Episode 1.21- The One with the Fake Monica

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where Monica's credit card is stolen and she, along with Phoebe and Rachel, decide to catch the thief, Joey enlists his friends to help him come up with a less ethnic-sounding stage name, and when Ross finds out that Marcel has reached sexual maturity and needs to be with other monkeys, he tries to get him accepted into the Harvard of zoos.

The Guest Stars
special guest star
Claudia Shear as Fake Monica
guest starring
Christina Pickles as Judy Geller
Karla Tamburrelli as the Teacher
and
Harry Shearer as Dr. Baldharar

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.8
Humor- 8.7
Emotion- 8.7
Fun- 8.8
Overall- 8.8

Chandler- 8.8 (As usual, provided many funny comments throughout)
Joey- 8.6 (Took his stupidity to a whole new level with the Joseph Stalin storyline)
Monica- 9.2 (Expertly weaved straight-laced Monica with the new free-spirited Monana)
Phoebe- 8.9 (Strikingly funny, she was dead-on hilarious in the whole episode)
Rachel- 8.7 (She was very Rachel, and I loved her dynamic with Monica in this episode)
Ross- 9.0 (His attachment to Marcel is so funny, and it got emotional at the end)

The Best Lines
Monica (looking over her credit card bill after she learns someone has been using it): Still, this is just such reckless spending.
Ross: I think when somebody steals your credit card, they've kind of already thrown caution to the wind.

Ross: You'd think you guys would be just a little more understanding, you know?
Phoebe: I know... but we're not.

Chandler: How about Joey Peponi?
Joey: No, still too ethnic! My agent thinks I should have a name that's more neutral.
Chandler: Joey... Switzerland?

Joey: Phoebe, what do you think a good stage name for me would be?
Phoebe: Flame boy!

Monica (while drunk, she drank water out of the sink): Water rules!

The Moments
Chandler convinces Joey to make his stage name Joseph Stalin.
Monica stalks the woman who stole her credit card.
Ross realizes he has to give up Marcel.
A guy tries to get Ross to give Marcel to him for an "Interactive Wildlife Experience", aka animal fighting.
Dance class.
The Friends say goodbye to Marcel.

The Romances

The Verdict
I may not have put down many things in the "Best Lines" section but that doesn't mean there was a dearth of hilarity in this episode. It was very funny, the funniest one in a while, but still it didn't quite crack the roof of being amazing. It was the one I can most call great in a long time, but still... something was missing from it. Not much, but enough to make it not be able to quite make it into the pinnacle of episodes. However, great job, writers, actors, and everyone associated with this episode! It was very entertaining and enjoyable and I laughed out loud many times.

Episode 1.20- The One with the Evil Orthodontist

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where Rachel and Barry start dating again, which is kind of awkward because he's now engaged to Mindy, who wants Rachel to be her maid of honour, but when Rachel finds out that Mindy and Barry had an affair while she was engaged to Barry, the two women decide to give Barry what for, and Chandler goes nuts when a woman he likes won't return his phone calls.

The Guest Stars
special guest star
Jennifer Grey as Mindy
guest starring
Mitchell Whitfield as Barry
Lynn Clark as Danielle

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.8
Humor- 8.6
Emotion- 8.6
Fun- 8.7
Overall- 8.7

Chandler- 8.6 (Chandler had many funny lines, and his storyline was funny, but the pathetic, needy Chandler didn't tickle my fancy)
Joey- 8.7 (Joey was on top of his game, and even though he was not a lead in any storyline, he was hilarious)
Monica- 8.7 (Monica was funny too, and she can really dominate the screen even when she doesn't have a big part)
Phoebe- 8.7 (Phoebe was great! She made me laugh in the very little time she had to say anything)
Rachel- 9.0 (Rachel was superb- she tapped into her independent, tough self and got her life together in a big way)
Ross- 8.5 (Ross struck me as annoying, and his affection for Rachel was not cute this episode, but he did have many funny lines)

The Best Lines
Phoebe: Just do it! Call her. Stop being so testosterone-y.
Chandler: Which, by the way, is the real San Francisco treat.

Chandler: I got her machine.
Joey: Her answering machine?
Chandler: No, interestingly enough, her leaf blower picked up.

Monica: Rachel! What's going on? Isn't this the same Barry who you left at the altar?
Joey: Duh! Where've you been?!

Phoebe: You know, if you want, you can call her machine, and if she has a lot of beeps, that means she probably didn't get her messages yet.
Chandler: You don't think that makes me seem a little...
Ross: Desperate? Needy? Pathetic?
Chandler: Ah, you obviously saw my personal ad.

Ross (talking about Rachel's decision to have sex with Barry): It's a totally different situation! It's apples and oranges! It's... orthodontists and lesb... I gotta go.
Phoebe: Where are you going?
Ross: I just have to go, all right?! Do I need a reason, huh?! I mean, I have things to do with my life! I have a jam-packed schedule and I am late for keeping up with it, okay?

Ross (doing a crossword puzzle): Heating device?
Phoebe: Radiator.
Ross: Five letters...
Phoebe: Rdatr?

Barry (trying to get Mindy back): We'll go back to Aruba...
Rachel: What is it with you and Aruba? I mean, do you have like a deal with the airlines?

Joey: All right, I'll give you this... Mr. Peanut is a better dresser, I mean, he's got the monocle, he's got the top hat...
Phoebe: You know he's gay?
Ross: I just want to clarify this... are you outing Mr. Peanut?

The Moments
Rachel has sex with Barry in the orthodontist's office.
Rachel and Mindy both break up Barry. (Mindy's doesn't last.)

The Romances
Chandler dates a girl named Danielle and they have trouble when it comes to phone communication.
Rachel has sex with Barry.
She and Mindy break up with him together, but Mindy ends up going back to him.

The Verdict
Another good, solid episode. It's been a while now since we've had an amazing episode, but there have still not been any bad episodes, which seems like kind of a miracle. Maybe there will never be any BAD Friends episodes, but that seems unlikely. Anyway, getting off topic... a good episode. The complications in the Mindy-Rachel-Barry love triangle is just hilarious, and Ross's desperate need for Rachel is funny as well, but can get irritating. All in all, another in a string of good, great even, but not spectacular, episodes.

Episode 1.19- The One Where the Monkey Gets Away

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where the gang searches frantically for Marcel, who slipped out of the apartment while Rachel was baby-sitting him, after Marcel is found and safe, Ross finally gets up the courage to try to woo Rachel, but just when it looks like the two might actually spend a romantic evening alone together, Barry, the ex-Mr. Potato Head, barges into the apartment declaring his love for her.

The Guest Stars
Mitchell Whitfield as Barry
Megan Cavanagh as Luisa
Larry Hankin as Mr. Heckles
Angela Visser as Samantha

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.5
Humor- 8.7
Emotion- 8.7
Fun- 8.6
Overall- 8.6

Chandler- 8.7 (Once again, not too much for Chandler, but he was funny)
Joey- 8.5 (Comic relief, plain and simple, no main storylines for him this episode)
Monica- 8.8 (Monica was funny, overbearing, and wonderful)
Phoebe- 8.9 (She had the best laugh-out-loud moments of the episode)
Rachel- 8.9 (Rachel was dazzling as nervous, out of control, and forgetful)
Ross-8.6 (Ross once again was stern and that bothered me, even though he was nice by the end)

The Best Lines
Joey: I meant female nudity! I don't need to see Lou Grant frolicking!
Monica: Hugh! Hugh Grant!

Ross (to Marcel): All right... we're going to go take a bath. Yes we are, yes we are!
Chandler (to Joey): They're still just friends, right?

Phoebe (walks into the apartment): Ooh... whoa. Why is the air in here so negative?

Mr. Heckles: I left a Belgian waffle in the hall. Did you take it?
Phoebe: Why would you leave your Belgian waffle in the hall?
Mr. Heckles: I wasn't ready for it.

