The 25 best ‘Friends’ episodes

This episode is surprisingly on a lot of people’s best "Friends" episodes ever, even though it’s the result of an NBC-wide gimmick that most people don’t actually remember…and actually, maybe because the gimmick is so rare these days that it actually bumps the episode up. It also features the introduction of (ugh) Paolo and a cameo by the (surprisingly popular) plot of Chandler stuck in a vestibule (it’s probably popular because of the use of the term “vestibule,” isn’t it?) with Jill Goodacre (who was apparently a real supermodel and is married to Harry Connick Jr.; go figure). But since this list is also about honoring Matthew Perry’s birth, this episode can stay — especially since his plot in the ATM vestibule with Goodacre makes this the only episode in the 10-season run of "Friends" where a main character has zero scenes with any other main character.

We all know the reasons why "Friends" was far from a perfect depiction of 20-something life, even in the ‘90s, but you can’t ignore when the show actually got something as specific as that right. That's exactly what this episode does, as it the battle lines are drawn between the haves and the have-nots — well, the ones in the group who have stable careers with solid incomes (Chandler, Ross, and Monica) and the ones who don’t (Phoebe, Rachel, Joey). Sure, this episode also centers on a Hootie and the Blowfish concert, but that’s also something the show got right at the time. (This is also the answering machine girl/”This is Bob.” episode. Seriously, how does anyone keep anything straight?)

Do I even have to describe this episode? You know it. (If you don’t know it and are just using this list as a guide for "Friends" episodes to watch, then congratulations on watching it for the first time. But you should probably watch every episode, not just bop around.) With every passing year, Ross Geller and his "Nice Guy" romance with Rachel Green gets less and less tolerable, but it’s hard to deny in those early seasons just how well David Schwimmer played that part — specially in episodes like this one.

Joey, Joey, Joey. Oh, Joey. This is, of course, the episode where he’s killed off "DOOL" (you know, "Days of Our Lives") and says in a Soap Opera Digest interview that he makes up most of his lines. This is the writers’ revenge, elevator shaft style. This is also the episode where Rachel and Monica have to fight over a condom to determine who’s having sex tonight with their respective boyfriends (Ross and Richard). Safe sex, y’all.

Just the image of Chandler’s wispy attempt at a mustache is enough for this episode to be on the list. But this is also the episode where it’s revealed that during her childhood, Phoebe’s mother would turn off movies with depressing endings right before said depressing endings occurred. And it's not the first or last time Phoebe’s entire world view is completely rocked on this show.

Not only is “The One Where No One’s Ready” one of the most iconic bottle episodes in the history of television, but it also takes place in real-time AND Joey drinks fat. Plus, the episode includes a classic Chandler impression from Joey: “Look at me. I’m Chandler. Could I *be* wearing any more clothes?” It’s honestly manic "Friends" at its best, with Monica's obsession over the Richard message on her answering machine, Rachel being indecisive, frustrated Ross and the aforementioned Joey/Chandler shenanigans (all starting with a chair).

It somehow took three seasons for "Friends" to hone in on the absurd competitive nature of the Geller siblings, but it’s a fine introduction in this Thanksgiving episode. Joey and Chandler arguing over who gets to date a Dutch woman is pretty much your base-level Joey and Chandler stupidity, but Rachel’s impressive lack of football skills is still hilarious.

It's definitely not the zippiest, funniest episode of "Friends" — it has to get the humor from four of the friends being stuck in Monica’s room — but if you’re looking for some emotional depth out of the show, here you go. Of course it all ultimately turned into “WE WERE ON A BREAK” (yeah, for about an hour before Ross slept with someone else), but there was a point where the Ross/Rachel breakup wasn’t just a punchline. And it was pretty, pretty good.

Never before has something as dumb as “bro code” turned into something as touching as “The One With Chandler in a Box.” It helps that it’s also one of the "Friends" Thanksgiving episodes —- they always seemed to pull off that holiday. Sucks that things between Chandler and the woman who led to this fight (Paget Brewster’s Kathy) ended so terribly in the end though.

It’s strange this episode was never given an alternate title. Yes, at the end Phoebe reveals that the IVF procedure took (and that she’s pregnant with her brother and his wife’s babies). But the thing that everyone remembers about this episode is the trivia competition between the girls and the boys, resulting in Chandler and Joey getting Rachel and Monica’s apartment.

Yes, the series actually filmed this episode in London (save for the Lisa Kudrow scenes, because she was way too pregnant to fly). And yes, apparently British people hate this episode. (It probably didn’t help that after this episode, Emily became a complete monster. But that’s what happens when you get involved with the "Friends" friends. Unless you’re Paul Rudd. Also, she was actually in the right for her reaction.) But of course, the most important parts of the episode are Monica and Chandler hooking up for the first time and “I, Ross, take thee, Rachel.” You see, he said “Rachel” instead of “Emily.”

