The Definitive Must-See Episode From Every Season of Friends
The one with the best episodes! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for that one “Friends” episode from each of its ten seasons that couldn’t BE more quintessential to this beloved series or its enduring legacy.
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00:00 "Yeah, you got it, right? You got it, right? You got it!"
00:04 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for that one Friends episode
00:09 from each of its ten seasons that couldn't be more quintessential to this beloved series
00:13 or its enduring legacy.
00:15 "The pages are stuck together."
00:17 "Chandler!"
00:21 Season 1 - The One with the Blackout
00:23 "Okay, thank you very much."
00:28 We can't create a list of essential Friends episodes without mentioning the pilot, aka
00:33 the one where it all began. It introduces the group who would come to feel like our
00:37 own friends over the ten seasons. However, Episode 7 arguably stands out as one of the
00:42 season's best. It centers around a citywide power outage during NBC's Blackout Thursday,
00:47 a theme that ran through several of their New York-based sitcoms. This episode became
00:52 iconic for various reasons, including its role in popularizing the term "Friend Zone."
00:57 "You've waited too long to make your move and now you're in the Friend Zone."
01:01 "No, no, no. I'm not in the zone."
01:05 "Oh, Ross, you're mayor of the zone."
01:08 We also just enjoy watching the dynamics between the main cast. Well, except Chandler, who's
01:12 stuck in an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacre. Everything about this episode is perfection.
01:17 "If Jill Goodacre offers you gum, you take it. If she offers you mangled animal carcass,
01:24 you take it."
01:26 Season 2 – The One With The Prom Video
01:28 This episode sees one of the series' most important relationships take its next step.
01:33 That's right, Chandler and Joey become bracelet buddies. That's what we call them.
01:37 "Hey, this is a little extra something for, uh, you know, always being there for me. Wow,
01:43 I don't know what to say. Wow, I don't know what to say."
01:53 Of course, it also marks a major turning point in Ross and Rachel's "will they, won't they"
01:57 narrative. Just as we think there may be no coming back from that list fiasco, a prom
02:02 video throwback turns everything around.
02:04 "Rachel, ready or not, here comes your knight in shining… oh no."
02:10 "Bye, Joey."
02:12 "Rachel!"
02:13 But first, let's just take a moment to appreciate those unmistakably '80s looks. Anyway, Rachel
02:19 learns what Ross was willing to do for her, and the rest, as they say, is history. This
02:24 episode has the perfect balance of humor and heart and gives us all hope that one day,
02:28 we'll find our lobsters too.
02:30 "See? He's her lobster."
02:34 Season 3 – The One Where No One's Ready
02:36 While every member of this principal cast is strong, our favorite Season 3 episodes
02:41 prove that they're at their peak as an ensemble.
02:43 "Monica, it's Richard. Call me."
02:49 "Is that message old or new?"
02:52 "OLD OR NEW! OLD OR NEW!"
02:55 "It's old, it's definitely old. Didn't you hear the double beep?"
02:58 The chaos in The One with the football is uproariously hilarious, yet this bottle episode
03:03 – unfolding predominantly in the purple apartment in real time – is a paragon of
03:07 greatness from start to finish. Ross' patience is tested as a string of hilarious antics
03:12 delays the gang from getting ready for his big event, Monica fixates on a voicemail from
03:17 her ex Richard, Phoebe needs to conceal a hummus stain, and Rachel grapples with wardrobe
03:22 decisions. Relatable.
03:23 "You guys, does this look like something the girlfriend of a paleontologist would wear?"
03:27 "I don't know, you might be the first one."
03:30 Meanwhile, Chandler and Joey fight over a chair, yielding some of the best, most hilarious
03:35 quotes of the episode, if not the series.
03:37 "Look at me! I'm Chandler! Could I be wearing any more clothes?"
03:42 Season 4 – The One with the Embryos
03:45 Quick, who's Chandler and Joey's TV guide addressed to?
03:48 "Oh, Chandler gets it! It's Chandler Bean!"