Phoebe: Oh my god! Something just brushed up against my right leg!
Monica: What is it?!?!
Phoebe: Oh... it's okay. It was just my left leg.

Joey (looking at Monica's old yearbook picture when she was in The Sound of Music): Whoa, big nun.
Chandler: Yeah, I thought that was an Alp.

The Moments
Marcel poops in Monica's shoe.
Marcel escapes.
The animal control lady hates Rachel from high school.
Rachel argues her way to get back Marcel.
Ross, after being angry with Rachel, makes up with her.
Barry tells Rachel he thinks he's still in love with her.

The Romances
Rachel's ex-fiancee Barry is getting married to her maid of honor, Mindy. However, Barry tells Rachel he still loves her.

The Verdict
Some funny lines, some excellent laugh-out-loud moments, this was a solid episode. Nothing spectacular to make it stand out, but no glaring holes to make it deserve a lower rating. Each character did a good job in this episode, and the writing was great, perhaps not spectacular, but great nonetheless. Mr. Heckles mad an appearance, which is always excellent, and the animal control lady with a grudge was a stroke of genius. Good, good episode all around...

Episode 1.18- The One with All the Poker

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where, tired of being referred to by customers as "Excuse me," Rachel interviews for a job as an assistant buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue and she also sees another side of the usually docile Ross when the girls face the boys during a not-so-friendly game of poker.

The Guest Stars
Beverly Garland as Aunt Iris

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.9
Humor- 8.8
Emotion- 8.4
Fun- 8.8
Overall- 8.7

Chandler- 8.9 (Little emotional or dramatic pull, he provided frequent comic relief)
Joey- 8.2 (Had a few funny moments, but other than that, nothing much)
Monica- 8.6 (Super-competitive and high-strung, this was golden Monica)
Phoebe- 9.0 (Hilarious! Did nothing this episode except be super funny)
Rachel- 8.8 (Tugged at the heartstrings and made us laugh while doing so)
Ross- 8.2 (Did not like the rude, competitive Ross, but he still played coy at some moments)

The Best Lines
Monica (looks at one of the envelopes Rachel is sending out her resumes in): Do you really want to work for Popular Mechanics?
Chandler: Well, if you're gonna work for mechanics, those are the ones to work for.

Chandler (sitting in a chair in Central Perk with Ross): Well, I know they call this a love seat, but I'm not really feeling anything special towards you.

Monica: He can get really competitive.
Phoebe snickers.
Monica: What?
Phoebe: Hello, kettle? Yeah, this is Monica. You're black.

Rachel: Guys, guess what, guess what, guess what?!?
Chandler: Okay, uh, the fifth dentist caved and now they're all recommending Trident?

Phoebe: Hey, you guys, look, the one-eyed jack follows me wherever I go!

Phoebe: Ooh, guys, you know what I just realized? Joker is poker with a 'J'! Coincidence... ?
Chandler: Hey, that's jo-incidence with a 'C'!

The Moments
The guys try to teach the girls poker.
The girls learn poker from Monica's Aunt Iris.
The Ross-Rachel poker showdown.

The Romances

The Verdict
Good episode! Really explored the group dynamic, and by taking away extraneous people and places we were really able to focus on the integral characters and their emotions, etc. Maybe not always laugh-out-loud funny but there were plenty of witty remarks and Chandler and Phoebe really brought the funny. I was unimpressed by a strange new version of Ross, but his affection for Rachel has become really touching.

Episode 1.16 & 1.17- The One with Two Parts

The TV.com Summary
Part 1:
This is the part where Joey falls for Phoebe's twin sister, Ursula, making Phoebe feel neglected, Chandler finds himself between a rock and a hard place, when he is told to fire an employee he is attracted to, and Ross has doubts about parenthood when he attends Lamaze classes with Carol and Susan.
Part 2:
This is the part where after weeks of procrastinating, Rachel finally takes down the Christmas light on their balcony, only to fall off the balcony and sprain her ankle, and at the hospital, Rachel - who has no insurance - cajoles Monica into trading identities so she can use Monica's coverage.

The Guest Stars
special guest star
Elliott Gould as Jack Geller
guest starring
Dorien Wilson as Mr. Douglas
Jane Sibbett as Carol
Jessica Hecht as Susan
Larry Hankin as Mr. Heckles
Jennifer Grant as Michelle
Michele Lamar Richards as the Lamaze Teacher
Alaina Reed Hall as the Admissions Woman
special appearance by
Leila Kenzle
Helen Hunt
George Clooney
and
Noah Wyle

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.9
Humor- 8.7
Emotion- 8.5
Fun- 8.6
Overall- 8.6

Chandler- 7.9 (In Chandler's plotline, he came off as annoying and babyish)
Joey- 9.1 (Joey was fabulous, and his scene with Phoebe was his best acting yet)
Monica- 8.5 (Monica was hyper and irritating mostly, but had a fair amount of funny moments)
Phoebe- 9.2 (Phoebe was wonderful, showing off her serious side while staying funny, and Kudrow did double duty, playing Ursula as well)
Rachel- 8.4 (Rachel was also annoying, but she still had funny things to say)
Ross- 9.0 (Ross was great, fearing parenthood while keeping the laughs long and loud)

The Best Lines
Joey: Phoebe's Phoebe. Ursula's... hot.
Chandler: You know that thing where you and I talk to each other about things?
Joey: Yeah.
Chandler: Let's not do that anymore.

Joey: Hey, Pheebs, guess who we saw today?
Phoebe: Ooh! Ooh! Fun! Ooh... Liam Neeson!
Joey: No.
Phoebe: Morley Safer! The woman who cuts my hair!

Phoebe (referring to Ursula): Was she fat?
Joey: Not from where I was standing...
Phoebe (turns to Chandler): Where were you standing?

Ross (at Lamaze class, trying to change the subject): So, twins? That's like, two births... ouch.

Rachel: Oh, cool. Urkel in Spanish is Urkel!

Rachel: So, Pheebs, what do you want for your birthday?
Phoebe: Well, what I really want is for my mom to be alive and enjoy it with me.

Chandler: You know, Ross, some scientists are saying now that monkeys and babies are actually different. You might want to look into it.

Chandler: So, after the proposal, I kind of unraveled.
Ross: Right... 'cause you were really in control up until then.

Monica (filling out Rachel's emergency room forms): Are you currently on any medication?
Rachel: No. Oh, wait, wait! Yes. Blistex.

Jack (wondering about sun-dried tomatoes while Ross goes through a crisis): What else could the sun dry, I wonder?

Phoebe (playing Scrabble): If crunchy is a word, why isn't scrunchy?
Chandler: Okay, well I'm using the same argument for 'fligament'.

Hospital Attendant (to Ross and Marcel): This hospital is for people!
Ross: Lady, he is people! He watches Jeopardy, he touches himself when no one is watching...

The Moments
Joey is attracted to Phoebe's twin sister, Ursula.
Ross plays "mommy" at Lamaze class.
Chandler can't bring himself to fire a girl he likes at work.
Mr. Heckles!
Helen Hunt walks into Central Perk.
Rachel and Monica pretend to be each other on their date with George Clooney and Noah Wyle.
Phoebe and Joey kiss.

The Romances
Chandler is attracted to a girl in his office who he has to fire, but ends up dating.
Joey goes out with Phoebe's twin, Ursula.
Rachel and Monica date doctors, played by George Clooney and Noah Wyle.

The Verdict
Basically two episodes of Friends with a couple plotlines that stayed throughout. The plotlines that were recurring throughout the whole 40-some minutes, easily could have been condensed into a 20-some minute episode, and they often felt forced and drawn out. There were lots of nice moments, lots of great lines, and of course, lots of laughs, but that didn't make me unaware of the annoying plotlines, characters that got on my nerves, and dry spells. Overall, this episode was good, funny, and quick-witted, but it definitely wasn't great. Although, 40+ minutes of Friends is always a good thing, maybe next time a different 40+ minutes.

