Mostly due to the structure of other posts, the episodes are slightly out-of-order. There's no big theme connecting any of these episodes making this introduction pointless and difficult. I will say that Friends didn't know how to title their episodes. The "One with Dozen Lasagnas" is a hilariously bad title because it's barely even in the episode. "The One with the Boobies" I guess is appropriate since I instantly know which episode it is, but it's also debatably the worst plot in its episode. Anyway, I felt I should say something, because well I need an introduction.
"The One with Dozen Lasagnas"
The episode ends the Paolo era of Friends and thank God. His first appearance wasn't terribly annoying just because it was realistic. But a relationship that lasted over a month with a person who couldn't speak the same language as the other? Yeah, this was never going to be a strong story. Thankfully, they mostly ignored this (he only appeared in three episodes despite being Rachel's boyfriend for much longer), but it got worse and worse whenever it was brought up.
So Rachel is going on a weekend trip with Paolo for the first time. Cue Rachel saying it's much more than a fling. *GAG* Seriously I didn't need Friends to come up with a worthy candidate to Ross or anything, but you know a person who speaks English and has personality traits outside of "HOT" would be nice. Ross and the guys talking about how Paolo made them sick seemed very meta to me, but it might not have been. But they spoke for the fans, that's for sure.
Then Paolo makes a pass at Phoebe, which didn't really bother me. When a character's traits amount to sexuality, it's stupid to complain when that person is apparently obsessed with sex 24/7. So given the little information the writers give us, it made sense that he would try and cheat on Rachel. He's a huge idiot for trying on one of her friends though.
So Phoebe tells Rachel. Then it's sort of frustrating for me at least, because Rachel says some very normal and common sense things after a break up amounting to "Why am I so stupid?" The difference being here is that I wondered the same damn thing. So while that moment was supposed to be touching, it just didn't. Because it speaks really ill of Rachel as a character for her to be in a relationship with Paolo for as long as she did. (Though I guess at this point Rachel still has her superficial traits and this is a step towards her development as a person) I will say that I did like how that story created a bond between two characters who just got to know each other in Phoebe and Rachel. I suppose they could have created an annoying riff between the two that most sitcoms would definitely do, but they solve their differences remarkably amicably.
Ross gets double duty here. A relatively minor subplot about the sex of Ross' baby is introduced. I kind of enjoyed this one. Mostly, because I think I'd be the type of person who didn't want to know, but found it impossible to not resist asking anyway. And the way it got accidentally spilled to him was a good moment too. The audience isn't going to care enough to wait more than the end of this episode so they pretty much had to reveal it this episode. And the way it tied into Paolo-Rachel's breakup was rather clever in my opinion.
I realize Chandler and Joey aren't exactly the standard bearers of stable, long-term relationships, but they gave Ross some pretty bad advice in my opinion. I don't think the answer would be to be the first person Rachel sees after the jerk. Why would that work? If the writers intended for it to be bad advice, kudos to them I guess. It's definitely in character for them to give the advice that they do.
I did love when Ross is comforting Rachel (which is sweet to be fair), she says she never wants to look or touch another man again. Rachel doesn't think of Ross as a viable partner so she doesn't even think about the fact that he is a man. The last scene in the pilot where Ross asks if he can ask Rachel on a date sometime was probably a misstep because Rachel has otherwise been completely oblivious that Ross wants her. Without that scene, it may be a bit more plausible. (Though Ross' attempts haven't exactly been subtle)
But Ross' pathetic attempts to try to get Rachel to date the "right guy" seemed out-of-place. Ross would realize he should wait and I didn't see the point of trying to argue for the "right guy." I mean I get it, he's talking about himself. But still, you tried and she gave you her answer (though indirectly) so move on for now.
Lastly, a pretty inconsequential plot of Chandler and Joey needing to buy a new table because Joey literally threw keys on it to cause it to fall. There wasn't much to this as they basically just compared it to a couple. It works though because Chandler and Joey's relationship is one of the more reliable aspects of this show. And I found it hilarious.
This episode was written by four different people. I didn't think any disconnect is the problem with this episode though, just the Paolo plot line. In fact the stories mesh together quite well surprisingly considering this. (Then again Toy Story had like a dozen writers and that movie turned out alright)
Overall, the episode was dominated by one of the worst decisions this show ever made. For some reason, Paolo comes back in Season 2. The fact that the other two were pretty pleasant, innocent and funny redeems it a little. I also laughed a lot in this episode. But it's a slightly above average episode.
