Top 10 BEST Friends Episodes
#10: “The One with the Blackout”
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A standout of the first season, this storyline revolves around a power outage that interestingly stemmed from an episode of “Mad About You” - which aired the same night on the same network and also featured Lisa Kudrow. The blackout brings all of the friends together, with the exception of Chandler, who gets stuck at an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacre. The episode is so iconic that Goodacre is better known to younger generations for this cameo than her actual modeling. Of course, the real highlight is Ross trying to get out of the friend zone with Rachel. As he attempts to tell her how he really feels, though, cats and Italian guys keep getting in the way.
#9: “The Last One” Even the best sitcoms don’t always have satisfying conclusions, especially after being on the air for ten years. Thankfully, “Friends” delivered, leaving everybody on a pitch perfect note. Monica and Chandler unexpectedly bring home twin babies, Joey and Chandler say goodbye to the foosball table, as well as each other, and Phoebe helps Ross race to the airport to stop Rachel from going to Paris. The episode strikes the ideal balance of humor, excitement and heart, with a rewarding payoff as Rachel DOES get off the plane. We’re not ashamed to say that we STILL get choked up every time we watch the bittersweet final scene, which fades out on Monica’s purple door and its iconic yellow frame.
#8: “The One with the Morning After”
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Ross and Rachel had a rocky romance to say the least and this is the episode that changed everything. After sleeping with another woman, Ross attempts to shield Rachel from the truth. However, the cat’s let out of the bag thanks to Rachel’s secret admirer, Gunther. That’s funny while also being heartbreaking, which pretty much sums up the tone of this episode. As uncomfortable as matters get, the setup still makes room for a lot humor, particularly with the four other friends trapped in Monica’s bedroom as Ross and Rachel breakup. That being said, it ultimately works up to a tear-jerking and honest scene in which the couple realizes this is the end.
#7: “The One with Ross’s Wedding”
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Complete with several epic cameos, the Season 4 finale was the show’s most ambitious outing yet as Ross’ nuptials brought all of the friends to London… well, except for a pregnant Phoebe and a reluctant Rachel, who’s in denial about still being in love with Ross. Upon realizing her true feelings, however, Rachel hops on a plane to crash the wedding. This leads to perhaps the show’s best cliffhanger, with Ross ruining his second marriage before it even starts. The real love story here, though, is between Chandler and Monica, who surprise the audience and themselves by sleeping together. Three years later, Chandler and Monica would get hitched with happier results and another stellar cliffhanger.
#6: “The One with the Proposal”
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Before Chandler and Monica could say, “I do,” they had to get engaged. While the subplots involving the other friends provide plenty of laughs, this hour-long episode appropriately belongs to Chandler and Monica. Chandler is all set to pop the question, but the moment is spoiled with the return of Richard, who’s still in love with Monica. Although this last-minute love triangle could’ve backfired, it fortunately doesn’t turn anyone into a bad guy and offers several strong character moments - serving as a perfect end to Richard’s story arc and the beginning of Monica and Chandler’s life together. The titular proposal is everything we could’ve hoped for, closing the season with a heartwarming declaration of love.
#5: “The One with the Prom Video”
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This Season 2 episode has one of Joey and Chandler’s best storylines, when they’re eternally bonded as bracelet buddies. However, it’s the development between Ross and Rachel that made the episode David Schwimmer’s personal favorite. After numerous attempts to win Rachel back after his infamous pros-and-cons list, Ross begins to accept that they’ll never be a couple. That all changes after watching a prom video, which features a pre-rhinoplasty Rachel and a curvier Monica, not to mention Ross rocking an afro and pornstache. The video ends in heartache as Ross misses his shot with Rachel. This benefits Ross in the present, though, as Rachel officially becomes his lobster. This wasn’t their first kiss, but it perhaps left the greatest impact.
#4: “The One Where Ross Got High”
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Whereas some shows are known for their annual Christmas or Halloween specials, “Friends” made a habit of shining the spotlight on the often-overlooked Thanksgiving. One notable Thanksgiving episode offered even more hilarious flashbacks to the gang’s younger years, but we’re singling out this season 6 episode, in which Ross and Monica’s parents learn about her relationship with Chandler. Mr. and Mrs. Geller aren’t Mr. Bing’s biggest fans, since they think he got high in their house during college when it was actually Ross. They warm up to him, however, after discovering several bombshells about their own children. It’s Rachel who steals the show, though, with her shepherd’s pie trifle, a hodgepodge of custard, meat and jam that only Joey could love.
#3: “The One Where No One’s Ready”
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“Friends” was an ensemble piece that fired on all cylinders thanks, above all else, to its six leads. Few episodes better demonstrate this than “The One Where No One’s Ready.” Almost solely taking place in Monica’s apartment, this bottle episode makes impeccable use of the entire cast. With Joey and Chandler feuding over a chair, Rachel unsure of what to wear, Phoebe struggling to hide a hummus stain and Monica stressing over an answering-machine message, the dilemmas start off small, but snowball into something much bigger. This adds to the urgency as Ross tries to get everybody out the door in a story that plays out in real time. It additionally includes some of the show’s best one-liners, especially Joey’s “commando” remark.
#2: “The One Where Everybody Finds Out”
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Another ensemble-driven episode, this uproarious half-hour finds Phoebe and Rachel doing everything in their power to out Chandler and Monica as a couple. Meanwhile, poor Joey winds up stuck in the middle of their faceoff while an oblivious Ross goes to great lengths to get Ugly Naked Guy’s apartment. It all builds to a side-splitting showdown as Phoebe uses her sexuality to break Chandler, who ultimately folds and confesses his love to Monica in a truly touching moment. The payoffs don’t end there, as Ross finds out about his sister and best friend in the worst way possible. Yikes, and we thought his sandwich freak out was bad. Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: - “The One with the Holiday Armadillo” - “The One with All the Resolutions” - “The One Where the Stripper Cries”
#1: “The One with the Embryos”
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It’s only fitting that our top pick would go to the episode that made the best use of the six costars. Determined to figure out who knows more about the other, Joey and Chandler go head to head against Monica and Rachel in a high-stakes guessing game. With Ross acting taking his rightful place as quizmaster, the four are asked a series of personal (and hysterical) questions. But of course, it’s Monica and Rachel’s inability to name Chandler’s job that costs them their apartment. Despite the constant feuding, the friends reconcile upon learning that Phoebe is going to have her brother’s baby. With a terrific premise, ingenious punchlines, and every cast member bringing the funny, this is “Friends” at its finest.
