Twenty Years On... The Top 10 Friends Episodes

As Friends celebrates its 20th anniversary, Simon Columb looks at the top ten episodes of the classic sitcom…On September 22nd 1994, the pilot episode of Friends was screened in America. It is twenty years since that fateful moment Rachel walked into Central Perk, wearing her wedding dress. Looking around, she finds her old best friend from school, Monica. The first jokes were slightly twee, but some clumsy slapstick (Ross’ umbrella bursting as he greets Rachel) and a self-depreciating joke (Monica is the only one Rachel could turn to. Monica is the only one she didn’t invite) began Friends – the TV series we all fell in love with.I was introduced as my older sisters watched it in 1995 on a Friday night on Channel 4. I recall the complete shock when Ross says “I take thee…. Rachel…”. I sat with my best friend watching the closing minutes of Series 4 and sat with him again to watch the aftermath. I watched the entire series when it first came to DVD. Then I watched it again when I first met the girl who became my wife (a rite of passage in many ways, considering Friends taught me so much about the trials and tribulations of ‘dating’). Recently, with the new Blu-ray boxset release, I watched it all again. All ten seasons within three months.With this in mind, here is my Top 10 Friends episodes to mark the twentieth anniversary of one of the best American sitcoms in history…10. The One with Russ (Series 2, Episode 10)Trying to balance the funny episodes, and the deeply-serious (but-still-funny) episodes, is always a challenge. This episode is an example of a whole plot structured around a single gag. Rachel starts dating a character called Russ, who is virtually the same person as Ross (both are played by Schwimmer). High-jinks ensue as Russ and Ross meet each other – and immediately despise each other. Additionally, it also includes the perfect ending with a cameo from Julie (Lauren Tom) who inevitably falls for Russ.9. The One with the Blackout (Season 1, Episode 7)So many men relate to Chandler. His awkward mannerisms, his over-compensation with humour, his lack of confidence with women – the skinny guy knows him intimately. Personally, I always felt that Ross is more interesting, and ultimately funnier, but The One with the Blackout does show how brilliant Chandler is (“I am trapped. In an ATM vestibule. With Jill Goodacre!”). This is also the episode introducing Italian scumbag Paulo and the first man-to-man conversation between Ross and Joey regarding Rachel. “Ne-e-ever gonna happen…”8. The One with the Routine (Series 6, Episode 10)The later seasons get a lot of stick but, as my favourite character is Ross, this particular episode only serves as another great example of how the Gellar family are complete screw-ups. We are told regularly how strange their upbringing was but, considering how specific this routine needed to be, Schwimmer and Cox must’ve prepared for weeks to get it right. Ross as wet-blanket is great in the first few series as Schwimmer can play it so well. But Ross as manically-depressed and a bit nuts is when he truly comes out of his shell. Considering the cast, towards the end, were rumoured to be paid $1m per episode, they surely had to work hard for this one.7. The One with the Proposal (Season 6, Episodes 24 and Episode 25)Sadly, Matthew Perry struggles to play an emotional wreck. Sarcastic, smug and childish is Chandler. Romantic, crying and angry isn’t exactly his thing. Despite this, The One with the Proposal forced him to step up to the plate. It’s not as upsetting as some episodes higher in the list but the use of Richard (Tom Selleck) and suddenly-serious approach to Chandler’s lack of commitment make the situation heart-breaking. Joey, telling Chandler that Monica has left is the icing on the cake. Courtney Cox has always managed to play Monica with real heart, and her intense, controlling nature does mean that Monica proposing to Chandler equally makes sense. But, seriously, there are way too many candles. How long did it take to set that up? Isn’t that a huge safety risk? Mr Treeger wouldn’t be amused at all.6. The One with the Nap Partners (Series 7, Episode 6)I originally watched this as the ‘uncut’ episode on the DVD’s. The very nature of two guys enjoying sleeping with each other (with no homosexual undertones) is unlikely – but I think