A distressed Ross shows up at Central Perk with alarming news: His wife just dumped him for another woman. A distressed Rachel shows up soon after: She just dumped her fiance at the altar. Meanwhile, Monica has a date with the seriously slimy Wine Guy.
Ross learns that his lesbian ex-wife is pregnant with his child. Monica clings to the hope that Ross's news will give her mother something to do besides criticize her (dream on, Mon). Rachel has to return her engagement ring to ex-fiance Barry-but first she has to find it. (Guest stars: Elliott Gould as Jack Geller; Christina Pickles as Judy Geller)
Monica is afraid to let the other Friends meet her new boyfriend, Alan, but they love him-a bit too much, in fact. Phoebe is irritated because her bank keeps putting extra money in her account (oh, yes, and she also finds a thumb in a can of soda, "floating there like this tiny hitchhiker"). And Chandler takes up smoking again after three years on the wagon.
Ross is depressed on the anniversary of the first time he ever had sex with his ex-wife Carol. Joey and Chandler try to cheer him up by taking him to a hockey game. It doesn't work. And Rachel is depressed by the small size of her first paycheck. Monica and Phoebe try to cheer her up with Twister and Tiki Death Punch but instead wind up depressed themselves-until they mistakenly receive what may be George Stephanopoulos's pizza.
Breaking up is hard to do, so Phoebe and Chandler agree to terminate their respective relationships together. (Oh, Chandler, don't you know you can't get rid of Janice that easily?) Joey scams Monica into helping him rip another couple apart so he can pick up one of the pieces. Meanwhile, Ross and Rachel have their first "date"-at the Launderama.
After his stunning performance in Frued! (the musical), Joey lands a part as a part of Al Pacino-his butt-but overacts the role. Meanwhile, Chandler has an incredible realtionship with a beautiful woman. There are just a few little problems: her husband and her other boyfriend.
A power outage plunges New York into darkness-and traps Chandler in a ATM vestibule with a Victoria's Secret model. Ross attempts to tell Rachel his little secret, but a cat interferes. Then Paolo pops onto the scene, and when the lights come back on, he and Rachel are caught in a major lip lock. (Guest star: Jill Goodacre Connick)
Chandler's coworkers think he's gay, and the gang agrees that he has a certain..."quality." After Ross's and Monica's grandmother dies (twice!), Ross makes a grave mistake at the funeral, and Joey watches a football game.
Ross demand quality time with his unborn child. Joey's modeling gig as a poster boy gives him much more exposure than he likes. All of the Friends plan to get away on Thanksgiving, but the only one who does is Underdog-from the Macy's parade.
As the holidays approach, the Friends make a solemn pact: no dates on New Year's Eve. But when Phoebe falls hard for Science Guy, the pact goes kaput-and Chandler must resort to desperate meansures, setting up a date with Janice. And introducing the seventh Friend: Marcel. (Guest star: Hank Azaria as David)
Monica and Phoebe vie for the affections of their dream man, who doesn't know they're alive (he's in a coma). Chandler is mortified when his mother, the famous author, comes t town. Ross "breaks the code" by kissing his friend's mom. (Guest stars: Morgan Fairchild as Nora Tyler Bing; Jay Leno as himself)
Monica makes a dozen lasagnas for her aunt. Unfortunately, they're meat, and her aunt wanted vegetarian. Are Chandler anf Joey ready for commitment-i.e., sharing the cost of a new table? Ross tries to not find out the sex of his unborn child (it's a lot more).
The gang has just one little problem with Phoebe's new boyfriend, the shrink: They hate him. Joey discovers his father is having an affair with a pet mortician, and Chandler discovers Rachel unclothed, setting off achain of terrible retribution. (Guest stars: Brenda Vaccaro as Gloria Tribbiani; Fisher Stevens as Roger)
Instead of having dates on Valentine's Day, the girls decide to build a boyfriend bonfire, which burns out of control. Enter three firemen. Joey talks Chandler into a blind date with a woman who turns out to be none other than Janice-aaaarrggghh!-and Ross's first official date in nine years disrupted by the appearance of his ex-wife and her lesbian lover.
Offered a promotion, Chandler quits instead and tries to decide what he wants to do when he grows up. Ross's new girlfriend wants him to talk dirty to her; Joey tries to teach him how. And Monica's dream job as a chef goes up in pungent-smelling smoke. (Guest star: Jon Lovitz as Steve, the Stoned Guy)
When worlds collide: It's Phoebe's twin, Ursula, the ditzy waitress on "Mad About You." They're identical, but Joey can tell them apart-Ursula's the "hot" one. Meanwhile, Ross has to be the mommy in Lamaze class, and Chandler has to fire an attractive employee (but gives her a raise instead). Guest stars: Helen Hunt as Jamie Buchman; Leila Kenzle as Fran.)
