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!