Grade - B
"The One with the Boobies"
Written by Alexa Junge, this episode has some strong parts and some not so strong parts. In fact, I loved one plot, hated another, and keep flipping back and forth on in if the third plot was stupid or not. So good luck to me on grading this.
To begin the episode, Chandler sees Rachel's boobies. That's not exactly a great or original premise in a sitcom so it's not off to a great start. Wouldn't our idea of these friends indicate that they wouldn't be bothered by accidentally seeing another person naked? I'm not saying that's true for all friends, I'm saying it's true for THESE friends. So basically the whole episode hinges on us forgetting that.
That's not the plot I hated though, that's the one I can't decide on. I liked the playful ribbing about it in the coffee house soon after that first scene, but I didn't like the friends' continued insistence on her seeing Chandler's penis. Rachel isn't going to walk into the bathroom to see Chandler naked. But I for some reason liked the game of telephone the friends played when they kept walking in to see one friend naked only to see a different one until Monica saw Joey's dad.
Speaking of Joey's dad, he's ok in this role, but there's a reason he's never in another episode of Friends. Played by the impossibly experienced Robert Costanza (258 roles!), he seems believable enough. I really like the direction they took this story both for its twists and turns and for Joey's self-reflection on himself.
So Joey finds out that Joey's dad is cheating on his wife. He found out in a pretty believable way too since we later find out that Joey's dad is no James Bond. I think I like every part of this story. I like that Joey takes on the parents' role to his father and his mistress. I like the surprise that Joey's mom knew about it all along.
I really liked that they used this as an opportunity to look at Joey as a womanizer. He may sleep with countless women without even thinking about it, but he values the sanctity of marriage apparently. He doesn't want to lose the right woman that he finds. It revealed a depth of Joey that I don't think the show had previously explored.
I HATE the other story line. Hate is a strong word, and I'm just doing it in the honor of all the friends hating Phoebe's shrink boyfriend. First of all, I don't like what it says about what the show thinks about shrinks. Oh wow, shrinks are constantly analyzing people and don't take a minute off and have to take their job with you. They are also smarmy pricks who tell you things you don't want to hear.
The shrink basically fills in the friend's deficiencies for the audience. It's a pretty lazy storytelling device - show, don't tell - and anyway it doesn't really tell us anything new. Once the punchline became apparent - the shrink is putting his theories on his friends - it wasn't that funny. When Phoebe tells him that her friends hate him, I actually like his rant against the friends. It seemed like a meta-commentary on the show already. I'll give the writers some credit for that, mostly because creating a story with the show commenting on itself was still kind of an original premise back then.
Also, the friends final reflection on how they have to let their parents go and that they themselves have to be parents was a good moment. Of course, it was followed by the punchline that I quote later about Chandler's parents. (You'll have to look below to see it)
Overall, it was an ok story, but at least it helped develop Joey as a character while seemingly commenting on the show itself.
Grade - B
"The One with the Stoned Guy"
Hey! An episode title that pretty accurately describes the most memorable part of an episode! I am not sure if this is correct, but I think this is the first episode that has a storyline specifically about the direction of a friend's career. And it covers not one, but two of the friends future job status.
But first, the "C" story to this episode, which also happens to be the most sitcom-y, is elevated due to one specific scene. Ross is dating a girl who wants to talk dirty. Ross is bewildered by this. It makes perfect sense for him to be confused at this point. He's still only had sex with one person (which won't change due to this episode) and talking dirty to basically a stranger has to be weird.
I really like what they are doing with Ross' character this season, which I know they end up ruining. He's trying the dating game and he's failing at it. But he seems to be getting a little more successful with each woman. I don't remember if he has sex with anybody until Julie, but I really hope he doesn't.
Anyway, the highlight of that plot is of course when Ross is practicing how to talk dirty with Joey. It's pretty funny at first and then Chandler walks in. Matthew Perry doesn't really do anything particularly funny, it's just hilarious to imagine what he would be thinking at this moment. This is a pretty solid "C" story that helps develop Ross' progression away from Carol.
The "A" story is about Monica trying out for a new head chef position. They introduce this by having Phoebe offer Chandler the position, which doesn't really work because it makes Phoebe look dumber than she should be and feels forced.
But the story works for two reasons for me. One is Jon Lovitz. He appears on screen for about four minutes of the 24 minutes and he manages to make it a memorable four minutes. It was a good use of a popular comedian for a guest appearance. It hardly even matters than there's no way a person like him would get a position to hire a head chef.
