly utilized to a feminine character (males in fiction are likely to have a monopoly on the worry of getting tied right down to a single particular person for the remainder of their lives). In the meantime, Ross is concerned in a fairly uncomfortable plot line wherein a number of of his male college students might or might not pretend being in love with him, and will or might not pretend being drawn to males, as a way to enhance their grades.

173. The One with the Jam – Season three, episode three

Monica tries to recover from her break-up with Richard by making a variety of jam. Chandler, idiot that he’s, goes to Ross, of all folks, for relationship recommendation. Oh, and Phoebe has a stalker.

172. The One with the Ball – Season 5, episode 21

Ross and Joey (and, later, Monica) realise they’ve been throwing a ball to one another for 2 hours with out dropping it, and problem themselves to maintain the streak going for so long as doable. It’s a type of episodes the place a sitcom takes one thing that would realistically occur in actual life and escalates it to over-the-top heights – and the outcome right here is fairly humorous.

171. The One with the Dozen Lasagnes – Season one, episode 12

Ah, sure, The One the place Rachel’s Terrible Boyfriend Paolo Stars Groping Everybody. An attention-grabbing concept, which might have been higher conveyed if Paolo hadn’t been an offensive, sleazy-Italian-man stereotype.

170. The One with Rachel’s Cellphone Quantity – Season 9, episode 9

Ross, who at this level hasn’t been in a relationship with Rachel since season three, takes a message from a person Rachel met at a bar. After which doesn’t give her stated message. It is going to come again to hang-out him, and rightly so.

169. The One with the Final Combating Champion – Season three, episode 24

The entire “Monica dates a millionaire” plot was a bit weird – albeit not utterly unrealistic for a sitcom set in New York, which will get recurrently cited as one of many cities with essentially the most millionaires on this planet. It is smart, then, that Monica’s relationship with millionaire Pete ended on a bizarre word: Pete decides he desires to develop into the Final Combating Champion and, being the dogged entrepreneur that he’s, received’t cease till he succeeds, even when meaning getting critically harmed in a number of wrestling matches. Monica can’t bear seeing him get injured and breaks up with him. Unusual, however factors for originality.

168. The One with the Birthing Video – Season eight, episode 15

Ross’s girlfriend Mona is getting understandably annoyed after he lies to her about Rachel (who at this level within the sequence is pregnant together with his little one) transferring in with him. His efforts to one way or the other straddle his relationship with Mona and his involvement in Rachel’s life have disastrous, but hilarious outcomes.

167. The One After the Superbowl, Half One – Season two, episode 12

Brooke Shields is superb as Joey’s stalkerish fan Erika, who’s unable to make a distinction between Joey and his character on Days of Our Lives, Dr Drake Ramoray. Plus, Ross’s quest to seek out his former pet Marcel, who has disappeared from the zoo Ross gave him as much as, is definitely fairly humorous.

166. The One The place Joey Tells Rachel – Season eight, episode 16

The Rachel-and-Joey plot general felt like a misfire, particularly as soon as these two really acquired collectively, however nonetheless – Joey’s emotions for Rachel made for a pleasant little bit of character improvement on his half. Candy, conflicted Joey was rather more attention-grabbing than season 10 Joey, who one way or the other grew from a goofy airhead to an precise fool in the direction of the tip.

165. The One The place Monica Sings – Season 9, episode 13

Ross brings a really nosy girl house, one factor results in the following, and he and Rachel (who at this level are comparatively new mother and father to Emma) realise they will’t preserve residing collectively. It was at all times fairly attention-grabbing to observe Ross and Rachel attempt to operate as co-parents, and the present approached that storyline in a method that usually felt trustworthy and as practical as doable within the land of sitcoms.

164.The One The place No One Proposes – Season 9, episode one

Rachel is making an attempt to discover ways to breastfeed her new child daughter. She thinks Joey proposed to her however in truth he was simply selecting up the engagement ring that Ross was doubtlessly, possibly going to think about giving her. Chandler and Monica try to conceive. That’s lots to pack in a 20-minute episode, however one way or the other it really works.

163. The One with the Cake – Season 10, episode 4

It’s Emma’s first birthday, and all the things goes fallacious. None of Ross and Rachel’s pals need to rejoice (how type of you, guys), Emma retains napping, and her cake, which was imagined to be formed like a bunny, finally ends up being modelled after male genitalia. Finally, although, these points get solved, and the candy decision feels earned.

162. The One with the Ring – Season six, episode 23

Phoebe helps Chandler choose an engagement ring for Monica, and he or she’s arguably the worst particular person for the job, which is what makes this episode so humorous. In the meantime, Rachel’s boyfriend Paul (aka Bruce Willis) begins displaying extra emotional vulnerability, solely to finish up shedding an countless stream of tears.

161. The One with the Cleaning soap Opera Social gathering – Season 9, episode 20

This episode marks the arrival of Charlie Wheeler, aka Aisha Tyler, aka the primary particular person of color to develop into an everyday forged member on Associates. Hurrah! However sure, it took the present 9 seasons and virtually a decade to get to that time. And even then, Charlie solely remained for 9 episodes.

160. The One with the Cooking Class – Season eight, episode 21

Jennifer Aniston delivers a fairly superb (humorous and but touching) efficiency as a pregnant Rachel who doesn’t need Ross so far anybody (however does not need to date him, both). Oh, and Monica, knowledgeable chef, goes to a cooking class to heal her bruised ego after her restaurant will get a searing evaluate.

159. The One The place Rachel Finds Out – Season one, episode 24

Joey can’t have intercourse as a result of he’s collaborating in a analysis research for which he must donate sperm, so he decides to give attention to his companion’s pleasure solely. Think about that! After all, this solely lasts so long as the research goes on.

158. The One with Ross’s Library Ebook – Season seven, episode seven

Ross tries to forestall folks from playing around among the many library stacks the place his thesis is stored, whereas Rachel and Phoebe develop connected to a girl who was imagined to be Joey’s one-night-stand. And the way good is it to see Intercourse And the Metropolis’s Kristin Davis cross over into the Associates realm?

157. The One The place the Monkey Will get Away – Season one, episode 19

Rachel lets Ross’s pet monkey escape, and the buddies embark on a breathless quest to get him again, which entails a former bullied classmate who now works for Animal Management. Rachel’s ex-fiancé Barry additionally makes a comeback, claiming that he nonetheless loves her and can’t, in truth, marry Rachel’s pal Mindy. A lot drama!

156. The One with the Free Porn – Season 4, episode 17

Chandler and Joey get limitless free porn (bear in mind this was pre high-speed Web) whereas flipping by the channels and resolve by no means to show off their TV set once more lest they lose entry. It’s a foolish, traditional Chandler and Joey enterprise.

155. The One with Phoebe’s Husband – Season two, episode 4

Phoebe’s secret husband, an ice skater who she thought was homosexual, comes again into her life and asks for a divorce – because it seems, he’s straight. His dialog with Phoebe is a reasonably intelligent reversal of oft-used LGBT character tropes (in faculty, Duncan would typically get up subsequent to ladies after partying, and so on).

154. The One with Russ – Season two, episode 10

Freshly off a combat / semi-split with Ross (are you able to cut up for those who weren’t actually relationship?) Rachel begins relationship his clone, Russ (performed by David Schwimmer beneath the alias Snaro). After all, she insists she will’t see the resemblance. It is like watching Associates by the looking-glass.

153. The One The place Paul’s the Man – Season six, episode 22

And the award for many hilarious pep discuss goes to… Bruce Willis, aka Paul-the-father-of-Ross’s-student-girlfriend, standing in entrance of a mirror and assuring himself that he’s “the person”.

152. The One The place Heckles Dies – Season two, episode three

Associates tackled the subject of loss of life in varied methods all through the present, and it did so in fairly a melancholic, touching method on this episode, which is devoted to the buddies’ largely unlikeable neighbour Mr Heckles.

151. The One with Joey’s Soiled Day – Season 4, episode 14

Keep in mind when Phoebe, Rachel and Monica tried to elevate Chandler’s spirits after a break-up by taking him to a strip membership (and satisfied one of many performers to stop to show the third grade)? Positive, the entire episode isn’t dealt with in essentially the most delicate of the way, but it surely’s actually fairly humorous.

150. The One with Princess Consuela – Season 10, episode 14

When Phoebe finds out she will change her final identify to something she desires, she goes for Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock. And backs out when her new husband (the splendidly deadpan Paul Rudd) threatens to take the identify C**p Bag.

149. The One with Rachel’s Inadvertent Kiss – Season 5, episode 17

Rachel’s awkward impulse to kiss her future boss on the cheek after what had been a profitable job interview is the stuff of nightmares. And naturally, it solely will get worse from there.