Episode 1.15- The One with the Stoned Guy

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where Monica cooks a gourmet meal for a restaurateur looking for a new chef, but he is stoned, Chandler gets promoted to data processing supervisor, then quits, and Ross has a date with a beautiful colleague named who will only satisfy him if he talks dirty to her.

The Guest Stars
Melora Hardin as Celia
special appearance by
Jon Lovitz as Steve

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.7
Humor- 8.9
Emotion- 8.3
Fun- 8.9
Overall- 8.8

Chandler- 8.6 (Not too much funny to do, but fits pretty well into a more serious leading role)
Joey- 8.1 (Don't even remember what he did in this episode)
Monica- 8.9 (Straddles the line between funny-kooky and serious-desperate beautifully)
Phoebe- 8.8 (Not much to say, except hilarious as always!)
Rachel- 8.6 (Excellent, funny, hilarious... smallish part)
Ross- 9.2 (Ross is superb again as he shines with another main storyline)

The Best Lines
Chandler: Ms. Tedlock... you're looking lovely today. May I say that is a very flattering sleeve length on you.

Ross (watching log throwing on TV): You watch something like this and you realize... why evolution is just a theory.

Chandler: I don't have a dream!
Ross: Ah, the lesser known I don't have a dream speech.

Monica (enters the apartment): Ahh, I love my life, I love my life!
Phoebe (lights up): Ooh! Brian's Song!

Phoebe: Ooh! I know what you could make! I know! Oh, you should make that thing, you know, with the stuff. You know that, that THING, with the, the stuff! Okay, I don't know...

Ross: Hey, does anyone know a good date place in the city?
Joey: Uhh... how 'bout Tony's? If you can finish a 32 oz. steak, it's free!
Ross: Mmkay... (clears his throat) Hey, does anyone know a good place if you're not dating a puma?

Monica: You see... Wendy's more of a... professional waitress.
Rachel: Oh, I see, yes, and I've sort of been maintaining by amateur status so I can waitress in the Olympics!
Chandler: You know... I don't mean to brag, but I waited tables at Innsbruck in '76. Took home a bronze.

Celia: Say something... hotttt.
Ross (hesitates for a while): Ummmm... vulva.

Monica: 12 dollars an hour!
Rachel: Mon, I wish I could, but I made plans to walk around.

Steve: Hello, Monica. (to Rachel) Hello, greeter girl.

Steve: Well, smack my ass and call me Judy! These are fantastic!

The Moments
The "talk dirty" lady.
Ross talks dirty to Joey.
Chandler quits and then takes his job back.
Jon Lovitz's turn as a stoned restaurateur.

The Romances
Ross goes out with Celia, the bug lady, later to be known as the "talk dirty" lady.

The Verdict
Quite a humorous episode, with Jon Lovitz in an absolutely gut-busting role as the stoned massage client of Phoebe turned enemy of Monica and Phoebe. Great lines throughout this episode, there wasn't too much of a sense of emotion, but there was some. Once again, many memorable moments from this episode. Love Chandler's committment issues, they show up in his work as well as in his personal life. He was excellent and great in this episode, as was everyone except really Joey, who just didn't do too much. Another in a long string of good episodes.

Episode 1.14- The One with the Candy Hearts

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where Ross has his first date in nine years, on Valentine's Day with a beautiful neighbor, while Susan and Carol, also out on a romantic date; end up at the same restaurant, Joey sets Chandler up on a blind date - with Janice, and Phoebe, Rachel and Monica decide to spend the holiday building a boyfriend bonfire in their apartment.

The Guest Stars
Jane Sibbett as Carol
Jessica Hecht as Susan
Heather Medway as Kristen
Nancy Valen as Lorraine
Larry Poindexter as Fireman Dave
Jay Acovone as Fireman Charlie
Joel Gretsch as Fireman Ed
and
Maggie Wheeler as Janice

The Ratings
Creativity- 9.3
Humor- 8.4
Emotion- 8.4
Fun- 8.9
Overall- 8.6

Chandler- 8.8 (His love/hate/love/hate for Janice is desperately cute)
Joey- 7.4 (Not much to do in this episode, a couple funny parts, but mostly he was kind of a douche)
Monica- 7.9 (Bordered on freaky-annoying, she really bummed me out this episode)
Phoebe- 8.7 (Strong in this episode, not hilarious, but quite funny)
Rachel- 8.9 (Great job in this episode, she kept the funny up consistently)
Ross- 9.1 (Excellent! Really stood out in this episode, with a main storyline that was just him - no other Friends)

The Best Lines
Rachel: Pete the Weeper? Remember that guy who used to cry every time we had sex? (imitating crying noises) Was it good for you?

Rachel: How do we end up with these jerks? We're good people!
Monica: I don't know... maybe we're some kind of, like, magnets.
Phoebe: I know I am. That's why I can't wear a digital watch.

Phoebe: Well, I have this friend Abby, who shaves her head, and she says if you want to break the bad boyfriend cycle, you can do, like, a cleansing ritual.
Rachel: Pheebs... this woman is voluntarily bald.
Phoebe: Yeah!

Phoebe (overseeing the cleansing ritual): All right, now we need the semen of a righteous man!
Rachel: Okay, Pheebs... you know, if we had that, we wouldn't be doing the ritual in the first place.

Chandler: Oh man, in my next life I'm coming back as a toilet brush.

Janice: Don't you know it yet? You LOVE me, Chandler Bing!

Janice: Something deep in your soul calls out to me like a foghorn! JAA-NICE! JAA-NICE! And then you push me away, you pull me back! JAA-NICE! You want me. You need me. You... can't live without me. And you know it! You just don't know you know it.

The Moments
Ross asks a woman out with the help of an egg.
Chandler's blind date arranged by Joey turns out to be Janice.
Joey leaves Chandler his credit card.
Ross, his date, and Carol sit together in a Benihana.
While doing their "boyfriend bonfire", Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe burn a little too much and the firemen come.
Janice's mini-monologue to Chandler.
Ross and Carol kiss passionately.

The Romances
Phoebe considers asking Roger out for Valentine's Day.
Joey dates a woman named Lorraine.
Ross goes out on a date with a woman who used to live in his building, Kristen, and while out they see Carol and Susan.

The Verdict
A good episodes, with so many memorable moments that it's hard to not give it a fairly high ranking. However... the energy and pep of the episode was unusually low, maybe just because I'm feeling extra-stressed today. I felt that though there were some funny parts, and Janice's "You love me" monologue was incredible, Ross's kiss with Carol was indelible, and the boyfriend bonfire was hard to forget, there just wasn't that line-after-line humor that I'm used to from Friends. Great plots, great moments, not-so-great on the consistent zippy humor.

Episode 1.13- The One with the Boobies

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where Chandler accidentally sees Rachel wandering around topless after her shower, so a chain reaction of nudity ensues when she tries to even the score by seeing his penis, Joey finds himself playing parent when he has to decide whether to hide his father's affair from his mom, and no one can stand Phoebe's new boyfriend, an irritating guy named Roger.

The Guest Stars
Robert Costanzo as Joey Tribbiani, Sr.
Lee Garlington as Ronni
Fisher Stevens as Roger
and
Brenda Vaccaro as Gloria Tribbiani

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.8
Humor- 8.8
Emotion- 8.2
Fun- 9.0
Overall- 8.8

Chandler- 8.3 (Didn't have much to do at all this week, but he was funny in what he did)
Joey- 8.9 (Joey stepped up into a more emotional role, and balanced the funny and the serious very well - good to know LeBlanc is capable of that)
Monica- 8.7 (Had a few funny lines, but wasn't doing much this time around)
Phoebe- 8.8 (Quite funny but her storyline wasn't too original and didn't thrill me)
Rachel- 8.9 (Hilarious! This week she was filled with great remarks!)
Ross- 8.0 (What did Ross even do this episode?)