The other reason is because she has to make the uncomfortable decision to hire Wendy over Rachel. It makes sense honestly as the opening reminds us of how horrible of a waitress she is. However, Rachel seems to step up to her A game to waitress and shows that she's capable if she puts her mind to it. Of course, she didn't appear to have to do much, but it was nice to see her stand up for herself by holding out for $20 per hour.
Speaking of holding out for more money, Chandler's evolution to accepting a position he has no interest in attaining was clever. I actually thought this was one of the lesser laugh-out loud Chandler stories in this season, but it still works due to the relevancy on the character. The primary purpose of a sitcom is to be funny, but the second purpose is definitely to create a complex character. Chandler's selling out due to an apparently egregious salary reveals a lot about the type of person he is.
Also, one of the few laughs generated due to that storyline was anytime there was a mention of the WENUS. Call me immature, but it never fails to crack me up. Also, I did like the ending of the episode where Chandler finds himself becoming what he feared. I liked it because it creates the impression that Chandler is actually good at his job. Previously, he seemed like a slacker, but I find his capability at his job important to find it plausible. Yes, Friends sometimes veered into parody, but mostly it tried to create a realistic world. Having Chandler be incompetent while he is basically begged back into his job would have ruined it for me.
I think a large reason for the success of this episode is in its integration of all of its characters. The best Friends episodes are episodes where everyone is involved. Monica and Rachel have an intersecting story that is written seamlessly together. Joey's primary purpose in this episode is to inform Ross on how to talk dirty. Chandler works at quitting his job before ultimately succumbing to money. Phoebe is sort of vital to the multiple stories but remains on the outside of each by getting Monica the job opportunity by knowing Jon Lovitz and visiting Chandler's office so Chandler can show off Jan. ("That'll be all. I promise that's the last time")
This episode was written by Jeff Greenstein and Jeff Strauss, a duo who was only hired for this first season. It was a pretty big loss in my opinion as they wrote four of the better episodes. I've already graded three of them, and I remember "The One with the Birth" being a great episode as well.
Overall, I really liked two of the stories and the third story was average but had one really hilarious scene.
Grade - A-
Quotes
"What am I supposed to do: call immigration?...... I could call immigration" - Ross about Paolo
"I'm sorry I'm just excited about being an aunt!" Monica - "Or an uncle?" Joey
"Paolo, I just want to say and I think I speak for everyone when I say (slams door)" - Amen Ross
"HEY! WE ALREADY KNEW THAT!" - Chandler and Joey then hug upon finding out Ross' new baby is a boy
"That's a relatively open weave and I can still see your... nipular area" - Chandler upon seeing Rachel's boobies
"Did you know this isn't Ma?" - Joey after he intercepts his dad's private chat with his mistress
"Hey I married a lesbian to make you look good!" - Ross in a line they probably wanted to use before figuring out this story
"If I turn into my parents, I'll either end up like an alcoholic blonde chasing after 20-year-olds or I'll end up like my mom." - Chandler with the line of the night
"Ah man. Does this mean we have to start buying our own toilet paper?" - Joey after finding out Chandler quit
"That was Joey Tribbiani with the big picture." - Ross
"Hey! You can see your nipples through your shirt." - Rachel after she previously told him you couldn't
"I want to take my tongue and..." - Ross
"Say it. Say it!" - Joey
"run it all over your body until you're trembling with" - Ross
(Chandler sits down) "With??" - Chandler
"Well smack my ass and call me Judy!" - Jon Lovitze
Yes, Fran, I know what time it is and I'm looking at the WENUS and I'm not happy!" - Chandler
Next week: The Friends first hourlong episode (which is counted as two episodes) and an episode where they play poker, which I don't remember well, but which definitely has all the friends involved so I'm pretty optimistic about next week's episodes.
Programming Note: I'm only posting Friends recaps for the next two weeks. On Thursday, I will most likely be celebrating my birthday and the next Thursday is in the midst of my Finals week so I just decided to not cram a season of a show in that schedule. My next Thursday post will be December 19, either on Justified or the fourth season of The Simpsons most likely.
Playlist
1. "Scapegoat" - Atmosphere
2. "Do I Wanna Know?" - Arctic Monkeys
3. "Gimme Shelter" - The Rolling Stones
4. "D.A.N.C.E." - Justice
5. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" - Deep Blue Something
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