Number 5: The One At the Beach...
Cliffhangers make for great story writing and one of the best cliffhangers of Friends is Ross standing between two doors in a beat up beach house trying to decide if he chooses Rachael or his new Sexed up girlfriend. The audience had to wait the whole summer to see Ross' choice. This is some excellent story writing playing on the emotion of the audience wanting Rachael and Ross to get back together.
Number 4: The One Where No One is Ready...
"Can I be wearing any more Clothes???" When Joey is wearing every piece of clothing that Chandler owns and starts stretching is one of the most classic scenes in all of Friends. And by the way it is a very quotable line that puts a smile on my face every time I hear it whether Matt Leblanc says it or my wife making an obscure tv sitcom reference.
Number 3: The One With the Football…
This is one of my favorite episodes of all time but only rises to number 3 in season 3. Thanksgiving specials on Friends are all classics and the one with the football is no exception. Watching these six friends play a game of pick up football for the Gellar cup, "Does anyone else see a troll doll nailed to a 2" x 4"," Is quotable and enjoyable every time there is a family game of football to be played during Thanksgiving.
Number 2: The One where Ross and Rachael Take a Break…
This is one of the most emotional episodes of all time but falls short for obvious reasons when we get to number 1 on the season 3 countdown. Everyone has been there in a relationship when work starts to complicate life with your spouse. It is hard and Rachael asking for a break is an all too real problem that sends Ross on a self destructive path with the copier girl. If Rachael did not seek comfort with Mark then Ross may never have consider the copy girl.
Number 1: The One the Morning After…
If the previous episode was hard to watch, when Ross and Rachael fight and break up is one of the hardest episodes to watch and yet the best written episode in the Season 3. The writing does a great job of blending the pain with the humor of Joey, Chandler, Monica and Phoebe trapped in a room left to eat wax from Phoebe and Monica's leg waxing kit. Still, their acting plays second fiddle to the all to real performance by Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer. There is no doubt that this is the iconic episode of Season 3 and belongs alone on the top of the countdown for this season.
Friday, January 10, 2014
The Best of Season 2 By:Megan
Season 2 is an eventful one for Monica, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe, Ross and Rachel. These Friends have been through a lot with season one and now they are growing into maturity. The season begins with Ross coming home from China. In the End of Season one Rachel discovers that Ross likes her. Ross then comes out of the plane in Season 2 with a new girlfriend.
This seasons top episodes are as follows:
NUMBER 5:
The One with the Baby on the Bus
SYNOPSIS: This one deals with three different story lines. One is that Monica feeds Ross Kiwi Lime Pie and he has an allergic reaction to it. She has to take him to the hospital to get him a shot. Due to this Chandler and Joey are left to watch Ben. This is where the second story begins. Chandler and Joey decide to take Ben out so they can use him to get women. This gets them on the bus with Ben and some women. They decide to get off the bus with some women and they forget Ben on the bus. This causes them to jump through some humorous hoops. The last story line is that the management at Central Perk decides to hire someone to play instead of Phoebe. This causes Rachel to feel bad and Phoebe to feel jealous.
RATING: The overall rating of this one is 35.5. This one rated because of humor and story line. This is probably the best written that has nothing to do with episodes down the road. The writing in this episode is incredible but this episode lacks emotion and that is why this episode didn't score higher
NUMBER 4:
The One with the List
SYNOPSIS: This one has one basic story line and that involves Ross and Rachel. In the previous episode Ross finds out that Rachel likes him. She and him share an intimate kiss outside Central Perk. In this episode Ross must choose to stay with his current girlfriend Julie or go to Rachel. Chandler and Joey decide to help him by creating a pro con list on Chandler's computer. These things are never supposed to be seen by Rachel or Julie. However, when Ross does choose Rachel she discovers the list. This leads to Ross trying to get her back. He is unsuccessful.
RATING: The Overall Rating is 39. This episode did so well because of its great story writing and high emotion. This one is all emotional from Ross and Rachel's first kiss to when Rachel is upset at the list. This is one that is relatable and funny and that is what the show is all about
NUMBER 3:
The One where Joey Moves Out
SYNOPSIS: This one has two main story lines. The first part is that Monica and Ross attend their father's birthday party. This is an important party because Monica just began dating her father's friend Richard. She and Richard both hear about what people think of Richard dating a younger woman. Monica and Richard eventually tell her parents and it may be a sticky situation but it worked out ok. The next story line deals with Joey and Chandler. They attend a party at a friend of Joey's from Days of Our Lives. The apartment is really nice and the friend offers it to Joey. Due to feeling like he can actually afford his own place he decides to actually move out.