The Best Lines
Chandler: May I just say one thing?
Rachel: What?!
Chandler: That's a relatively open weave and I can still see... your nipular ares.

Phoebe: Honey, tell them the story about your patient who thinks things are other things... you know, like when the phone rings and she takes a shower...
Roger: That's pretty much it.

Rachel (waitressing): You guys want anything else?
Chandler: Oh sure, could I have one of those--
Rachel: No, I'm sorry, we're all out of those.

Ross: What? What were you doing seeing her boobies?
Chandler: It was an accident! It's not like I was across the street with a telescope and a box of donuts.

Rachel: Okay, can we change the subject please?
Phoebe: Yeah. These are not her boobies, they are her breasts.
Rachel: Okay, Pheebs, I was hoping for more of a change...
Monica: You know, I always liked "bazoombas". It gives them a Latin spin.

Roger (to Chandler, while laughing): You're... funny... (laughter). He's so funny. Of course, I wouldn't want to be there when the laughter stops.

Joey's dad: What are you doing?
Joey: Chopping garlic.
Joey's dad: You're not gonna crush it?
Joey: Hey... you're having an affair, I'm chopping the garlic, it's a wacky world.

Roger (to Monica): Mon... easy on those cookies. They're just food, they're not love.

Chandler (to Joey): And I believe that when the right woman comes along you will have the courage and the guts to say, "No thanks. I'm married."

Joey's mom: Look honey, in an ideal world there'd be no her and your father would look like Sting.

The Moments
Chandler sees Rachel's breasts.
Joey takes the phone from his father to discover his father is having an affair.
We meet Joey's father's mistress... later she needs to take a shower in Monica's apartment.
Rachel tries to sneak in on Chandler in the shower, but it's Joey.

The Romances
Phoebe dates an "intense and creepy" therapist named Roger who all the friends come to hate.
Joey's dad is having an affair.

The Verdict
Good, solid episode! Lots of funny comments, pretty creative storyline (something that can now be counted on from Friends writers). I really did like this episode, and I loved, loved, loved the chain reaction of nudity sightings that occurred in this episode culminating in Monica's unfortunate one. They kind of pulled a Seinfeld by tying together two of the main plotlines at the end. I'm really starting to love how Friends can weave together 3 main storylines and still have room for a couple smaller ones!

Episode 1.12- The One with the Dozen Lasagnas

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where everyone knows the sex of Ross's baby except for Ross, who doesn't want to find out until it's born, Rachel's relationship with Paulo hits a snag when he makes a pass at Phoebe, and Monica makes a dozen lasagnas for her aunt, only to discover that her aunt doesn't eat meat.

The Guest Stars
Jane Sibbett as Carol
Jessica Hecht as Susan
Cosimo Fusco as Paolo

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.9
Humor- 8.9
Emotion- 8.7
Fun- 8.8
Overall- 8.9

Chandler- 8.6 (Some funny quips, had a side plotline that was humorous)
Joey- 8.5 (Pretty much in the same boat as Chandler here)
Monica- 9.4 (So funny! She was top notch in this episode, bringing all her character traits to the forefront with amazing panache and grace!)
Phoebe- 8.9 (Not too much for Phoebe in this episode, but she was ridiculously funny)
Rachel- 9.0 (Really put on a show in this episode, used her range emotionally and comically to hit the mark 100%)
Ross- 9.0 (Stellar turn by Ross as needy, desperate, hilarious, and cuddly!)

The Best Lines
Ross: You could plunk me down into any woman's uterus - no compass - and I could find my way out of there like that. (He snaps his fingers).

Ross (talking about Paolo and Rachel's relationship): Wasn't that supposed to be just a fling? Shouldn't it be... flung by now?

Ross (looking at a picture in Carol's apartment): Hey, when did you and Susan meet Huey Lewis?
Carol: Uh... that's our friend Tanya.
Ross: Of course it's your friend Tanya.
Carol: Don't you want to know about the sex?
Ross: I'm having enough trouble with the image of you and Susan together, and when you throw in Tanya, ugeghawh...
Carol: The sex of the baby, Ross!

Chandler: If anything, you owe me a table!
Joey: How'd you get there?
Chandler: Well, I believe this piece of furniture was fine until your little breakfast adventure with Angela Delvecchio!
Joey: You knew about that?
Chandler: Let's just say the impressions you made in the butter left little to the imagination.

Phoebe: It's nothing... I'm just... out of sorts.
Chandler: Well, you can use some of my sorts. I rarely use them.

Chandler: That's patio furniture!
Joey: So what? Like people are gonna come in and think, "Uh oh, I'm outside again..."?

(Phoebe comes in and sees Rachel packing.)
Phoebe: Hey!
Rachel: Hi, Pheebs.
Phoebe: What's going on? Are you moving out?
Rachel: No, I'm getting ready for the weekend.
Phoebe: Oh. Are your weekends longer than two days?

Rachel (talking about Paolo): He's the pig.
Phoebe: Such a pig.
Rachel: Oh, God, he's such a pig.
Phoebe: He's like a...
Rachel: He's like a big, disgusting...
Phoebe: Yeah, like a...
Rachel: Pig... pig man!
Phoebe: Yes, good, okay!
Rachel: Ohhh, but he was my pig man...

Ross (after he and Monica beat Joey and Chandler at foosball): Well... looks like we kicked your butts.
Joey: No, no... she kicked our butts. You could be on the Olympic standing-there team.

Monica (watching Rachel and Paolo through the window): Now there's a lot of gesturing and arm waving. Okay, that is either "How could you?" or "Enormous breasts!"

The Moments
The friends hum theme songs in Central Perk.
Poke-a-nose.
Paolo hits on Phoebe in the massage parlor.
The fiery breakup of Rachel and Paolo.
Ross finds out he's having a son.

The Romances
Paolo and Rachel break up after Paolo hits on Phoebe.
Ross continues to pine after Rachel, and she swears off guys altogether.

The Verdict
Fantastic episode! One that just barely misses the mark of a Best of Friends episode, and could be a strong contention for runner-up spots. A great episode to introduce somebody to the show, as it displays each character in his/her finest light. Great! Utterly, truly excellent and as I'm writing this I'm finding it hard to believe I did it rank it a little higher because of how much I enjoyed it in hindsight. But I'm sticking to that 8.9, which is a fantastic rating, but still, just shy of deserving a Best of Friends mark.

Episode 1.11- The One with Mrs. Bing

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where Chandler's romance novelist mom comes to New York to visit him and he's not sure how he feels about it, especially after Joey catches Mrs. Bing and Ross kissing and meanwhile, Monica and Phoebe compete for the "attention" of Coma Guy, who gets hit by an ambulance after Monica woo-woo's at him on the street.

The Guest Stars
special guest star
Morgan Fairchild as Nora Bing
guest starring
Cosimo Fusco as Paolo

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.8
Humor- 8.8
Emotion- 8.5
Fun- 8.6
Overall- 8.7

Chandler- 9.1 (Chandler slides back into hilarious vulnerability but he also becomes disciplinarian, as a whole slew of emotions are unearthed when his mother comes to town)
Joey- 8.6 (Joey is funny, but doesn't have much to say or do in this episode)
Monica- 8.6 (Monica slips into her crazy pants and does it well. Funny but not the Monica I've come to love in recent episodes)
Phoebe- 8.5 (Although Phoebe does have a semi-main storyline, she seems not to be too present in this episode)
Rachel- 8.4 (She's still funny, but I don't like her obliviousness to Ross's feelings)
Ross- 9.0 (Ross is stellar again, he is funny, desperate, and totally hitting his stride as a character)

The Best Lines
Ross (talking about the guy in the coma Phoebe and Monica like): I don't get it. You don't even know this guy.
Chandler: Yeah, are there no conscious guys in the city for you?

Ross (upon Paolo's arrival): When did Rigatoni get back from Rome?

Nora (on Jay Leno): Oh no, I am a fabulous mom. I bought my son his first condoms.
Chandler: ...And then he burst into flames.

