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The Best Episodes of Friends Season 1

Every episode of Friends Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Friends Season 1!

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Six young people from New York City, on their own and struggling to survive in the real world, find the companionship, comfort and support they get from each other to be the perfect antidote to

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Friends Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.1/10(140 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    An introduction to the gang. After Rachel leaves her fiancé at the altar, she moves in with Monica and finds that independence is not so easy, particularly without Daddy's credit cards.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane

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  2. Friends Season 1 Episode 2 - The One with the Sonogram at the End
    7.4/10(84 votes)

    #2 - The One with the Sonogram at the End

    S1:E2

    Ross's lesbian ex-wife, Carol, is pregnant with his child, and he doesn't like her choice of last name for the baby. Rachel finds out that her ex-fiancé went on what would have been their honeymoon with her maid of honor.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane

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  3. Friends Season 1 Episode 3 - The One with the Thumb
    8.0/10(80 votes)

    #3 - The One with the Thumb

    S1:E3

    Monica finds it difficult to break up with her latest boyfriend whom everyone likes; Chandler is reunited with his beloved cigarettes; Phoebe receives a large sum of money.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Friends Season 1 Episode 4 - The One with George Stephanopoulos
    7.7/10(76 votes)

    #4 - The One with George Stephanopoulos

    S1:E4

    While the men attend a hockey game and end up at a hospital, a delivery man accidentally brings a pizza meant for George Stephanopoulos, who lives across the street from the girls; they decide to peek at the former White House advisor with their binoculars.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writer:Alexa Junge

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  5. Friends Season 1 Episode 5 - The One with the East German Laundry Detergent
    8.0/10(74 votes)

    #5 - The One with the East German Laundry Detergent

    S1:E5

    While Chandler and Phoebe decide to break up with their significant others on the same night, Ross helps Rachel do laundry and considers the evening a first date. Joey has Monica pose as his new girlfriend, because he wants to get back with the girl he just dumped.

    Director:Pamela Fryman
    Writers:Jeff Greenstein, Jeff Strauss

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  6. Friends Season 1 Episode 6 - The One with the Butt
    7.6/10(74 votes)

    #6 - The One with the Butt

    S1:E6

    Joey gets his big film break when he's hired to be Al Pacino's stunt butt. Ross tries to be less conservative and Chandler thinks his fantasies have come true when he has an affair with a married woman.

    Director:Arlene Sanford
    Writers:Adam Chase, Ira Ungerleider

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  7. Friends Season 1 Episode 7 - The One with the Blackout
    8.4/10(73 votes)

    #7 - The One with the Blackout

    S1:E7

    A power outage leaves Chandler stranded in an ATM vestibule with Victoria's Secret model Jill Goodacre, whom he desperately tries to impress, Ross tries to ask Rachel out on a date, and Joey learns that Monica used to be infatuated with him.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz

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  8. Friends Season 1 Episode 8 - The One Where Nana Dies Twice
    7.6/10(75 votes)

    #8 - The One Where Nana Dies Twice

    S1:E8

    Monica and Ross mourn the death of their grandmother with a little help from the gang, and Monica and her mom come to an unspoken understanding about the relationship between mothers and daughters. Meanwhile, Chandler is irritated by office speculation that he is gay.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane

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  9. Friends Season 1 Episode 9 - The One Where Underdog Gets Away
    7.9/10(71 votes)

    #9 - The One Where Underdog Gets Away

    S1:E9

    Monica's first Thanksgiving dinner for the gang goes horribly wrong when they all run to the rooftop to see the runaway Underdog balloon from the parade.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Jeff Greenstein, Jeff Strauss

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  10. Friends Season 1 Episode 10 - The One with the Monkey
    7.8/10(68 votes)

    #10 - The One with the Monkey

    S1:E10

    The gang makes--then breaks--a pact to celebrate New Year's Eve without dates. Ross compensates for his loneliness by getting a roommate, a monkey named Marcel.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writers:Adam Chase, Ira Ungerleider

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  11. Friends Season 1 Episode 11 - The One with Mrs. Bing
    7.9/10(69 votes)

    #11 - The One with Mrs. Bing

    S1:E11

    Chandler's romance-novelist mother comes to New York to visit him, and Joey catches her and Ross kissing.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writer:Alexa Junge

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  12. Friends Season 1 Episode 12 - The One with the Dozen Lasagnas
    7.7/10(68 votes)

    #12 - The One with the Dozen Lasagnas

    S1:E12

    Everyone knows the sex of Ross's baby, except for Ross, who doesn't want to find out until it's born. Monica gives Paolo one of the dozen lasagnas she made for her aunt, who doesn't want them anymore because they've got meat in them.

    Director:Paul Lazarus
    Writers:Adam Chase, Ira Ungerleider, Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz

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  13. Friends Season 1 Episode 13 - The One with the Boobies
    8.0/10(70 votes)

    #13 - The One with the Boobies

    S1:E13

    Chandler accidentally sees Rachel wandering around topless after her shower, so Rachel tries to even the score. And no one can stand Phoebe's new boyfriend, an irritating guy named Roger.

