SPOILER ALERT!
Friends is the story of six, well, friends, living in New York, searching for love and dealing with the difficulties of the world in which they live. It’s the time in their life when their friends are their family, and they rely heavily on one another for advice and the occasional shoulder to cry on. Each of the six friends, Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc), Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), and Dr. Ross Geller (David Schwimmer), deal with life and all that it throws at them, and with the others around them, they will always have someone to look to for help.
The show took the world by storm and entertained for more than two-hundred episodes. Through those episodes, there are a few that stand out. They sit above the rest and manage to entertain more than the others--for a plethora of reasons. Below you will read about what I believe to be the best episode from each of Friends’ ten seasons. Through the comedy and the drama, these ten episodes (each in their respective season) do more for their viewers than the others, and they remain among the best that the world-renowned show has to offer.
Season 1: Episode 10 - The One with the Monkey:
Each of the friends promise the others that they won't bring a date to their New Year’s Eve party. However, the closer they get to the party, the more difficult going alone proves to be. Ross tries to deal with his emotional plights by adopting a monkey--Marcel (Katie/Monkey).
What really makes one episode of Friends stand out from the others? That’s a loaded question, but let’s see if I can break it down here. From the opening moments of Friends there is something about each of the characters that is both incredibly relatable and just seemingly out of reach. Whether it's the quick wit of Chandler or the ability of Rachel to make the toughest decision, there is something about them that just doesn’t quite seem tangible at times. Through the first nine episodes of the series’ introductory season viewers are able to catch glimpses of why the six friends are relatable, however--but episode 10, The One with the Monkey, sets itself apart from the rest of the season for one reason, it shows just how human those six are, and it becomes clear how down to earth the characters that will go on to entertain us for an entire decade are.
The friends agree not to bring dates to their New Year’s Eve party, but they soon find out that the one night of the year in which they are expected to receive a kiss cannot be spent alone. Whether intentional or not, each of the ensemble finds someone “special” in which to ring in the new year--and it’s at the time when they realize that their decisions were not necessarily the best that viewers truly understand what it is that makes these friends tick, and that is the search for love. When viewers are able to see how real these characters are, the emotions set in and the world begins to understand, maybe for the first time, that Friends is a hit.
Beyond the drama is the usual comedy, but with a twist–a new addition joins the cast, Marcel, a capuchin. While the cast famously hated the monkey, he adds a level of comedy that viewers had not yet seen in the early stages of the series. Viewers are provided rich comedy from all six of the actors, their series of dates, and the monkey--allowing that comedy to come from new angles and take new forms. The One with the Monkey is the best that the first season of Friends has to offer, and it expresses the dynamic nature of the sitcom and promises great things for the future of the show.
Season 2: Episode 6 - The One with the Baby on the Bus:
When Monica is forced to take Ross to the emergency room after a pie mishap, Chandler and Joey must watch after baby Ben. That task will prove to be far more difficult than they had expected, and their day ends up incredibly wild. Phoebe struggles with her place in music at the Central Perk as she is replaced by a professional musician.
I’ll be honest with you, The One with the Baby on the Bus isn’t perfect from beginning to end. Sure it’s full of laughs, but there are moments throughout the episode that entertain far better than the majority of the others in the show. The episode has its ups and downs, but comes out on top of season two and is sure to entertain. What’s so interesting about The One with the Baby on the Bus is the fact that, more than ever before, viewers are taken on a journey around Manhattan. The sets are bigger than ever, and viewers are able to truly see what it is that each of the six friends are dealing with throughout the course of Friends.
With some of the best lines in the entire series, lines like “what kind of scary-ass clowns came to your birthday party?” and “Stephanie knows all the cords!,” The One with the Baby on the Bus stands alone as the single best episode of season two, and one of the best that Friends has to offer. There are shows that I can watch over and over again, and while the sitcoms that I’ve seen a dozen or more times are still funny, I don’t express emotion the same way in which I did the first time I watched. The One with the Baby on the Bus, at the two aforementioned moments, cause me to laugh out loud as if it were the first time I’d heard those lines.
Truthfully, I understand why this may not be the most popular episode of season two of Friends, but those lines alone, and the rewatchability of what The One with the Baby on the Bus has to offer surpass anything else that season two of Friends produces. The One with the Baby on the Bus remains one of my favorite Friends episodes of all time, and what I believe to be the best of season two.
Season 3: Episode 9 - The One with the Football:
It’s Thanksgiving and Ross and Monica decide that it’s time to reinstate an old family tradition--football. The six friends, as they prepare for Thanksgiving dinner to be ready, play a game of three-on-three football that results in some unique conversations, unexpected rivalries, and a girl from Neverland? The One with the Football is the story of Thanksgiving football and all that it entails.
