28 Years Ago Today, Friends’ Best Ever Episode Released & Made a Major Change to the Series (That Wouldn’t Last)

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For ten years, Friends aired 236 episodes and became a truly iconic TV show – one that hasn’t quite been matched in popularity since. Viewers became invested in the characters’ often-funny careers and complicated relationships, and the show continues to offer a comforting and familiar experience, even after countless re-watches. Surprisingly, Friends has now been off the air for more than twice as long as it originally ran, but it remains incredibly popular worldwide.

With constant reruns and now streaming, Friends has become a comforting constant in television. But when you’re having a rough time, which episode do you reach for? While the show doesn’t have many truly bad episodes, some are definitely filler or haven’t held up over time. However, one episode consistently stands out as the very best, and it originally aired on January 15th, 1998.

Why “The One With The Embryos” Is Friends’ Greatest Episode

As a huge Friends fan, I always think of Season 4’s ‘The One With The Embryos’ as ‘The One With The Quiz’! While Phoebe’s storyline about getting the embryos implanted is really sweet and important, what everyone remembers is that epic quiz Ross hosts. It’s Joey and Chandler versus Monica and Rachel, and the stakes are incredibly high – the apartment itself! It really takes over the whole episode, honestly.

This episode gives every character a chance to really stand out, with hilarious and memorable moments like Rachel accidentally calling Chandler a ‘transpondster’ and Chandler’s classic ‘Miss Chanandler Bong’ line. It’s packed with quotable lines, and the quiz format is genuinely engaging. We learn more about what makes each character tick, and the episode really shines because the actors play so well off each other.

The show’s timing is perfect – the jokes come fast and never stop being funny, even after many viewings. It works so well because of how the story unfolds: after the quick-paced drama of the quiz where Monica and Rachel almost lose their apartment (though thankfully they didn’t, as Monica’s apartment is the show’s central location), everyone comes together to share in the joy of Phoebe’s pregnancy.

Other Friends Episodes Worthy Of Being Called “The Best”

While many fans consider “The One With The Embryos” the best Friends episode, there are definitely other strong contenders. With so many episodes to choose from, and everyone watching the show differently, it’s hard to pick just a few, but here are some that consistently rank among the best:

In Season 2, Episode 14, “The One With The Prom Video,” viewers are treated to funny flashbacks of the 1980s. Highlights include Joey gifting Chandler a particularly gaudy bracelet, and the memorable kiss between Ross and Rachel – a moment that launched one of television’s most beloved romances.

Season 3, Episode 2, “The One Where No One’s Ready,” is a classic example of what makes the show so great: the simple pleasure of seeing all the friends together in Monica’s apartment, and the funny situations that unfold. Even though the whole episode takes place in one location, it manages to weave together several different storylines, including Joey and Chandler arguing over a chair, Monica obsessing over a phone message, Phoebe’s quest for hummus, and a fight between Ross and Rachel.

Season 5, Episode 14, “The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” is a classic Friends episode built around a juicy secret. The group starts trying to figure out if Monica and Chandler are a couple, and the tables quickly turn as they all attempt to trick each other. The comedy peaks with Chandler and Phoebe’s hilarious attempts to mislead one another, but the episode also has a sweet emotional core as Chandler finally confesses his love for Monica.

Friends is available to stream on HBO Max.

What’s your favorite episode of Friends? Share it in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-15 16:10