5 Timeless Friends Episodes & 5 We Want to Forget

5 Timeless Friends Episodes and 5 We Want to Forget

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the episodes of “Friends” that we constantly revisit as well as those that don’t quite hold up all these years later.

#5: Want to Forget: “The One Where Ross Dates a Student”

Yes, we know that she technically isn’t Ross’ student anymore by the time they start dating but their relationship still feels inappropriate. Like, she asks him out in the hallway of school right after the semester’s end. Given the unpleasantness of the ensuing storyline, it only makes sense that we’d want to skip the episode that started it all. We do still want to remember that it provided one bright spot, though, and that was in the form of a Bruce Willis cameo. We love that “love machine”.

#5: Timeless: “​​The One With the Videotape”

When we found out that Rachel was pregnant, the first thing we wanted to know was who the father was. Then, when we found out it was Ross, the next question we all had was: how did it happen? Well, in “​​The One With The Videotape” we find out. While the appearance of a video tape isn’t timeless and probably looks weird to anyone born since the episode first aired, the episode itself is still a classic. There are so many great scenes. But the moment that Rachel starts telling Ross the backpacking through Europe story is amazing. The collective gasp from the other Friends, the look of pure satisfaction on Ross’ face, Joey being the propagator of the story: totally priceless.

#4: Want to Forget: “The One With Joey’s Fridge”

The good thing about “The One With Joey’s Fridge”, is the story arc: Joey and his quest to make someone else pay for a new fridge. That’s pretty much all we can cling to here. This episode falls into the ‘Ross dating a college student timeframe’, and he’s jealous over her going away for spring break. The green-eyed monster grabs hold of Ross to such an extent that he ends up following Elizabeth to Florida to keep an eye on her. The angle is more ugly than funny. As is the fact that they followed it up with “The One With Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E," which is mostly just a recap of old clips.

#4: Timeless: “The One with the Blackout”

Like Chandler’s opinion on chewing gum, this episode of “Friends” is perfection. In season one, the show was still finding its footing but this is one of the episodes that holds up spectacularly. When the lights go out in New York, the truth comes out. Well almost. Ross nearly reveals his feelings to Rachel, but is thwarted by a stray cat. Meanwhile, Chandler almost flirts with Jill Goodacre but is thwarted by his own nerves and a piece of gum. This latter scene has to be one of the funniest in the entire series, and the will-they-won’t-they between Ross and Rachel was still fresh, which makes this episode one for the books.

#3: Want to Forget: “The One Where Chandler Gets Caught”

The whole “misunderstanding” trope is a classic of the sitcom genre. However, in the case of this episode from the final season, it just doesn’t work. The idea that they’d all be that easily convinced that Chandler is having an affair is ridiculous. (If he was, would he really meet the woman right outside the coffee shop where they all hang out all the time?). When the misunderstanding is finally cleared up, it’s only followed by the news that Chandler and Monica are looking to move out of the city, a change no one reacts especially well to. Don’t force yourself to watch this one again – the writing is forced enough as it is!

#3: Timeless: “The One Where No One’s Ready”

In a 2004 NBC poll, “The One Where No One’s Ready” was voted the 3rd most popular episode. This entirety of it takes place in Monica and Rachel’s apartment - and in real time - as the gang has 22 minutes to get ready and leave for a function at Ross’ museum. A lot can happen in 22 minutes and it certainly does here, including that famous bit where Joey puts on all of Chandler’s clothes. While Ross has a lot of admonishable qualities, his seemingly unwavering patience this episode is not one of them. It got to the point where we thought he might just never get to his event, at least not with his friends in tow.

#2: Want to Forget: “The One With Chandler's Dad”

On some social issues “Friends” was ahead of the curve - think celebrating a lesbian wedding before gay marriage was even legal in the state of New York. However, when it comes to Chandler’s transgender parent, things don’t look as good through today’s lens. She is pretty much always the butt of jokes - many of which were pretty insensitive at the time and seem even more so today. Even “Friends” co-creator Marta Kauffman has admitted they didn’t go about things the right way, telling USA Today that constantly referring to the character by male pronouns was wrong.

#2: Timeless: “The One with the Morning After”

Say it with us….”We were on a break!” It’s not only one of the most iconic quotes from the series, but from all sitcoms of the ‘90s and 2000s. And “The One with the Morning After” is where it all began. Sure, it wasn’t the happiest of episodes - especially for fans who had waited for Ross and Rachel to finally get together and, you know, stay together. As big a deal as Ross and Rachel hooking up was, so too was their breakup. This episode proved that the show could walk that fine line between drama and comedy with the breakup happening in one room while the rest of the gang brought the funny from the other.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Want to Forget: “The One With Rachel’s Assistant”
Hiring the Under-Qualified Assistant Because He’s Good Looking & Then Dating Him. Ugh!

Timeless: “The One Where Ross Got High”
One Word: Trifle

Want to Forget: “The One With The Apothecary Table”
Product Placement & a Crummy Premise

Timeless: “The One Where Everybody Finds Out”
Phoebe & Chandler’s Game of Chicken Is Always Rewatchable

Want to Forget: “The One With Phoebe’s Rats”
Too Much Focus on the Rats

#1: Want to Forget: “The One With The Male Nanny”

Everything about this one is cringe-worthy today. And, to be honest, Ross being that creeped out by a male nanny was probably more offensive than funny even during the episode’s first airing in 2002. There’s way too much focus and energy spent on the character, and the reaction from Ross brings out all his worst attributes. Now, had they dropped that, and focused more on the storyline where Monica tells Chandler that some guy at work is the funniest person she’s ever met, this episode might have edged closer to the ‘timeless’ portion of this list.

#1: Timeless: “The One With the Embryos”

Yes, Phoebe being implanted with the embryos is a great story arc and Lisa Kudrow is in top form in the scene that has her talking to the petri dish. However, the truth is that the bet and resulting trivia contest completely steal the spotlight. “Big fat goalie”, “Miss Chanandler Bong” and Monica’s eleven categories of towels are just some of the memorable tidbits this amazing episode provided. “The One with the Embryos” is also Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc's favorite episode as well as a “lightning-in-a-bottle gem” according to TV Guide. We just call it timeless.

Which “Friends” episodes stand the test of time and which ones do you skip right by? Let us know in the comments.