Cracking and fresh script by Astrof & Sikowitz that outdoes their first offering by leaps and bounds (The One with the Thumb). A highlight episode that moves the Rachel/Ross story ark further along with an excellent twist while giving Matthew Perry more excellent material to stretch out his outstanding range, with a narrative overdub of his thoughts to boot. The actors are settling into their characters and it shows, Matt Leblanc is particularly compelling in a subtle and rather well done method fashion, delivering a fine balance of straight and slapstick with sincerity. The show had already given new viewers three stellar episodes in just the first seven, most shows are lucky to have that many brilliant episodes in an entire season. Friends has really hits its stride in record time.
15 Reviews
The One With Perfection
devashishparnami6 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This was the best one till now, the talks which Chandler's has with himself were super funny and entertaining. The Joey's talks and relationship advice was again beautiful and super hilarious. The part where Chandler and Joey have there secret telephone conversation was really cool.
The One Where Chandler's Trapped In An ATM...
taylorkingston26 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I love this episode. It's fantastic. It's funny and smart and has great writing and acting. The blackout idea was very smart and very realistic.
In this episode, New York City experiences a city-wide blackout. Chandler is stuck in an ATM vestibule with a Victoria's Secret model. So, as you can imagine, Chandler is very happy about. He spends the majority of the episode trying to think of something funny or witty to say to her, so that she'll go out with him. Meanwhile, everyone else is stuck in Monica's apartment. Let's face it. If there wasn't a blackout, that's probably where they'd be anyway. Ross decides he's finally going to ask Rachel out, but then a lost cat gets in their way. Phoebe and Rachel return the cat to its owner, who turns out to be an attractive Italian man, Paolo. Ross then feels very rejected because Rachel likes him. That's what you get for waiting too long.
Fun Fact: This episode ties in with episodes from Seinfeld and Man About You. All three aired on the same night on NBC and featured the same blackout.
Fun Fact: First appearance of Mr. Heckles.
Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Freaking Ridonkulous.
In this episode, New York City experiences a city-wide blackout. Chandler is stuck in an ATM vestibule with a Victoria's Secret model. So, as you can imagine, Chandler is very happy about. He spends the majority of the episode trying to think of something funny or witty to say to her, so that she'll go out with him. Meanwhile, everyone else is stuck in Monica's apartment. Let's face it. If there wasn't a blackout, that's probably where they'd be anyway. Ross decides he's finally going to ask Rachel out, but then a lost cat gets in their way. Phoebe and Rachel return the cat to its owner, who turns out to be an attractive Italian man, Paolo. Ross then feels very rejected because Rachel likes him. That's what you get for waiting too long.
Fun Fact: This episode ties in with episodes from Seinfeld and Man About You. All three aired on the same night on NBC and featured the same blackout.
Fun Fact: First appearance of Mr. Heckles.
Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Freaking Ridonkulous.
Breakout Episode
routhandinesh18 January 2019
This is the episode where you actually start to like Friends. Before this I was thinking of stop watching friends because it was not looking so great but this episode hold me. If I had watched all the 10 friends seasons 6 times, It wouldn't be possible without this episode.
Perry Does It Again.
slightlymad2216 November 2014
Matthew Perry makes it three awesome episodes in a row. Again his story line is not the main one, but lied the last episode he steals the show.
Plot In A Paragraph: There is a blackout in New York City. Joey (Matt Le Blanc) Ross (David Schwimmer) Monica (Courtney Cox) Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Pheobe (Lisa Kudrow) head to Monica and Rachel's apartment, where Ross attempts to tell Rachel how he feels about her, despite Joey telling him he is in the "friend zone". Meanwhile across town Chandler (Matthew Perry) is trapped in his bank ATM Vestibule with model Jill Goodacre.
Once again, we get to meet a new character in Mr Heckles, a neighbour of Monica and Rachel. Another neighbour is cat owner Pablo. And I'd never heard of the expression "friend zone" till Joey said it. I know know it's harder to break out of than the Phantom Zone from Superman.
Whilst Ross lusting after Rachel is part of the bigger picture, the episode perks up whenever Perry is on screen.
Plot In A Paragraph: There is a blackout in New York City. Joey (Matt Le Blanc) Ross (David Schwimmer) Monica (Courtney Cox) Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Pheobe (Lisa Kudrow) head to Monica and Rachel's apartment, where Ross attempts to tell Rachel how he feels about her, despite Joey telling him he is in the "friend zone". Meanwhile across town Chandler (Matthew Perry) is trapped in his bank ATM Vestibule with model Jill Goodacre.
