The One with the Sonogram at the End

A great first-season/second-episode scene as it reinforces the early attributes of three of the main characters. Rachel is shown to be a bit self-centered and emotional, establishing the starting point of her growth arc for the show, Phoebe shows her quick sarcastic wit which balances her spaciness allowing us to recognize both her complexity and maturity, Monica demonstrates her endearing bossiness as opposed to the vulnerability she carries from her difficult adolescence. This is great writing! It not only causes us to laugh, but reveals the fullness of the characters which is a hallmark of this sitcom.

It wouldn't be a situation comedy without situations and this episode delivers! Maybe the writers were deciding to challenge the freshman class of actors, because Ross, Monica, and Rachel are put through the ringer, with no respite granted. The episode opens with Monica getting wound up about her parents coming to dinner, and her nervous energy rattles Phoebe, who only seeks peace and harmony among all people, particularly those she spends a lot of time with . . .

Yes, Ross is the family prince, first born, and no matter how hard Monica tries to impress her parents, Judy and Jack Geller (played superbly by the fantastic Christina Pickles and Elliot Gould) will always think of Monica as their little girl who doesn't have to try harder (she'll always be Jack's "little Harmonica") because Ross is the success, both academically and professionally. But as us fans of the show know, Monica will never give up competing to prove herself Ross's equal. And in this episode, when the family sits down to a dinner Monica had to improvise thanks to Rachel's "help," Monica will just have to grin and bear it, as Ross once again effortlessly evades his parents' criticism at the expense of Monica.

Rachel is not allowed to escape her own humiliation as she has to meet her ex-fiancé Barry to return her engagement ring . . .

Even though Ross comes out on top during Monica's dinner for their parents, the writers are never going to miss an opportunity to place him in a situation that generates laughs at his expense . . .

This is Ross's first run in with Carol and her new partner Susan, and it won't be his last. But considering there is a baby involved, the antagonism is always mediated by their love for the child they're all going to share. When they finally see the sonogram with the tiny beating heart, all three of their own hearts melt and you know that the writers will continually create more difficult situations, but never with meanness, always with love.

You might expect the show to wrap there, as Ross' storyline appears to bring the show to a close. Rachel has other plans, however. Do you remember what she does when the rest of the gang is watching the sonogram?