148. The One with All of the Poker – Season one, episode 18

A aggressive recreation of poker amongst all six pals turns into a method for Rachel to recover from a failed job interview, and for Chandler and Joey to get affirmation that Ross is desperately in love together with her. However largely, that is the episode that taught us that “coincidence” is “joincidence” spelled with a “j”.

147. The One The place Ross Cannot Flirt – Season 5, episode 19

Ross actually, actually can’t flirt – simply watch him order a number of pizzas whereas making an attempt to attraction the supply girl, Caitlin. There’s additionally a cute second wherein Phoebe one way or the other manages has a dialog in Italian with Joey’s grandmother.

146. The One with Rachel’s Sister – Season six, episode 13

Reese Witherspoon steals the present as Rachel’s spoiled sibling Jill – and presents an ideal little bit of character improvement for Rachel, who will get to point out simply how far she has come because the starting of the sequence.

145. The One The place Chandler Takes a Bathtub – Season eight, episode 13

Joey’s emotions for Rachel create confusion within the group, Rachel by accident finds out from Ross that they’re anticipating a lady – however most significantly, Chandler realises he actually likes taking baths, and Matthew Perry’s comedic expertise shines.

(Image: Associates/YouTube/screengrab)

144. The One with Phoebe’s Birthday Dinner – Season 9, episode 5

Phoebe is understandably annoyed when all of her pals are absurdly late for her birthday dinner. Lisa Kudrow superbly pulls off certainly one of Phoebe’s uncommon however highly effective matches of rage.

143. The One the place Monica and Richard are Simply Associates – Season three, episode 13

Because of Rachel, Joey falls in love with Little Ladies (as he ought to), however is heartbroken to seek out out that Beth dies. On a much less mental word, Phoebe’s new date, Robert, retains “popping out of his shorts” and by accident exposing himself.

142. The One with the Tea Leaves – Season eight, episode 17

In an try and keep away from additional awkwardness with Joey, Rachel makes up absurd office points and tells him her boss desires to purchase her child. However the funniest bit comes when Ross makes an attempt to secretly retrieve his beloved salmon pink shirt from his ex-girlfriend Mona’s residence, and naturally finally ends up getting caught.

141. The One with the Dollhouse – Season three, episode 20

Joey falls exhausting for his co-star Kate, who at first doesn’t like him again. Finally, they get collectively, and as their romance escalates, Joey realises how poorly he has acted in the direction of most of his exes – so he calls them to make amends. In the meantime, Chandler stars relationship Rachel’s boss Joanna and may’t carry himself to cease suggesting one other date, although he finds her impossibly boring.

140. The One with the Start Mom – Season 10, episode 9

Unpopular opinion: I by no means discovered the “Joey doesn’t share meals!” second all that humorous. I do know, I do know. Nonetheless, Chandler’s monologue when he begs a pregnant girl to choose him and Monica as her little one’s adoptive mother and father packs a shocking emotional punch – a significant change of tone pulled off brilliantly by Matthew Perry.

139. The One with the Late Thanksgiving – Season 10, episode eight

Monica agrees to make dinner for the entire group, however everybody exhibits up late. Joey will get his head caught in a door. A big mess ensues. However none of this issues, as a result of Monica and Chandler get a name from their adoption company telling them a girl has chosen them to be the mother and father of her child.

138. The One with the Donor – Season 9, episode 22

Monica and Chandler discover out they will’t conceive a toddler and resolve to undertake. Phoebe goes out together with her long-lost love David, seemingly transferring on from Mike! Joey’s girlfriend Charlie overhears Rachel confess her emotions for stated Joey to Phoebe. All in all, this is without doubt one of the higher episodes of season 10.

137. The One The place the Stripper Cries – Season 10, episode 11

Danny DeVito is just unforgettable in his position as a balding, out-of-shape, but completely competent stripper going by the identify Officer Goodbody. And when Phoebe asks him to do his final efficiency for her, she will get the present of a lifetime.

136. The One with Ross’s Enamel – Season six, episode eight

Keep in mind when Ross whitened his tooth earlier than a date, and so they ended up actually, actually white? That is a type of goofy, absurdly humorous traces that sticks the touchdown.

135. The One with All of the Sweet – Season seven, episode 9

Ross offers Phoebe a motorcycle, then teaches her to experience it – beneath the scornful gaze of judgemental mother and father on the park. The entire thing is genuinely touching and really humorous.

134. The One with Rachel’s Date – Season eight, episode 5

Phoebe begins so far Monica’s sous-chef, then desires to interrupt up with him – however Monica additionally desires to fireplace him. Each agree that stated sous-chef shouldn’t be dumped and fired on the identical day, however neither desires to attend. Hilarity ensues.

133. The One with Monica’s Thunder – Season seven, episode one

Monica and Chandler simply acquired engaged! Rachel and Ross kissed within the hallway! Monica is thus satisfied that Rachel desires to steal her thunder on this wonderful day! Rachel and Ross’s dialogue as they fake to sleep collectively (as a part of Rachel’s elaborate plan to get on Monica’s nerves) is laugh-out-loud humorous.

132. The One with Joey’s New Girlfriend – Season 4, episode 5

Ross and Rachel attempt to make one another jealous by relationship, respectively, a girl who’s searching for a child sitter reasonably than a boyfriend, and a thief. An excellent reminder that these two had superb chemistry as offended exes. Chandler tries to masks his rising emotions for Joey’s girlfriend, Kathy – and Matthew Perry delivers a splendidly impassioned monologue about how a lot he loves her.

131. The One The place Joey Strikes Out – Season two, episode 16

Because the title suggests, Joey strikes out of the residence he shared with Chandler, as the 2 battle to cohabit. It was at all times unhappy to see these two combat, but it surely made for good, reasonably real tv. Phoebe and Rachel’s expertise at a tattoo parlour (Rachel will get a coronary heart tattooed on her hip whereas Phoebe stops the method after getting only a dot beneath her clavicle) supplies nice comedian reduction.

130. The One on the Seaside – Season three, episode 25

Phoebe tries to seek out her delivery mom in Montauk, and issues get atrociously jumbled as Ross makes an attempt to decide on between staying together with his girlfriend Bonnie or going again with Rachel. All in all, this can be a good, eventful season finale.

129. The One The place They All Flip 30 – Season seven, episode 14

Rachel has bother dealing with the truth that she’s turning 30, prompting the entire group to reminisce about their very own previous birthdays. We be taught that when Ross turned 30, he purchased a ridiculous sports activities automobile that grew to become caught between two different parked autos. In a flashback sequence, Ross repeatedly instructs his pals to “elevate and slide” the automobile in an try and un-wedge it – in a sequence harking back to his traditional “Pivot!”.

128. The One with the Yeti – Season 5, episode six

Emily, who remains to be recovering from Ross’s notorious “Rachel” slip on the altar, asks him to promote his furnishings and transfer to a brand new residence as they try and rekindle their relationship. As her calls for escalate, Ross realises she is going to by no means belief him once more, and the 2 determine to separate for good – lastly.

(Image: Associates/YouTube/screengrab)

127. The One The place Eddie Will not Go – Season two, episode 19

Keep in mind Eddie, Chandler’s extraordinarily unusual roommate performed (brilliantly) by Adam Goldberg? He was so bizarre. And so very humorous.

126. The One The place Ross Hugs Rachel – Season six, episode two

Rachel is making an attempt to get Ross to annul their union after they drunkenly acquired married in Las Vegas. Ross is reluctant to take action as a result of he doesn’t desire a third failed marriage to his identify, and since – because it seems – he nonetheless has emotions for Rachel. Rachel, in the meantime, should settle for the truth that her roommate Monica goes to maneuver in with Chandler, and are available to phrases with the truth that “it’s the tip of an period”.

125. The One with Christmas in Tulsa – Season 9, episode 10

Chandler, who has by accident accepted a job switch to Tulsa, Oklahoma, spends the lousiest Christmas ever in his workplace. One in all his coworkers begins flirting with him, prompting him to grasp how a lot he misses his spouse Monica – and at hand in his resignation, in a reasonably satisfying mini plot twist.

124. The One with Two Elements, Half One – Season one, episode 16

Seeing Joey date Phoebe’s twin sister Ursula will at all times really feel unusual, however the storyline performs out properly, and it offers a deeper look into Phoebe and Joey’s friendship – one of many sweetest bonds among the many group.

123. The One The place Rachel’s Sister Babysits – Season 10, episode 5

Joey makes an attempt to write down a letter of advice for Chandler and Monica’s adoption case, overuses his thesaurus, and finally ends up writing it in his personal phrases – aka, like a toddler. Mike is determined to pop the query to Phoebe, who retains unknowingly mocking his repeated proposal makes an attempt earlier than they occur.

