Summary
When people think of the word “sitcom,” the first thing that comes to mind is a show that shaped and defined the cultural zeitgeist of the ’90s and mid-2000s.Friendsisone of the most influential shows of all time, with fans still speaking passionately about this series and its characters to this day. Despite featuring a premise that wasn’t all that unique, the amazing character writing and script ofFriendswhen the series was at its peak is something that wows fans to this day.
Some of the best episodes ofFriendsencompass everything that made the series so special, letting the personalities of every character flourish in hilarious stories that will leave fans gasping for air every step of the way. These episodes have become legendary for all the right reasons, and fans ofFriendscan’t help but rewatch these stories time and time again to relive the magic of this friend group and their day-to-day tomfoolery.
5The One With The Prom Video
IMDb Rating: 9.3
The budding romance between Ross and Rachel has been a focal point of the series time and time again. Ross' well-documented crush on Rachel was explored numerous times in the series, but it was always one-sided until the advent of this episode. After the gang uncovers an old video that details the high-school adventures of Ross, Rachel, Monica, and Chandler as they gear up for this special day, Rachel finally witnesses firsthand just how much Ross adored her.
It’s a heartwarming moment that culminates in a kiss between the two, cementing their romance and letting it unfold for multiple episodes. While it may have run its course sooner than most people would’ve liked, “The One with the Prom Video” isone of the most important episodes in the seriesand shows that the series had hit its stride after a rough first season that had its ups and downs.
4The One With The Embryos
IMDb Rating: 9.4
Despite the title of this episode, what makes “The One with the Embryos” one of the most iconicFriendsepisodes of all time is a quiz between the teams of Rachel & Monica and Joey & Chandler that starts with a $100 bet, only to balloon into something else entirely. Meanwhile, Phoebe’s emotional journey to be a surrogate for her brother’s son serves as an entertaining side plot with a happy ending.
The quiz between the two neighbors is as intense as they come, with Ross displaying immense skill as a gamemaster. When the two teams are tied after many grueling rounds, a huge gamble is thrown into the fray. If Joey & Chandler lose, they have to give up the birds that are giving their neighbors nightmares. However,if Monica & Rachel lose, they have to give up their apartment. This culminates in one of the funniest jokes in the series where the girls are unable to guess Chandler’s job, losing the game and their beloved apartment in the process.
3The Last One: Part 2
IMDb Rating: 9.5
The finale ofFriendsis one of the most emotional moments in the entire series, and understandably so. The cast itself had a hard time shooting the episode, breaking into tears at the prospect of shooting the final season and bidding farewell to a series that captured America’s attention for a decade. The second part of the finale sees Ross trying to stop Rachel from boarding the plane to Paris, making for an emotional rollercoaster.
Joey and Chandler bid farewell in a manner only they can, while Ross confesses his love for Rachel only to assume that it wasn’t enough to stop her from going to Paris. However, after coming back home, Ross gets a message on his answering machine where Rachel confesses her love, leading to an emotional reunion between the two. The final shot of this episode is a tearjerker for long-time fans, giving fans one last look at the legendary apartment that housed so many memorable moments for them.
2The Last One: Part 1
IMDb Rating: 9.6
The first part ofFriends' finale sets up several plotlines. Rachel and Ross sleep together, with the latter assuming that they’re going to be together for good. However, Rachel breaks his heart by telling him that she is moving to Paris anyway, and this is a nice way for them to say farewell. Meanwhile, Chandler and Monica attend the birth of their child, only to find out that they are having twins.
It’s a wild episode that showsFriendsat its very best, setting the stage for an epic conclusion where Ross tries to stop Rachel by confessing his love for her. While the idea of this legendary sitcom ending its run saddened many fans, the fact that the two-part finale started on such a strong note meant that fans would getthe satisfactory conclusion they deserved.
1The One Where Everybody Finds Out
IMDb Rating: 9.7
How Chandler and Monica hid their relationship from their friends was entertaining, but this was bound to explode in their faces at some point. This eventually happens when Phoebe finds out that the two are seeing each other, leading to her channeling her mischievous side and pretending to flirt with Chandler to get under the couple’s skin. This would’ve been an entertaining plot as is, only for the romantic duo to find out that Phoebe knows about their relationship.
This leads to the two parties one-upping each other in some of the funniest moments in all ofFriends, culminating in Chandler giving up and admitting that he loves Monica. She reciprocates, and the two reveal their relationship to everyone but Ross. However, this secret wouldn’t last for long, with Ross witnessing her sister and his best friend engaging in an amorous activity from his new apartment that makes fora hilarious ending to one ofFriends' best episodes.