Ross (holding an empty shot glass up to his eye): Anyone want me to appraise anything?

Joey: I'll have you know that Gloria Tribbiani was a handsome woman in her day. You think it's easy giving birth to seven children?
Ross: (Pause) Okay, I think we're getting into a weird area.

Monica: What are you guys doing here?
Joey: He's not even wearing a jockstrap!
Monica: What did I ask?

Chandler (when he finds out Joey knew about Ross and his mom's kiss): You knew about this?
Joey: You know, knowledge is a tricky thing...

Ross (sees Joey leaning against his door): Ah, the forbidden love of a man and his door.

The Moments
Chandler's mom is on Jay Leno.
Ross and Chandler's mom kiss.

The Romances
Monica and Phoebe crush on a guy in a coma.
Paolo licks Rachel's hand at a restaurant.
Ross and Chandler's mom kiss.

The Verdict
A good episode with many a moment that made me laugh out loud, but still I can't overlook the fact that this episode was somehow lacking a spark. It was exciting, emotional, humorous, and fun, but it was missing something. I can't put my finger on what that was exactly. Maybe, since I love Phoebe so much, it had something to do with the fact that I felt Phoebe wasn't really present in this episode. This was not a misstep though, in fact it was quite a good episode. Morgan Fairchild was marvelous as Chandler's mom, and even though I am typically against stunt casting, she was hilarious and a great character.

Episode 1.10- The One with the Monkey

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where the gang makes and breaks a pact to celebrate New Year's Eve without dates, Ross compensates for his loneliness by getting a roommate - a monkey named Marcel whom everyone adores (Well, everyone except Monica, who can't get past the feces-throwing thing), and Phoebe faces a difficult decision when she meets a shy physicist who's thinking about giving up a fellowship in Minsk to stay with her.

The Guest Stars
Hank Azaria as David
Vincent Ventresca as Fun Bobby
and
Maggie Wheeler as Janice

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.7
Humor- 8.5
Emotion- 8.6
Fun- 8.7
Overall- 8.6

Chandler- 8.9 (Back to his intense vulnerability, he shines in those shoes as well)
Joey- 8.7 (Funny, calm, and friendly, he has suddenly become the stable one among all his friends, because at least he knows where he's at)
Monica- 8.5 (Doesn't have a big role in this episode, but she does have funny lines throughout)
Phoebe- 9.1 (Stellar, as Phoebe finally taps into that emotional bank in a big way)
Rachel- 8.7 (Sad, at times pathetic, Rachel still finds a way to bring smiles and laughter to all)
Ross- 9.0 (Another powerhouse performance by Schwimmer as a lonely, bordering on depressed Ross)

The Best Lines
Ross (talking about Marcel the monkey): My friend Bethel rescued him from a lab.
Phoebe: That is so cruel! Why, why would a parent name their child Bethel?

Rachel: Well, for your information, Paolo is going to be in Rome this New Year's, so I'll be just as pathetic as the rest of you.
Phoebe: Yeah, you wish.

Chandler: I've got an idea! Dinner.
Ross: It's perfect! We'll put it between lunch and breakfast.

Phoebe (singing): I made a man with eyes of coal and a smile so bewitchin', how was I supposed to know, that my mom was dead in the kitchen?

Rachel: I mean, by my sixth date with Paolo he had already named both my breasts. (Silence). Ooh... did I just share too much?
Ross: Just a smidge.

Phoebe: Did you ever see An Officer and a Gentleman?
Monica: Yeah.
Phoebe: Well... he's kind of like the guy I went to see that with.

Janice: Smile! You're on Janice Camera!

Phoebe: Everybody looks so happy. I hate that!

The Moments
Marcel the monkey is introduced.
We meet Phoebe's long love David.
Janice comes back for the New Year's party.
Joey kisses Chandler on the lips.

The Romances
Chandler invites Janice to the New Year's party, only to dump her minutes after she arrives.
Phoebe meets David, a scientist. They fall in love but he has to go to Minsk.
Paolo almost makes it back to New York for New Year's, but he misses his flight.
Joey meets a hot mom named Sandy but she gets it on with another guy at the party.
Monica invites her ex-boyfriend Fun Bobby to the New Year's party but he is grieving.
This all happens after they make a no-dates-at-New Year's pact.

The Verdict
A good episode. A bit of a step down from the last few, but that means very little because the last few episodes have been incredible. This is a great, solid episode with good performances as the friends all wind up in the lonely hearts club. A bit of a downer, but there are megatons of funny lines peppered throughout. Good job by the writers, and maybe I gave this one a little bit lower of a rating than it deserves, just because the last few episodes have been so damn good.

Episode 1.9- The One Where Underdog Gets Away

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where Monica burns her first Thanksgiving dinner as the Underdog balloon gets away, Joey become a poster boy for VD, and Ross sings to his unborn child.

The Guest Stars
Jane Sibbett as Carol
Max Wright as Terry
Jessica Hecht as Susan

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.7
Humor- 8.6
Emotion- 8.9
Fun- 8.6
Overall- 8.7

Chandler- 8.9 (Beautiful New Year's toast, and we delve into the wonderfully funny but complex character of Chandler)
Joey- 8.6 (His VD storyline was quite humorous, but he grew tiresome as the episode wore on)
Monica- 9.3 (Probably the best performance by an actor yet on this show: she is hilarious, temperamental, fragile, and warm, altogether outstanding)
Phoebe- 8.9 (A very funny Phoebe makes this episode glow)
Rachel- 8.1 (Rachel seems at times bored in this episode, but she is charming at some points and annoying at others)
Ross- 8.8 (Ross is great again as he continues to be insecure about getting pushed out of his son's life)

The Best Lines
Joey: As of today I am officially Joey Tribbiani- actor slash model.
Chandler: That's so funny 'cause I was thinking you looked more like Joey Tribbiani- man slash woman.

Monica: And Chandler, I assume you're still boycotting all the pilgrim holidays.
Chandler: Yes. Every single one of them.
Monica: And Phoebe, you're going to be with your Grandma?
Phoebe: Yes, but we're celebrating Thanksgiving in December 'cause he's lunar.

Ross: I'm off to Carol's.
Phoebe: Ooh, ooh! Why don't we invite her?
Ross: Ooh, ooh! Because she's my ex-wife and will probably want to bring her "Ooh, ooh!" lesbian life partner.

Ross (while looking through Carol and Susan's bookshelf): Wow, you guys sure have a lot of books about being a lesbian.
Susan: Well, you know, you have to take a course. Otherwise they don't let you do it.

Chandler: The most unbelievable thing is happening! Underdog has gotten away!
Joey: The balloon?
Chandler: No, no, the actual cartoon character. Of course the balloon!

The Moments
They get locked out of the apartment.
The Friends' first Thanksgiving together.
Joey gets "venereal disease".
Shoop, shoop, shoop.
Chandler's touching toast.

The Romances
Joey was going to have drinks with the "Obession" girl, but she saw his VD poster.

The Verdict
Great first Thanksgiving episode in a long line of excellent/hilarious Friends Thanksgiving episodes. Another wonderful episode in a streak of great epiodes. I'm really beginning to wonder when a half-bad episode will show up. It's starting to seem unlikely, though I know it's got to happen sometime. Monica was stellar, Ross was excellent, but Rachel was irksome. Hats off to the writers for making an original and interesting Thanksgiving episode, and let's hope for many more great episodes to come.

Episode 1.8- The One Where Nana Dies Twice

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where Nana dies twice, Monica and her mother come to an understanding, Ross falls into an empty grave, and everyone at Chandler's office thinks he's gay.

