Friends: Episode-by-Episode 10.17 & 10.18 "The Last One"

0204: The One With Phoebe?s Husband

- Good teaser with Rachel and the bird.
- I?m not sure I like Duncan.
- Another reference to Fun Bobby, who still hasn?t actually been funny on the show?
- Third nipple! Interesting that Monica is the only one who actually knew about it.
- Joey was in porn! ? hee
- I like the Ross & Rachel story in this one. Love Rachel?s theories for why the sex has not yet been had.
- Lisa Kudrow got legs...
- ?Julie, you had a paleontologist on your face? ? they basically did the same line with Ross and Marcel, but I still like it
- Everybody watching the porn is good stuff. Really a classic Friends scene.
- It?s not that I don?t like the Duncan character, I think Steve Zhan doesn?t work for me?
- Though him coming out (going back in?) to Phoebe is great.
- I like how they turned the Ross & Rachel dynamic compared to the first season, with Rachel being the one with the crush and Ross being clueless.
- This episode is okay and there?s nothing explicitly wrong with it, but it still feels like a bit of a letdown after the preceding episodes.

B -

 

2.05 "The One With Five Steaks and an Eggplant"


* Episode Number: 29
* Original Air Date: October 19, 1995
* Written by: Chris Brown
* Directed by: Ellen Gittelsohn
* Guest Cast:
o Brittany Powel (Jade)
o Spencer Cherashore (Waiter)


Detailed summary

Chandler has a date with a mysterious "Jade" who leaves a message on his machine by mistake; Monica gets a promotion and some free steaks in the deal; Joey, Phoebe, and Rachel are upset that the others do so many expensive things like Hootie and the Blowfish concerts; Ross has a birthday.

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I like the episode, just because I can relate to it. I make 7.50 an hour at my job, and most of my friends have much better jobs and like to go out all the time to expensive ass restaurants and bars and crap. I know they don't realize that I have less money then them, but still...

anyway, I like this episode.

 

I make $7.50 an hour too, but I didn't enjoy this episode. Though it does suck when your friend buy stuff with daddy's credit card and you have $20.

 

0205: The One With Five Steaks And An Eggplant

- Great teaser.
- I can so sympathize with Rachel, Joey and Phoebe in terms of the money issue, but it?s not the funniest premise?
- Jade is hot?
- Cranky waiter: always a hit.
- Wow, the ?confrontation? in the restaurant is uncomfortable. And the subsequent scene is just as uncomfortable; Ross, Monica and Chandler do not come off all that well in this one. It?s all good drama though?
- I love the Chandler and Jade story in this one; its lighthearted nature really juxtaposes well with the rest of the episode.
- ?eh? ? hee
- ?bumpy? ? double hee
- The resolution kinda comes out of nowhere. Sure Monica gets fired, but how does that make everything okay? I guess the fact that the ones with not much money are now in the majority helps?
- Overall a solid episode; could need some more laugh out loud jokes, but the drama is pretty good.

B

 

2.06 "The One With the Baby on the Bus"


* Episode Number: 30
* Original Air Date: November 02, 1995
* Written by: Betsy Borns
* Directed by: Gail Mancuso
* Guest Cast:
o Max Wright (Terry)
o Victor Raider-Wexler (Doctor)
o Chrissie Hynde (the new singer)


Detailed summary

Ross has an allergic reaction to Monica's kiwi lime pie, leaving Joey and Chandler to their version of "Adventures in Babysitting." Meanwhile, Rachel tries to break bad news to Phoebe regarding Phoebe's gig at Central Perk.

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an ok episode I guess... although I love the scene where Joey and Chandler have to decide which baby is Ben.

 

0206: The One With The Baby On The Bus

- ?Joey, she does not look fat!? ? hee - nice understated teaser?
- Ross and the allergic reaction is hilarious. David Schwimmer is great at stuff like that. Every single line becomes a punchline.
- It took me years to get why the uncle with a big tongue had a beautiful wife. Oh, to be young and innocent?
- ?and tegrin spelled backwards is nirget? ? hee
- Lea Thompson! So cute?
- That doctor played a doctor on a bunch of Seinfelds as well?
- Catherine Bell!
- ?What kind of scary ass clowns came to your birthdays!?!? ? hee
- Because of certain comments by Frank Jr. in later episodes, Giovanni Ribisi must be playing a different character in his brief appearance here.
- First appearance of Smelly Cat! I love that song so much!
- Nice brother and sister scene between Ross and Monica towards the end.
- Another well above average episode.

