MostlySitcoms
1
The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy

Ross has a Princess Leia fantasy he probably shouldn't have shared. The gang adjusts to life after Monica and Richard's breakup. Chandler can't stop making jokes at the worst times.

September 19, 1996 Dir: Gail Mancuso Written by: Michael Curtis & Gregory S. Malins
2
The One Where No One's Ready

Nobody is ready for Ross's museum gala and the procrastination reaches legendary levels. One apartment, six friends, one deadline, and Joey's favorite chair — pure comedy gold.

September 26, 1996 Dir: Gail Mancuso Written by: Ira Ungerleider
3
The One with the Jam

Monica copes with heartbreak by making an absurd amount of jam. Phoebe considers having a baby. Rachel starts spending time with Mark from work.

October 3, 1996 Dir: Kevin S. Bright Written by: Wil Calhoun
4
The One with the Metaphorical Tunnel

Chandler panics about getting too serious with Janice, symbolized by a metaphorical tunnel. Ross meddles in how Ben's toys are chosen.

October 10, 1996 Dir: Steve Zuckerman Written by: Alexa Junge
5
The One with Frank Jr.

Phoebe's half-brother Frank Jr. visits and makes quite an impression. Ross and Rachel deal with a bump in their relationship.

October 17, 1996 Dir: Steve Zuckerman Written by: Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri
6
The One with the Flashback

Flashbacks reveal how the gang first met years ago — including a younger, heavier Monica and Chandler's memorable hairstyle. The origin stories are full of surprises.

October 31, 1996 Dir: Peter Bonerz Written by: David Crane & Marta Kauffman
7
The One with the Race Car Bed

Joey buys a race car bed and loves it. Monica caters a lunch for her ex Richard's colleague. Ross and Rachel argue about each other's interests.

November 7, 1996 Dir: Gail Mancuso Written by: Seth Kurland
8
The One with the Giant Poking Device

Ugly Naked Guy gets a poking device and the gang can't resist investigating. Phoebe learns she's going to be an aunt. Joey and Chandler's duck lays an egg.

November 14, 1996 Dir: Gail Mancuso Written by: Adam Chase
9
The One with the Football

The gang plays football on Thanksgiving and the sibling rivalry between Ross and Monica gets intense. The game spirals into an all-out war that nobody wants to lose.

November 21, 1996 Dir: Kevin S. Bright Written by: Ira Ungerleider
10
The One Where Rachel Quits

Rachel quits her waitressing job at Central Perk to pursue fashion for real. Ross accidentally gets a girl's paper route cancelled. A cookie-selling subplot goes off the rails.

December 12, 1996 Dir: Terry Hughes Written by: Gregory S. Malins & Michael Curtis
11
The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister

Chandler parties with all of Joey's sisters and can't remember which one he kissed. Ross is jealous of Mark, and the tension between him and Rachel keeps building.

January 9, 1997 Dir: Terry Hughes Written by: Alexa Junge
12
The One with All the Jealousy

Ross's jealousy over Mark reaches a boiling point. Monica tries to be just friends with Richard. Joey's love life gets complicated with multiple women.

January 16, 1997 Dir: Robby Benson Written by: Doty Abrams
13
The One Where Monica and Richard Are Just Friends

Monica and Richard try the 'just friends' approach and it's as hard as you'd expect. Phoebe's ex-singing partner resurfaces with a new act.

January 30, 1997 Dir: Robby Benson Written by: Michael Borkow
14
The One with Phoebe's Ex-Partner

Phoebe's former partner Leslie wants to reunite, but Phoebe's 'Smelly Cat' has been sold for a commercial. The gang navigates loyalty and artistic integrity.

February 6, 1997 Dir: Robby Benson Written by: Wil Calhoun
15
The One Where Ross and Rachel Take a Break

Ross and Rachel have a massive fight about Mark and decide to go on a break. One of the most pivotal episodes in the entire series.

February 13, 1997 Dir: James Burrows Written by: Michael Borkow
16
The One with the Morning After

The painful morning after Ross and Rachel's break. The truth about what happened comes out piece by piece, and the fallout is devastating for everyone.

February 20, 1997 Dir: James Burrows Written by: David Crane & Marta Kauffman
17
The One Without the Ski Trip

The gang tries to take a ski trip but Ross and Rachel's breakup makes it awkward for everyone. Phoebe tries to get everyone in the same car.

March 6, 1997 Dir: Sam Simon Written by: Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri
18
The One with the Hypnosis Tape

Chandler uses a hypnosis tape to quit smoking but it has some unexpected feminine side effects. Frank Jr. announces he's marrying his much older teacher.

March 13, 1997 Dir: Robby Benson Written by: Seth Kurland
19
The One with the Tiny T-Shirt

Ross's new girlfriend gives Rachel a tiny T-shirt as a gift, which doesn't sit well. Joey struggles with giving up a role that could change his career.

March 27, 1997 Dir: Terry Hughes Written by: Adam Chase
20
The One with the Dollhouse

Phoebe builds a dollhouse and Monica can't resist taking over the project. Joey and Ross deal with roommate issues.

April 10, 1997 Dir: Terry Hughes Written by: Wil Calhoun
21
The One with a Chick and a Duck

Chandler and Joey adopt a chick and a duck, and the apartment will never be the same. Pete Becker makes his move on Monica.

April 17, 1997 Dir: Michael Lembeck Written by: Chris Brown
22
The One with the Screamer

Ben Stiller guest-stars as Tommy, Rachel's new boyfriend with a secret rage problem that only Ross witnesses. Joey's agent Estelle makes a memorable appearance.

April 24, 1997 Dir: Peter Bonerz Written by: Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri
23
The One with Ross' Thing

Ross discovers a mysterious growth. Joey lands an audition. Chandler helps Monica deal with Pete's increasingly dangerous career ambitions.

May 1, 1997 Dir: Shelley Jensen Written by: Ted Cohen & Andrew Reich
24
The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion

Pete Becker decides to become the Ultimate Fighting Champion despite having no fighting skills. Monica faces a tough decision about their relationship.

May 8, 1997 Dir: Robby Benson Written by: Story by : Pang-Ni Landrum & Mark Kunerth | Teleplay by : Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri
25
The One at the Beach

A trip to the beach leads to the discovery that Phoebe's birth mother may be alive. Ross waffles between Rachel and his girlfriend Bonnie, and a pivotal choice awaits.

May 15, 1997 Dir: Pamela Fryman Written by: Story by : Pang-Ni Landrum & Mark Kunerth | Teleplay by : Adam Chase
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