Hanging Out With Friends: 05.15.08: The One With The Prom Video

Posted by Jerome Cusson on 05.15.2008

Yes, it's that episode. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, click above to find out.

Jennifer Aniston...Rachel Green
Courteney Cox...Monica Geller
Lisa Kudrow...Phoebe Buffay
Matt LeBlanc...Joey Tribbiani
Matthew Perry...Chandler Bing
Elliott Gould...Jack Geller
Patrick Kerr...The Restaurant Manager
Christina Pickles...Judy Geller
Michael Ray Bower...Roy Gublick
Lou Thornton...Gail
Tim Bohn...Jonathan

Written by Alexa Junge
Directed by James Burrows

Original Airdate: February 1, 1996

Sam and Diane. Joey and Dawson. Pam and Jim. Nate and Brenda. Niles and Daphne. Buffy and Angel. Fry and Leela. These are just some of the couples that have teased us along the last 20 or so years on television. In some ways, they’ve produced classic television moments, such as Sam and Diane arguing before coming together in a game of tonsil tennis. There’s Dawson and Joey admitting to each other they actually are more than friends. There’s Buffy and Angel’s epic love that was seemingly too big for this world.

Ross and Rachel were indeed special because of how many times they screwed it all up. But these two have made lists, going on a break, and shotgun Vegas weddings part of popular culture. In some ways, the fact that they couldn’t decide to be lovers or friends overwhelmed the show and turned fans off over this period of ten years. Many times, the fate of these shows are determined by the couples who can’t decide whether they will or not. Diane ultimately left Cheers, and the show became different while still being hilarious. Angel left Los Angeles and got his own television show. Friends stayed on the air over ten years, but the last few years tended to drag because the actors (and the show) started to age badly. I’ll clearly be saying a lot more about Ross and Rachel, but for right now let’s talk about what I consider one of the best episodes of Friends and of television I’ve ever seen.

So it begins…

Chandler is playing himself in foosball as Joey walks in to pay his buddy back for all those slices of pizza, bills paid, and who knows what else. Chandler also gets a friendship bracelet, which is kinda weird. He tries to hide the bracelet in a drawer, but Joey will have none of it. This bracelet is for every occasion and goes with everything. So wait, Chandler has a sex life?

Come back and Monica is applying for another job at a restaurant. She has an awful time with who I guess is the manager of the restaurant. This guy is pretty dirty and Monica is justifiably freaked out by the whole experience. Job search is clearly going well by all indications.

At the girls’ apartment, Ross is taking messages for Rachel now. Chandler is wearing another in a long line of ugly ass sweater vests. Ross is still depressed about not being with Rachel. Phoebe gives us a great gag about Ross and Rachel being lobsters and mating for life. The visualization of this whole deal is also quite funny. Monica took about five showers to get the interview out of her.

Ross offers his sister some money, but when she turns that down, Ross suggests asking their parents since she’s completely uncomfortable around them anyway. Chandler’s bracelet falls off his hand, and he gets made fun of by Ross, Monica, and Phoebe. Then the Gellars make their first appearance of this season and inform their daughter their turning her room into a gym. They would have liked to have changed Ross’ room, but there were far too many trophies and whatnot. Rachel arrives and hears about her parents’ separation. Something about the YMCA.

At Central Perk, Phoebe uses her abilities of voice-changing to tell Chandler that some woman is checking him out. He goes to talk to her, and thanks to that wonderful not flashy at all bracelet turns her off.

Chandler is clearly angry about the bracelet and complains to Phoebe about this woman repeller. Joey walks in as Chandler calls the bracelet a Mr. T reject. Joey walks out as a not to happy camper. Next up, Ross watches some guy hitting on Rachel and he acts like a big jerk. They have another conversation about whatever. Rachel not going out with him. He even brings up the lobster. It just made more sense with Phoebe, which is fitting on so many levels. Once and for all, Rachel makes it clear that she’s tired of being clobbered. They’re never gonna happen. Talk to me in ten minutes and see if it’s true. Ross leaves.

Chandler and Joey have a heart-to-heart about the bracelet. It is pretty damn ugly as a lamp is broken. Not as broken as Joey’s heart, but now Chandler has lost the damn piece of jewelry. He searches everywhere. Perfect timing as Chandler has two couch cushions in his hand when Joey walks out. Chandler of course claims he’s on his knees begging, but Joey isn’t having any of it. Chandler is really hilarious in this episode.
Across the way, Jack and Judy Gellar are watching some tennis. Jack admires Stefi Graf’s butt. Better hope Andre Agassi isn’t around to hear that one. Ross arrives home and isn’t happy for obvious reasons. He wanders over to Monica and urges her to ask the parents for money. So Monica tells her parents, and Jack makes sure she still has a savings to dip into. Wish I could say that.

That night Chandler and Phoebe head into Central Perk (Don’t these people have jobs?) and Rachel has good news. She found the bracelet. Too bad Chandler already dropped 400 bucks on another bracelet. Lucky for him, this situation is easy for him to get out of. He just says he got the other for Joey. Situation resolved and now they’re bracelet buddies.

Ross writes out a check for his sister. Monica makes a cheapasaurus joke. Now this is where things get really good.

Phoebe pulls out an old swimsuit from when Monica was in high school. Rachel comes home and gives Ross the cold shoulder. The video that Joey finds is played, and it turns out to be Monica and Rachel’s getting ready for prom video. Rachel has a big nose, and one of the best running gags in the history of the show to this point is once and for all paid off when we get to see the debut of “Fat Monica.” Truly a sight to behold. I’ll have more on this later.

The really important part comes next (despite Ross really not wanting to see this video for some reason) as Rachel’s date, Chip, has shown up late. Monica’s date really wants to get laid. Ross, with an afro and moustache, is seen leering at Rachel. They also have a fun conversation. Ross pretty obviously feels the same way about Rachel as he did then as he does now. Chandler and Joey are clearly enjoying this a lot. Jack and Judy suggest to Ross he take Rachel to the prom. At least they’re perceptive. Someone on this show has to be, and at least it’s the parents.

Chip does show up, albeit slightly late, just as Ross has put on his father’s tuxedo to take the girl of his dreams to the prom. Rachel, in particular, finds out once and for all that Ross does indeed love her. Rachel walks over, kisses Ross; and FINALLY AFTER ONE AND A HALF YEARS THEY ARE TOGETHER. Thank God. Phoebe says she’s her lobster and we’re out. During the end credits Monica watches the video of herself dancing with Jack. The video transitions into something slightly dirtier.

The “How you Doin’ moment?”Funniest Lines/Moments: One of the greatest lines ever said on this show:

Monica: The camera adds ten pounds.
Chandler: So how many cameras are actually on you?

The “Oh no!” moment (weakest moment of the episode): Jack and Judy are awful, awful parents for turning one of their children’s rooms into a gym.

FRIENDS TRIVIA REVEALED: Monica was indeed fat at one point. Ross has indeed been in love with Rachel for quite a long period of time, and this is pretty much the seminal moment in the history of Friends. If you don’t like this one, you’re just not a fan.

The 411: I don’t know what else to say. An iconic moment punctuated with a spectacular ending, some great gags, and what I consider to be a brilliant subplot with Chandler and Joey. And the best part is, the greatness doesn’t end here. As much fun as this episode was, “The One Where Ross and Rachel… You Know” is a tremendous follow-up containing another historical moment, and the debut of Tom Selleck. Time for the manliness factor to get turned up a notch.

Final Score:  10.0   [ Virtually Perfect ]