Do you love football, Friends, and Thanksgiving? Well, The One with the Football is the perfect Friends episode for you. Thanksgiving dinner is important, but Thanksgiving football is an American tradition as well, and one that has almost become more important than the meal itself. Friends’ The One with the Football works diligently to marry all of the beauty of Thanksgiving dinner and football with the quirkiness and enjoyability of Friends. There is something so unique about this particular episode of Friends as we see each of the six friends in a new capacity, while still getting to see all of the beauty of what makes the show and its characters so popular.
What’s great about The One with the Football is the fact that it’s just downright fun. The entirety of the series is fun, but I can’t honestly say that another episode of Friends is more fun from beginning to end than The One with the Football. From the opening moments viewers get whitty comedy, unique takes on the relationships, and what seems like neverending football (which I love). The One with the Football stands above the rest in season three because it’s so different. For nearly twenty minutes viewers see the characters they love playing a competitive game of football on one of the greatest days of the year.
With all of that being said, simply understanding that The One with the Football is so different from any of the other Friends episodes allows viewers to see that this is the best episode of the third season and one of the best of the entire series.
Season 4: Episode 12 - The One with the Embryos:
Phoebe is attempting to help her brother, Frank Jr. (Giovanni Ribisi), and his wife, Alice (Debra Jo Rupp), conceive a child by being their surrogate. Meanwhile, Joey and Chandler and Rachel and Monica compete to see who knows the others better. The stakes get incredibly high, and the trajectory of the show changes forever.
The One with the Embryos is immersive for viewers. Ross develops a game show-esque activity for the two pairs and they compete against one another; each and every time I watch The One with the Embryos I find myself playing along, shouting out the answers, and somehow feeling like I’m part of the show. More than any other episode I feel like I get to participate in what’s occurring and I adore what the slew of writers are able to develop here.
I’m not shy to say that Rachel is my least favorite character in Friends. While she certainly has her moments throughout the course of the show, she tends to be far more whiny than the other characters, and, as a result, she lands at the bottom of the list of the show’s six protagonists. The One with the Embryos allows each and every character–even Aniston’s Rachel–to step up their game and present viewers with more laugh-out-loud comedy than any of the other episodes in the series. Sure, she has her whiny moments--like in nearly every other episode--but she brings genuine comedy to this episode and is one of Aniston’s best performances throughout Friends. In addition to the six regulars, they are supported by Ribisi and Rupp, who, on their own, could entertain viewers. Ribisi is wild in a majority of his roles, but his role as Frank Buffay Jr., particularly in this episode, is one of his best to date. He’s energetic, funny, and full of life--and his prowess, combined with the other talented thespians, creates something superior in terms of comedy and relatability.
Like the aforementioned The One with the Football, The One with the Embryos focuses very much on the idea of competition. While there is competition sprinkled throughout the course of Friends, The One with the Football and The One with the Embryos are leaps and bounds more competitive than any of the others. Feeling completely immersed in the world in which the six friends live makes The One with the Embryos one of a kind and significantly different than any other Friends episode; and, more importantly, the best episode of the fourth season.
Season 5: Episode 14 - The One Where Everybody Finds Out:
Chandler and Monica! They’ve been dating for months, but no one, with the exception of Joey knows yet. When the other friends begin to find out their secret, a series of games ensues to see who will crack first--the couple or their friends.
Oftentimes when there is an immense amount of miscommunication in a sitcom it becomes too much to handle, and sometimes even frustrating. Viewers see that in The One Where No One’s Ready, but The One Where Everybody Finds Out is different--it flips the script on stories of this nature, and there’s truly so much to love about this episode.
There are six friends, and those friends are present throughout the entirety of Friends. With there being so many people in the show (yes, six can sometimes feel like a crowd), there are some characters that don’t often have a ton of screentime with one another. Ross and Rachel and Monica and Chandler, for obvious reasons, share the screen often--but characters like Phoebe and Chandler don’t often have a chance to interact, so seeing them communicate with one another throughout the course of The One Where Everybody Finds Out is something like a breath of fresh air.
With the many nuances of The One Where Everybody Finds Out, it proves to be one of the most unique and entertaining that the show has to offer, and most certainly the best of season five.
Season 6: Episode 17 - The One with the Unagi:
Phoebe and Rachel take a self-defense class and Ross tries to train them in the ways of Unagi. Chandler and Monica promised one another that they would make each other Valentine’s Day presents. Joey is struggling with money and is trying to find ways to make money through medical research.
There’s a lot going on throughout the course of The One with the Unagi, but the shining star of the episode is the dynamic between Rachel, Phoebe and Ross, as the three do all that they can to prove to the other that they can kick their ass. Their ridiculous banter, their over-the-top scenarios, and the instances of slapstick comedy sets this episode apart from the others in the sixth season. Slapstick comedy is something that has slowly dissipated in Hollywood since the time of comedy greats such as Charles Chaplin, but Friends gives it a home in The One with the Unagi; and that fact is brilliant.
