Last week, you may have gotten a chance to check out our article about our favorite Friends episodes from season one. For the next few months, we will pick our three favorite episodes from each of the ten extraordinary seasons of Friends. The series will be debuting on Netflix beginning next month. If you do not have time to check out all 236 episodes of the series, these articles will help you pick out the best of the best to watch. This week will be the top three episodes from the second season of Friends. This was the season that included Monica dating Richard, Joey moving out of he and Chandler’s apartment, and Ross and Rachel becoming a couple.
The One with Five Steaks and an Eggplant, original airdate October 19, 1995
This was the fifth episode of Friends second season. Monica has just received a promotion at work. She is given five steaks and an eggplant (for Phoebe) as a gift. The gang decided to take Monica out to dinner to celebrate. Phoebe, Joey, and Rachel are short on money and are weary about eating out at such an expensive place. While at the restaurant, the three munch on free breadsticks and order appetizers. When Ross suggests that the bill be divided by five, because Monica should not have to pay, the three explain their issue with money. It is also Ross’ birthday. The gang wants to take him to a Hootie and the Blowfish concert. Monica, Ross, and Chandler buy tickets for the other three. Feeling like they are receiving charity, Phoebe, Rachel, and Joey decide not to attend the concert. Monica, Ross, and Chandler still end up going to the concert, and end up partying with Hootie backstage. Monica even receives a hickey from one of the Blowfish. At the end of the episode, Monica receives a phone call from her work. She finds out that she is not able to except gifts from vendors. As a result, she loses her job. This is one of the first times that we see the gang at odds with one another where it is not Boys vs. Girls. If I had to pick hanging out with Monica, Ross, and Chandler or chill with Phoebe, Rachel, and Joey; I would always pick the latter. That may be because I cannot stand Ross.
The “B” Storyline
Chandler receives a phone call from a woman named Jade looking for a guy named Bob. Chandler pretends to be Bob and agrees to meet Jade at Central Perk. When Bob does not show, Chandler swoops in to save the day. Chandler and Jade spend a glorious night together, or at least that is what he thinks. Jade calls Bob again to say she met Chandler and it was a less than thrilling experience.
Best Quote:
Ross: So five of us… $33.50 a piece
Phoebe: No. No way. Sorry, not going to happen.
Chandler: Whoa, Whoa. Prom Night Flashback
The One with The Prom Video, original airdate February 1, 1996
This classic Friends episode is on many fans’ favorite list. Joey has just found success on Days of Our Lives. Since Chandler had been helping Joey with his bills, Joey is now able to pay him back. He gives Chandler $812 and a big gaudy bracelet. Chandler later makes fun on the bracelet, which upsets Joey. When Chandler goes to apologize, he realizes that the bracelet is now missing. He ends up buying another one, but Rachel finds the old one at Central Perk. Joey discovers that there are now two bracelets, but Chandler lets his good pal know that the second one is for him. Joey exclaims that they are now “bracelet buddies.”
Elsewhere, Monica and Ross’ parents stop by the apartment. They are informing their daughter that they are turning her old bedroom into a gym. They have brought with them a few boxes of her personal belongings. Towards the end of the episode, Monica finds a video that was from her and Rachel’s senior prom. The gang is excited to watch it, except for Ross who refuses to view it. This is the first time that we get to see any of the gang in a flashback sequence. This will continue to be a trend in episodes to come and is one of my favorite moments to watch on Friends. Rachel figures out that Ross was going to escort her to prom when she thought that her date had stood her up. She walks over to Ross and the two share a passionate kiss, while their friends watch in excitement. Phoebe was right Ross is Rachel’s lobster.
Best Quote:
Phoebe: What’s this?
Monica: That’s my bathing suit from high school. I was a little bigger then.
Chandler: Oh, I thought that’s what they used to cover Connecticut when it rained.
The One with the Two Parties, original airdate May 2, 1996
This episode reminds of one of those crazy situations that Jack, Janet, and Chrissy would get themselves into on an episode of Three’s Company. It is Rachel’s birthday and the gang decides to throw her a party at Monica’s place. They are still trying to make the guest list. Since Rachel’s parents had recently announced their separation, they gang decide they should only invite one parent. Monica has already extended an invitation to her mom. On the day of the party, Rachel’s dad makes a surprise visit and realizes they are throwing Rachel a party. The gang quickly make a decision to throw two parties and escort Rachel’s dad to Joey and Chandler’s apartment before her mother arrives. Once the parties are in full swing, it becomes obvious that Chandler and Joey are throwing a better one than Monica. Phoebe tries to help guests escape to the other apartment, but is eventually caught. As the parties begin to wind down, the gang needs to figure out how to have Rachel’s parents leave without seeing one another. Their secret is about to be exposed, so Joey grabs Rachel’s mother and gives her a long kiss so Rachel can walk her dad downstairs. In the end, the gang’s plan of having two parties worked and viewers were treated to a half hour of hilarity.
Best Quote:
Rachel: Both of them are here, both of them, both of them are here?
Chandler: Well, we could count again.
What is your favorite episode from the second season of Friends? Let us know in the comments section below.
Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for SELF Magazine
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