122. The One After Joey and Rachel Kiss – Season 10, episode one

Monica, Chandler and Phoebe workforce as much as eavesdrop each on Charlie and Ross (who simply acquired collectively) and Rachel and Joey (ditto). The episode even takes on vaudeville undertones after Chandler pulls Joey out of Rachel’s room unbeknownst to a puzzled Rachel and an oblivious Ross.

121. The One with the Sweet Hearts – Season one, episode 14

Carol, pregnant with Ben, finally ends up alone at a restaurant on Valentine’s Day after Susan wants to go away to are likely to an emergency. Ross, who occurs to be seated near her (and is on a date of his personal) tells her to come back over. The night devolves right into a last-ditch effort for Ross to get his ex-wife again – till he lastly accepts that they’ll by no means reunite. Monica, Phoebe and Rachel stage a “boyfriend bonfire” (wherein they burn recollections of their respective exes) and bond with firefighters after the blaze will get out of hand.

120. The One with Rachel’s Dream – Season 9, episode 19

Ross and Chandler find yourself going collectively on a romantic weekend to Vermont (it’s an extended story) and in an try and pay themselves again for the value of their room, embark on a quest to gather as many freebies as doable. And naturally, Ross eats too many items of maple sweet, which is a golden alternative for David Schwimmer to drag off his “hyper Ross” efficiency.

119. The One The place Outdated Yeller Dies – Season two, episode 20

Phoebe’s shocked when she realises her mom shielded her from most unhappy film endings all through her childhood – and begins catching up on her pop-culture training. Ross causes (his then-girlfriend) Rachel to panic when he tells her he’s already mapped out their future as mother and father within the suburbs. Their argument ends with presumably essentially the most angsty first “I like you” within the historical past of tv.

118. The One with Ross’s Denial – Season six, episode three

Sure, it was enjoyable to observe an enamoured Ross make one unhealthy resolution after the following whereas refusing to confess to himself that he was nonetheless head over heels in love with Rachel – and at this level within the present, he nonetheless hadn’t advised Rachel that he had did not get their Las Vegas marriage annulled.

117. The One with the Stoned Man – Season one, episode 15

Monica desperately desires to impress the proprietor of a restaurant she’s hoping will rent her as a chef, however he’s excessive and extra considering plain taco shells and gummy bears than her connoisseur delicacies. Oh, and Ross’s date urges him to speak soiled to her, leading to him blurting out the phrase “vulva”.

116. The One The place They’re Up All Evening – Season seven, episode 12

The title says all of it: for a wide range of causes, nobody can get a very good night time’s sleep. Ross and Joey are caught on the roof, Tag and Rachel are caught up in a work-related argument, Chandler has insomnia and received’t let Monica sleep, and – the funniest of all – Phoebe’s hearth alarm retains beeping for no obvious purpose.

115. The One with Ross’s Step Ahead / The One with The Creepy Vacation Card – Season eight, episode 11

Ross freaks out when his girlfriend Mona suggests they ship a vacation card collectively and, in an try and keep away from a tough dialog, offers her a key (the solely key) to his residence. Basic Ross.

114. The One with Ross’s Inappropriate Music – Season 9, episode seven

New mother and father Ross and Rachel uncover that the one option to get their child daughter to chuckle is to rap “Child Acquired Again”, Sir Combine-A-Lot’s not precisely child-friendly hit. So what to they do? They rap. Poorly, inappropriately, and hilariously.

113. The One with the Faux Monica – Season one, episode 21

This one is so bizarre, but so attention-grabbing. When Monica’s bank card will get stolen, she catches the thief – who seems to be a girl with a really enjoyable, very prison life. Her one-episode friendship with the true Monica is surprisingly touching, and it additionally helps Monica settle for herself for who she is.

112. The One The place Rosita Dies – Season seven, episode 13

Rosita, aka Joey’s reclining armchair, meets her premature demise. Rachel buys him a brand new one, however Chandler, who thinks he’s accountable for the tragedy, replaces Rosita together with his personal chair, resulting in some confusion on Joey’s half. All that is fairly entertaining, however nowhere close to as attention-grabbing as Phoebe’s try and preserve an workplace employee named Earl from taking his personal life. Their trade is stuffed with darkish humour, and it is at all times attention-grabbing to see Phoebe – quirky, enjoyable Phoebe – handle a high-stakes scenario.

111. The One The place Eddie Strikes In – Season two, episode 17

Keep in mind when Phoebe shot a music video for “Smelly Cat” and wasn’t even unhappy when she realised her voice had been changed by one other girl’s? Enjoyable occasions.

110. The One with Rachel’s Ebook – Season seven, episode two

Joey finds Rachel’s erotic ebook and tries to make enjoyable of her for it, however appears to be confused as to the which means of the phrase “vicar”. And look, after seven seasons of the fellows’ monopoly on porn, it was good to see a feminine character (particularly prim and correct Rachel) getting in on the enjoyable.

109. The One The place Rachel Smokes – Season 5, episode 18

Rachel worries that her standing as a non-smoker means she’s getting excluded from essential conversations at work – a delightfully Nineties concern. Additionally, Phoebe (who’s arranging a shock celebration with Monica) pronounces the sentence: “Monica goes to rue the day that she put me accountable for cups and ice”, which is simply epic.

108. The One with Ross’s Wedding ceremony, Half One – Season 4, episode 23

All the buddies besides a really pregnant Phoebe fly to London, the place Ross is about to marry Emily – and discover out the venue is getting torn down. Joey, who’s initially extremely excited to go to the English capital, finally ends up feeling comically homesick after one cellphone name to New York.

107. The One with George Stephanopoulos – Season one, episode 4

Monica, Phoebe and Rachel are having essentially the most miserable slumber social gathering in historical past till they discover out that their pizza has been by accident delivered to George Stephanopoulos – and proceed to attempt to spy on the TV star. Oh, to be younger within the Nineties in New York Metropolis.

106. The One The place Rachel Quits – Season three, episode 10

Rachel quits her job as a waitress in quest of a greater profession path. By the tip of the episode, she has a brand new gig, which primarily consists of creating espresso for her boss. Nonetheless, it’s her first job in vogue – and step one in Rachel’s series-long path to success.

105. The One with Rachel’s Different Sister – Season 9, episode eight

Reese Witherspoon couldn’t return as Rachel’s sibling Jill, so Christina Applegate was forged as her “different sister” – and did a exceptional job at bringing the unbearable, tactless Amy to life. This time round, Amy manages to get invited to Thanksgiving dinner with the group and has the gall to get outraged when she learns that, ought to Rachel and Ross die, she wouldn’t “get” their daughter Emma – whom she retains calling the fallacious identify.

104. The One After the Superbowl, Half Two – Season two, episode 13

This one was odd however enjoyable – and it simply screams Nineties nostalgia. By its second season, Associates was fashionable sufficient to draw some high-profile visitor stars. Therefore, Rachel and Monica combat over Jean-Claude Van Damme (I do know, awwww) and Chandler goes out with a former schoolmate performed by Julia Roberts. Pleasant.

103. The One with the Proposal, Half One – Season six, episode 24

Positive. Chandler’s plans to suggest to Monica are very touching, however this episode’s actual * chef kiss * second occurs when Ross’s scholar / girlfriend, Elizabeth, bombards him with water balloons after he breaks up together with her. You GO, Elizabeth.

102. The One with the Promenade Video – Season two, episode 14

Any sequence wherein the buddies are seen throughout their faculty years is headed straight to Cringeville (hiya, Courteney Cox in a fats go well with). Solely redeeming second: when Rachel realises that a few years in the past, Ross was able to step in after her promenade date had apparently failed to point out up. Thus, Ross and Rachel, who had form of acquired collectively however probably not, kiss once more, and certainly one of community tv’s most iconic {couples} is reborn for good.

101. The One with Ross’s Factor – Season three, episode 23

Ross has a factor on his bottom. Is it a mole? Is it a cyst? Nobody appears to know! Just one factor is for certain: Ross’s makes an attempt to seek out out will likely be more and more humiliating.

100. The One The place Rachel Is Late – Season eight, episode 22

Rachel is late. Late for what, you ask? To present delivery, in fact! She’s exhausted and justifiably cranky as her being pregnant continues previous its time period. A reminder if wanted of Jennifer Aniston’s comedic expertise.

99. The One with Rachel’s Going-Away Social gathering – Season 10, episode 16

What a tearjerker. Rachel is making ready to go away New York for Paris, Chandler and Monica are about to maneuver to the suburbs, and the sequence is nearing its finish. The scenes wherein Rachel bids goodbye to Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey are beautiful – and on the time they aired, they will need to have offered some catharsis to heartbroken followers bidding the present farewell. In any case this, in fact, Ross and Rachel argue, then kiss – and arrange the finale completely.