B

 

The Rachel/Pheobe line was average (though I looooove the song at the end) but Joey and Chandler were great


Re: The One with the Ick Factor: I'm watching it now, and Monica says, "You're not the one who's a felon in 48 states" or something, which makes me think that Ethan is, in fact, 17.

 

2.07 "The One Where Ross Finds Out"


* Episode Number: 31
* Original Air Date: November 09, 1995
* Written by: Michael Borkow
* Directed by: Peter Bonerz


Detailed summary

Rachel decides to move on with the rest of her life but a misplaced phone call jeopardizes her decision, bringing both Rachel and Ross to a crossroads; Monica becomes Chandler's personal trainer; Joey offers Phoebe some advice on relationships.

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all that needs to be said: "You're over me? When were you... under me?"

 

I like this one. The Phoebe and Joey story wasn't that great, except for the end, but the other two were.

 

Yep. That about sums it up.

 

0207: The One Where Ross Finds Out

- So Chandler?s story in this one is that he?s put on weight, but I?m pretty sure he?s actually lost weight since the first season?
- ?No, he?s not British!? ? hee
- While the Chandler and Monica stuff is amusing, the episode doesn?t really pop in the beginning.
- Rachel?s date is great. Jennifer Aniston does a pretty good job playing the complex emotions while bringing the funny.
- Friends was always really great at those iconic arc- changing scene; like Ross finding out that Rachel?s been having feelings for him. You can feel the weight of what is happening dramatically, while they still manage to lighten the mood at the right moments with some great jokes.
- ?You?re over me? When were you ? under me?? ? One of my favorite lines from the whole series. Everything about this scene is perfect, both Schwimmer and Aniston did a great job.
- The final Central Perk is great as well. I know there are people who don?t like the angsty, soapy drama parts of this show, but I love it. Oh, and the music is pretty good at the end as well.
- I couldn?t care less about Phoebe?s subplot, and Monica and Chandler?s story is okay I guess, but this episode is all about Ross and Rachel and that plot is done perfectly..

B

 

2.08 "The One With the List"


* Episode Number: 32
* Original Air Date: November 16, 1995
* Written by: Marta Kauffman & David Crane
* Directed by: Mary Kay Place
* Guest Cast:
o Lauren Tom (Julie)
o Michael McKean (Mr. Ratstatter)


Detailed summary

Ross, trying to decide between Rachel and Julie, makes a list of pros and cons which Rachel reads.

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Talk about a frustrating episode. At this point, we just want to see Ross and Rachel together and Ross has to go and screw things up.

 

I love this episode, purely for the Star Trek reference

 

I don't like this one much. I agree, it's frustrating, especially since she never found out that Chandler can't type and Ross meant "She's Rachel."

 

0208: The One With The List

- Great teaser, love Monica?s reaction.
- Some might say Chandler?s description of the computer is dated, personally I think it?s hilarious.
- Another great Phoebe song.
- Monica at her job interview is okay?
- Matthew Perry is genius in the list scene.
- ?She?s not Rachel? ? aww
- While things become very sitcommy as Rachel discovers the list, it?s still fairly amusing.
- While the drama is very good and I feel for Ross, I?m not so sure I ?get? Rachel?s reaction?
- Rachel calling in to the radio station and the DJ not wanting to play the son is kinda stupid.
- The episode as a whole is a good one, but it reeks of being just another delay of Ross and Rachel actually getting together.

B -

 

Was that where Ross had the station play With or Without You by U2, which they scratched to a halt when Rachel told them what Ross did?

I loved that scene.

 

I just don't buy that the DJ would not wanna play the song just because of the list, it's just not that appaling a thing to do. And how does Rachel even know the phone number to the radiostation. I do like the song though, even if I prefer its later appearance in the next season.

 

I love Chandler's short story.

"It was summer, and it was hot. Rachel was there. A lonely gray couch. "Oh look!" cried Ned, and the kingdom was his forever. The end."

