Despite the show's enduring popularity, Friends’ highest-rated episodes (per IMDb) hinted at the uncomfortable reality of the sitcom. In the show’s infancy, the characters were not yet established and viewers were still getting to know each character’s backstory. Over time, the show gained widespread popularity because of the character’s portrayal of authentic friendships with a comedic spin.
Through their mistakes, breakups, and celebrations, Friends became a show that transcended generations and held more staying power than comparable sitcoms.Friends stood out because of aspects like Rachel Greene’s “girl next door” appeal, but the show’s iconic status needed time to grow. When the show first aired, Rachel and Monica Geller moved in together and Ross Geller was still dealing with the aftermath of his divorce.
Rachel was still perceived as a spoiled, rich girl and was still developing as she worked at Central Perk. She and Ross were also unwilling to reveal their true feelings to each other, continuously delaying their confessions and slowing down the series' plot line. These classic stories laid the groundwork for Friends' future success. However, on examination of the 10 highest-ranked Friends episodes on IMDb, it’s evident that viewers were more engaged once a few seasons had taken off.
None Of Friends’ Top 10 Episodes On IMDB Comes From Season 1
The Group's Relationships As Friends Were Still Blossoming
While episodes like “The One Where Ross Got High” from season 6 and “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” from season 5 are among some of IMDb’s highest-ranked episodes, none of the episodes from season 1 feature on the list. It was the following seasons that brought out some of the more pivotal story arcs that made the show such a pop culture lexicon.
The first season also did not appear in the top 20 Friends episodes list, primarily due to Monica and Chandler Bing’s untapped relationship. The list included the episode where Chandler proposed, which happened to be when the series took a turn and Monica and Chandler were just as much of a topic of conversation as Ross and Rachel.
In season 1, the group's relationships as friends were still blossoming and felt lackluster compared to other seasons.
Because of Ross and Rachel’s unpredictability, Monica and Chandler were refreshingly consistent in bringing balance to the show. In season 1, the group's relationships as friends were still blossoming and felt lackluster compared to other seasons. Before some of the later seasons, other characters like Phoebe Buffay were waiting for their career-launching moments, highlighting how season 1 kept some characters in limbo.
Friends’ Best Episodes Show How Much It Got Better After Season 1
Some Characters Began To Assume A Stronger Presence
Friends' improvement as the seasons progressed is perhaps best highlighted by characters who didn't always dominate the narrative. In season 1, Phoebe’s character took a backseat, leaving room for Monica and Rachel. In the following seasons, Phoebe’s character began to assume a stronger presence. In one of the best-rated episodes, “The One With The Prom Video” of season 2, she got to show off her comic talent as she explained the lobster theory to everyone.
She was no longer the one-dimensional massage therapist of Friends season 1, but a colorful personality with an aptitude for mediating her friend group and making bold statements. Other characters also transformed after the pedestrian pace of season 1. As “The One With Monica & Chandler's Wedding: Part 2" came to a close, Joey Tribbiani had come a long way from his scatterbrained days in season 1.
When he showed up as the wedding officiant for Monica and Chandler’s ceremony, his maturity shone through as he witnessed the unbreakable bond between the two. He would always be revered for his slapstick style of humor, but Joey also had a vulnerable streak that eventually helped him earn popularity.
Friends Season 1 Still Had Some Great Episodes
The Beginning Before Becoming Historic
Season 1’s hilarity centered around Ross’ distress, particularly when it came to his ex-wife and her partner. In "The One With The Sonogram At The End", Ross tried to cope with the fact that his ex-wife would be having his baby, an episode considered ahead of its time because of the unconventional nature of their family. As the events of “The One With The Candy Hearts" unfolded, the legendary Janice Hosenstein and her distinctive laugh were introduced.
She drew out Chandler’s commitment issues in entertaining ways, much to his discomfort. The introduction of characters like Janice makes Friends' season 1 central to the show's success. One of the most memorable episodes of season 1 took place when Ursula, Phoebe’s twin sister, was introduced. Throughout the series, Joey never had a long-term partner, but instead had a series of flings.
In typical fashion for the show, the friends always cared for each other, even through conflict and disruption.
His romance with Ursula was brief but was just long enough to fuel controversy in the friend group, setting a precedent for things to come. In typical fashion for the show, the friends always cared for each other, even through conflict and disruption. Friends was both hysterical and touching, but it needed to get through season 1 before it would truly become historic.