98. The One with Monica and Chandler’s Wedding ceremony, Half One – Season seven, episode 23

Associates had such a knack for marriage ceremony episodes. Monica and Chandler’s nuptials have been particularly beautiful, not simply because of the stunning couple, but additionally as a result of the writers made positive to incorporate attention-grabbing storylines along with the marriage itself. Right here, we not solely get to observe Chandler and Monica making ready to tie the knot (cute! And a bit aggravating when Chandler goes lacking) however we additionally discover out – gasp! – that one of many pals is pregnant.

97. The One The place Ross Strikes In – Season 5, episode seven

Ross strikes in with Chandler and Joey – and seems to be essentially the most unbearable roommate on this planet. Phoebe dates an over-eager restaurant inspector, and Rachel, determined for her new neighbour Danny to ask her out, proves surprisingly inept at taking part in it cool. It’s a enjoyable, beautiful little Associates episode, the place nothing main occurs apart from about 20 minutes of completely pleasurable tv.

96. The One The place Chandler Cannot Cry – Season six, episode 14

Keep in mind when Ross briefly dated Rachel’s sister Jill? That was bizarre, proper? Bizarre however attention-grabbing. In the meantime, Phoebe finds out that her equivalent twin sister Ursula is starring in pornographic movies and utilizing her identify – and handles the scenario together with her common panache.

95. The One with the Kips – Season 5, episode 5

Chandler and Monica have their first combat as a pair – and Chandler is flabbergasted to be taught that this doesn’t signify the tip of their relationship. A worthwhile lesson for each couple: it’s OK to argue! Talking of which, Ross’s spouse Emily asks Ross to not see Rachel anymore, after he by accident stated her identify on the altar.

94. The One The place Phoebe Runs – Season six, episode seven

Generally, to write down a web page of TV historical past, you’ll want to resort to hi-jinks and / or an abundance of dramatic pressure. Different occasions, you’ll be able to simply have Phoebe Buffay run in a reasonably… distinctive method in Central Park.

93. The One The place Joey Dates Rachel – Season eight, episode 12

Joey takes a pregnant Rachel out on a date, as a result of she misses that a part of her social life. It’s all very cute, though it foreshadows Joey’s forever-kind-of-uncomfortable crush on Rachel. The very best half, although, comes when Ross desperately tries to carry on to a brand new educating slot, although it takes place “throughout city”, aka on the opposite aspect of Manhattan. After a number of determined makes an attempt to cross the sizeable borough in 10 minutes (certainly one of which leads to him fainting), he winds up educating on rollerblades.

92. The One with Two Elements, Half Two – Season one, episode 17

George Clooney and Noah Wyle make a cameo as two medical doctors treating Rachel after she hurts her ankle. It’s an ER / Associates crossover, within the mid-Nineties, again when each exhibits have been of their infancy. Issues don’t get significantly better than this.

91. The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy – Season three, episode one

Monica is so devastated after her break-up from Richard that she will’t sleep – till her father Jack drops by and tells her that Richard, too, is a wreck. By some means, Monica’s story arc turns from painfully uncooked to very candy in a matter of 20 minutes. And that, my pal, is what they name high quality tv.

90. The One with the Worst Greatest Man Ever – Season 4, episode 22

Joey could be the worst greatest man within the historical past of matrimony, however Phoebe steals the present because the funniest, angriest pregnant girl who retains snapping at her pals – all whereas denying she’s having temper swings. Simply watch her yell on the crowd throughout her child bathe.

89. The One with the Sharks – Season 9, episode 4

After telling Phoebe’s boyfriend Mike that Phoebe has by no means had a severe relationship, Ross tries to repair his mistake – by posing as her tremendous severe (and intensely fictional) ex Vikram, a kite designer.

88. The One with the Child Bathe – Season eight, episode 20

Rachel turns into satisfied she received’t handle to handle her child by herself and welcomes her mom’s provide to maneuver in together with her after the delivery. Ross, nonetheless, steps in, and Rachel realises that 1) she received’t increase the child alone as he will likely be there, and a pair of) she is totally able to caring for a toddler. It’s straightforward to neglect, amongst all of the jokes and the standard sitcom bells and whistles, how a lot Rachel grew as a personality over the course of 10 seasons – and this episode serves as a helpful reminder.

87. The One The place They’re Going to Social gathering! – Season 4, episode 9

After studying that her personal boss, Joanna, sabotaged her software for a place as assistant purchaser as a result of she doesn’t need to lose her as a PA, Rachel is promised a major promotion. Sadly, Joanna dies earlier than any paperwork might undergo to make the modifications official – which means Rachel is again to sq. one. Rachel at all times needed to battle to advance her profession, however this specific setback was… sudden, to say the least.

86.The One in Massapequa / The One with the Zesty Man – Season eight, episode 18

Alec Baldwin is just improbable as Phoebe’s tremendous! cheerful! boyfriend Parker. Initially, Phoebe tries to embrace his joie de vivre, till she snaps and equates him to “Santa Claus on Prozac at Disneyland, getting laid”. What a diss.

85. The One with the Paediatrician – Season 9, episode three

Rachel (and, quickly after, the remainder of the buddies) uncover that Ross remains to be seeing his childhood paediatrician, a lot to the group’s delight. Extra importantly, Joey agrees to go on a double date with Phoebe, forgets to discover a correct man for her, and finally ends up bringing the primary Mike he can discover at Central Perk. Enter Mike Hannigan, who will develop into Phoebe’s husband many episodes later.

84. The One The place Phoebe Hates PBS – Season 5, episode 4

Phoebe and Joey have an unimaginable debate about whether or not it’s doable to do charity work totally for selfless causes. In the meantime, Ross tries to make one of the vital essential selections of his life (does he transfer to London in an try to fix his relationship with Emily?) with the assistance of a… Magic 8 ball.

83. The One on the Final Evening – Season six, episode six

It’s the final night time earlier than Rachel strikes out of Monica’s residence to make room for Chandler. Rachel and Monica preserve preventing with one another, which seems to actually be a method for them to not acknowledge how unhappy they’re. On the opposite aspect of the hall, Chandler invents a recreation (“Cups”) to provide Joey some money, as he believes that Joey received’t have the ability to cope financially with out his roommate. Lovely.

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Image: (Getty Photos)

82. The One with a Chick and a Duck – Season three, episode 21

The chick and the duck, Joey and Chandler’s iconic pets, make their entrance. Ross will get picked to characteristic on a panel on the Discovery Channel, however after Rachel injures her ribs, he offers up on his TV look (with out telling her) to take her to the hospital. The candy second comes as particular proof that their friendship is on the mend, a number of episodes after their dramatic break-up.

81. The One with the Blind Dates – Season 9, episode 14

Joey and Phoebe conspire to arrange Ross and Rachel on horrible blind dates. The funniest little bit of the episode happens on Rachel’s rendez-vous, throughout which he man named Steve complains about “doing one thing he hates for no cash” and being “funny-looking” – however not really humorous. Jon Lovitz, who performs Steve, has impeccable supply and comedic timing.

80. The One with Ross’s Grant – Season 10, episode six

Ross is within the operating for a extremely fascinating tutorial grant, however the man deciding whether or not or not he’ll get it occurs to be Ross’s girlfriend’s ex, who actually desires to get again along with stated girlfriend. Hilarity ensues. This is without doubt one of the higher episodes of season 10.

79. The One with Rachel’s New Gown – Season 4, episode 18

Rachel is lastly relationship Joshua, the Bloomingdale’s consumer she has been lusting after for a number of episodes, and – lengthy story brief – finally ends up having to exit to dinner with him and his mother and father in a negligee. All as a result of Joshua was too frightened of Joey and Chandler’s feathery pets (the duck and the rooster) to remain of their residence.

78. The One with the Jellyfish – Season 4, episode one

Rachel is contemplating going again with Ross and provides him an extended letter, which she says irons out all the things that beforehand went fallacious of their relationship. All he must do is agree with it. Ross, naturally, falls asleep studying the letter. Upon waking up, he pretends he’s in full settlement – solely to seek out out in a while that Rachel desires him to take all of the blame for his or her previous points, which he’s not able to do. It sounds twisted as a result of it’s.

77. The One with the Cuffs – Season 4, episode three

Chandler begins relationship Rachel’s boss Joanna. Rachel, fearing that this may have an effect on her job, asks him to cease. Chandler doesn’t – and winds up handcuffed to Joanna’s workplace chair, half bare. Ethical of the story: take heed to Rachel. Additionally: Rachel and Chandler have been an ideal pairing and may have had extra storylines collectively.