RATING: This scored overall 39. This tied with the previous episode but we decided that it was just slightly better. This one scored about the same across every category and made it easy to rate because it hit every mark right on. This was an overall great episode and deserves the rating it got.
NUMBER 2:
The One with Ross' New Girlfriend
SYNOPSIS: This is the season opener. This episode is all about the fact that Rachel now likes Ross, but Ross now is dating Julie. This is simple and to the point. The other story lines in this episode include Phoebe cutting Monica's hair really badly and Chandler going to Joey's tailor who felt him up.
RATING: The overall rating for this episode of 39.5. This rating was higher because of story line. This episode was well written and it effects the rest of the season and even the series. Since Ross and Rachel are the primary relationship of the series and so this episode is very important.
NUMBER 1:
The One With the Prom Video
SYNOPSIS: This episode begins with Monica becoming desperate and she can't find a job. Ross convinces her to ask her parents for money. When her parents come over they bring her some things from her childhood room. In that box is a video and it shows her and Rachel getting ready for the prom. When Rachel's date suddenly doesn't show Ross decides he will take her. However, her date eventually does show, but through that she sees what a great guy he is and that is what she is supposed to be with him.
RATING: The overall rating for this episode is 47.5. This episode has it all and it's an iconic episode. This has emotion with Monica dealing with money and lack of job problem. This has humor because this is the first time you see Rachel and Monica in high school and Monica fat. The story line is well written and a classic and it deserves to be in the top ten of the season and the series.
That leads us to the end of Season 2 blog. I will leave you with the quote from the number one episode of the season. "See he's her lobster"
This seasons top episodes are as follows:
NUMBER 5:
The One with the Baby on the Bus
SYNOPSIS: This one deals with three different story lines. One is that Monica feeds Ross Kiwi Lime Pie and he has an allergic reaction to it. She has to take him to the hospital to get him a shot. Due to this Chandler and Joey are left to watch Ben. This is where the second story begins. Chandler and Joey decide to take Ben out so they can use him to get women. This gets them on the bus with Ben and some women. They decide to get off the bus with some women and they forget Ben on the bus. This causes them to jump through some humorous hoops. The last story line is that the management at Central Perk decides to hire someone to play instead of Phoebe. This causes Rachel to feel bad and Phoebe to feel jealous.
RATING: The overall rating of this one is 35.5. This one rated because of humor and story line. This is probably the best written that has nothing to do with episodes down the road. The writing in this episode is incredible but this episode lacks emotion and that is why this episode didn't score higher
NUMBER 4:
The One with the List
SYNOPSIS: This one has one basic story line and that involves Ross and Rachel. In the previous episode Ross finds out that Rachel likes him. She and him share an intimate kiss outside Central Perk. In this episode Ross must choose to stay with his current girlfriend Julie or go to Rachel. Chandler and Joey decide to help him by creating a pro con list on Chandler's computer. These things are never supposed to be seen by Rachel or Julie. However, when Ross does choose Rachel she discovers the list. This leads to Ross trying to get her back. He is unsuccessful.
RATING: The Overall Rating is 39. This episode did so well because of its great story writing and high emotion. This one is all emotional from Ross and Rachel's first kiss to when Rachel is upset at the list. This is one that is relatable and funny and that is what the show is all about
NUMBER 3:
The One where Joey Moves Out
SYNOPSIS: This one has two main story lines. The first part is that Monica and Ross attend their father's birthday party. This is an important party because Monica just began dating her father's friend Richard. She and Richard both hear about what people think of Richard dating a younger woman. Monica and Richard eventually tell her parents and it may be a sticky situation but it worked out ok. The next story line deals with Joey and Chandler. They attend a party at a friend of Joey's from Days of Our Lives. The apartment is really nice and the friend offers it to Joey. Due to feeling like he can actually afford his own place he decides to actually move out.
RATING: This scored overall 39. This tied with the previous episode but we decided that it was just slightly better. This one scored about the same across every category and made it easy to rate because it hit every mark right on. This was an overall great episode and deserves the rating it got.