Mr Heterosexual Joey and Always-In-Love-With-Some-Girl Ross meant that this episode plays for great jokes throughout. On the uncut episode, I vividly remember a section whereby Ross and Joey are ‘testing’ Phoebe and Rachel on being Bridesmaids, and Joey attempts to force Ross into a nap. I was in tears watching it… but alas, I have not seen the sequence since. It isn’t one of the few uncut episodes on the BluRay and the original DVD’s have been discontinued.5. The One with the Stoned Guy (Series 1, Episode 15)There are a lot of cameos in Friends (Brad Pitt in The One with the Rumour, Billy Crystal and Robin Williams in The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion, etc). Jon Lovitz is one of the few who makes two appearances. This is his first appearance in season one, his second comes in the final season as Rachel dates him (in The One with the Blind Date). The funny thing is, he is the same character in both. As a chef owner, who is high on drugs, Monica attempts to show-off her culinary skills with Rachel playing waitress. Throwing Cheerios (“Save yourself!”) and Phoebe miming his drug-taking are unforgettable moments. But the funniest line remains: “Tarlets …. Tartlets … Tartlets … the name has lost all meaning”.4. The One with the Morning After (Season 3, Episode 16)We’ve established how Matthew Perry can’t sob. David Schwimmer though, really can. I’ve met some folk who despise this episode arguing it is too serious, but it is worth noting how the entire third season builds up to this. In fact, the ‘copier girl’ is mentioned within the first few episodes of the season. The jealousy over “Mark” is gradually built up until his unplanned/planned comforting of Rachel while Ross, the “dinosaur guy”, scores with the young thing all the boys fancy. The conflicted argument about whether they were “on a break”, begins here. As almost half of the episode relies on Jennifer Aniston and Schwimmer alone, it is a testament to their acting chops that it holds up. Ross, desperately seeking comfort in Rachel’s arms, remains a moment whereby you’d need a heart of stone not to crumble a teeny bit.3. The One Where Ross Finds Out (Season 2, Episode 7)Considering the entire first season has Ross hankering after Rachel. And then, starting the second season, they still aren’t together because of Julie. It is lovely when it finally happens. Then again, it doesn’t last long (in a show-running moment of genius, the next episode is The One with The List.) Ross – and his long face – leaning on the Central Perk door. Rachel, struggling to open the door. That music. Could be the most memorable moment of the entire ten series.2. The One with the Prom Video (Season 2, Episode 14)There is a sense that Kaufman, Crane and Bright realised how much we loved dress-up Friends episodes after this one. Soon enough, we had The One with all the Thanksgivings, The One with the Flashback and The One that Could Have Been Part I/II. Admittedly, these episodes are often the reason there are chronological inconsistencies, but The One with the Prom Video is a stand-out moment. Ross’ moustache (“Misster Kotter”) and the first appearance of fat-Monica and original-nose Rachel are for the books, but the backstory between Rachel, Monica and Ross is front and centre – and the realisation for Rachel as to how long he has loved her. The fact that Ross is playing the keyboard only hints at another brilliant episode later (The One where Chandler Crosses the Line in Season 4) when he plays his “sound”.1. The One Where No One’s Ready (Series 3, Episode 2) –Completely self-contained and effortlessly acted by everyone involved – as if, at this very moment, all the actors completely understand their characters. Rewatching Series 3, it’s when Friends knew how good it was. The look and feel of the show changes dramatically. Notably, Joey’s hair is completely different. But this episode showcases the nuanced characteristics of each role. Monica, cut-up about Richard. Ross and his strict time-keeping. Joey and Chandler, playing off each other to great effect. “Could I be wearing any more clothes??”. The Ross and Rachel dynamic plays out, proving why they are so good – and bad – together.What are your favourite friends episodes? Let us know in the comments below…Simon Columb

Twenty Years On… The Top 10 Friends Episodes

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