76. The One with the Faux Social gathering – Season 4, episode 16

Aka the one the place Rachel improvises a celebration in hopes of seducing Joshua, and refuses to surrender even after making an attempt a cheerleading quantity (in her outdated uniform) and biting her lip.

75. The One with All of the Kissing – Season 5, episode two

Chandler and Monica battle to cover their budding romance from the remainder of the group – to the purpose that Chandler is left pretending that he acquired used to kissing folks on the lips as a greeting in Europe. Oh, to be younger and (secretly) in love.

74. The One The place Dr Ramoray Dies – Season two, episode 18

Positive, it’s very unhappy that Joey’s character on Days of Our Lives will get killed off. However how are we imagined to really feel any sorrow when Chandler is busy coping with his extraordinarily unusual roommate Eddie, who at one level accuses Chandler of stealing his goldfish, earlier than changing stated animal with a goldfish cracker?

73. The One The place All people Finds Out – Season 5, episode 14

Phoebe, Joey and Rachel have all uncovered Monica and Chandler’s romance. However Monica and Chandler don’t know that they know… or do they? One factor is for sure, although: Ross doesn’t know. Till he does.

72. The One with the Cat – Season 4, episode two

Monica goes on a date with Chip Matthews, Rachel’s highschool promenade date… And realises he nonetheless very a lot lives like a well-liked high-school boy. Oh, and Joey and Chandler lose all of their furnishings after Joey willingly will get into his leisure unit (he was making an attempt to show a degree) and will get locked within it.

71. The One with Joey’s Porsche – Season six, episode 5

After discovering out that Ross by no means really filed for an annulment after their Las Vegas marriage ceremony, Rachel drags him to a choose’s workplace to take matter into her personal palms. She tries in useless to get their marriage annulled on varied bases, and Ross will get in an argument with a courtroom reporter who varieties his each phrase, together with the sentence: “Cease typing”.

70. The One with Joey’s Large Break – Season 5, episode 22

Chandler snaps and tells Joey that no, he doesn’t consider that the low-budget Las Vegas film he’s been forged for goes to be his large break – and when he seems to be proper, Joey refuses to confess it and will get employed as a centurion at a resort. Rachel wants eye drops however refuses to get the remedy wherever close to her corneas, which means Monica and the opposite pals are left staging a dramatic shock intervention to ensure the drops go in.

69. The One with out the Ski Journey – Season three, episode 17

Everybody besides Ross embarks on a ski journey – as a result of Ross and Rachel have simply damaged up and may’t stand to be in one another’s firm. However the group’s automobile breaks down and solely Ross can come to their rescue. After a good quantity of backwards and forwards (and a little bit of a lecture from Phoebe) the 2 realise that they’re going to should discover a option to be in the identical room with out snapping at one another, to protect your complete group.

68. The One with the Engagement Image – Season seven, episode 5

Phoebe begins relationship a person named Kyle, and Ross goes out with Kyle’s ex Whitney. Naturally, Phoebe and Ross find yourself arguing primarily based on all of the horrible issues they’ve discovered concerning the different’s date – till Phoebe angrily tells Ross she and Kyle “need the final six years again”.

67. The One with Joey’s New Mind – Season seven, episode 15

Joey’s character on Days of Our Lives will get a brand new mind, or one thing like that. I don’t know as a result of I used to be too busy taking note of Ross’s try and woo Monica and Chandler together with his bagpipes efficiency (which he desires to reiterate at their marriage ceremony). It’s so hilariously unhealthy that I’m fairly sure you’ll be able to see the forged cracking up.

66. The One with the Mugging – Season 9, episode 15

Phoebe realises, a lot to her horror, that she mugged Ross when she was residing on the road. At first, Ross is outraged (which, by the best way, is an effective way to help your pal who was as soon as homeless, Ross), but it surely seems that Phoebe has saved a comic book ebook he drew as a toddler, titled Science Boy, all these years.

65. The One right here Rachel Has a Child, Half Two – Season eight, episode 24

Rachel has a child. Phoebe meets a man. Joey passes as a physician to examine that stated man is just not a creep. Monica lets Rachel use the identify Emma, although she was planning on utilizing it for her personal youngsters. Joey by accident proposes to Rachel. Enjoyable occasions!

64. The Final One, Half Two – Season 10, episode 18

After all, the finale was by no means going to land actually excessive up on this rating, as a result of it’s simply so unhappy to see the present finish. However watching it once more, 15 years later, I used to be struck by the truth that it’s really rather well carried out. Ross’s determined try and confess his like to Rachel earlier than her airplane departs, mixed with Phoebe’s reckless driving as she tries to get Ross to JFK as quick as doable – and that shock decision when Rachel exhibits up at Ross’s residence and confirms that SHE GOT OFF THE PLANE – all of it’s simply so, so good.

63. The Final One, Half One – Season 10, episode 17

This one lands barely larger than half two solely as a result of the present doesn’t wrap up on the finish of the episode. It has all the stress of a sequence finale, with out the gut-wrenching melancholy.

62. The One with Phoebe’s Dad – Season two, episode 9

Phoebe tracks down her father upstate and brings Chandler and Joey together with her as she tries to muster the braveness to knock at his door. As soon as there, she realises she’s too scared that he’ll reject her, and leaves with out making an attempt to speak to him. Joey and Chandler, who have been imagined to go Christmas purchasing, find yourself shopping for “items” (if rest room seat covers, soda cans and ribbed condoms qualify as such) from a fuel station.

61. The One with the Rooster Pox – Season two, episode 23

Phoebe’s on-again, off-again crush, who’s within the Navy, visits her within the metropolis. Sadly, they each get rooster pox and spent the weekend making an attempt and failing to not scratch their very itchy pores and skin. Whereas this is occurring, Joey will get a job at Chandler’s workplace and provides himself an imaginary spouse named Karen, Monica will get upset when she realises Richard has no obvious small obsession (in contrast to Monica, who has many), and Ross sweeps Rachel off her ft in a Navy uniform. It’s a type of lighter-hearted episodes that simply works.

60. The One with the Lady from Poughkeepsie – Season 4, episode 10

Ross, who for the report, lives in Manhattan, begins seeing a girl in Poughkeepsie, and whereas worldwide audiences won’t have instantly realised what the issue was, all you’ll want to know is that Poughkeepsie is many issues, and “near Manhattan” isn’t precisely certainly one of them. It’s principally simply shut sufficient that Ross is tempted to pursue the connection, however far sufficient that it doesn’t finish nicely. His temptation to start out seeing a bigoted, unfunny, not-so-smart girl as an alternative simply because she lives uptown will resonate with the numerous New Yorkers who’ve spent sufficient time on the prepare for a lifetime.

59. The One After Ross Says Rachel – Season 5, episode one

No matter occurs after somebody says the fallacious identify on the altar is certain to be attention-grabbing.

58. The One with All of the Wedding ceremony Attire – Season 4, episode 20

Rachel spooks her boyfriend Joshua by prematurely proposing to him (as Ross prepares to tie the knot with Emily), then scares him away perpetually by answering the door in a marriage gown (which she was sporting for enjoyable with Monica and Phoebe). Oh, nicely.

57. The One with the Checklist – Season two, episode eight

Ross, torn between his girlfriend Julie and Rachel, makes a listing of professionals and cons for every of the ladies – and boy, does he remorse it.

56. The One with the Tiny T-Shirt – Season three, episode 19

After breaking apart with Rachel, Ross is about on getting again all of his belongings, together with a really tight T-shirt with the phrases “Frankie say calm down” on it. Finally, although, he realises he wants to maneuver on and provides the T-shirt again to her.

55. The One with All of the Resolutions – Season 5, episode 11

This one ought to actually be titled The One The place Ross Wears Leather-based Pants on a Date and Issues Go Completely, Terribly Improper.

54. The One with Phoebe’s Wedding ceremony – Season 10, episode 12

Phoebe’s about to marry Mike! Meaning she fires Monica as her marriage ceremony planner, then re-hires her. And simply when all the things is nearly to fall into place, a blizzard threatens to cancel your complete occasion. However the pals find yourself improvising a small, cute marriage ceremony on the snowy New York Metropolis streets, and it’s one of the vital romantic moments in your complete present.

53. The One with the Videotape – Season eight, episode 4

Overlook about romance, this one is all a few intercourse tape – particularly, the one Ross and Rachel shot form of by accident whereas conceiving Emma. Their pals need to see it, Ross doesn’t need anybody to see it, Rachel may be satisfied – and unknowingly reveals to the group that she was the one who set her sights on Ross that night time.

52. The One with 5 Steaks and an Eggplant – Season two, episode 5

Ross, Chandler and Monica don’t realise they make considerably more cash than Rachel, Phoebe and Joey – and rub salt within the wound after attending a really thrilling, considerably dear Hootie and the Blowfish live performance.

