5 Friends Episodes That Will Suck Any Newbie Right In
Which one was your favorite?
Believe it or not, almost 20 years after its finale aired, Friends remains one of the most popular sitcoms on various streaming services. So popular, in fact, that Netflix once paid a whopping $100 million to keep the show on the platform for another year.
And it's not just longtime fans who keep binge-watching the show again and again. Last year's Leave the World Behind showed that a younger generation of viewers can also get hooked on the twists and turns of the story of six New York friends living in the 1990s.
If you want a loved one who missed out on the pop culture phenomenon for whatever reason to get as excited about Friends as you are, here are five perfect episodes to show them first.
The Pilot (S1E1)
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It's an obvious choice, but we couldn't leave out the very first episode of the show. It introduces the leads and the exposition of the show. Most importantly, it outlines ground zero for everyone, especially for Ross and Rachel, who both suffer the ruin of personal lives and enter the new stages. This is the episode where we start rooting for these two.
The One with the Blackout (S1E7)
The episode with the sudden blackout in New York City gave us numerous memorable moments, like Chandler trying to impress a Victoria's Secret model he got stuck with in an ATM vestibule, or a stray cat attacking Ross when he is about to confess his feelings for Rachel.
The episode shows off everyone's sense of humor really well without giving too much away, so it's perfect for a newbie.
The One With All The Poker (S1E18)
The poker games (especially the first one) the friends play are hysterical. Plus, in this episode, we have one of the most touching moments of the entire show when Ross gives up his 'win or die trying' approach to the games and lets Rachel win when she needs it the most. Guess he is not such a bad partner, huh?
The One Where No One's Ready (S3E2)
The episode that sucks many viewers in the show is the one where no one can get ready for Ross' function at the museum. While you feel bad for Ross, the 'everyone in the same room' moments, group dynamics and comedy are off the charts.
The One With The Ball (S5E21)
The episode where Ross, Joey, Chandler and Monica play the game of not dropping the ball is hands down one of the most atmospheric in the show. It is a perfect portrayal of everyone's character, so if a new viewer doesn't like it, you have to admit that Friends is not their cup of tea.
Oh, and don't forget, this is the one with Rachel's inside-out cat and all the gags about it.