The Guest Stars
Christina Pickles as Judy Geller
Elinor Donohue as Aunt Lillian
Nancy Cassaro as Shelly
Stuart Fratkin as Lowell
special appearance by
Elliott Gould as Jack Geller

The Ratings
Creativity- 9.2
Humor- 8.6
Emotion- 8.5
Fun- 8.7
Overall- 8.8

Chandler- 8.9 (With another leading storyline, Chandler was hilarious and insecure!)
Joey- 8.6 (He was hilarious with the little tidbits he did throughout the episode)
Monica- 8.9 (Typically brash yet insecure, Monica rocked in this episode)
Phoebe- 8.9 (Once again not much to do, but Lisa Kudrow dominated the screen as Phoebe)
Rachel- 8.5 (Rachel did not have a main plotline, but she did well warming the bench)
Ross- 9.0 (Ross was funny, serious, and played his part excellently: really the breakout star of this episode)

The Best Lines
Chandler's co-worker: Hey gorgeous, how's it going?
Chandler: Dehydrated Japanese noodles under fluorescent lights... does it get better than this?

Monica (talking about why she thought Chandler was gay when she first met him): It's just... you have a quality.
Chandler: Oh, oh, a quality... good. Because I was worried you guys were going to be vague about this!

Judy: What's with your hair? What's different?
Monica: Nothing.
Judy: Oh... maybe that's it.

Ross (when looking at his dead Nana): Maybe she's with Poppop and Aunt Phyllis now.
Monica: Aunt Phyllis is dead?
Ross: Yes, for like six years!
Monica: Where was I?
Ross: Okay, can we focus please?

Chandler: I just have to know, okay. Is it my hair?
Rachel: Yes, Chandler. That's exactly what it is. It's your hair.
Phoebe: Yeah, you have homosexual hair.

Ross: I thought it was going to be a closed casket...
Judy: Well, that doesn't mean she can't look nice!

Jack: When my time comes, I want to be buried at sea.
Monica: You what?
Jack: I want to be buried at sea, it looks like fun!
Monica: Define fun.
Jack: Come on, you'll make a day of it! You'll get a boat, pack a lunch...
Monica: And then we throw your body in the water! Gee, that does sound fun.
Jack: Everyone thinks they know me. Everyone says: Jack Geller, so predictable... maybe after I'm gone they'll say: Buried at sea. Huh.
Monica: That's probably what they'll say.
Jack: I'd like that.

Phoebe: I'm sorry I'm late... I couldn't find my bearings.
Rachel: You mean your earrings?
Phoebe: What did I say?

Monica: Are these the shoes?
Rachel: Yes... Paolo sent them from Italy.
Ross: What, we don't have shoes here?

Phoebe (at the funeral): God, what a great day. (Everyone looks at her) What? Weather-wise!

Judy: Your grandmother would've hated this.
Monica: Well, sure, what with it being her funeral and all.
Judy: No... I'd be hearing about "Why didn't I get the honey-glazed ham?" or I didn't spend enough on flowers but if I spent more she'd say, "Why are you wasting your money? I don't need flowers, I'm dead."

The Moments
Chandler's co-worker thinks he's gay.
Ross kisses his dead Nana and she comes back to life momentarily.
Ross gets rained on by his Nana's Sweet & Low's.
Ross falls into an empty grave.

The Romances
Paolo calls Rachel from Rome.
Chandler's co-worker tries to set him up with a guy.

The Verdict
Wonderful episode, great plotlines, and brilliant acting made this another excellent episode! After the previous episode, this did not disappoint. I'm wondering how long the writers can keep up before they have an episode that even slightly misses the mark. This episode was filled with great lines and classic moments, and whenever Monica and Ross's parents are involved, the episode always turns out hilarious. The writers of Friends are really on a roll!

Episode 1.7- The One with the Blackout

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where there's a blackout in the city, Chandler gets stuck in an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacre, and Ross attempts to tell Rachel that he has feelings for her.

The Guest Stars
Jill Connick as Jill Goodacre
Larry Hankin as The Weird Man
Cosimo Fusco as Paolo

The Ratings
Creativity- 9.0
Humor- 8.9
Emotion- 8.9
Fun- 9.2
Overall- 9.1

Chandler- 8.9 (Fantastically bold, clumsy, desperate, lovesick, boyish, and hilarious all rolled into one! His finest performance yet)
Joey- 8.6 (Joey rocks as Ross's confidante and even though he has little to do, he does it all well)
Monica- 8.1 (Monica disappoints, perhaps because she has very little to do in this episode and I struggle to remember what she did)
Phoebe- 8.9 (Phoebe is wonderfully quirky and she steals the show with funny one-liners and marvelous oddities)
Rachel- 8.5 (Rachel is good in one right, but you can't help but hate her for what she's unknowingly doing to Ross)
Ross- 8.7 (Ross plays the lovesick card very well, and he shines in this episode but can get a little piny-irritating by the end of the episode)

The Best Lines
Monica (talking on the phone with her mother): Pants and a sweater! Why, mom? Who am I going to meet in a blackout? Power company guys?! Eligible looters?

Joey: My weirdest place would have to be: the woman's room on the second floor of the New York City Public Library.
Monica: Oh my god! What were you doing in a library?!

Phoebe (singing): New York city has no power, and the milk is getting sour, fortunately it is not scary, 'cause I stay away from dairy...

Rachel: God... the first time he smiled at me, those three seconds were more exciting than three weeks in Bermuda with Barry.
Phoebe: Now, did you ride mopeds? (Monica and Rachel give her weird looks) 'Cause I've heard... oh, well, it's not about that right now.

The Moments
The first time we see Phoebe performing at Central Perk.
Chandler is trapped in an ATM vestibule with a Victoria's Secret model.
Monica, Ross, Joey, Rachel, and Phoebe hang out in Monica's apartment during the blackout.
Joey tells Ross he needs to act on his feelings for Rachel.
A cat jumps on Ross as he tries to ask Rachel out.
We meet Paolo for the first time.

The Romances
Ross comes very close to telling Rachel how he feels about her.
Rachel meets Paolo in a blackout.

The Verdict
Although the best lines section is very light, this episode had one scene where I laughed more than anything I've laughed at in a while. The episode starts out light, airy, and fun, but as it goes it takes a couple serious dramatic turns, all the while keeping the humor to the forefront. This definitely gets the first spot on the "Best of Friends" episode list, and this could be the episode that hooked many for life. Original, exuberant, yet emotionally delicate, we see these personalities of these characters shine in intimate settings. This episode is an instant classic, and the somewhat stunt casting of Jill Goodacre proved brilliant as she added a wonderful presence to the ATM vestibule.

CERTIFIED "BEST OF FRIENDS" EPISODE

Episode 1.6- The One with the Butt

The TV.com Summary
This is the one where Chandler starts dating a beautiful woman, who is not only married, but has another boyfriend. Chandler is thrilled at the prospect of having "all the fun but none of the responsibility," but eventually learns that it's not all it's cracked up to be. And, speaking of cracks, Joey gets cast as Al Pacino's "butt-double" and gets fired for overacting.

The Guest Stars
Sofia Milos as Aurora
June Gable as Estelle

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.6
Humor- 8.8
Emotion- 7.6
Fun- 8.7
Overall- 8.7

Chandler- 8.6 (Got emotional with the Aurora situation but magically stayed funny and true to his character)
Joey- 8.7 (Wonderful with his storyline: getting a part as Al Pacino's butt double)
Monica- 9.o (Spectacular! This is starting to become the season of Monica, as she shines in her very small but hilarious storyline)
Phoebe- 8.4 (Some very funny lines, but really had so little to do in this episode)
Rachel- 8.5 (For the first time, an episode without much of a Rachel focus, but she's funny and charming and cute in the little she does)
Ross- 8.6 (Also, not much of a Ross focus, but he does exceedingly well with the little he has)

The Best Lines

Ross: Look, the role of Man #3 will not be played by Vic Shapiro. Well, we came on the wrong night.

Phoebe: I don't know... the exclamation point in the title scares me. It's not just 'Freud', it's 'Freud!'

Monica: Anyone else feel like they just wanted to peel the skin off their body to have something else to do?