03:51 "No!"
03:52 "I'm afraid the TV guide comes to Chanandler Bomb."
03:56 What's the name and profession of Joey's imaginary childhood friend?
03:59 "His name was…"
04:00 "Maurice!"
04:01 "Correct! His profession was…"
04:02 "Space cowboy!"
04:03 "Correct!"
04:04 How many towel categories does Monica keep?
04:07 "Uh, eleven! Eleven, unbelievable, eleven is correct!"
04:11 Yes, Ross' trivia game is the comedic centerpiece of the episode, providing hilarious insights
04:18 into our friends as they battle to prove who knows the other best.
04:21 The questions and competitive banter bring out the best and funniest moments, and Quizmaster
04:26 Ross is always welcome to our next game night.
04:29 Amid the antics, Phoebe breaks tensions with the exciting news that she's pregnant.
04:33 Speaking of memorable Season 4 moments, the finale packs unexpected twists and turns,
04:38 leaving our jaws on the ground with one of the most unforgettable sitcom cliffhangers.
04:42 "I, Ross…"
04:43 "Take thee, Emily."
04:44 "Take thee, Rachel."
04:45 "Emily."
04:46 Season 5, the one where everybody finds out.
04:57 Choosing a standout Season 5 episode poses quite a dilemma. The one with all the resolutions
05:02 offers ample comedy, but we're also thankful for the one with all the thanksgivings.
05:06 "It's stuck!"
05:08 "Dev, how did it get on?"
05:12 "I put it on to scare Chandler."
05:15 "Oh my God! Monica's gonna totally freak out!"
05:19 "Well then help me get it off!"
05:21 Also the one with the cop is why many of us can't turn a corner without yelling,
05:26 "Pivot! Pivot! Pivot! Pivot! Pivot!"
05:31 "Pivot! Pivot!"
05:36 However, our ultimate pick is another ensemble-driven gem where laughter fills practically every
05:42 moment. Poor Joey gets entangled in Phoebe and Rachel's scheme to make Chandler and Monica
05:47 confess to their relationship. Meanwhile, Ross goes to great lengths to secure Ugly
05:51 Naked Guy's apartment. The highlight is Phoebe using her sexuality to crack Chandler, which
05:56 works and brings a heart-melting twist.
05:58 "I can't have sex with you."
06:00 "And why not?"
06:01 "Because I'm in love with Monica."
06:02 "You're what?"
06:06 Just when the storyline seems wrapped up, Ross adds a final side-splitting note.
06:11 "What are you doing?"
06:14 "Get off my sister!"
06:18 Number 6. The one where Ross got high. Friends served numerous unforgettable Thanksgiving
06:23 episodes, but this one is as delicious as a traditional English trifle, without beef
06:28 sautéed with peas and onions, of course.
06:30 "It tastes like feet. I like it."
06:36 Joey's pouting because he wanted to spend the holiday with his roommate Janine and her
06:39 dancer friends, Phoebe reels from a steamy dream about Jack Gellar, and Rachel takes
06:44 on dessert duty. Chandler learns that Mr. and Mrs. Gellar don't like him, triggering
06:49 a comedic chain of confessions.
06:51 "Ross smoked pot in college."
06:53 "What? You are such a tattletale!"
06:58 Season 6 is also responsible for why we'll never be able to order freshwater eel without
07:02 saying, "Uh, huh? Unagi!"
07:06 The season finale also deserves a shout-out for taking us on a wild ride, culminating
07:11 with the perfect proposal. It's everything Friends fans could have wanted and more.
07:16 Season 7. The one with the holiday armadillo. 'Tis the season for celebrations, from weddings
07:21 to holidays and milestone birthdays, yet for many Friends fans, the festive spirit truly
07:26 begins with a visit from the holiday armadillo.
07:29 "Wow, thanks!"
07:30 "You're welcome, Ben. Merry Christmas. Ooh, and Happy Hanukkah!"