Injured but uninsured, Rachel convinces Monica to swap identities with her at the hospital-which gets complicated when a pair of cute doctors ask them out. Joey's dilemma: romance with Ursula or friendship with Phoebe? A crisis with Marcel shows Ross he's ready for daddyhood. Guest stars: George Clooney as Dr. Mitchell; Noah Wyle as Dr. Rosen)
After poker lessons from Aunt Iris, the girls won't stop playing until they beat the boys...and Marcel won't stop playing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" until Ross loses his mind. Meanwhile, Rachel has a chance at her dream job-a buyer for Saks. (Guest star: Beverly Garland as Aunt Iris)
Just as Ross is about to tell Rachel how he really feels, she loses Marcel! The gang launches a search, but Joey and Chandler find a couple of sexy neighbors instead, and Phoebe finds a tranquilizer dart with her name on it.
Rachel lands in the orthodontist's chair with her ex-fiance, Barry (even though he's ow engaged to her ex-maid of honor, Mindy). Chandler finally finds a girl he likes, but her doesn't want to seem needy (even though he is). And someone with a telescope is scoping the gang. (Guest star: Jennifer Grey as Mindy)
Someone has stolen Monica's credit card-along with the life Monica thinks she wants to lead. Marcel's sexual monkeyshines lead Ross to make a painful decision-and so we bid farewell to the seventh Friend. Chandler helps Joey choose a stage name: "Joseph Stalin." (Guest stars: Claudia Shear as Fake Monica; Harry Shearer as Dr. Baldharar)
When Phoebe becomes his temporary secretary, Chandler learns that his coworkers ridicule him behind his back. Meanwhile, Rachel has sexy dreams about Joey and Chandler; Monica has a fling with a much younger man.
Ross becomes a daddy, Carol becomes a mommy, and Rachel comes on to a cute doctor. Monica and Joey experience parental pangs, but Carol's lesbian life partner is still in the closet-locked in, that is, with Ross and Phoebe. (Guest star: Jonathan Silverman as Dr. Franzblau)
Chandler inadvertently spills the beans to birthday girl Rachel about Ross's true feelings, but Ross has been suddenly called away to China ("It's a whole big bone thing"). Rachel dashes to the airport, but she's late for her appointment with fate. Meanwhile, Joey-who's giving his all for a fertility study-learns a new way to relate to a woman.
Now that she knows Ross loves her, Rachel goes to meet him as he returns from China. Too bad he's brought a new girlfriend, Julie, back with him. Meanwhile, Phoebe is persuades to cut Monica's hair like Demi Moore's (whom Pheebs thinks is the guy in "Arthur"), and Joey learns that his tailor is a very naughty man. (Guest star: Lauren Tom as Julie)
The guys are uncomfortable with Carol's breast milk-and Rachel is uncomfortable with Monica's growing friendship with Julie. Meanwhile, in the aisles of a great metropolitan department store, Joey tests his manhood in a showdown with a rival cologne-spritzing guy.
Dyspeptic downstairs neighbor Heckles dies, leaving the Friendshis worldly goods-among which Rachel finds a lamp that Monica hates. Meanwhile, Chandler finds eerie parallels to his own life that convince him he is doomed to die a lonely loser. In desperation, he calls his dreaded ex, Janice. Phoebe and Ross have a bitter dispute over the theory of evolution.
The gang is amazed to learn that Phoebe's married-to a gay ice dancer who's not so gay after all-and even more amazed to learn Chandler has a third nipple. Rachel gives Ross (supposedly) helpful advice on having sex with Julie.
When a sexy woman calls the wrong number, Chandler seeks to make the most of the situation. Income disparity separates the Friends into two camps: the flush ross, Monica, and Chandler versus the not-so-flush Phoebe, Joey, and Rachel. Monica hets a hickey from a Blowfish and loses her job (but that has nothing to do with the hickey).