51. The One with All of the Cheesecakes – Season seven, episode 11

Rachel and Chandler preserve by accident receiving scrumptious cheesecakes meant for anyone else. They usually preserve consuming them. As they need to.

50. The One The place Joey Speaks French – Season 10, episode 13

Spoiler alert: regardless of what he may inform Phoebe, Joey doesn’t really communicate French. However he can – form of – drink a gallon of milk in 10 lengthy seconds.

49. The One with the Two Events – Season two, episode 22

All the group comes collectively to maintain Rachel’s divorced mother and father from operating into one another – which doesn’t sound that enjoyable in principle, however is hilarious in follow.

48. The One The place Chandler Crosses the Line – Season 4, episode seven

Chandler crosses the road. Which line, you ask? Properly, the one separating him from Joey’s girlfriend’s lips, in fact. Extra enjoyable: Ross begins taking part in the keyboard once more and everybody (justly) thinks he’s terrible, besides Phoebe, who’s a fan.

47. The One with Ross’s Tan – Season 10, episode three

Ross doesn’t fairly perceive how his tanning sales space works (are you imagined to rely with or with out Mississippis earlier than you flip to spray your different aspect?). A stable operating joke.

46. The Pilot – Season one, episode one

Aka The One The place It All Started! It’s at all times enjoyable to re-watch the pilot, a full 25 years after it first aired. Everyone seems to be so younger and unassuming.

45. The One with the Journey-Alongside – Season 5, episode 20

Ross, Chandler and Joey go on a ride-along with Phoebe’s cop boyfriend. Chandler is distressed after Joey geese in the direction of Ross when a automobile backfires (sounding like a gunshot) and questions why Joey would save Ross’s life reasonably than his. Ross, in the meantime, is shaken by what he chooses to name a near-death expertise.

44. The One with Phoebe’s Cookies – Season seven, episode three

Monica actually, actually, actually desires the recipe for Phoebe’s scrumptious cookies, but it surely’s gone. After spending one episode making an attempt to recreate it, it seems the recipe is behind each bag of Nestle Toll Home chocolate chips. And that’s the reason Phoebe’s grandmother is burning in hell.

43. The One with the Child on the Bus – Season two, episode six

Chandler and Joey babysit Ross’s child son, Ben, and FORGET HIM ON A BUS. Issues get very aggravating and resolve out of pure luck. It’s not that usually that Associates flirts with what might have been a six-part documentary sequence on Netflix.

42. The One with the Pink Sweater – Season eight, episode two

Rachel nonetheless hasn’t advised the group who the daddy of her unborn little one is, however what we all know is that he owns a pink sweater. And guess who owns a pink sweater identical to this one? Tag, her former assistant / boyfriend! But in addition: Ross! Oh, the suspense.

41. The One After Vegas – Season six, episode one

Ross and Rachel get up after drunkenly tying the knot in Sin Metropolis, and so they’re none too happy. Not like the viewers.

40. The One in Vegas, Half One – Season 5, episode 23

Ross and Rachel (who actually acquired a ton of display time on the finish of season 5 / early in season six) sit subsequent to one another on the airplane to Vegas and begin competing to embarrass / annoy one another as a lot as doable. Each are very profitable.

39. The One with the Proposal, Half Two – Season six, episode 24

Monica nearly finally ends up again with Richard, however in fact she doesn’t – and after a few misunderstandings, she proposes to Chandler as an alternative. Monica and Chandler are largely remembered because the smooth-sailing couple of the sequence (as soon as they discovered one another, they by no means actually let go), however these two did know methods to amp the drama each on occasion.

38. The One with the Routine – Season six, episode 10

“The routine” is a choreography that Ross and Monica invented as youngsters, which they’re keen (very keen) to carry out on ABC throughout Dick Clark’s New 12 months’s Rockin’ Eve programme. “The routine” may additionally be the funniest reminiscence dug up from Ross and Monica’s childhood.

37. The One The place Estelle Dies – Season 10, episode 15

Monica and Chandler are shocked to seek out out that Janice (sure, Chandler’s ex Janice) is contemplating shopping for the home proper subsequent to their future suburban house. Ross bribes Rachel’s former boss to persuade him to re-hire her (and preserve her from transferring to Paris for a place at Louis Vuitton). Joey’s agent Estelle dies, and Phoebe, unaware that Joey is aware of, pretends to be Estelle throughout a hilarious (and, from Joey’s standpoint, complicated) cellphone name. All this to say: there are a variety of transferring components, which one way or the other come collectively to carry the present a bit nearer to its ending.

36. The One After ‘I Do’ – Season eight, episode one

Monica and Chandler have tied the knot, which means we’re free to give attention to what really issues: Rachel’s being pregnant. After Monica finds out that her pal could be anticipating, she convinces Rachel to take one other being pregnant check throughout her marriage ceremony reception. As all three anticipate the leads to the lavatory, Phoebe pulls off a dangerous however masterful trick when she first tells Rachel the check is damaging – and, after witnessing Rachel’s apparent disappointment, revealing that the check is definitely optimistic. Possibly don’t do this in actual life, however within the land of fiction, it’s fairly cute.

35. The One with Monica and Chandler’s Wedding ceremony, Half Two – Season seven, episode 24

The chums spare no effort to maintain Monica from discovering out that Chandler has gone lacking, hours earlier than their marriage ceremony. Joey, who is meant to officiate the ceremony, is at risk of lacking out as a result of he’s making an attempt to shoot a film scene with a hopelessly drunk co-star. After all, all the things works out, and the episode (in addition to the seventh season) ends with one of many present’s largest plot twist when it’s revealed that Rachel is pregnant.

34. The One The place Joey Loses His Insurance coverage – Season six, episode 4

In an incident that can rang true to anybody who has ever tried getting healthcare protection within the US, Joey loses his insurance coverage and instantly will get a hernia – which he refuses to get handled till his protection resumes. That is additionally the episode wherein a panicked Ross places on an English accent whereas giving his first lecture – and tries to section it out when he realises he can’t presumably stick with it for the remainder of the semester.

33.​ The One in Vegas, Half Two – Season 5, episode 24

Chandler and Monica discover their method again to one another after Monica has lunch together with her ex boyfriend Richard. Ross and Rachel are confined to their resort room as a result of Ross drew a moustache on Rachel’s face with indelible ink – till they get drunk and exit to get pleasure from Vegas. And find yourself getting married within the course of.

32. The One with Phoebe’s Uterus – Season 4, episode 11

Phoebe agrees to hold her brother’s triplets, Ross and Joey begin a mini revolution so that every one workers sit collectively at Ross’s office, however most significantly, Monica teaches Chandler an important lesson about methods to pleasure a girl. Yay for wholesome representations of feminine sexuality on display.

31. The One The place Ross Finds Out – Season two, episode seven

Rachel, who’s making an attempt exhausting to neglect her emotions for Ross (who remains to be relationship Julie), goes on a date with a person named Michael. She has a pair extra drinks than strictly crucial and determine to name Ross in the course of dinner to inform him that she’s over him (as a result of nothing says “I’m over you” like an extended voicemail recorded throughout a date with another person). And that, my pal, is what they name closure.

30. The One with Chandler in a Field – Season 4, episode eight

(NBCUniversal by way of Getty)

This checklist wouldn’t be full with no submit devoted to Chandler and Joey’s friendship. After a multi-episode arc that sees Chandler falling for after which kissing Joey’s girlfriend Kathy, the previous is struggling to get his roommate to forgive him. Joey thus sentences him to spending Thanksgiving inside a wood crate. Kathy, in fact, exhibits up throughout dinner to provide Chandler an emotional farewell – prompting Joey to open Chandler’s field and inform his pal to go be with Kathy. Candy.

29. The One with the Cop – Season 5, episode 16

Joey thinks he’s in love with Monica, Phoebe meets a police officer, however none of this issues – the beating coronary heart of this episode is Ross’s try and buy a brand new couch and get it to his residence with out paying the supply price. Rachel and Chandler agree to assist him, just for Ross to repeatedly instruct them to “pivot”, “pivot”, “pivot”, in one of many funniest, most memorable scenes within the present’s 10-year historical past.

28. The One with the Sonogram on the Finish – Season one, episode two

Kudrow is best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay in ‘Friends'

Kudrow is greatest identified for her position as Phoebe Buffay in ‘Associates’ (Getty Photos)

Within the second episode of Associates’s first season, Ross and Susan battle to seek out their locations as co-parents on the onset of Carol’s being pregnant. The storyline manages to deal with each Ross’s and Susan’s angst in a reasonably delicate method, with a candy denouement when each of them maintain Carol’s hand throughout her ultrasound. (Facet word: Carol is performed on this episode by Anita Barone, although the half in the end went to Jane Sibbett for the remainder of the present.) An unrelated scene wherein Rachel brings her engagement ring again to her former fiancé Barry (whereas the orthodontist’s younger affected person awaits) delivers a pleasant dose of comedian reduction.