Once again, we get to meet a new character in Mr Heckles, a neighbour of Monica and Rachel. Another neighbour is cat owner Pablo. And I'd never heard of the expression "friend zone" till Joey said it. I know know it's harder to break out of than the Phantom Zone from Superman.
Whilst Ross lusting after Rachel is part of the bigger picture, the episode perks up whenever Perry is on screen.
An episode that is full of laughter and yet heartache.
patrickmcculloch_rhcp22 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Like every other Friends episode it's hilarious, exiting, and most importantly fresh. It starts off with Chandler in an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacre. All of a sudden there's a blackout (no electricity), which means they are both going to be stuck there until this gets fixed. This makes way for some hilarious and cringing scenes from the lovable jokester. Elsewhere the rest of the gang are sitting in Monica's candle lighted apartment, asking each other the weirdest place they've had sex. Ross finally gets the courage (with some enthusiam from Joey) to tell Rachel about his feelings for her. All seems to be going well when Ross is just about to tell Rachel how he feels when a cat behind him distracts Rachel and jumps on Ross' back causing mayhem. The owner of the cat turns up in the hallway and gets invited in with the rest of the group. Rachel takes a shine to him and ends up kissing him by the end of night, to Ross' pain.
The One with the Blackout
ComedyFan20109 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This definitely one of the best episodes of the first season.. All the plot lines are interesting. Chandler being stuck in an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacker was very funny. Mathew Perry was absolutely brilliant in it, great acting.
And Ross finally decides to talk to Rachel about his feelings. But he is interrupted by a cat. When the cat runs out Rachel goes to look for it and ends up finding the cat's hot owner, Paolo. And we have the dramatic scene of Ross seeing them kissing when the light comes back. Very good story development
And the dialogue in this episode is very well written. Great jokes.
And Ross finally decides to talk to Rachel about his feelings. But he is interrupted by a cat. When the cat runs out Rachel goes to look for it and ends up finding the cat's hot owner, Paolo. And we have the dramatic scene of Ross seeing them kissing when the light comes back. Very good story development
And the dialogue in this episode is very well written. Great jokes.
The episode which turned the show around for me
rijulaery17 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I'll be honest I was not a big fan of the show before this episode, it was the turning point. The episode had a lot of emotions in it and was full of punch lines and laughter. Joey introduced us to the term "FRIEND ZONE" in the episode. Chandler and Jill Goodacre had a nice chemistry, their comic timing was phenomenal
On second thought gum would be perfection
jayakrushnak19 January 2016
Mathew perry is just awesome. You can relate his every lines to your own feelings. Great work by the writer of course but the way Mathew portrayed in the scene is excellent. He should have given the prestigious golden globe award for the scene. I'm just 20 watching now far from the actual release of the episode but still I'm enjoying it a lot. Hats off for the sense of humour in 90s, great work by all the FRIENDS Team. Joey Tribbiani and Phoebe Buffay are performing excellent in every episode, Joey's "How you doing" and Phoebe's "smelly cat" are the epic signatures that defines their character. Ross Gellers "Hi" is much funny than his occupation as a palaeontologist. Monica's fatty body is a worth laughing scene. Rachel is really cute and funny. Overall every friend of friends make it a worth watching this TV series.
#7!
Analog_Devotee13 June 2021
Oh, yes! The first episode that felt absolutely perfect in my eyes. The wonderful dynamic between Ross and Rachel blossoms in this episode and leaves us begging for more. Also, the NYC blackout as a plot backdrop works incredibly well. So many different backdrops could've been used but the blackout was just perfect.
10/10.
10/10.
my 3rd favorite
ashutoshaswaleho6 July 2017
I watch the series for 5th time. I just can't get enough. I personally love first five seasons, cause it was time where writers are at their finest. And this episode is example of it. the word, concept FRIENDZONE is invented here, and mayor of friend zone too. Some secrets also reveals, that Joey was Monika's crush and phoebes was the second last to know that. And at the end chandler stuck in ATM vestibule with Jill goodacre. I mean that's the fantasy every single boy have in his mind, and it doesn't Matter if its 2017 or 1994. Maybe that is the reason that this show will never getting out of Comedy Central ever.
