Friends premiered 20 years ago and became one of the most popular sitcoms of the 90’s and 00’s. You can now even catch a rerun on many different channels (TV Land, TBS, Nick at Nite etc.) Netflix recently announced that the comedy which stars Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, and Lisa Kudrow will be available for streaming on Netflix beginning on January 1, 2015. What a great way to ring in the New Year! We at TV Overmind love Friends so much that we decided to watch every episode again and pick our favorites. Here is our picks for the very best episodes of Season 1. For a new show there were many awesome episodes to choose from, which only adds to the countless reasons why the series was so great.
The One with the Blackout, original airdate November 3, 1994
The great thing about episode titles of Friends is that you already know what episode I am talking about just from reading it. In this classic episode, the gang is hanging out at Central Perk. Phoebe is about to sing one of her classic songs and everything goes black. The gang heads back to Monica and Rachel’s apartment and wait for the lights to turn back on. To pass the time, they play Truth or Dare and sing folk songs. At one point, Ross and Rachel are alone on the balcony. This is the moment Ross tries to confess his feelings for Rachel. Instead, a cat attacks him. Rachel finds out the cat’s owner is an Italian man living in the building named Paolo. When the power does come back on Rachel and Paolo are kissing and Ross is crushed.
Elsewhere, Chandler is locked in an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacre. She has a cell phone (in 1994?!) that she lets Chandler borrow. He calls the gang to inform them of the news. At first Chandler is his awkward self, but in the end he and Jill end up waiting out the blackout by trying to get a pen attached to a string to spin around their heads. Of course, Chandler makes a fool of himself, but Jill walks away from the experience laughing and Chandler leaves with a kiss from a supermodel.
Best Quote:
Phoebe: (singing) New York City has no power, And the milk is getting sour, But to me it is not scary, ‘Cause I stay away from dairy.
The One with Fake Monica, original airdate April 27, 1995
In 1995, Monica was suffering from what many Americans are currently struggling with today: Identity Theft. Monica realizes someone has been using her credit card and she is leading a more exciting life than Monica by buying art supplies and taking dance lessons. Monica decides to track her down and with Phoebe and Rachel by her side they locate “Fake Monica” at a tap dance class. Instead of turning her in to the cops, the girls take her out to lunch after class. Monica befriends “Fake Monica” and starts doing things that are out of character for her including missing work. The police end up catching “Fake Monica” and put her in jail. Monica pays her a visit and thanks her for allowing herself to let loose.
Elsewhere, Joey wants to choose a stage name that is not as ethnic sounding as Tribianni. He gets some “helpful” advice from his friends including names like Joseph Stalin and Flame Boy. Joey even tries the name Holden McGroin. While this is going on, Ross must deal with his pet monkey Marcel. He is constantly humping things including lamps and Rachel’s Curious George stuffed animal. Marcel is granted admission to the San Diego Zoo and the gang bids him farewell at the airport at the end of this Friends episode.
Best Quote:
Monica: Okay, do you see anybody you think could be me?
Tap Dance Instructor: People! Last time there were some empty yogurt containers lying around after class. Let’s not have that happen again!
Rachel: She could be you.
The One with the Ick Factor, original airdate May 4, 1995
Friends delivered another top-notch episode the following week with this one. This episode also centers on Monica. I think the earlier seasons are when Monica is the most likeable. Courteney Cox does an excellent job all ten years, but her earlier work is spectacular. Monica begins dating a man named Ethan that is younger than she. Ethan claims he is a senior in college. Monica feels the need to lie about her age since she is dating someone so young. Ethan comes over to Monica’s and end up staying the night. Monica admits that she is older than what Ethan was originally told. He also breaks the news to Monica that he is a senior, but in high school. Monica is horrified and ends things with him, but not before her friends can make fun of the situation by asking Monica which Power Ranger is Nathan’s favorite. If anyone cares, mine was the Black Ranger.
In the “B Storyline” Rachel admits to having a vivid dream about Chandler. This of course upsets Ross since he has been pining over Ms. Green for years. Later, Rachel has another fantasy and this one involves Chandler and Joey. Towards the end of the episode, Rachel continues to have these dreams. This one is finally about Ross. He is overjoyed and jumps on the table at the apartment. He falls on Rachel and she awakens. The two almost have a moment before Ross’ beeper goes off. Carol is in labor and the gang heads to the hospital.
Also, Phoebe takes on a temp job at Chandler’s assistant. She lets him know that no one in the office likes him, something she thought he was already aware. They attend a work function and Chandler tries to loosen up, but in the end the employees still make fun of him.
Best Quote:
Ross: I can’t believe you [were] in her dream.
Chandler: I’m sorry… it was a one-time thing, I was was very drunk and it was someone else’s subconscious.
What is your favorite episode from the first season of Friends? Let us know in the comments section below.
Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images
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