Beyond the slapstick comedy, one of the most endearing aspects of the entire series, is the constant development between characters. Even six seasons into the show the friends continue to find new ways to interact with one another, and as they grow together, fans of the show are able to appreciate them in new ways. There is a constant change in narrative throughout, and while that may seem a tad cumbersome on paper, writers David Crane, Marta Kauffman, Adam Chase, and Zachary Rosenblatt make sure that none of those storylines step on the others. The episode plays out with ironic grace, never-ending fun, and beautifully developed dynamics--meaning that The One with the Unagi is clearly the best episode of the sixth season, and if you share in this understanding then you, too, have the gift of Unagi.
Season 7: Episode 10 - The One with the Holiday Armadillo:
It’s Christmas time, but Ross desperately wants to introduce his son, Ben (Cole Sprouse), to Hanukkah. Phoebe wants Rachel to move back in with her, but Rachel’s current roommate, Joey, stands between the two women--so Phoebe must find a way to separate the two in order for her wish to come true.
Superman, Santa Claus, and a Holiday Armadillo? In The One with the Holiday Armadillo that’s exactly what viewers get. On the surface this episode seems a tad unrealistic, but the reality is that the episode’s writers find a way to allow each one of these mythical creatures to join forces and become truly entertaining. The primary storyline, one where Ross desperately wants to express the ideals and the history of Hanukkah is one of the funniest of the series. Attempting to navigate the rocky terrain of telling Ben that Christmas would take a backseat this year finds him in some precarious situations that only Ross can get himself out of--or at least he thinks so. Ross, like he does often throughout the series, digs himself deeper and deeper into a hole of hilarity and discomfort, and truly only Schwimmer’s Ross could thrive in these situations.
Schwimmer has always been one of my favorites in Friends, but he’s often placed in some situations that cause him to look less than admirable. The One with the Holiday Armadillo, while Ross still looks odd from time to time, sees him struggling as a result of him trying to be a good dad. He lives through the struggles of parenting, but he is showcased in a way that allows viewers to see every ounce of his goodness. Sure, the comedy is essential to the episode, and it works wonderfully--but Ross is the reason that the episode shines so brightly--and that’s the reason I believe it’s the best of the season.
Season 8: Episode 2 - The One with the Red Sweater:
Rachel is pregnant, but no one–with the exception of Rachel–knows who the father is. So, in typical Friends fashion, Monica, Phoebe, and Joey get involved, trying to solve the mystery of the red sweater. While those four scramble, trying to do the right thing, Ross and Chandler try to retrieve the missing pictures from Chandler and Monica’s wedding.
The One with the Red Sweater is a classic whodunnit episode where a series of characters clamber trying to determine who committed the crime–but with a comedic twist. Rather than trying to figure out who committed murder or some other crime, this episode revolves around figuring out who knocked up Rachel. There’s some comedy in the confusion present in the aforementioned whodunnit, but the unique twist changes the narrative on the classic art form and takes viewers on a hilarious journey in true Friends fashion.
The titular red sweater is the episode’s MacGuffin, as it is the driving force behind each and every one of the characters–whether they know it or not. The hideous sweater plays an integral role in how the episode plays out, and while viewers seem to have an inkling of who the father is, that sweater takes viewers on a rocky journey of laughter and faux pas.
Beyond the comedy, however, is a narrative that shifts the story of Friends forever. Throughout the history of Friends there are some episodes that affect everything that come after. The One with Ross’s Wedding: Part 2 and The One with Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E. are examples of those episodes, but The One with the Red Sweater is as big as any other episode in the series. Having an effect on the rest of the series makes The One with the Red Sweater not only the best episode of season eight, but the most important.
Season 9: Episode 6 - The One with the Male Nanny:
Ross and Rachel try to find Emma (Elizabeth Davidson) a nanny. Eventually they settle on a male nanny named Sandy (Freddie Prinze Jr.), with whom Ross has some issues. Monica makes the mistake of telling Chandler that one of the guys she works with is the funniest man she knows; Chandler tries to prove her wrong.
The heart and soul of The One with the Male Nanny is, obviously, the hiring of the male nanny, and Prinze Jr. is a welcome addition to the cast of hilarious friends. He has the right temperament to gel with Friends’ main characters and not only help to support the plot and the story, but guide portions of them as well. Sandy is idiosyncratic and eclectic, and Prinze pulls off this character with great vigor. For the first time in the series a guest star on Friends steals the show. As usual Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey, and Monica are brilliant, and honestly Ross is one of the most entertaining points of the entire episode–but Prinze Jr. fits the role of Sandy so incredibly well that he, like I mentioned, steals the show and outshines the rest of the actors.