27. The One with the Memorial Service – Season 9, episode 17

This episode aired for the primary time in 2003, and it’s fascinating to see how Associates delivered its tackle the beginnings of social media. Ross has found an alumni web site for individuals who went to his and Chandler’s faculty – and is understandably fascinated to seek out out his former crush “misplaced an ear in a boating accident” and had a failed enterprise. He and Chandler, naturally, find yourself posting false updates about one another. Whereas the episode is full of the type of Associates jokes that haven’t aged nicely (quips about Chandler being homosexual, feedback about ladies not eager to sleep with a bizarre man), Ross’s want for his former classmates’ consideration prompts him to carry his personal funeral wake – which in fact doesn’t go nicely.

26. The One the place Emma Cries – Season 9, episode two

As Rachel struggles to get her new child daughter to cease crying, Ross and Joey combat over the latter’s resolution to suggest to Rachel after she gave delivery. The dispute escalates to hilarious heights when Joey begs Ross to punch him – solely to dodge the blow, leaving Ross to painfully hit a pole. Issues solely worsen when Joey takes Ross to the hospital and asks one insulting query after the opposite. The punching incident is performed for laughs a second time after Joey, eager to exhibit how pure it’s to duck when a punch is approaching, finally ends up hitting Ross within the face. The entire thing is simply goofy and classically humorous.

25. The One with All of the Rugby – Season 4, episode 15

Baxendale as Emily, alongside David Schwimmer’s Ross, in ‘Friends'

Baxendale as Emily, alongside David Schwimmer’s Ross, in ‘Associates’ (PA)

Ross tries to impress his English girlfriend Emily by taking part in rugby together with her pals, and finally ends up reasonably critically injured within the course of. However the funniest plotline of the episode entails Monica, who grows more and more obsessed by a light-weight change in her residence that seemingly doesn’t do something. Courteney Cox does an exquisite job at bringing to life Monica’s growing frustration – and who can’t relate to her stage of dedication in the case of fixing an inane downside? In the meantime, Chandler tries to flee his relationship with Janice by telling her he’s transferring overseas – particularly to fifteen Yemen Street, Yemen.

24. The One the place Rachel Has a Child – Half One – Season eight, episode 23

As Rachel progresses by the phases of labour, she and Ross are left sharing their room with a number of {couples}, one after the opposite. There’s the couple that overshares, the couple that fights (with an ideal visitor look by Debi Mazar) and in the end, Janice (Chandler’s ex) together with her new husband. I occur to seek out most TV delivery episodes a bit, nicely, exhausting – so many occasions, they’re an awesome mixture of high-running feelings, screams, and bodily approximations – however this one is genuinely humorous.

23. The One with All of the Jealousy – Season three, episode 12

Ross showers Rachel with items at her workplace, setting the stage for the pair’s break-up a number of episodes later. Monica strikes up a romance together with her colleague Julio, who writes a poem impressed by her and titled The Empty Vase. These make for good sitcom moments, however Matt LeBlanc is the true star of the episode. Joey finds himself in an embarrassing scenario when auditioning for an element within the Broadway play A Story Of Two Cities and is requested to make use of the superior dance expertise he listed on his résumé – a brazen line. After failing to coach a gaggle of performers to do the instructed choreography, he’s requested to carry out the dance himself and winds up operating away. The entire storyline is hilarious, and it’s a reasonably unique tackle the lying-on-your-CV trope.

22. The One with the Soiled Lady – Season 4, episode six

Per the titular plot, Ross dates a girl who occurs to have an especially messy residence. The episode’s greatest scene, nonetheless, comes when Phoebe and Monica companion as much as cater a funeral. When it looks like the widow is making an attempt to keep away from paying Monica, the latter can’t work up the braveness to confront her. Phoebe, nonetheless, is having none of it and delivers an impassioned speech concerning the significance to receives a commission for one’s work. The second is empowering, performed for laughs, and stands out for example of Phoebe’s trademark audacity.

21. The One with the Blackout – Season one, episode seven

Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry were fan favourites on ‘Friends’

Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry have been fan favourites on ‘Associates’ (Netflix)

An influence blackout in New York Metropolis won’t be essentially the most thrilling premise within the historical past of tv, however it’s brilliantly executed right here. Chandler takes the cake when it seems he’s caught with a Victoria’s Secret mannequin he admires – and his inside monologue grows more and more panicked as he tries to work together together with her. In the meantime at Monica’s residence, Ross tries to inform Rachel he loves her however is interrupted when a cat jumps on his again. It’s a energetic episode that confirmed Associates’s potential from season one.

20. The One with Ross’s Sandwich – Season 5, episode 9

One other traditional one-liner. When Ross finds out somebody at work ate his Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich – “the one good occurring in [his] life” – he goes in a rage at work and winds up yelling at his superior, who not solely ate a few of the sandwich however threw the remainder away. “You threw my sandwich away? MY SANDWICH! MY SANDWICH,” he yells, loud sufficient to scare away the pigeons within the Flatiron district. To this present day, “Ross when he finds out his boss ate his sandwich” stays the gold normal for anger amongst Associates followers.

19. The One with Ross’s Wedding ceremony – Half Two – Season 4, episode 24

Two pivotal arcs in a single episode! First, Monica and Chandler sleep collectively for the primary time after a visitor at her brother’s marriage ceremony errors her for the mom of the groom. Then, simply because it appears to be like like Rachel is lastly able to let Ross go and let him marry Emily, he says the fallacious phrase on the altar. This was solely the season 4 finale, but it foreshadowed the tip of the sequence six seasons later in additional methods than one.

18. The One with Ross’ New Girlfriend – Season two, episode one

Associates Reunion: Painful on-set accident led to superstitious ‘huddle’ earlier than every episode

Ross and Rachel’s on-off love story offered a few of Associates’s funniest, saddest, and most memorable moments. On this occasion, Rachel returns from the airport, the place she supposed to shock Ross and confess her emotions for him – solely to seek out out he had reconnected with an acquaintance named Julie, now his girlfriend. Aniston’s comedic expertise shines as Rachel goes from one mishap to the following – falling from an airport chair, splitting her brow open, utilizing a bouquet of flowers to cease the bleeding, and operating up the steps to inform the opposite pals about Julie’s arrival.

17. The One the place Rachel Tells… – Season eight, episode three

Ross’s response to Rachel telling him she was pregnant together with his little one wasn’t nice, but it surely was humorous. After a pair episodes’ value of build-up, Rachel lastly feels prepared to interrupt the information to her ex – just for him to give attention to his outrage upon discovering out that condoms are solely 97 % efficient. Jennifer Aniston delivers an ideal efficiency because the calm, assured Rachel, which contrasts brilliantly with Schwimmer’s outrage as he calls the president of the condom firm.

16. The One with Unagi” / “The One with the Combine Tape– Season six, episode 17

Who might neglect “unagi”, the idea Ross supposedly discovered throughout his karate coaching (which is definitely the Japanese phrase for freshwater eel)? After Rachel and Phoebe take a self-defense class, Ross explains – considerably disdainfully – that with the ability to defend oneself in a managed surroundings is completely different from having the ability to take action when the attacker strikes unexpectedly. The remainder of the episode sees the group making an attempt to scare each other – including “unagi” to the checklist of Associates catchphrases followers nonetheless reference at the moment.

15. The One with the Stripper – Season eight, episode eight

Overlook about the primary plot line, which centres round Monica’s efforts to throw Chandler a late bachelor social gathering and unknowingly hires a prostitute as an alternative of a stripper. The very best a part of the episode – and the explanation why it deserves the fifteenth spot on this checklist – is a scene wherein Ross will get caught between his girlfriend Mona and Rachel’s father, Dr Leonard Inexperienced, who has simply came upon that Rachel is pregnant to Ross’s little one. Ross results in the unlucky place of getting to clarify each how a lot he cares for Rachel – to Dr Inexperienced – and why he doesn’t need to be together with her – to Mona. The scenario escalates when Joey leaves a message on Ross’s answering machine, accusing him of “figuring out one thing about” the “hooker” in Chandler and Monica’s house.

14. The One with the Embryos– Season 4, episode 12

Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow as Joey and Phoebe

Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow as Joey and Phoebe

This season 4 instalment has the suitable steadiness of emotion and humour. On the one hand, Phoebe goes by IVF and anxiously waits to seek out out whether or not the method was profitable – figuring out that her brother and his spouse can solely afford to strive as soon as. Then again, Rachel, Monica, Chandler and Joey embark on a foolish contest to find out who is aware of the opposite pals greatest. That specific story line ends not solely with Monica and Rachel having to commerce flats with Chandler and Joey – it additionally gave viewers a cult sequence that sees Ross going excessive because the host of the group’s trivia recreation, and the 2 ladies shedding their flat as a result of Rachel doesn’t know that Chandler’s TV information will get delivered to “Chanandler Bong”.

