Episodes 9–16
9. The One Where Underdog Gets Away
On Thanksgiving, the Underdog parade balloon floats away and the group abandons Monica's dinner to watch from the rooftop, then gets locked out of the apartment with no food. Rachel can't afford a trip to Vail; the friends pool money for her ticket. Joey's family thinks his STD-clinic modeling poster means he has a disease, so he shows up alone.
Notable dialogue:
- Monica — Promises to include "the lumps" in the mashed potatoes.
- The group — "What do you do?"
- The locked-out, foodless Thanksgiving that still becomes a shared moment.
10. The One with the Monkey
Ross adopts Marcel the capuchin monkey to combat loneliness after his divorce. The group makes a no-dates pact for New Year's Eve and immediately breaks it. Phoebe meets scientist David, who leaves for Minsk. At midnight, Chandler begs for a kiss and Joey obliges.
Notable dialogue:
- Chandler — Begging someone to kiss him at midnight; Joey steps in.
- The no-dates pact being broken by everyone.
- Ross getting Marcel because he "didn't want to be alone."
11. The One with Mrs. Bing
Chandler's mother, romance novelist Nora Bing, appears on TV and embarrasses him. Ross kisses Nora, Joey catches him, and declares Ross has broken "the code" of friendship. Monica and Phoebe compete over caring for a guy they put in a coma.
Notable dialogue:
- Joey — "The code."
- The "Mrs. Bing" embarrassment angle.
- The "coma guy" subplot between Monica and Phoebe.
12. The One with the Dozen Lasagnas
Monica is stuck with a dozen lasagnas after making the wrong kind. Rachel's relationship with Paolo unravels when Phoebe reveals he made a pass at her. Ross accidentally learns the baby is a boy. Chandler and Joey argue over a new table.
Notable dialogue:
- Chandler — "Okay, so just because it was my table, I have to buy a new one?"
- Joey — "That's the rule."
- On the baby's sex — "I can't believe you don't wanna know." / "I couldn't not know."
13. The One with the Boobies
Chandler accidentally sees Rachel topless, then later claims to have "accidentally" touched Joey's girlfriend Bobbie's breasts in the dark, causing a fight between the roommates. Joey learns his father has been cheating. Phoebe's therapist boyfriend Roger analyzes everyone.
Notable dialogue:
- Chandler — "Nice boobies." and the "tiny nipples" exchange.
- Rachel — Demanding "an eye for an eye" to even the score.
- Joey and Chandler's fight over boundaries and loyalty.
14. The One with the Candy Hearts
On Valentine's Day, Ross's first date in nine years collides with Carol and Susan at the same restaurant. Joey accidentally sets Chandler up with Janice. Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe burn relationship mementos in an anti-Valentine's bonfire that becomes a small apartment fire.
Notable dialogue:
- Chandler — The horror of the Janice reveal.
- The candy-heart fortunes and the "boyfriend bonfire."
- Rachel adding Paolo's grappa, bringing firefighters to the door.
15. The One with the Stoned Guy
Monica cooks for a restaurant job interview, but the owner shows up stoned and prefers junk food. Chandler gets a promotion, realizes he hates it, and quits. Ross gets Joey's help to learn dirty talk, with disastrous results.
Notable dialogue:
- Monica — "There's no reason why I shouldn't be perfect."
- The stoned restaurateur — "Well, smack my ass and call me Judy!"
- Chandler — "Can you see my nipples through this shirt?"
- Ross's dirty-talk disaster with Joey's advice.
16. The One with Two Parts, Part 1
Joey lands the role of Dr. Drake Ramoray on "Days of Our Lives." Chandler must fire a coworker he finds attractive. Joey begins dating Phoebe's twin sister Ursula. Ross attends Lamaze class with Carol and Susan. Rachel injures her ankle and, having no insurance, switches identities with Monica at the hospital.
Notable dialogue:
- Chandler — "Mr. D, how's it going, sir?"
- Chandler — "We haven't seen an ANUS this bad since the seventies."
- Rachel and Monica's hospital identity swap begins.