Three words: Ross’ leather pants. All right, while the other resolutions themselves don’t make this episode all that special, the leather pants plus the episode conclusion really propel it all. Regarding the latter, that would be the episode ending with Rachel finding out about Chandler and Monica’s secret relationship and finally giving Joey someone to talk to about all of that insanity. It’s good stuff.

As "Friends" gets called out more and more over the years for its more problematic nature, it’s important not to let that criticism lead to the complete erasure of the show's greatness in terms of its sitcom structure, characterization and chemistry. And that greatness is on full display in “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” (as well as many of the episodes on this list, honestly), as is Phoebe’s attempt to “seduce” Chandler to get him to confess to his secret relationship with Monica.

To this day, “The One With the Cop” (where Phoebe finds a cop’s badge, impersonates a cop and then starts dating the cop whose badge she found and committed a crime with) features the word “pivot” more than any other episode of television that exists. Don’t fact check that. But seriously: "Friends" made an iconic plot out of David Schwimmer screaming “PIVOT” for a third of an episode. It was the best use of patronizing Ross, for sure.

There are a lot of moving pieces in this one — including Phoebe’s crush on Monica and Ross’ father — but the most important part of this classic Thanksgiving "Friends" episode is Rachel’s traditional English Trifle. You know the recipe: "A layer of ladyfingers, then a layer of jam, then custard, which I made from scratch, then raspberries, more ladyfingers, then beef sauteed with peas and onions, then a little more custard, and then bananas, and then I just put some whipped cream on top!" We’re all in a position now to acknowledge that Rachel was an underrated character and that Jennifer Aniston’s comedic timing was something else, right?

Honestly, this episode always seemed like it happened in a much later season — one without Elle Macpherson. But no, this is even an episode with Elle Macpherson, specifically her last one in which her character, Janine, reveals to Joey that she doesn’t like Chandler and Monica. She thinks Chandler’s unfunny and Monica’s loud, which is fair. But the reason this episode is on the list is the entire Pottery Barn plot, which has now inspired a “real” apothecary table at the real Pottery Barn. Critics at the time took issue with the brazen product placement in this episode, but you know what? The number of people watching at the time (and since) who didn’t even realize that Pottery Barn was a real place and not just a "Friends" location (like Central Perk) would argue that no harm was done at all.

It’s really hard to get a much better comedic line delivery than Jennifer Aniston’s “She died, Jill,” in this episode. The same goes for Courteney Cox’s delivery as sick Monica. It’s really hard to find a much better episode than this one. The power of Reese Witherspoon? Probably.

This is also the one with Joey trying to find someone to play his identical twin (not to be confused with a “hand twin”) and Phoebe’s horrifying sock-bunnies. But Ross is at his best when he’s just an idiot — instead of a jerk and an idiot — in his attempt at teaching Rachel and Phoebe the art of “unagi.” No, not the sushi.

If you don’t get even a little emotional when Monica proposes to Chandler, are you even alive? (You should really check on that. You don’t want to learn you’re undead during a marathon of "Friends.") This is also the one where Ross breaks up with his child girlfriend —seriously, Ross dating his student Elizabeth gets more upsetting with every rewatch — which, if you remember when TBS first started airing "Friends" reruns, is a clip you have on a loop in your mind. “Breakup still on!”

Yes, it’s broad and ridiculous and whatever other complaints you want to make about it, but Rachel and Chandler — the underrated comedic duo of the entire series, by the way — eating floor cheesecake is and will forever be one of the funniest things to ever happen on "Friends." It just is. You’re laughing just thinking about “floor cheesecake.” Admit it.

This is how you structure a show: You have two characters casually get together in the Season 4 finale, then make them into a serious couple considering their future (marriage) in the Season 5 finale, have them get engaged in the Season 6 finale and then have them marry in the Season 7  finale. But that’s not even the end of it, as they then decide to have a baby in the Season 8 finale. Things get wonky finale-wise after that, but still, look at that structure.

This is the introduction of Paul Rudd as Mike. (Thank, God that “Mike” is a common name, right, Joey?) For once, enough truly is said (especially since Mike is one of the best parts of a season of baby Emma and…Tulsa).

You would think that Ross’ tan would be closer in the timeline to Ross’ leather pants, but nope. There are five seasons between them. Which is probably for the best because sometimes you need space between amazingly embarrassing looks. This is an all-time classic of an image to the point where you probably don’t even remember the other plots. (One of them features a guest appearance by Jennifer Coolidge, who is overshadowed by Ross’ shadowy appearance.)

No offense to a baby, but the best thing about Emma’s existence is Rachel’s sister Amy (Christina Applegate) showing up and calling her “Ella.” (A better choice in name, since it’s not close to the name of Ross’ ex-wife. Just saying.) But this episode also has Joey’s thesaurus-based letter of recommendation for Chandler and Monica’s adoption process and Mike proposing to Phoebe — all the makings of a great ep.

First of all, Rachel should’ve gone to Paris and if she had to be with Ross, Ross should’ve moved there too. (The series finale is not on this list for a reason.) Second of all, choose your fighter: “Princess Consuela Bananahammock” or good ol’ “Crap Bag”? Phoebe and Mike were the best.