    Director:Alan Myerson
    Writer:Alexa Junge

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  14. Friends Season 1 Episode 14 - The One with the Candy Hearts
    7.8/10(64 votes)

    #14 - The One with the Candy Hearts

    S1:E14

    Ross's first date in nine years is on Valentine's Day with a beautiful neighbor. Susan and Carol, also out on a romantic date; end up at the same restaurant. Joey sets Chandler up on a blind date. And Phoebe, Rachel and Monica decide to spend the holiday building a boyfriend bonfire in their apartment.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writer:Bill Lawrence

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  15. Friends Season 1 Episode 15 - The One with the Stoned Guy
    8.0/10(63 votes)

    #15 - The One with the Stoned Guy

    S1:E15

    Monica cooks a gourmet meal for a restaurateur looking for a new chef but, unfortunately, he's stoned. After working as a data processing permanent temp for five years, Chandler gets promoted. And Ross has a date with a beautiful colleague.

    Director:Alan Myerson
    Writer:Jeff Greenstein

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  16. Friends Season 1 Episode 16 - The One with Two Parts (1)
    7.6/10(67 votes)

    #16 - The One with Two Parts (1)

    S1:E16

    Joey falls for Phoebe's twin sister, Ursula, making Phoebe feel neglected. Ross has doubts about parenthood when he attends Lamaze classes with Carol and Susan. Meanwhile, Chandler finds himself between a rock and a hard place, when he is told to fire an employee he is attracted to.

    Director:Michael Lembeck
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane

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  17. Friends Season 1 Episode 17 - The One with Two Parts (2)
    8.1/10(65 votes)

    #17 - The One with Two Parts (2)

    S1:E17

    When Rachel sprains her ankle and has no insurance, she cajoles Monica into trading identities so she can use Monica's coverage. When Phoebe's twin sister, Ursula, breaks Joey's heart, Phoebe tries to fix it.

    Director:Michael Lembeck
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane

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  18. Friends Season 1 Episode 18 - The One with All the Poker
    8.4/10(64 votes)

    #18 - The One with All the Poker

    S1:E18

    Tired of being referred to by customers as "Excuse me" Rachel interviews for a job as an assistant buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue. She also sees another side of the usually docile Ross when the girls face the boys during a not-so-friendly game of poker.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz

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  19. Friends Season 1 Episode 19 - The One Where the Monkey Gets Away
    7.8/10(62 votes)

    #19 - The One Where the Monkey Gets Away

    S1:E19

    The gang searches frantically for Marcel, who slipped out of the apartment while Rachel was baby-sitting him. Just as it looks as though Rachel and Ross might actually spend a romantic evening together, her ex-fiancé barges in and declares his love for her.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Friends Season 1 Episode 20 - The One with the Evil Orthodontist
    7.7/10(60 votes)

    #20 - The One with the Evil Orthodontist

    S1:E20

    Rachel and Barry start dating again, which is kind of awkward since he's now engaged to Mindy, who wants Rachel to be her maid of honor. Meanwhile, Chandler goes nuts when a woman he likes won't return his phone calls.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Friends Season 1 Episode 21 - The One with the Fake Monica
    7.7/10(60 votes)

    #21 - The One with the Fake Monica

    S1:E21

    When Monica's credit card is stolen, she, along with Phoebe and Rachel, decide to catch the thief. Joey enlists his friends to help him come up with a less ethnic-sounding stage name. And Ross finds out that Marcel has reached sexual maturity and needs to be with other monkeys.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Adam Chase

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  22. Friends Season 1 Episode 22 - The One with the Ick Factor
    8.0/10(64 votes)

    #22 - The One with the Ick Factor

    S1:E22

    After losing his virginity to her, Monica's boyfriend reveals that he's a high school senior. When Phoebe temps as Chandler's secretary, she finds out a secret.

    Director:Robby Benson
    Writer:Alexa Junge

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  23. Friends Season 1 Episode 23 - The One with the Birth
    8.1/10(65 votes)

    #23 - The One with the Birth

    S1:E23

    As Monica's biological clock ticks away like a time bomb, Carol goes into labor. Ross, Susan and Phoebe end up getting locked in a closet just as Carol's about to give birth to the baby. And Rachel flirts with an OB/GYN.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane, Jeff Greenstein

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  24. Friends Season 1 Episode 24 - The One Where Rachel Finds Out
    8.4/10(61 votes)

    #24 - The One Where Rachel Finds Out

    S1:E24

    Joey's new girlfriend wants to go to bed with him but he can't, yet. During Rachel's birthday party, Chandler accidentally lets it slip that Ross is in love with her. However, Ross is on his way to China and Rachel can't decide whether she wants to be more than friends with Ross.

    Director:Kevin S. Bright
    Writer:Chris Brown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Friends" season 1. It scored 7.1/10 based on 140 votes. Directed by James Burrows and written by Marta Kauffman, David Crane, it aired on 9/22/1994. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "The One with the Sonogram at the End".