Oops: Chandler and Joey lose baby Ben while scoping babes on a bus, and Phoebe loses her gig at Central Perk to a professional singer. Ross has an allergic reaction to Monica's kiwi-lime pie, revealing his terror of hypodermic needles. And for the finale: a duct rendition of "Smelly Cat." (Guest stars: Chrissie Hynde as the new singer; Lea Thompson as Caroline)
Monica takes on a new job-Chandler's own personal fitness trainer-and Chandler is so not happy about it. Phoebe has a hard time trying to get her new boyfriend to have sex with her, but she finally succeeds. And, most important, Ross finds out that Rachel loves him-via a drunken phone message she left on his machine during a date with another guy. At the episode's end, they finally come together for a colossal kiss at Central Perk.
Ross has to choose between Rachel and Julie, and-with the help of Chandler and his new computer-lists pros and cons of each. Big mistake. Meanwhile, Monica gets a new job: making Thanksgiving recipes for a synthetic (and inedible) chocolate substitute called Mockolate. Mockolate chip cookies, anyone? (Guest star: Michael McKean as Mr. Rastatter)
It's Christmas time, and a broke Monica tries tipping with cookies instead of cash, with mixed results. Phoebe learns that the guy in all the picture frames her grandmother keeps around is not her dad after all and tries to track down her real father. Joey and Chandler put off their holiday shopping way too long, and after Ross breaks the knob on the radiator, there's a Christmas party with a tropical theme. (Guest star: Audra Lindley as Phoebe's grandmother)
Monica gets back together with Fun Bobby, but when he stops drinking, she discovers he's not so...fun. Joey wins the role of Dr. Drake Ramoray, neurosurgeon, on "Days of Our Lives." Rachel, dating a guy named Russ, is the only one who can't see his uncanny resemblance to Ross. (Guest star: "Snaro," aka David Schwimmer, as Russ)
Ross's ex and her lesbian life partner tie the knot, providing Monica with a job: catering the wedding. Phoebe is possessed by the spirit of an eighty-two-year-old massage client who dies in the middle of a session. Mrs. Adelman cannot rest until she's "seen everything" (needless to say, her spirit departs after attending the lesbian wedding). Rachel's mom comes to visit and drops a bomb: She's breaking up with Rachel's dad. (Guest stars: Marlo Thomas as Sandra Green; Candice Gingrich as the minister)
It's a deluxe, star-studded, hour-long FRIENDS! The search for Marcel leads the gang to the set of Jean-Claude Van Dammes's new movie, where Rachel and Monica vie for the attention of the Muscles from Brussels. Joey dates a soap fan who has trouble distinguishing "Days of Our Lives" from real life. Phoebe sings for an audience of delighted children and appalled parents, and falls for a handsome musician. Chandler meets an old schoolmate: a makeup artist who seems hot for him despite the fact that he pulled her skirt up back in the fourth grade. (Guest stars: Brooke Shields as Erika Ford; Julia Roberts as Susie Moss; Jean-Claude Van Damme as himself; Chris Isaak as Rob Donnen)
As a token of his esteem, Joey gives Chandler a seriously tacky bracelet; meanwhile, an unemployed Monica is hard up for money. Then a blast from the past: a vintage video reveals Monica's former girth, Rachel's former nose, and the way Ross has always felt about Rachel. After seeing this touching scenario, Rachel gives Ross a passionate kiss.
When Joey buys two reclining chairs and a super-jumbo TV, he and Chandler adapt a new lifestyle: complete immobility. Catering a party for her parents' friend Richard, Monica becomes what Phoebe calls "a smitten kitten." And amid the romantic ambiance of a planetarium, Ross and Rachel finally...you know. (Guest star: Tom Selleck as Richard)
It's breakup time for FRIENDS' most devoted couple-Joey and Chandler-and tattoos for two: Rachel and Phoebe. For his birthday, Monica's dad receives a special gift in the bathroom (with Monica as an unwilling witness) and the unsettling news that Richard's young "twinkie" is...Monica.
After Phoebe is discovered by a record producer, it's "Smelly Cat" the video! Ross's new relationship with Rachel makes Monica feel like she's living with her brother all over again, and she hates it. Joey considers moving back in with Chandler, but Chandler has a new roommate! (Guest star: Adam Goldberg as Eddie)
Joey finds out the hard way that it's not good to boast that you write your own soap dialogue: His character gets dropped down an elevator shaft. Phoebe helps Chandler bond with his new roommate...much to Chandler's horror. Sexual history dominates the discussion between two couples-Monica and Richard, and Rachel and Ross-and prompts a conflict over a condom.
Creeped out by his bizarre new roommate, Eddie, Chandler demands he move out. Eddie agrees...but doesn't leave. A new book on empowerment for women inspires the female Friends to have a "Goddess meeting." Joey has trouble coming to grips with the death of Dr. Drake Ramoray and the accompanying change in his lifestyle.
