“Friends” at 25 (Part IV): The One with the Episode Rankings
The first season of Friends ended 25 years ago this month and it returned to streaming via HBO Max today. Thus, there was no better time for me to give my picks for the 25 best episodes of the show’s epic 10 season, 236 episode run (and name the 5 episodes I always avoid).
Author’s Note: This is the fourth part of a five-part series on the legacy of Friends as it reaches its silver anniversary. Click here for Part I, where I analyze the show’s pop culture legacy. Click here for Part II, in which I delve into what the show meant to me personally. Click here for Part III, where I take a deep dive into the classic Thanksgiving episodes. Click here for Part V, where I rank the best acting performances on the series. For my recap of the reunion special that aired in 2021, click here.
The 25 Greatest Episodes of Friends
I have rewatched the series in its entirety three times — its original run, on DVD in 2007, and on Netflix in 2018. Along the way, I meticulously catalogued, graded, and ranked the episodes and have revisited my favorites on dozens of occasions. Below is my ranking of the best 25. I have made a concerted effort to avoid ranking episodes based on the funniest scene or the best twist and instead evaluate them as a whole taking writing, directing, and acting into account.
