Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Friends, "The One Where Rachel Finds Out": Give us a chance


My recap/review of the May 18, 1995, Season 1 season finale after I rub my head to turn back time.

In a season that had its ups and downs in terms of quality episodes, it definitely ended on an up with an episode that had great moments.

At Central Perk, Ross is showing the group tons of pictures of baby Ben. The girls are incredibly excited about seeing them. Rachel is drooling all over the pictures, while Ross is drooling over Rachel. 

The group holds a barbeque at Monica and Rachel's apartment for Rachel's birthday. Joey brings his girlfriend Melanie (Corinne Bohrer) to the barbeque. Melanie wants to have sex with Joey that night, but Joey can't because he is taking part in a fertility experiment and he cannot have sex during it.

Ross comes by and says that he can't stay because he has to go to China for a week, and had to leave immediately. He gives Chandler the present he bought for Rachel, so that she will be able to open it, and then leaves for the airport. Rachel opens her presents (Chandler bought her a travel version of Scrabble, and Joey got her Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss). Rachel is pleasantly surprised when she sees that Ross bought her a very expensive pin (which is similar her grandmother's). Chandler points out that Ross did the same thing the last time he was in love with a girl. Everyone is shocked that Chandler confirmed that Ross is in love with Rachel.

Rachel is unsure if she likes Ross. The girls discuss the pros and cons of Rachel going out with Ross. She decides to try and catch Ross at the airport, hoping that when she sees him she will be able to decide whether or not she likes him. She is unable to reach him in time though.

To get her mind off of Ross, Rachel goes on a date with Carl (Tommy Blaze). The date goes horrible, because she can't stop thinking of Ross. In her mind, the two of them kiss, which helps Rachel realize that she does like Ross. She races off to the airport to pick up Ross with flowers. While Ross is walking off the airplane, the woman (Lauren Tom) in front of him drops her bag. He picks it up for her, and the two kiss. She is Ross's girlfriend who he met in China, to which Rachel knows nothing about.

Sign of the Times:
  • Ross is using a Walkman to learn Chinese
  • Rachel is able to get all the way tot he gate at the airport without a boarding pass
  • O.J. Simpson murder trial reference
  • Baywatch and Yasmine Bleeth reference
The first season definitely ended on a high note (in terms of the quality of episode) and a sad note (in terms of the story). In a sitcom with 24 episodes in a season, you can't expect all of them to be good. Friends certainly didn't have 24 good episodes in the first season, but it did give a great overall story, and introduced us to some great characters. Nine more seasons to go with this group of friends.

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