Phoebe's world view is shattered when she learns how "Old Yeller" really ends. Monica becomes jealous when Richard starts going out with other people-i.e., Joey and Chandler; and Rachel is upset to learn that Ross has planned their whole life together.
Two bullies seize Ross and Chandler's turf-and Chandler's hat-at Central Perk, while Monica sets out to conquer Wall Street with her last $127. "Dad-hunting" once again, Phoebe instead meets a surprise sibling and a small but very nasty dog. (Guest stars: Peter DeLuise as a bully; Laraine Newman as Mrs. Buffay)
The gang plans a surprise party for Rachel's birthday, but the real surprise is when both her estranged parents show up. "Think!" urges Chandler. "What would Jack and Chrissy do?" Why, split it into two parties, of course-one for each parent. But complications inevitably ensue...
An itchy situation: Just as her hunky Navy Guy surfaces for the first time in two years, Phoebe catches chicken pox from baby Ben! Joey pretends to be a data processor but hets a little too far into character. Richard needs to find an obesession in order to keep up with all of Monica's. (Guest star: Charlie Sheen as Ryan)
Rachel agrees to be maid of honor at her ex-fiance's wedding, but a fashion faux pas focuses attention away from the bride. To get a part, Joey needs practice kissing...guys. Monica ponders her future with Richard, and Chandler falls for a mystery woman on the Internet-who turns out to be Janice! (Guest star: Maggie Wheeler as Janice)
In the third season premiere, Monica goes without sleep for days after breaking up with Richard. Ross faces his own bedtime problems after telling Rachel and Chandler about his Princess Leia fantasy. And continuing last season's cliffhanger, Chandler's romantic life gets off to a good start, much to Joey's disapproval. (Guest stars: Elliott Gould and Maggie Wheeler)
In this episode-played out in real time-Ross tries to get the gang dressed and ready to go to a black-tie benefit at the museum. But each of his friends suffers a crisis and soon its a race against the clock. Joey and Chandler get into a childish skirmish over a chair, while Rachel can't decide what to wear, putting Ross in a rage. Monica gets hopelessly hung up when she hears a phone message from ex-boyfriend Richard. She calls him back and tries to erase her message on his machine, but sonehow manages to make matters worse. Only Phoebe has it together...or does she?
Phoebe is stalked by a young man, who has mistaken her for her twin sister, Ursula. Intrigued by the attractive stranger, Phoebe goes out on a date with him, much to the alarm of her friends. Monica also meets with the friends' disapproval when she gives birth to an unusual plan to make a baby. And as Chandler struggles to make his new relationship work, Ross and Rachel give him lessons on how to be a "boyfriend." (Guest star: David Arquette as the stalker)
The gang tries to comfort Ross when he freaks out because he sees Ben holding a Barbie doll. Mr. Fear of Commitment Chandler gets scared when things with him and Janice heat up and Phoebe becomes Joey's talent agent.
In this episode, Phoebe tries to get better acquanted with her younger half brother. Joey builds an entertainment center. Ross makes a list of celebrity women he'd like to entertain if he was given the opportunity.
Janice asks all of the Friends how they met each other and they tell stories taking place just before the premiere of the show. Supposedly, there may be some romantic entaglements between the now-just-friends.
In the first of a special two-part episode, Monica buys a new bed from Janice's soon-to-be-ex, the Mattress King, but events turn nighmarish when they deliver a child's race car bed by mistake. Ross wishes it was just a bad dream after suffering through a dinner date with Rachel and her overbearing father. Meanwhile, Joey gets a job teaching "Soap Opera Acting" classes. (Guest stars: Mark Cohen as Janice's husband; Ron Leibman as Rachel's dad)
In this second of a two-part episode, Chandler and Janice reach a turning point in their relationship. Monica freaks out after she accidentally bangs baby Ben's head while she and Rachel are babysitting for Ross, and the whole gang concocts an elaborate poking device to determine if Ugly Naked Guy is still alive.
Thanksgiving Day touches off a feast of emotions among the Friends when they play an impromptu game of touch football. Team captains Monica and Ross kick off an old sibling rivalry as Joey fumbles his efforts to psych out Chandler. Rachel drops the ball on Ross when he doesn't draft her for his team, and the turkey is left stewing when the gang calls for a grudge match.