Joey: Wow, an agency left me a card. Maybe they want to sign me!
Phoebe: Based on this play? (Pause) Based on this play!

Joey: Ms. Leonard, I can't tell you how excited I am just to even be here!
Estelle: Why not?

Phoebe: You know, one time I went out with a guy who had just gotten divorced and it was really hard. His kids liked me better than him.
Monica: Phoebe, what does this have to do with Chandler's thing?
Phoebe: Oh, nothing. But I didn't have anything on that topic... so I went another way.

Rachel (when everyone else enters): Ta-da!!
Chandler: Are we greeting each other this way now? 'Cause I like it.

Ross (discussing Monica's obsessive cleanliness): Oh, come on, when we were kids, yours was the only Raggedy Ann doll that was raggedy!

Ross: No? What happened, big guy?
Chandler: 'Big guy'?
Ross: It felt like a 'big guy' moment.

The Moments
For the first time, we see one of Joey's plays.
Joey has his first meeting with Estelle.

The Romances
Chandler goes out with Aurora, who is married and has a boyfriend.

The Verdict
A great episode! Really tops off the first quarter of the Season 1 episodes! The writers take the focus off Ross, Rachel, and Monica, for whom storylines have been granted often in these first episodes, and shine the light on Chandler and Joey, who really step it up to become viable lead characters. Just an utterly wonderful episode that had be laughing out loud quite a bit, but still, it seemed something, I don't know what, was lacking. Maybe with no main storyline for Monica, Ross, or Rachel, it just seems like something's missing. Nonetheless, a very solid episode, and one of the better ones so far.

Episode 1.5- The One with the East German Laundry Detergent

The Summary
This is the one where Joey tries to make an old girlfriend jealous and tricks Monica into posing as his new girlfriend, Ross teaches Rachel how to do laundry, and Chandler recruits Phoebe to break up with Janice for him.

The Guest Stars
Camille Saviola as the Horrible Woman
Kim Gillingham as Angela
Jack Armstrong as Bob
and
Maggie Wheeler as Janice

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.9
Humor- 8.1
Emotion- 7.7
Fun- 8.1
Overall- 8.3

Chandler- 7.3 (Did not enjoy a hopped-up on espresso version of Chandler)
Joey- 8.1 (Quite funny and scheming to get back his old girlfriend suited him)
Monica- 8.8 (Hilarious as usual and was subtly funny in the restaurant with Joey)
Phoebe- 9.0 (Her gift for breaking up was great, and even though she didn't have much to do in this episode she still highlighted the best lines section)
Rachel- 8.9 (Her intense vulnerability was very appealing and she was great with emotion and humor: she is proving to be one of the most versatile actors on the show)
Ross- 8.7 (Great slapstick Ross comedy and once again he comes through with emotion and humor)

The Best Lines
Rachel: Oh, come on, you guys can pee standing up!
Chandler: We can? Okay, I'm trying that.

Monica: Chandler, nobody likes breaking up with someone. Except for Kevin Milmore... may he rot in hell.

Phoebe (to Rachel's anxious behavior): What's the matter? Why so scrunchy?

Rachel: Ooh, big glamour night. Me and Monica at Laund-o-rama.
Ross: You want to hear a freakish coincidence? Guess who's doing laundry there too?
Rachel (excited): Who?
Ross: Me! ... Was that not clear?

Phoebe (to Chandler, who is about to break up with Janice): You can do this! It's like pulling off a band-aid. You do it really fast, and then... the wound is exposed!

Rachel (upon finding out all her white laundry turned pink): God, I'm going to look like a big marshmallow peep!

Phoebe (when she sees Rachel's clothes are all pink): What a neat idea! All your clothes match... I'm gonna do this.

The Moments
The crazy laundry detergent lady.
Ross and Rachel's first "date".
We meet Janice for the first time; Chandler breaks up with her for the first time.

The Romances
Phoebe breaks up with her boyfriend, Tony.
Chandler (with help from Phoebe) dumps his girlfriend, Janice.
Monica and Joey break up another couple, Bob and Angela, so Monica can go out with Bob and Joey with Angela.

The Verdict
A solid episode, with great character performances by David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow. However, the episode sometimes lacked on laughs, and in the end, that is what a sitcom is all about for me. Great originality, with some wonderful situations, but as you can see, when the best lines section isn't brimming with hilarity, something went wrong. This is not, by all means, a bad episode, and I do not think this would have deterred anyone from Friends. It simply has less humor than the episodes before, but it had nice emotional moments and wonderfully delved into the personas of each character.

Episode 1.4- The One with George Stephanopoulus

The Summary
This is the one where Ross mourns the anniversary of losing his virginity to Carol while at a hockey game with the guys. Rachel gets her first paycheck, the girls have a slumber party, and George Stephanopoulos's pizza is delivered to Monica by mistake.

The Guest Stars
Mary-Pat Gleason as Nurse Sizemore
Marianne Hagan as Joanne
Michele Maika as Kiki
Leesa Bryte as Leslie

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.6
Humor- 8.8
Emotion- 8.4
Fun- 8.7
Overall- 8.8

Chandler- 8.7 (Great in this episode, he's really starting to crack me up!)
Joey- 8.6 (Surprisingly funny here, he really sneaked up on me)
Monica- 8.9 (Over-the-top hilarious and maternal, she was great!)
Phoebe- 9.2 (Absolutely gut-bustingly funny, she had some amazing lines!)
Rachel- 8.6 (Showed a wide range of emotions, but annoyed me at some points)
Ross- 8.7 (Funny, funny, funny! However, his moping got irritating)

The Best Lines
Chandler: If I were omnipotent for a day, I'd make myself omnipotent forever!
Rachel: See there's always one guy... "If I had a wish, I'd wish for three more wishes..."

Monica: Hey Joey, what would you do if you were omnipotent?
Joey: I'd probably kill myself.
Monica: Excuse me?
Joey: Hey, if little Joey's dead, then I've got no reason to live.
Ross: Joey, OM-nipotent
Joey: You are? Ross, I'm sorry. I had no idea... I thought it was like a theoretical question.

Phoebe: I remember the day I got my first paycheck. There was a cave-in at one of the mines and eight people were killed.
Monica: Wow, you worked in a mine?
Phoebe: No, I worked in a Dairy Queen. Why?

(Rachel and her friends are screaming and whooping)
Phoebe (to Monica): Look! I have elbows!
(Monica and Phoebe scream and whoop, imitating the girls)

Phoebe: You are just like Jack!
Rachel: Jack from downstairs?
Phoebe: No. Jack and the Beanstalk!
Monica: Ah, the other Jack...
Phoebe: Yeah, right! See, he gave up something, but then he got those magic beans. And then he woke up and there was this, this big plant outside of his window... full of possibilities and stuff. And he lived in a village, and you live in The Village!
Rachel: Okay, but Pheebs, Pheebs, Jack gave up a cow... I gave up an orthodontist. Okay, I know, I know I didn't love him, but-
Phoebe: Oh... see, Jack did love the cow.

Monica: Phoebe, do you have a plan?
Phoebe: I don't even have a 'pl'...

The Moments
Phoebe, Rachel, and Monica have a slumber party and spy on George Stephanopoulus.
Ross gets hit by a hockey puck.

The Romances
Ross reveals that his first time with Carol was his first time.

The Verdict
Excellent episode! This one may not have had tons of laughs, but when the laughs came they were long and loud. It had a wonderful slow burn, and two of the strongest plotlines we've seen this season: the sleepover and the hockey game/emergency room. Wonderful comedy and a hilarious, high on fun, high on emotion episode that left me satisfied and wanting more. Good thing I have 10 seasons left!

Episode 1.3- The One with the Thumb

The Summary
This is the one where everyone likes Monica's new boyfriend way more than she does, Chandler starts smoking again, and Phoebe finds a thumb in a can of soda.