The simple fact that, even with the six leads shining beautifully, Prinze Jr. is able to shine so much brighter is reason enough to land The One with the Male Nanny among the best of season nine.
While Friends hasn’t run dry at this point, it seems unlikely that entirely new ideas might arise at this juncture in the series. The One with the Male Nanny, however, proves that the geniuses behind the phenomenal sitcom still have more tricks up their sleeves, more guest stars to enliven the show, and new stories to present to their viewers. Again, I never doubted the stability of the show or what it had to offer viewers, but it was after watching this episode, The One with the Male Nanny, I understood that there were still so many good things on their way. This episode was enlightening in this regard, making it the best of season nine.
Season 10: Episode 13 - The One Where Joey Speaks French:
Phoebe tries to teach Joey French for one of his auditions, but Joey (being Joey) struggles to master the language. After Rachel’s father, Dr. Leonard Green (Rob Leibman), has a heart attack, Ross and Rachel head to Long Island to visit, but Dr. Green is none too happy to see Ross. Monica and Chandler spend time with the surrogate mother of their unborn baby, Erica (Anna Farris), and find out that the father may be a murderer.
Here we are, finally, in the final season of the truly incredible Friends. There is so much to unpack in this episode as three separate couples wander New York on their own adventures. The series is coming close to a conclusion at this point and it’s important that, while the writers still remain true to each of the characters and deliver funny material to their viewers, that they are moving in a way that doesn’t raise more questions than answers. There are only four episodes left at this point, and, again, with things coming to an end, the writers have a lot on their hands.
The One Where Joey Speaks French is used to fill in some holes and prepare long-time fans for the conclusion of the beloved show–but it’s still not shy to jump into the silliness that has excited those viewers for almost a decade. Joey is the focal point of this episode, which is clear by its title, and he, like he has so many times before, brings a sense of naivety and grace to the small screen–delivering comedy that continues to solidify him as the best character on the show. He’s innocent and even a little dimwitted, adding to the already deep, meaningful character and providing viewers so much to enjoy about the episode. I mentioned when speaking about The One with the Baby on the Bus some of the fantastic quotes that have stood the test of time after the conclusion of Friends and “Je te flouppe Fli” remains, in all of its irrelevance, one of the best lines of the show.
The One Where Joey Learns French is silly, full of laughter, and the shining star of the final season of Friends. While each character has the opportunity to shine brightly in this episode, the thing I think I love most about it is the fact that LeBlanc is given the opportunity to shine the brightest and prove just how amazingly talented he is and how wonderfully funny Joey is.
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There is no denying that Friends is one of my favorite shows of all time, and it remains my favorite sitcom. I’ve seen the show through more than a dozen times, and every time I laugh, and–believe it or not–I find something new to appreciate. Friends, according to Friends: The Reunion, has been watched more than one-hundred billion times, making it one of the most watched shows of all time.
Friends will remain an all-time great in the world of television and comedy, and the stars–LeBlanc, Schwimmer, Perry, Aniston, Cox, and Kudrow–are the reason the show has found so much success. Kauffman and Crane–the creators of the show, and the many recurring characters, including but not limited to Christina Pickles, James Michael Tyler, Elliott Gould, and Maggie Wheeler, added to the success of the series and helped to create something unlike any television series the world will ever see again.
You’ve just read what I believe to be the best episode from each of Friends’ ten seasons. The laughter, drama, camaraderie, etc. allowed these episodes to shine brighter than the others in their respective seasons and solidified them as some of the best ever. Do you agree? What are your favorites?
Created by David Crane & Marta Kauffman.
Directed by Peter Bonerz, Gail Mancuso, Kevin S. Bright, Michael Lembeck, Gary Halvorson, David Schwimmer, etc.
Written by David Crane, Marta Kauffman, Sherry Bilsing, Ellen Kreamer, Dana Klein, Greg Malins, Zachary Rosenblatt, Adam Chase, Alexa Junge, Jill Condon, Ira Ungerleider, Betsy Borns, etc.
Starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, James Michael Tyler, Elliot Gould, Christina Pickles, Maggie Wheeler, Paul Rudd, Jane Sibbett, Helen Baxendale, Jesica Hecht, June Gable, Tom Selleck, Aisha Tyler, Giovanni Ribisi, Lauren Tom, Eddie Cahill, Bonnie Sommerville, Cole Sprouse, Jon Favreau, Hank Azaria, Vincent Ventresca, Chrissie Hynde, Susanna Midnight, Debra Jo Rupp, Michael Ensign, Jon Haugen, Louis Mandylor, Freddie Prinze Jr., Anna Farris, Ron Leibman, Katie, Monkey, etc.
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