Joey takes a job selling Christmas trees, but his salesmanship duffers when Phoebe shows up to ensure that all the trees-including the dead ones-fulfill their "Christmas destiny." Meanwhile, Rachel regrets making a rash decision, and Ross becomes and honorary Brown Bird to help send a little girl to space camp. (Guest stars: Mae Whitman as the little girl; comedian Shelley Berman as Mr. Kaplan Jr.)
Rachel's chance meeting with an attractive stranger, Mark, leads to a possible job for her in women's fashions-but Ross suspects Mark has ulterior designs. Meanwhile, Chandler can't remember which one of the Tribbiani sisters is the girl her made out with at Joey's birthday part, and Phoebe is attracted to Rachel and Monica's charming, but noisy, upstairs neighbor. (Guest star: Steven Eckholdt as Mark)
A jealous Ross makes a surprise stop by Rachel's office to spy on her and her hunky new coworker. Joey's great dancing abilities get him on a Broadway musical and Monica is attracted to a bus boy.
Richard and Monica meet by chance and end up talking for hours. The former lovers agree to be platonic friends, but their willpower proves weaker than their word as they struggle with their passion.
Phoebe is reunited with her former singing partner, a failed "jingle" writer who smells commercial success for Phoebe's signature song, "Smelly Cat." Meanwhile, Chandler is left without a leg to stand on after her dates a woman with a prosthetic limb, and Ross falls flat on his face when he tries to please Rachel by attending a lecture on women't fashion. (Guest star: E.G. Daily as Leslie; Sherilyn Fenn as Ginger)
During last season's FRIENDS frenzy, Ross and Rachel became TV's favorite couple, with the characters' red-hot romance catapulting both actors to national prominence. But the media glare has cooled for the still hugely popular show, and so has the special "friendship" of sweethearts Ross and Rachel. That's because of Rachel's preoccupation with her new fashion-industry job, and Ross's insecurity about the attractive guy who helped her get the position. Tonight, on their anniversary, things fall apart, setting in motiona tragicomic sequence that will sweep the series in a new direction. (Guest stars: Steven Eckholdt as Mark; Angela Featherstone as Chloe)
Ross's one night with Chloe from the copier shop jeopardizes his future with Rachel, who learns of his misdeed after she tells him she wants to work things out. Monica and Phoebe are trapped into an agonizing all-nighter in Monica's bedroom with Chandler and Joey while they eavesdrop on Ross and Rachel.
In the aftermath of her breakup with Ross, Rachel invites the other friends on a ski trip, leaving Ross out in the cold. Supposedly, Rachel and her pals, except for Ross, get stranded on their way to go skiing.
Phoebe's distressed by her brother's engagement to an older woman; Chandler uses a hypnosis tape to quit smoking; Monica dates a computer-software mogul (Jon Favreau).
Mark asks out Rachel, who returns Ross's things; Monica still isn't attracted to millionaire Pete; Joey land a major role in a play, but he's irked by his costar (Dina Meyer).
After a date with Rachel's boss (Alison LaPlaca), Chandler's insincere "I'll call you" causes complications. Phoebe plays with a dollhouse inherited by Monica. Joey and Kate get romantic.
Ross helps an injured Rachel prepare for a business dinner, but doesn't tell her he's missing a chance to appear on TV; Pete (Jon Favreau) buys Monica a restaurant; Chandler and Joey adopt a baby chick.
Rachel brings what looks like to be a nice friend of her's named Tommy (Ben Stiller) to one of Joey's plays. During that time, Ross finds out some disturbing facts about this guy . Ross tries to tell the rest of the gang, but they don't beileve him and think that it's just a way for Rachel to stop liking the guy.
Ross (David Schwimmer) has an unusual growth; Phoebe is torn between two men she's dating; Monica thinks Pete is going to propose.
Pete (Jon Favreau) begins his pursuit of the Ultimate Fighting Champion title; Chandler has a slap-happy new boss; Ross dates Phoebe's friend, which distresses Rachel. Billy Crystal and Robin Williams have cameos.
It's no day at the beach for Phoebe and Rachel when the group shares a shore house in the season finale. Phoebe's quest to find her father leads her to an old family friend (Teri Garr), who's also named Phoebe. But our Pheebes has reason to believe that the woman knows more about her situation than she reveals---a suspicion that is confirmed by episode's end. Meanwhile, the chill between Ross and Rachel appears to be ending---until Ross's free-spirited new girlfriend (Christine Taylor) arrives. The result: a summer of uncertainty for Friends fans fascinated by R and R's rocky romance.