“Friends” premiered 25 years ago this week, which means the internet is consumed in reminiscing over the $425 million show that keeps us trapped in a perpetual state of nostalgia. Even in the overwhelming era of Peak TV, estimates rank “Friends” as Netflix’s second most-watched program.
Some seasons were better than others, but “Friends” didn’t really have a bad one. Plucking a truly excellent episode from each is easy work. I fully understand there are no winners when it comes to crafting lists like these. There’s too much passion, too much at stake. Lowly reviewers rarely share our tastes. That said, I’m doing it anyway. (Spoilers ahead.)
Season One
“The One with Two Parts: Part 2”
Season Two
“The One with the Prom Video”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hXCNyLjwws
Season Three
“The One with the Football”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrWXUpFL3No
Season Four
“The One with the Fake Party”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAEzuzNq4jQ
Season Five
“The One with the Ball”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne5ianpL4u8
Season Six
“The One After Vegas” (This is my personal favorite episode, followed closely by two other Season Six gems, “The One Where Joey Loses His Insurance” and “The One with the Unagi.”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXTIZqrg8wU
Season Seven
“The One with Phoebe’s Cookies”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNr8eNP4rA0
Season Eight
“The One with the Rumor”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AhdomqJJ2w
Season Nine
“The One with Ross’s Inappropriate Song” (Followed closely by “The One with the Sharks”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHu3W8M0EtA
Season Ten
“The Last One”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhZLCo7PrFI
