Friends (TV Series) The One with the Prom Video (1996) User Reviews

The second best episode of Friends

[acedj · 10/10 · 24 January 2020]

Ah, this one makes me cry every time, but more on that in a minute. This episode, like every episode of Friends has two plot lines. On the funny side, Joey starts to finally earn some money and as a gesture of thanks to Chandler for his many years of unwavering support, he buys him a gaudy gold bracelet that is engraved. Chandler of course hates it and wears it begrudgingly. He is overheard complaining about it to Phoebe, and must make amends to Joey. On the serious side, only the second best Ross and Rachel moment of the series, barely better than "she got off the plane". The gang is watching a video from when Monica and Rachel went to prom, which Ross is reluctant to watch. During the video it appears that Rachel is going to be stood up and with his father's encouragement Ross rushes off to get in a tux and be her savior. As he descends the stairs we see Rachel and Monica leaving with their dates, Ross understandably crushed. Seeing this, Rachel lets go of the grudge she has been holding, rushes over and kisses Ross in what can only be described as one of the purest kisses in the history of television. So, why does this make me blat like a baby? I am Ross and I have my Rachel out there, only I never got lucky enough to become friends as an adult with her, nor did I get to have this kind of resolution to my unrequited love, so I know well the pain Ross was feeling and the joy he must have felt in his very core at this moment. Yes, I know these are fictional characters, but it deeply resonates within my soul.

The best season 2 episode

[brindrobnjak · 10/10 · 5 January 2020]

This is by far the best episode so far. It's just hilarity and hilarity and hilarity and the best moment in the entire show. I LOVED Rachel for kissing Ross and I loved how happy their friends were too. I just... this episode's amazing every second of itself. Chandler and Joey were hysterical as bracelet buddies, and Monica finding her parents' sex tape was just a hysterical cherry on top of everything.

Friends: The One with the Prom Video

[ComedyFan2010 · 10/10 · 20 June 2011]

This one of the classic Friends episode. Ross still hopes to get with Rachel but she makes it clear that it won't happen. In the meantime Monica gets a tape from her parents of their prom night and they watch it. And this is what makes this episode so amazing! All actors are great at being their younger self and they all get something about their physical appearance that makes them look different and is funny for us: Monica being fat, Rachel's big nose, Ross's hair style. And watching Ross being ready to take Rachel to the prom and all dressed and then see her leaving the house with Chip was absolutely heartbreaking. Very well done, David Schwimmer! And Rachel going to him and kissing him after seeing the video causes even more cheering than it would otherwise thanks to it. A great idea, very well done

The Chandler and Joey story about bracelets is also great. It is funny and also shows them caring for each other which is a great part of their amazing "bromance".

Bracelet Buddies

[slightlymad22 · 9/10 · 11 December 2014]

A classic Friends episode, not as good as the last one, but still great TV.

Plot In A Paragraph: Monica receives some boxes of things off her parents from her old bedroom, in their is an old videotape of her and Rachel getting ready for their prom, which reveals Ross made an unexpected gesture all those years ago. Meanwhile Joey buys Chandler an expensive gold bracelet which he hates.

I enjoyed the Joey and Chandler storyline more than the prom video, as both Perry and Le Blanc knock it out of the park, but the prom video is still great stuff.

The One With The Bracelet Buddies

[devashishparnami · 9/10 · 7 February 2018]

Monica still can't get a job, and money is becoming tight. Ross gets her to agree to ask her parents for money. Joey buys Chandler a hideous gold friendship bracelet, and overhears Chandler complaining about it to Phoebe. Ross continues to pine after Rachel, who Phoebe insists is his "lobster", but she makes it pretty clear that its not happening. However, when an old home video of Monica and Rachel's prom is discovered, Ross's true feelings for Rachel are shown.

He's her lobster

[mrpattinson-07689 · 10/10 · 28 May 2021]

One of my favourite episode, still gets the goosebumps when Ross and Rachel kisses. It's so passionate and I want you right away.

The One with the Prom Video

[Lady_Targaryen · 9/10 · 6 May 2008]

Joey gives Chandler a horrible gold bracelet, who doesn't help him at all with women. When Chandler is complaining about the horrible present to Phoebe, Joey listens to it, staying hurt and angry with Chandler.

Rachel parents finally get divorced.

Since Monica still is unemployed, she gets Ross' idea of asking money for their parents, but without much success.

Ross and Rachel has a discussion about their ''no relationship'', and Rachel makes pretty clear that they are not going to date.

Monica finds her and Rachel's prom video, where Ross feelings for Rachel are finally revealed. The episode ends with Ross and Rachel kissing.

Slightly overhyped

[unpersona · 8/10 · 5 February 2021]

By all means a great, entertaining episode. But the best of the entire series? That I have to disagree with. Given that it's primarily a comedy show, I'd expect its greatest episode to be laugh-out-loud hilarious. While this episode had some pretty funny moments, it doesn't exactly do that for me and I believe - and hope - there is greater potential in future episodes.

Hahaheeeee

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 6 April 2021]

The guy who operates the laugh track had a blister on his finger after this one.

Axel F

[safenoe · 10/10 · 30 April 2024]

I became a fan of Friends when it debuted all those years ago, like 30 years ago, wow, that long ago, and I watched most of the episodes from seasons one to four, and The One with the Prom Video is a favorite for many reasons, but especially when teenage Ross mournfully played Axel F during the prime video, and that was absolutely hilarious, and Rachel ends up with Ross. On reflection, it's amazing the on-again, off-again, on-again, off-again, on-again relationship between Ross and Rachel endured across the whole series, and fans did not tire at all I guess, and thankfully Ross and Rachel finally ended up together.

I don't understand the love for this one

[brianjohnson-20043 · 6/10 · 2 December 2018]

Ok this episode has a funny Joey and Chandler bracelet storyline. But the Ross and Rachel one IMO is not well executed. I think the show was at a good point for them to get together for real. And I find much of the flashback material amusing and usually like it when Monica and Ross' parents are in an episode.

So what didn't work? Well I don't like the storyline we are expected to buy within the flashback is sufficient for Ross and Rachel getting together. Rachel already knew Ross liked her from such a long time ago. In the flashback it shouldn't appear special for Ross to try to go help out Rachel when given the chance when her date didn't show up. Rachel was the Prom queen. It shouldn't be surprising for any brother of Monica to jump at the chance to take Rachel to the prom. So does Rachel decide to get together with Ross out of pity? Or was she pleased to be reminded that he loved her so long ago when she had the big nose and he had the awful hair and mustache? I'm not sure. And that is mainly why I don't think this episode works as well as many people convince themselves it works.