'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUG/8QAJBAAAQMDAwQDAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDEQAEBRMUIQYSFUFCUWH/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/8QAGBEBAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACEjH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AI2UzOd8LcndtFyw6h2SgtPch1tajEpj4lJgD0eZrIWePyl5aMXJyTSdZCXI0BxIn7/aUpir0jST/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
For ten years, Friends made Thanksgiving a TV holiday tradition, serving portions of comedy, warmth, and holiday chaos all in one. Every year (except the second), there has been a Thanksgiving episode, and to fans, it's the highlight of the holiday season!
Below is the ultimate guide to these classic episodes and why they remain adored and relevant.
1. Season One, Episode Nine: The one where the underdog gets away
The initial Thanksgiving episode establishes the trend for the holiday specials in the series. Monica tries to do a traditional dinner, but a series of events go wrong, such as the Underdog balloon getting loose during the parade and the gang getting locked out of the apartment, resulting in a less-than-traditional dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches.
The episode is about the group's friendship – Thanksgiving isn't about what's on the plate, but who you eat it with, establishing a tradition for the friends group.
2. Season Three, Episode Nine: The one with football
A friendly game of touch football becomes competitive when Ross and Monica bring back their childhood feud for the much-desired "Geller Cup". The episode establishes the group dynamics and uses the "Geller Cup" as a source to flesh out Ross and Monica's brother-sister relationship and the history of Monica's competitive nature. The outdoor setting and physical humour are an added respite from the usual apartment setting.
3. Season Four, Episode Eight: The one with Chandler in a box
When Chandler kisses Joey's girlfriend, he agrees to spend six hours in a box as punishment. Meanwhile, Monica invites her ex-boyfriend's son to Thanksgiving dinner, and it leads to an uncomfortable romantic moment. The episode is a mix of humour and forgiveness, and the complexities within the group's relationships.
Chandler is making jokes from the box, which is always a plus!
4. Season Five, Episode Eight: The one with all the Thanksgiving
The gang remembers Thanksgiving's gone wrong in a series of flashbacks, including Chandler's resentment for his parents' divorce and Monica accidentally cutting off Chandler's toe. The episode is remembered for the use of flashbacks to explain each character's past and for the classic appearance of Monica dancing with a turkey on her head to cheer up Chandler.
5. Season Six, Episode Nine: The one where Ross got high
Monica and Ross's parents arrive for Thanksgiving, and Ross's incident from college about blaming Chandler is finally revealed. And at the same time, Rachel attempts to make a traditional English trifle, but accidentally combines it with shepherd's pie, making no sense.
It is a well-known episode for its fast-paced confessions, plus the reaction of the group to Rachel's "dessert".
6. Season Seven, Episode Eight: The one where Chandler doesn't like dogs
The group learns of Chandler's dislike of dogs and finds out that Phoebe has a dog that she has been hiding in their apartment. Meanwhile, Ross plays a game where he has to name all 50 U.S. states. This is a lighter episode in the Thanksgiving stack, focusing on the group's quirks and their playful banter.
7. Season eight, Episode nine: The one with the rumor
Brad Pitt appears as Will, a high school friend who says that he and Ross started a rumor that Rachel was a hermaphrodite. The episode is interesting in several ways, but most importantly, it includes a celebrity cameo and brings in high school past, which ends up affecting their adult selves.
There is a layer of added tension about Will chumming it up with Rachel, while Ross is present at the holiday gathering as well.
8. Season Nine, Episode Eight: The one with Rachel's other sister
Amy, played by Christina Applegate, is Rachel's self-centered sister who wreaks havoc at this Thanksgiving dinner. This episode revolves around ways of incorporating the family into traditions. Although they range from funny to somewhat sincere, Amy ends up disrupting Rachel’s, Monica’s, and Ross’ relationships with each other and leaves the problem for them to solve later.
And Chandler breaks Monica's precious wedding china (plates)!
9. Season Ten, Episode Eight: The one with the late Thanksgiving
Trending
Monica and Chandler agree to host Thanksgiving for everyone, but then everyone is late, so they get locked out of their apartment. The show ends with Monica and Chandler getting a call about their adoption application, making their Thanksgiving more meaningful. This final Thanksgiving episode of "Friends" showcases the show's ability to mix heart with humor.
Reply