NUMBER 2:
The One with Ross' New Girlfriend
SYNOPSIS: This is the season opener. This episode is all about the fact that Rachel now likes Ross, but Ross now is dating Julie. This is simple and to the point. The other story lines in this episode include Phoebe cutting Monica's hair really badly and Chandler going to Joey's tailor who felt him up.
RATING: The overall rating for this episode of 39.5. This rating was higher because of story line. This episode was well written and it effects the rest of the season and even the series. Since Ross and Rachel are the primary relationship of the series and so this episode is very important.
NUMBER 1:
The One With the Prom Video
SYNOPSIS: This episode begins with Monica becoming desperate and she can't find a job. Ross convinces her to ask her parents for money. When her parents come over they bring her some things from her childhood room. In that box is a video and it shows her and Rachel getting ready for the prom. When Rachel's date suddenly doesn't show Ross decides he will take her. However, her date eventually does show, but through that she sees what a great guy he is and that is what she is supposed to be with him.
RATING: The overall rating for this episode is 47.5. This episode has it all and it's an iconic episode. This has emotion with Monica dealing with money and lack of job problem. This has humor because this is the first time you see Rachel and Monica in high school and Monica fat. The story line is well written and a classic and it deserves to be in the top ten of the season and the series.
That leads us to the end of Season 2 blog. I will leave you with the quote from the number one episode of the season. "See he's her lobster"
The Best of Season 1: By Byron
Number 5: The One where Nana Dies twice…
For an episode to be considered one of the best it must be filled with humor and points of emotion that leave the viewer thinking of similar moments in our lives. The scene when Ross is in Nana's closet looking for clothes for her funeral and finds the hidden packets of sugar. This discovery causes Ross to cry and forces me to remember finding these similar quirky treasures in my own Grandmother's house after she passed away. This is why this is the fifth best episode of Season 1.
Number 4: The One With the Dozen Lasagnas...
Every father has a point in his life when he realizes that he is going to be a Dad. Ross has this moment at the end of this episode but the Dozen Lasagnas does not reach number 4 for just this emotional point. Feeding a Lasagna full of meat to the Vegan Lesbian lover of one's ex wife is the sweetest funny revenge that one can have.
Number 3: The One With all the Boobies…
This is one of the funniest episodes in all of Season 1 and why we love friends. Chandler sees Rachael naked and Rachael wants revenge and sneaks in his apartment to see him naked and sees Joey naked by mistake. Joey tries to even the score but see Monica Naked. Then Monica wants to get her sweet revenge and see Joey's dad naked in the Bathroom. And round and round we go. This is why this episode landed at number 3.
Number 2: The One with the Evil Orthodontist…
Some episodes of Friends are considered to be great because the story writing draws us in. This episode sits at number 2 because it ties the pilot episode into the complicated weave of the Friends. Rachael gets involved with her ex fiancé in an affair only to find out that her ex cheated on her with his current fiancé. Some realistic world problems created a complex story line that is worth watching again.
Number 1: The One Where the Monkey Gets Away…
Let's face it, the Ross and Rachael relationship is the center of the entire series. Any episode where their relationship is at the center of the story is one of the classic episodes of friends. One of the first serious and romantic moments between Ross and Rachael involve them chasing Ross' monkey marcel in a very comical hunt in Rachael's apartment building. The humor of the monkey combined with the seriousness of Ross and Rachael dynamic make this the best episode of season 1.
For an episode to be considered one of the best it must be filled with humor and points of emotion that leave the viewer thinking of similar moments in our lives. The scene when Ross is in Nana's closet looking for clothes for her funeral and finds the hidden packets of sugar. This discovery causes Ross to cry and forces me to remember finding these similar quirky treasures in my own Grandmother's house after she passed away. This is why this is the fifth best episode of Season 1.
Number 4: The One With the Dozen Lasagnas...
Every father has a point in his life when he realizes that he is going to be a Dad. Ross has this moment at the end of this episode but the Dozen Lasagnas does not reach number 4 for just this emotional point. Feeding a Lasagna full of meat to the Vegan Lesbian lover of one's ex wife is the sweetest funny revenge that one can have.