07:38 Ross hopes to teach Ben about Hanukkah this holiday season, but he's more interested in
07:42 Christmas and its MVP Santa. Ross ultimately caves, but, unable to secure a last-minute
07:47 Santa costume, gets creative or desperate. You be the judge.
07:51 Chandler and Joey add to the hilarity with their own costume finds. Meanwhile, Phoebe
07:55 showers Joey with gifts to drive Rachel out of the apartment and back to their newly renovated
08:00 home.
08:01 "Oh! God! Rachel, I'm sorry, what was I thinking giving Joey this big, gross, scary spider?"
08:11 The episode's charm stems from its seamless blend of festive cheer, cultural exploration,
08:16 and an abundance of laugh-out-loud moments.
08:18 "I'll give the suit back."
08:19 "Hey, you think you can keep it another night?"
08:27 Season 8 - The One With the Rumor
08:28 Friends boasts an impressive roster of guest stars, but the audience's uproar at this one's
08:33 reveal speaks volumes. Brad Pitt, then married to Jennifer Aniston, plays Will Colbert, Ross's
08:47 high school friend and co-founder of the I Hate Rachel Club. Despite the on-screen tension,
08:59 his chemistry with the cast, especially Aniston, is exceptional. Even earning him an Emmy nomination,
09:21 this episode is packed with laughter and mayhem, showcasing Pitt's effortless comedic prowess.
09:26 Yes, some of its subject matter aged poorly, but Pitt's seamless integration with the cast
09:31 elevates the episode to a timeless classic. Phoebe isn't the only one who wants to see
09:35 more of Will. Oh, you know what we mean.
09:37 "Oh, come on, Will, just take off your shirt and tell us."
09:43 Season 9 - The One in Barbados, Parts 1 and 2
09:46 We couldn't talk about this season without mentioning Christina Applegate's Emmy-winning
09:50 performance as Rachel's abrasive sister, Amy.
09:53 "Hold on a second. You guys die and I don't get your baby?"
09:57 "Amy, see, we're a lot closer to Monica and Chandler. We see them every day and truthfully,
10:03 honey, you don't seem very connected to the baby."
10:06 "Connected? I mean, to what? She's a lump."
10:09 Yet the real gem of the season lies in the two-part finale. It's a rollercoaster of romantic
10:15 tension, laughs, and surprising twists. The gang, joined by Charlie, David, and Monica's
10:20 hair, jets off to Barbados for Ross' keynote address.
10:23 "Make sure we get a king-size bed. Oh, David, get one for us, too. Oh, and see if they have
10:28 a heart-shaped one. And with mirrors on the ceilings!"
10:32 While there, Phoebe turns down David's proposal and gets back together with Mike. Meanwhile,
10:36 Monica's competitive spirit, much like her hair, flares up.
10:40 "It's the humidity!"
10:41 And the Ross, Charlie, Joey, Rachel loves saga takes a captivating turn. By the time
10:46 they head home, almost everyone has recoupled. Also, Joey and Rachel's kiss had us teetering
10:51 on the edge of our seats until the Season 10 premiere.
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11:15 Season 10, The One With Ross' Tan
11:17 Speaking of Joey and Rachel's unexpected kiss, this episode shows their hilarious attempts
11:22 at a first date. Needless to say, it also becomes their last.
11:35 The titular event, of course, refers to Ross' misadventures at a tanning salon. It teaches
11:40 us the importance of asking whether we should be counting Mississippoli,
11:49 and opens him up to Chandler's witty savagery. Ross may have been after a glow-up but got
11:54 a burn down instead.
12:01 Stealing the spotlight, Jennifer Coolidge plays Monica and Phoebe's hilariously obnoxious
12:05 former friend Amanda.
12:12 Wrapping up our Friends-Fest, the finale delivers everything fans could ask for. It reminds
12:17 us that while the series may be over, these friends will always be there for us.
12:28 Which Friends episode do you think is the one that everyone needs to watch? Pivot to
12:32 comments and let us know.
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