This may come as a shock...but I'm a huge Friends fan. Friends was the biggest show around when I was in college and me and my best friend, Chris were faithful viewers. We taped (yes taped) every episode and every weekend we would start from the beginning and watch them all. We have an in sane memory for every episode, lines, characters, episode titles, it's quite ridiculous.
They did so many things right, but one of the things they did best were Thanksgiving themed episodes. Out of 10 seasons, they did 9 of them. Season 2 didn't technically have one even though it is mentioned that it is Thanksgiving time. So in this happy time of year, these are my rankings of Friends Thanksgiving episodes.
#9 - The One with All the Thanksgivings (Season 5)
I know...a lot of people like this episode and I do too. Just because I'm ranking it last doesn't mean I don't love it. It is filled with cute moments via flashbacks including Chandler finding out his Dad was having an affair with the poolboy (More turkey, Mr. Chandler?) and Phoebe saving lives in the war. But it's mostly centered around the origin of Chandler and Monica's meeting. There are a lot of inside jokes about Ross dating Carol and Monica being fat and Rachel's nose etc. And let's not forget the priceless Joey's head in a turkey moment as well as Monica's cute little dance in it at the end. However, for me, it just pales in comparison to the others.
Favorite Line - Ross: Okay, umm, her name is Carol. And she's really pretty. And smart. And uh, she's-she's on the lacrosse team and the golf team. Can you believe it? She plays for both teams!
#8 - The One with the Football (Season 3)
CLEARLY set on a sound stage and not outside, a longtime sibling rivalry comes to blows when it's Monica vs. Ross on the football field. Once they turn it into a gender match, the girls really come alive using the best weapon at their disposal...their boobs. I'm a sucker for episodes where Monica and Ross fight like actual siblings. And pitting Joey vs. Chandler in picking up a hot girl? Priceless.
Favorite Line - Ross: Cheater, cheater, compulsive eater.
#7 - The One Where Underdog Gets Away (Season 1)
Ah, Season 1 when everyone's hair and jeans were super high. But it really does encapsulate the group as a whole. Joey's been ostracized because his family thinks he has VD, Chandler convinces everyone to watch a balloon escape from the parade, Monica is busy trying to please everyone and Rachel is focused entirely on herself trying to join her family in the lifestyle she cannot afford. Of course it all goes wrong and they spend the holiday together eating Grilled Cheese. For me, this episode really set up what the show would eventually become.
Favorite Line - Rachel: Oh, you got the bigger half, what'd you wish for?
Joey: The bigger half...
#6 - The One with the Late Thanksgiving (Season 10)
I loved that in its last season, they were all forced together by a series of unfortunate events again. I would have been completely satisfied if it showed them eating Grilled Cheese again but I guess that's too formulaic. It all comes down to Phoebe and Rachel being late because they secretly enter Emma in a baby beauty pageant for money and Ross and Joey being late after sneaking out to a hockey game. (Do the Rangers play on Thanskgiving???) Monica is pissed and refuses to let them in. Hilarity ensues.
Favorite Line - Rachel - To Monica, Chandler and that knocked up girl in Ohio.
#5 - The One with Chandler in a Box (Season 4)
Chandler is sentenced to spend the holiday in a giant box as penance for stealing Joey's girlfriend. Outside the box, Monica invites Richard's son to dinner. Everyone is in a bad place, Rachel and Ross are still bitter post-breakup and Chandler isn't taking his punishment seriously. I always get choked up at man love and Joey's realization that Chandler really does love Kathy is just awesome.
Favorite Line - Monica - How cute is the on-call doctor?
Rachel - So cute I'm thinkin' about jammin' this pen in my eye.
#4 - The One Where Ross Got High (Season 6)
Season 6 is probably my least favorite season and yet I loved this episode. Again, LOVE when Monica and Ross act like siblings and their final 'reveal-off' to their parents at the end makes the episode one of my favorites. Rachel tries desperately to cook which is almost as adorable as everyone trying to pretend she didn't mess it up.
Favorite Line - Joey: Yeah, yeah, and the Indians taught the Pilgrims what it meant to be hot in the new world!
#3 - The One With the Rumor (Season 8)
Of course it's a little bittersweet now, but Brad Pitt guest starring as Rachel's nemesis is still insanely funny. And good GOD that boy is good looking which Phoebe and even Chandler repeatedly point out.
Favorite Line - Chandler: Oh hey. I’d shake your hand but uh; I’m really into the game. Plus, I think it’d be better for my ego if we didn’t stand right next to each other.
#2 - The One with Rachel's Other Sister (Season 9)
Is there better casting in this series than Christina Applegate as Rachel's spoiled sister, Amy? Her arrival to this holiday, Ross's distaste for her, Monica's insanity about her fine china, Chandler being offended that he is thought of as non-responsible, Joey forgetting about his commitment to the Macy's parade...oh it's just magic from top to bottom.
Favorite Line - Will (Brad Pitt): Look at her standing there with those yams! My two greatest enemies, Ross; Rachel Green and complex carbohydrates.
#1 - The One where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs (Season 7)
Why? Because I don't like dogs. And that is EXACTLY how people react when you admit it. But also, Joey advising Rachel to hit on tag is one of my favorite scenes in the entire series. Ross trying to figure out all 50 states or he can't eat is just a quintessential moment that old friends would do to each other. I love it. I love it all.
Favorite Line - Chandler: Look Ross, if you don't know them by now, you will never know them, okay? That is the beauty of this game. It makes you want to kill yourself.
Isn't a fun? Sigh...Happy Thanksgiving.
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