 

2.09 "The One With Phoebe's Dad"


* Episode Number: 33
* Original Air Date: December 14, 1995
* Written by: Jeffrey Astroff & Mike Sikowitz
* Directed by: Kevin S. Bright
* Guest Cast:
o Audra Lindley (Frances)
o Michael G. Hagerty (Mr. Treeger)


Detailed summary

Phoebe finds out her father is still alive; Ross tries to get back on Rachel's good side; A Christmas party is held.

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an ok episode... nothing really sticks out as special in this one.

 

an ok episode... nothing really sticks out as special in this one.

Pretty much.

 

2.10 "The One With Russ"


* Episode Number: 34
* Original Air Date: January 04, 1996
* Written by: Ira Ungerleider
* Directed by: Tommy Schlamme
* Guest Cast:
o June Gable (Estelle Leonard)
o Vincent Vintresca (Fun Bobby)
o David Schwimmer (Russ)


Detailed summary

Rachel begins dating a guy who looks and acts just like Ross; Fun Bobby isn't so fun without alcohol; Joey quits acting.

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Russ=Gold

 

0209: The One With Phoebe?s Dad

- ?Christmas balls? ? hee
- Why was there no thanksgiving episode this season?
- Gunther?s first line ever: ?Yeah?
- Love how Phoebe?s been fooled by her grandmother all those years.
- Another great story about Chandler?s dad.
- The episode starts to drag halfway through.
- The tag with the gift giving is good.
- Overall a forgettable episode.

C +

0210: The One With Russ

- Good teaser.
- Our first real look at fun Bobby in his normal funny state, too bad it doesn?t last?
- Love Joey?s delayed realization.
- I?m not a huge fan of this portrayal of alcoholism or how to deal with it. ?I?m gonna try to stop? is not exactly a great approach to living a sober life. Why no mention of actual treatment and twelve step? Not that I?m convinced Fun Bobby?s actually an alcoholic...
- Days of Our Lives!
- ?We can all sleep together and then one of us can get amnesia!? ? hee
- The concept of Russ is so strange and could really backfire, but it is actually great. Scwimmer is genius in the role.
- I?m still not thrilled with Estelle.
- Russ and Ross meeting: Hilarious! Nice to get some old school split screen action too. Their later scene with Chandler is also great. I wish Russ had stayed for more than one episode.
- Joey?s story is fine and Monica?s is tolerable, this episode is all about the Russ.
- Drake Ramoray!
- The random reappearance of Julie is great!
- Overall some good and some not so good.

B -

 

2.11 "The One With The Lesbian Wedding"


* Episode Number: 35
* Original Air Date: January 18, 1996
* Written by: Doty Abrams
* Directed by: Tommy Schlamme
* Guest Cast:
o Jane Sibbett (Carol Willick)
o Jessica Hecht (Susan Bunch)
o Marlo Thomas (Sandra Green)
o Phil Leeds (Mr. Adleman)
o Candice Gingrich (the Minister)


Detailed summary

Carol and Susan decide to get married and Ross has a hard time with it; Rachel's mom pays her a visit and drops a bombshell; Phoebe gains the spirit of a deceased woman.

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Good episode. I find Phoebe's storyline too weird for the show and yet freakin hilarious.

 

0211: The One With The Lesbian Wedding

- Being a fan of the Geller-Willick-Bunch dynamic, I like the teaser quite a bit.
- Smell the fart acting ? hee
- Phoebe channeling Mrs. Adelman is great! I wonder if this is Phoebe being crazy or an actual supernatural presence, I think I prefer Phoebe just being crazy.
- I find Rachel?s mom strangely amusing?
- ?Unattractive nude man? ? hee
- Phil Leeds is great as Mr. Adelman.
- ?What?s new in sex?? ? hee
- I love the Ross and Carol scene. I like how the show uses these big events to get Ross closer to total acceptance of the situation. I also find the allusion to Carol?s parents being slightly homophobic interesting; it adds to the realism to the world that not everybody is totally on the same page.
- The wedding is actually quite nice, even moving?
- No obvious faults in this one.

B +

 

It's been a while since I've seen a bunch of the early season episodes, but does Carol have second thoughts about going through with it (or Susan) because of parental issues and Ross -- despite obviously still not quite being over Carol -- convince them to go through with it because they love each other and damn everyone else?

Or am I completely making up an episode in my head?

And am I mixing up lesbian women / Ross' ex-wife in my head?