13. The One The place Ross Is Wonderful – Season 10, episode two

When you really feel the necessity to state a number of occasions in a dialog that you’re doing simply positive, you almost certainly usually are not. Ross learns this lesson the exhausting method in season 10, after discovering out that Rachel and Joey are relationship – whereas he himself is in a relationship with paleontologist Charlie Wheeler (Aisha Tyler). Sure, Ross was too typically a lacklustre romantic companion, however David Schwimmer is a superb comic whose skills shine as he brings Ross’s manic power to life.

12. The One with the Vacation Armadillo – Season seven, episode 10

How might we presumably neglect David Schwimmer’s efficiency because the Vacation Armadillo, the character invented by Ross in an try and get his son Ben considering Hanukkah? Even when Chandler comes near unknowingly smash his pal’s efforts (by displaying up dressed as Santa Claus), the episode retains the candy, heartwarming tone anticipated in the course of the vacation season.

11. The One The place Ross and Rachel Take a Break – Season three, episode 15

(Alamy/PA)

(Alamy/PA)

Chronologically, this episode immediately precedes The One with the Morning After. Rachel and Ross have a significant argument on account of Ross’s insecure behaviour, which causes him to smother his girlfriend whereas she’s making an attempt to cope with a aggravating scenario at work. Ross tells Rachel he’s “uninterested in having a relationship together with her answering machine” and brings up Rachel’s oft-maligned mentor Mark. What’s attention-grabbing right here is that Ross is getting upset over a scenario he helped create in earlier seasons, by – rightfully – urging Rachel to unfold her wings, develop into assertive, and in the end chase a satisfying profession. The truth that he can’t deal with her success and its influence on their private lives speaks volumes, and lots of {couples} may relate.

10. The One with the Morning After – Season three, episode 16

The break-up episode to rule all of them. When Rachel finds out that Ross slept with another person shortly after they determined to take a break from their relationship, she makes it clear there’s no going again. Seeing the 2 of them cut up (for legitimate causes!) after looking for one another for therefore lengthy is a bitter expertise, however the level of no return happens when Rachel realises the opposite girl was there when she visited Ross’s residence. To not sound overly concerned within the lives of those two totally fictional folks, but it surely’s unimaginable to observe and never really feel all of it: Rachel’s anger, Ross’s despair as he tries and fails to repair the unfixable, and the unhappiness of two individuals who tried, tried and tried once more to make it work however couldn’t.

9. The One with Frank Jr – Season three, episode 5

Two components land this episode a spot within the high 10. First, Phoebe tries to bond together with her half-brother Frank Jr, with issue – and whereas she’s understandably annoyed when she realises how little they’ve in widespread, the storyline units the idea of their distinctive sibling relationship.

8. The One The place No One’s Prepared – Season three, episode two

No, nothing groundbreaking occurs on this episode. It’s season three. Ross is rising more and more annoyed as a result of his pals – together with his now-girlfriend Rachel – are taking too lengthy to prepare for an essential occasion. However Monica, who’s distracted after listening to a message from Richard, goes by a very agonising mishap involving her ex’s answering machine, which escalates to unforeseeable heights. Plus, Rachel finally ends up placing Ross in his place after he yells at her in entrance of the remainder of the group. Ross was a humorous character however typically a horrible boyfriend, and it’s really refreshing to see Rachel name him out on his behaviour.

7. The One with Barry and Mindy’s Wedding ceremony – Season two, episode 24

Sure, Rachel’s terrible expertise because the maid of honour at her ex-fiancé’ Barry’s marriage ceremony is hilarious – and it culminates with an unexpectedly uplifting rendition of “Copacabana”. However the true stars of the episode are Monica and Richard, who find yourself breaking apart as a result of they don’t see eye to eye in the case of having youngsters sooner or later. Their cut up takes viewers considerably unexpectedly – Richard was, in spite of everything, able to undergo all of the levels of parenting once more “if he needed to” – and rings impressively true.

6. The One The place Ross and Rachel…You Know – Season two, episode 15

Ross’s leather-based pants get caught in Associates

It’s season two. Ross and Rachel are transitioning from their preliminary friendship to their first try at a romantic relationship. In the meantime, Monica falls in love with Richard Burke, the older ophthalmologist whom, in keeping with many followers, she ought to have chosen over Chandler (and whether or not you agree with that take or not is totally as much as you). It’s classic Associates – and this episode arrange storylines that framed the remainder of the sitcom for a lot of seasons to come back.

5. The One with the Start – Season one, episode 23

Within the penultimate episode of the primary season of Associates, Carol give delivery to Ben, additional exploring the household dynamics of Carol, Ross and Susan as co-parents. Ross and Susan’s near-constant preventing causes them to get locked in a closet with Phoebe – an unfortunate accident that finally ends up giving them the possibility to bond in earnest. In brief: The One with the Start places same-sex parenting on the map, and sure, it does so at occasions in a really 1995 method, but it surely’s general touching and tackles the theme in a reasonably convincing method. Plus, the aspect storyline that sees Joey bond with a single mom as she goes by labour exhibits a candy, sudden aspect of his character.

4. The One The place Ross Acquired Excessive – Season six, episode 9

At first look, this isn’t certainly one of Associates’s most memorable tour de forces. The Thanksgiving episode begins with the strange issues – Monica doesn’t need to inform her mother and father that she and Chandler reside collectively, Ross and Joey are itching to get dinner over with to allow them to spend time with Joey’s engaging roommate Janine and her pals – but it surely escalates into superb ranges of absurdism. Rachel’s failed trifle, which incorporates beef, stays a cult reference. However most memorable is Judy Geller’s monologue when she places all six pals of their locations one after the other, swiftly dealing with everybody’s points – from Monica’s reluctance to inform them about her relationship with Chandler to the revelation that Ross smoked pot as a teen.

3. The One with the East German Laundry Detergent – Season one, episode 5

El elenco de Friends en una foto promocional de archivo

El elenco de Associates en una foto promocional de archivo (Getty Photos/Warner Bros Tv)

It’s full of most of the reasonably humorous Associates staples – Chandler’s unsatisfying relationship with Janice, Joey’s romantic troubles, and naturally, “Ugly Bare Man”, Monica’s neighbour from throughout the road – however the laundromat scene alone salvages your complete episode. What begins as an harmless try at studying methods to wash her garments by herself sees Rachel get up for herself when one other girl tries to steal her cart. It’s not only a basic factor of the character journey that sees her develop from a spoiled younger girl who has by no means needed to fend for herself into an achieved skilled and succesful mother or father. It’s additionally a second that can ring true to many who’ve moved to New York over the course of their lives: town, as a result of it’s so large, overpopulated and full of overachievers, has a method of educating even essentially the most timid of wallflowers methods to advocate for themselves.

2. The One Hundredth / The One with the Triplets – Season 5, episode three

Lisa Kudrow carries this season 5 episode – which, as certainly one of its two titles suggests, was the a hundredth of the present, on her shoulders as Phoebe, who agreed to be her brother’s surrogate, offers delivery to triplets. Kudrow offers a memorable efficiency as Phoebe’s emotions escalate from worry (whereas she readies herself for contractions), to frustration (when her physician seems to be a very devoted fan of the Pleased Days character Fonzie) and, lastly, to unhappiness (when her last-minute request to maintain one of many infants fails to materialise). It’s a touching tackle surrogacy, which manages to deal with a few of its emotional entanglements whereas nonetheless displaying how Phoebe can transfer on together with her life and discover her place because the infants’ aunt.

1. The One with the Lesbian Wedding ceremony – Season two, episode 11

In 1996, The One with the Lesbian Wedding ceremony gave viewers the primary same-sex marriage ceremony between two ladies proven on community tv. Positive, the episode itself isn’t with out flaws (some may argue that Carol and Susan’s marriage ceremony remained basically heteronormative) but it surely stays one of many milestones from Associates’s legacy. It’s additionally transferring and vegetation the seeds for a few of the most enduring character arcs of the present, from Joey’s cleaning soap opera profession to Monica’s skilled woes and Rachel’s evolving household dynamics (starting together with her mother and father’ divorce). Phoebe’s storyline, which sees her supposedly possessed by the spirit of a not too long ago deceased aged therapeutic massage consumer, is stuffed with her character’s trademark whimsy and quirkiness. That is, in some ways, the quintessential Associates episode.

This text was initially revealed in February 2019

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