The Guest Stars
Geoffrey Lower as Alan
Beth Grant as Lizzy
and
Jenifer Lewis as Paula

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.2
Humor- 8.3
Emotion- 7.8
Fun- 8.3
Overall- 8.6

Chandler- 7.4 (Didn't like the storyline of him smoking...)
Joey- 8.0 (Found him much more appealing in this episode)
Monica- 8.8 (Did a great job with the Alan relationship storyline)
Phoebe- 9.0 (Wonderful as usual, she is really hitting her stride)
Rachel- 8.5 (Not as much to do in this episode, but still appealing)
Ross- 8.9 (Very funny- didn't have much emotional pull in this episode but provided comic relief)

The Best Lines

Phoebe: Or... "I think we should see other people" means "Heh heh, I already am!"

Ross: That's funny! No, because our parents actually did send our dog off to live on a farm!
Monica: Uh, Ross...

Phoebe: And even if I was happy, and skipping, I'd still hear: "Not, not mine", "Not, not mine"...

Joey: When do we get to meet the guy?
Monica: Let's see, so today's Monday... never!

Joey: You know what was great? The way his smile was kind of crooked...
Phoebe: Yes! Yes! Like the man in the shoe!
Ross: What shoe?
Phoebe: From the nursery rhyme! There was a crooked man who had a crooked smile who lived in a shoe... (voice drops) for a while...
Ross (takes this in, then ignores her): So I think Alan...

Ross: A thumb?
Phoebe: I know, I know! I opened it up and there it was just floating in there like this tiny little hitchhiker.
Chandler: Well maybe it's a contest, you know... like collect all five!

Rachel: I should really get back to work.
Phoebe: Yeah... otherwise someone might get what they actually ordered.

Rachel (talking about Alan): God, he's good.
Ross: If only he were a woman...
Rachel (dreamily): Yeah...

Monica: Guys, we have to talk.
Phoebe: Wait, wait! I'm getting a deja vu... oh, no I'm not.
Monica (waves off Phoebe): We have to talk.
Phoebe: There it is!

The Moments
Chandler starts smoking again.
Monica has to break up with Alan and the friends take it harder than him or her.

The Romances
Monica is dating Alan.

The Verdict
Friends pulls through with another really solid episode. Perhaps not as great as the last episode, but only because the Chandler smoking storyline really didn't do it for me. I loved the Phoebe and also the Monica storylines, and the episode was rife with quippy one-liners and witty remarks. Excellent job, writers! Another good episode and another solid feather in the cap!

Episode 1.2- The One with the Sonogram at the End

The Guest Stars
Christina Pickles as Judy Geller
with
Anita Barone as Carol
Jessica Hecht as Susan
Mitchell Whitfield as Barry
special appearance by
Elliott Gould as Jack Geller

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.1
Humor- 8.9
Emotion- 8.9
Fun- 8.7
Overall- 9.1

Chandler- 6.9 (Not too much to do in this episode)
Joey- 6.7 (Even less to do in this episode)
Monica- 8.9 (Takes the character of Monica to a whole new level as she delves into the friction between her and her parents)
Phoebe- 8.8 (Not too much of a storyline, but had tons of hilarious facial expressions and lines)
Rachel- 8.0 (She had much to do and a great emotional moment between her and Ross in the coffeehouse, but at times bordered on whiny)
Ross- 9.0 (Great episode for Ross, and his encounters with Carol and Susan were some of the funniest parts of this episode)

The Best Lines
Ross (to his ex-wife, Carol): So what's new? Still...
Carol: A lesbian?
Ross: Well... (Pause) you never know.

Phoebe (as Monica fluffs a pillow): She already fluffed that pillow. Monica, you know you already fluffed... (sees Monica's face) but it's fine.

Phoebe (as Monica cleans, very hyper): Monica... hi! Monica... you're scaring me. I mean you're like, all chaotic and twirly, you know? Not in a good way...

Rachel: Has anybody seen my engagement ring?
Phoebe: Yeah, it's beautiful.

Ross: Anyway, they want me to go down with them tomorrow to this sonogram thing...
Monica: Wow...
Ross: Yeah, remember when life was simpler and she was just a lesbian?
Chandler: Ah, those were the days.

Judy: Well, at least she had a chance to leave a man at the alter.
Monica: What's that supposed to mean?
Judy: Nothing. It's just an expression...

Jack: And I read about these women trying to have it all, and I thank God our little harmonica doesn't have that problem.

Judy (turns on the little vacuum cleaner): Oh! So this does work...

Carol: Marlon if it's a boy, Minnie if it's a girl.
Ross: As in mouse?
Carol: As in my grandmother...
Ross: Still, you say Minnie, you hear mouse.

Susan: What's wrong with Helen?
Ross: Helen Geller? I don't think so...

Phoebe (looking at the sonogram): If you tilt your head to the left and relax your eyes, it kind of looks like an old potato...

The Moments
Susan tells Ross that she's pregnant.
Introduction of Ugly Naked Guy.
The sonogram.

The Romances
We meet Ross's ex-wife Carol's lesbian partner, Susan.
Rachel's ex-almost husband Barry went on their honeymoon with her maid of honor, Mindy and they became a thing.

The Verdict
Outstanding episode! People who liked the pilot and then came back for more were not disappointed! Took a little while to get going, but the very strong storylines (and excellent family dinner) propelled this episode to amazing places. An extremely funny episode dotted with wonderful emotion- this episode really kicked Friends to another notch and it's only the second episode!

Episode 1.1- The Pilot

The Guest Stars
John Allen Nelson as Paul
Clea Lewis as Franny

The Ratings
Creativity- 8.5
Humor- 8.4
Emotion- 8.8
Fun- 8.2
Overall- 8.9

Chandler- 8.2
Joey- 7.6
Monica- 7.8
Phoebe- 8.5
Rachel- 8.4
Ross- 8.4

The Best Lines
Ross (to Phoebe): No, uh, uh, uh... don't! Stop cleansing my aura! Just leave my aura alone, okay?
Phoebe: Fine. Be murky!

Chandler: Sometimes I wish I was a lesbian. (Pause) Did I say that out loud?

Ross: I told mom and dad last night... they seemed to take it pretty well.
Monica: Oh really? So that hysterical phone call I got from a woman sobbing at 3AM, 'I'll never have grandchildren, I'll never have grandchildren!', was what- a wrong number?

Rachel (on the phone with her father): I just don't love him. (Pause) Well, it matters to me!

Phoebe (while watching the Spanish soap opera, imagining what the characters are saying): If I let go of my hair, my head will fall off!

Ross (to Monica): No, go on, it's Paul the wine guy!
Phoebe (to Chandler): What does that mean- does he sell it, drink it, or just complain a lot?

Ross (trying to cheer up Rachel): No, Aruba, this time of year? Talk about your... big lizards.

Joey: Hey, Pheebs, you want to help?
Phoebe: No, I wish I could, but I don't want to.

Ross: I honestly don't know if I'm hungry or horny.
Chandler: Then stay out of my freezer...

Chandler: All right, kids, I got to get to work. If I don't input those numbers... it doesn't make much of a difference.

Monica: I hate men! I hate men!
Phoebe: Oh no, don't hate... you don't want to put that out in the universe.

Joey: I can't believe what I'm hearing here!
Phoebe (sings): I can't believe what I'm hearing here...
Monica: What? I said you had--
Phoebe (sings): What I said you had...

The Moments
Rachel comes running in from the pouring rain in a wedding gown.
Ross laments over a divorce for the first time.
Rachel cuts her credit cards.
Ross wonders if it would be okay if he asked Rachel out sometime, and she says it would be.
Rachel begins her job at Central Perk.

The Romances
Monica has a date with Paul the wine guy.
Joey has a date with Julie.

The Verdict
A great first episode! Usually it takes a few episodes to get into a series, but after just one episode of Friends, I was hooked. Very funny, but with palpable emotion, and great introductions to some of television sitcom's most unforgettable characters.
Good, great, or meh? Great! A super kickoff to a wonderful ten-year roller coaster ride.