Friends is a beloved ’90s sitcom that defined a generation and catapulted its actors into super-stardom. With an ever-increasing fanbase, the show has celebrated its success for over 25 years. After years of hoping and waiting, Friends is finally getting the reunion it deserves, available for streaming on May 27, on HBO Max.
HBO Max dropped its first teaser and trailer for the reunion special, showing the friends diving right back into their iconic roles. Gathered around the couch at Monica’s apartment, the clip calls back to classic moments of the popular series. There are many episodes that are worth rewatching before the reunion special airs.
10 The One With The Blackout (Season 1)
When New York City suffers a blackout, the friends gather in Monica’s apartment. Everyone shares stories through the night over wine and candlelight, except for Chandler who, luckily enough, gets trapped in an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacre.
Worried that he’s been friendzoned by Rachel, Ross tries to confess his feelings to her. In the most hilarious moment of the episode, Ross is attacked by a lost cat. Coincidentally, the cat belongs to a handsome Italian named Paolo, whom Rachel takes an interest in.
9 The One With Ross’ New Girlfriend (Season 2)
Rachel tries to cope with Ross and his new girlfriend Julie, burying her true feelings for Ross. Meanwhile, Monica convinces Phoebe to cut her hair like Demi Moore, but after a misunderstanding, Monica ends up with a bad haircut.
Needing new pants, Chandler asks for suggestions on a tailor. Joey sends him to a guy named Frankie, who is a little too hands-on for Chandler. The episode is packed with hilarious misunderstandings and classic lines.
8 The One With The Prom Video (Season 2)
Joey becomes famous after accepting the role of Dr. Drake Ramoray on Days of Our Lives. Flush with money, Joey decides to get Chandler a gift for supporting him over the years. He buys Chandler a gaudy, gold bracelet to celebrate their friendship.
Monica’s parents bring over old boxes of her possessions, including an old prom video. The friends decide to watch the video and Rachel learns that Ross was willing to take her to prom when she thought her date stood her up. Moved by his kind gesture, Rachel crosses the room and kisses Ross, forgiving him for “the list.”
7 The One With The Embryos (Season 4)
Phoebe agrees to be her brother’s surrogate but is worried about the low chances of becoming pregnant via in-vitro fertilization, not to mention the high cost of the procedure. Meanwhile, the boys bet the girls that they know more about them by correctly guessing everything in Rachel’s shopping bag.
The guys and girls decide to have a full-fledged trivia showdown, with Ross serving as game master and judge. In the lightning round of the quiz, the stakes are high. Monica bets her apartment, while the guys agree to give up the chick and duck if they lose. The girls stumble when asked about Chandler’s job, and the boys celebrate winning the apartment.
6 The One With Ross’ Wedding (Season 4)
A lot happens in this two-part season finale as the friends head to London for Ross’ wedding. Rachel decides to stay behind with Phoebe, who cannot travel because she is pregnant. After she confronts her feelings about Ross, however, Rachel decides to crash the wedding.
Depressed and upset with her mother, Monica is comforted by Chandler and subsequently shares the night with him. Rachel shows up at the wedding, and Ross mistakenly says her names in his vows to Emily. The season ends in a cliffhanger as the audience is unsure of whether the wedding will continue.
5 The One With Ross’ Sandwich (Season 5)
Monica and Chandler become reckless in their affair, leaving behind incriminating evidence at each other’s apartments. Joey is forced to cover for them, and in doing so, becomes the object of Rachel’s disgust.
Unraveling from his failed marriage and recent eviction, the only good thing in Ross’ life is his special sandwich made with Thanksgiving leftovers. When someone eats his sandwich, Ross becomes even more unhinged. His boss confesses to taking the sandwich and Ross yells at him, consequently resulting in Ross having to take a sabbatical from work.
4 The One Where Everyone Finds Out (Season 5)
When the gang finds out that “Ugly Naked Guy” is moving, Ross tries desperately to get his apartment. While looking around the apartment with Ross, Phoebe sees Monica and Chandler getting busy through the window.
Joey is relieved that more people know about Monica and Chandler and wants to confront them. However, Rachel and Phoebe decide to mess with Chandler instead. The episode culminates with Chandler revealing that he’s in love with Monica.
3 The One With Unagi (Season 6)
Broke and needing money, Joey tries to enroll in a medical experiment for identical twins. He hires a guy named Carl to play his twin brother, but the two look nothing alike, so ultimately Joey doesn’t get to participate.
Rachel and Phoebe brag about taking self-defense classes, but Ross believes that one has to have “unagi,” or complete mental awareness, or the classes are useless. He scares the girls by hiding and yelling danger, to which they return the scare by surprising him in his apartment. The episode ends with Ross attacking two Phoebe and Rachel look-alikes and getting his butt kicked.
2 The One Where Ross Got High (Season 6)
The Gellers attend Monica’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. Chandler tries to win over Monica’s parents, who have always disliked him because they thought he got high in their house. During the episode, Monica exposes that Ross, was in fact, the one who got high.
Ross and Monica hilariously out each other’s secrets to their parents. The subplot of the episode revolves around Rachel mistakenly putting beef, onions, and peas in her dessert trifle. While the others struggle to choke down the dish, Joey devours his plate.
1 The Last One, Part 2 (Season 10)
The second part of the two-part series finale is an emotionally charged episode. Ross finally confesses his feelings to Rachel, but it’s too much for her to handle as she’s leaving for her new job in Paris. As a housewarming gift, Joey buys Monica and Chandler a new chick and duck, that somehow get lost inside the foosball table. Monica busts open the table, leaving Joey and Chandler to confront their friendship amidst the mess.
Questioning her decision to leave, Rachel leaves Ross a message on his answering machine, making him wonder if she really left for Paris. From behind him, Rachel utters the now infamous words “I got off the plane” sealing the couple’s future together. As the friends stand around Monica’s empty apartment, they say their goodbyes and leave behind their keys.
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