Matthew & Jill Acre!
osmomall9 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I agree with whoever said they rlly enjoyed Joey & Chandler's conversation! Am I the only one that cd completely understand what Chandler said to Monica & Joey?! I know I didn't know him that well yet, so it cdnt have bn that. On the other hand, I've rlly tried to understand Joey on the reruns, but can't understand any of his advice!
And when Ross pulled Paulo aside to beg him to leave Rachel alone, that had to show all you new viewers how pathetic he was! Oh, Matthew & Jill dated for awhile after this. Sorta like the Julia episodes.
And when Ross pulled Paulo aside to beg him to leave Rachel alone, that had to show all you new viewers how pathetic he was! Oh, Matthew & Jill dated for awhile after this. Sorta like the Julia episodes.
THE BEST SCENE.
shafihapatel30 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
BLACKOUT: Well, Ross tries to tell Rachel that he likes her but before he starts Rachel saw the cat behind him then cat just jumped on Ross. That scene where Pheobe, Monica and Joey singing a song and Rachel amd Ross are just trying to put off the cat from Ross that scene was so funny .
Very good episode from purely entertainment
jpapanone7 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
POV.
Matthew Perry solidifying his comedic talent with another excellent performance as Chandler Bing. If only that lasted for the entire run.
He may have been the least negatively affected of all Friends characters as the series progressed, but his character definitely peaks and then drops.
And everything else is really very nice and good with the rest of the gang hanging out, joey and ross talking about the friend zone, ross trying to ask rachel out, ross getting attacked by a cat, paolo introduction, mr. Heckles introduction.
The episode is enjoyable, especially looking back at it many many many years later and its entertainment value holding up.
It is what Friends is...especially at this point.
Just a fun sitcom to kick back, shut off your mind and just enjoy.
Not over the top in its annoyance (yet). Subtle, yet funny. Not hysterical, uncontrolled laughter...and nothing over the line or out of left field. I'm not sure if this show was groundbreaking at its time... and what ground it did break if it did.
I was rather unfamiliar with the tv landscape before this to know or appreciate if this was something different unique etc. All I know is, I liked it.
I will see it be done better in future episodes of Friends...and I will absolutely see it done worse in future episodes of Friends.
And...Friends is definitely not in my top 5 or 10 series of all time. I like it. But I prefer edgier...more adult/dark themed shows akin to Seinfeld, Arreated Development, It's Always Sunny, etc.
But maybe of all sitcoms in the Friends type genre, maybe it's the most enjoyable?
When it's good, it's good...and when it's unwatchable, boy is it unwatchable.
And there are a lot of meh episodes too, especially in the early seasons...but that's ok. Show needs to figure out what it is...which direction to steer into etc.
Matthew Perry solidifying his comedic talent with another excellent performance as Chandler Bing. If only that lasted for the entire run.
He may have been the least negatively affected of all Friends characters as the series progressed, but his character definitely peaks and then drops.
And everything else is really very nice and good with the rest of the gang hanging out, joey and ross talking about the friend zone, ross trying to ask rachel out, ross getting attacked by a cat, paolo introduction, mr. Heckles introduction.
The episode is enjoyable, especially looking back at it many many many years later and its entertainment value holding up.
It is what Friends is...especially at this point.
Just a fun sitcom to kick back, shut off your mind and just enjoy.
Not over the top in its annoyance (yet). Subtle, yet funny. Not hysterical, uncontrolled laughter...and nothing over the line or out of left field. I'm not sure if this show was groundbreaking at its time... and what ground it did break if it did.
I was rather unfamiliar with the tv landscape before this to know or appreciate if this was something different unique etc. All I know is, I liked it.
I will see it be done better in future episodes of Friends...and I will absolutely see it done worse in future episodes of Friends.
And...Friends is definitely not in my top 5 or 10 series of all time. I like it. But I prefer edgier...more adult/dark themed shows akin to Seinfeld, Arreated Development, It's Always Sunny, etc.
But maybe of all sitcoms in the Friends type genre, maybe it's the most enjoyable?
When it's good, it's good...and when it's unwatchable, boy is it unwatchable.
And there are a lot of meh episodes too, especially in the early seasons...but that's ok. Show needs to figure out what it is...which direction to steer into etc.
Guitar
bevo-1367816 December 2020
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