Number 3: The One With all the Boobies…
This is one of the funniest episodes in all of Season 1 and why we love friends. Chandler sees Rachael naked and Rachael wants revenge and sneaks in his apartment to see him naked and sees Joey naked by mistake. Joey tries to even the score but see Monica Naked. Then Monica wants to get her sweet revenge and see Joey's dad naked in the Bathroom. And round and round we go. This is why this episode landed at number 3.
Number 2: The One with the Evil Orthodontist…
Some episodes of Friends are considered to be great because the story writing draws us in. This episode sits at number 2 because it ties the pilot episode into the complicated weave of the Friends. Rachael gets involved with her ex fiancé in an affair only to find out that her ex cheated on her with his current fiancé. Some realistic world problems created a complex story line that is worth watching again.
Number 1: The One Where the Monkey Gets Away…
Let's face it, the Ross and Rachael relationship is the center of the entire series. Any episode where their relationship is at the center of the story is one of the classic episodes of friends. One of the first serious and romantic moments between Ross and Rachael involve them chasing Ross' monkey marcel in a very comical hunt in Rachael's apartment building. The humor of the monkey combined with the seriousness of Ross and Rachael dynamic make this the best episode of season 1.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
The One That Explains the Ratings By: Byron
My wife is one of the biggest fans of the television show Friends. After only a few weeks of marriage I became a fan of the show as well. And as fans of Friends, it is only natural to ask the question which is the best show of the series. Is it the One with the Free Porn, The One with Chandler in a box, or the Last One. Many other fans have posted on various sites what their top ten episodes are. Now my wife and I could just list our ten favorite episodes and call it a night but that could leave out hidden gems within this wonderful series.
To solve this dilemma we developed a rating system to try fairly rate each episode of the series and develop a grading rubric that could be objective as possible. This method has surprised us with some episodes that we would never consider to be the best and some episodes which we would consider our 'favorites' did not rate as well.
We developed five categories in our grading rubric that are scored on a scale of 0-10 for a total episode grade out of a possible 50 points. These five categories are emotional response, humor, memorable, quotable, and story writing. Emotional response is an important category because any tv series that lasts a while will eventually draw an audience in and start to write to create emotions of sadness, anger and joy. When Ross and Rachael brake up the first time, there is a strong emotional response from the audience and when Phoebe gives birth to the triplets and talks to them at the end of the one hundredth episode it draws another strong emotional response. Friends is a comedy and humor is one of the most important categories. If you did not laugh in the episode it was not worth watching. Then there are Iconic episodes of Friends that are memorable and make lasting impressions in your mind with some of the most iconic moments of the show. "We Were On a Break!!!" Being able to quote your favorite show is important to enjoy it. Quotable shows keep you thinking about them all week. Then finally, a well written story keeps you watching and rounds off the final category in our grading rubric.
It is our hope that you enjoy our blog as we talk about the best episodes of each season and the best episodes of the whole series. Please feel free to comment and discuss these episodes with us as we all enjoy one of the most iconic Television shows of all time...
To solve this dilemma we developed a rating system to try fairly rate each episode of the series and develop a grading rubric that could be objective as possible. This method has surprised us with some episodes that we would never consider to be the best and some episodes which we would consider our 'favorites' did not rate as well.
We developed five categories in our grading rubric that are scored on a scale of 0-10 for a total episode grade out of a possible 50 points. These five categories are emotional response, humor, memorable, quotable, and story writing. Emotional response is an important category because any tv series that lasts a while will eventually draw an audience in and start to write to create emotions of sadness, anger and joy. When Ross and Rachael brake up the first time, there is a strong emotional response from the audience and when Phoebe gives birth to the triplets and talks to them at the end of the one hundredth episode it draws another strong emotional response. Friends is a comedy and humor is one of the most important categories. If you did not laugh in the episode it was not worth watching. Then there are Iconic episodes of Friends that are memorable and make lasting impressions in your mind with some of the most iconic moments of the show. "We Were On a Break!!!" Being able to quote your favorite show is important to enjoy it. Quotable shows keep you thinking about them all week. Then finally, a well written story keeps you watching and rounds off the final category in our grading rubric.
It is our hope that you enjoy our blog as we talk about the best episodes of each season and the best episodes of the whole series. Please feel free to comment and discuss these episodes with us as we all enjoy one of the most iconic Television shows of all time...
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