Friends – Season 7 Episodes Ranked

I was expecting Friends to enter a steady decline after Season 6, so I was pleasantly surprised when Season 7 was solid across the board and a general improvement from the previous set of episodes.

I’m tempted to say this is one of the most consistent seasons – how would I rank every episode?

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23 – The One with the Vows

Rating: D+

A clip show episode, but probably on the better side of things. Still skippable though.

22 – The One with Monica’s Thunder

Rating: C

My least favourite season opener, and one of my least favourite Friends episodes of all.

The proposal plotline of the previous season finale is immediately undercut by schlocky Ross / Rachel teasing and Chandler / Monica troubles, and Joey acting as a teen feels very forced.

21 – The One with All the Candy

Rating: C+

Monica’s neighbours are fanatic about her candy, Phoebe learns to ride a bike, and Rachel sends the wrong evaluation. Standard stuff.

20 – The One with the Cheap Wedding Dress

Rating: C+

The wedding dress plotline borders on parody, and Ross and Joey dating the same girl is an overused sitcom cliché.

19 – The One with Chandler’s Dad

Rating: C+

You can tell this season aired in 2001, as the discourse around Chandler’s Dad hasn’t aged all that well. Also, Ross and Rachel drive recklessly for different reasons, and Joey wears women’s underwear.

18 – The One with the Engagement Picture

Rating: B-

Chandler not being able to smile during his engagement picture is a little broad, but it’s worth it for the Joey pay-off.

In the meantime, Phoebe and Ross date a pair of exes, and Joey befriends Tag.

17 – The One with Rachel’s Book

Rating: B-

It’s a little strange that the writers are re-hashing the Joey / Rachel book plotline again, but it leads to some decent jokes.

Ross also gives some unprofessional massages, and Monica finds out her wedding funds are all gone.

16 – The One with Rachel’s Big Kiss

Rating: B-

It’s so strange seeing Winona Ryder in a pre-Stranger Things role, and she works really well alongside Jennifer Aniston.

Chandler also bickers with Ross about wearing a famous tux, and Monica tries to arrange all the seating for the upcoming wedding.

15 – The One with Joey’s Award

Rating: B-

Matt LeBlanc does a great job of conveying Joey’s dismay during the award ceremony, and I love the direction that plotline goes.

Ross also has a student that “loves” him (who wouldn’t after that exceptional dinosaur impression?), and Monica has a boring plot where she’s frustrated about being tied to one man for the rest of her days.

14 – The One Where Rosita Dies

Rating: B-

Somehow, the plot about Rachel breaking Joey’s favourite chair ends up being a genuinely funny and endearing plotline.

There’s also a great plot about Monica inheriting her dad’s car, but the plotline of Phoebe calling a depressive really drags the whole thing down.

13 – The One with Rachel’s Assistant

Rating: B

Tag isn’t exactly one of Rachel’s famous love interests on the show, but their initial interactions make sense.

I much prefer the plotlines where Joey re-auditions for Days Of Our Lives, and Ross / Chandler / Monica all spill each other’s secrets.

12 – The One with All the Cheesecakes

Rating: B

Three fairly strong plotlines in this one – Monica finds out why she wasn’t invited to her cousin’s wedding, Phoebe sees David again after many years, and Rachel and Chandler indulge in some illicit cheesecake.

11 – The One with Ross’s Library Book

Rating: B

This is another episode with three strong plotlines running concurrently, and I love how the stakes ramp up on each one.

Joey sticks with a date for the first time ever, Janice invites herself to Monica and Chandler’s wedding, but my favourite plotline is Ross’s library book receiving some unwanted visitors.

10 – The One with Phoebe’s Cookies

Rating: B

The Phoebe cookie story is a little tame all things considered, but the other two plotlines carry the episode.

Chandler accidently strips to nude in front of his future father-in-law, and Joey is taught how to run his boat by an angry Rachel.

9 – The One Where They All Turn Thirty

Rating: B

I love it when Friends delves into multiple vignettes over the course of an episode.

Rachel and Joey hate aging, Ross gets a car, Monica is drunk, and Phoebe is actually 31. Nothing sensational on its own, but together it forms a good story.

8 – The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs

Rating: B

I’d always remembered “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs” as being one of the weakest Thanksgiving episodes, and while that still may be true it’s anything but bad.

The dog shenanigans are great, Ross naming states is a fun game, and Joey gets confused about “moo points”.

7 – The One Where They’re Up All Night

Rating: B+

Another episode full of various vignettes focussed on each of the Friends, and it ties together well.

Ross and Joey get locked out, Rachel and Tag argue, Chandler and Monica can’t and then can sleep, and Phoebe wrestles with a fire alarm. All in all, good stuff.

6 – The One with the Truth About London

Rating: B+

I forgot just how much stuff was packed into “The One with the Truth About London” – in fact, the A plot is the least interesting of all.

Joey “gives” and “receives” as a minister, Rachel looks after Ben and starts a prank war with Ross, and I really love the alternate universe ending where fat Joey is married to Monica.

5 – The One with Ross and Monica’s Cousin

Rating: B+

Like with “The One with the Truth About London”, “The One with Ross and Monica’s Cousin” shines through its many strong storylines.

Denise Richards is great in every scene, Phoebe and Rachel plan a last-minute baby shower, and Joey’s next role needs an un-circumcision.

4 – The One with the Nap Partners

Rating: A-

Phoebe and Rachel are once against tasked with preparing for Monica’s wedding, this time choosing a maid of honour between them, and Chandler’s ex used to be fat.

The real stand-outs are clearly Ross and Joey – their napping scenes are some of Season 7’s most uproarious moments, and it never fails to make me laugh.

3 – The One with Chandler and Monica’s Wedding: Parts 1 & 2

Rating: A-

My favourite romantic pairing get their time in the spotlight in “The One with Chandler and Monica’s Wedding”, and it’s just as wholesome as you’d expect.

Chandler freaking out is a bit weird, and the Rachel pregnancy takes away from their special moment a little, but the B-plot with Gary Oldman’s spit acting irons out those creases.

2 – The One with Joey’s New Brain

Rating: A-

“The One with Joey’s New Brain” was one of the most pleasant surprises on my Friends re-watch – so much in this episode is gold!

Rachel and Phoebe find a phone and trace its hot owner, Susan Sarandon has great chemistry with Matt LeBlanc, and Ross plays the bagpipes – if you haven’t seen the bloopers for the latter, you’re missing out!

1 – The One with the Holiday Armadillo

Rating: A

One of the most underrated episodes in all of Friends, I always collapse with laughter once the Holiday Armadillo scene comes on.

Phoebe also gifts Joey a drum kit and a pet spider to (unsuccessfully) drive Rachel away, and Chandler is terrible at sneaking money into someone’s hand. All in all, a perfect episode from start to finish.

Season Rating: B+

I wasn’t expecting it, but Season 7 ended up being stronger than Season 6 – in all honesty, this might be the last truly great season of Friends.

Let’s look at the stats for the season:

• 4A (17%)
• 14B (61%)
• 4C (17%)
• 1D (4%)

And the stats for the series so far:

• 31A (19%)
• 95B (58%)
• 34C (21%)
• 3D (2%)

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