Friends - Series 9 - Episodes 21-23 [DVD] [1995]

The one with the fertility test is the first on this disc and the central plot is basically Chandler and Monica going to a fertility clinic to get a check up to see if they have any problems conceiving. This visit turns out to be disastrous when they run into Chandler's ex-girlfriend, Janice (recurring guest star Maggie Wheeler),which makes an abosolutely hilarious performance. Meanwhile Phoebe makes a big deal about Rachel going to a big massage parlour and makes her promise note to go there even though Rachel has a free massage voucher. However, Rachel ends up going, only to find out Phoebe has been keeping some secrets that were quite clearly not wanting to be shared. Ross also becomes frustrated by Joey's new relationship with his co-worker Charlie who he has a major crush on.This episode ends with a very sad and evocative feeling when we learn that Monica and Chandler cannot have children which leads to some very powerful and dramatic acting by Courteney Cox Arquette and Matthew Perry.

The one with the donor is dominated by Monica and Chandlers lust to find "perfect sperm" which allows Monica's neurotic and over-powering nature to become fully accentuated. They "interview" a workmate of Chandler's to see if he fits the bill which makes excellent comedy. Meanwhile, Rachel and Phoebe have learned that when telling each other secrets they should be careful of who is listening.

The one in Barbados parts 1 and 2 is definately the best double length episode- ever! Ross has to deliver a key-note speech at a conference in Barbados, so the whole gang, including David, Phoebes ex and Charlie, Joeys new girlfriend head along with him.

Part 1)
In part 1 Chandler erases the whole of Ross' speech from his laptop, so Charlie helps him to re-write it and the pair soon realise they have a lot more in common than just their profession. Rachel and Joey, meanwhile, gatecrash a medical conference to get free booze and Phoebe is shocked when Mike (Paul Rudd) comes and tells her that he loves her!

Part2)
In this part, despite it is the first sunny day since the gang arrived, the friends all attend Ross' speech which is enthusiastically received by his peers. However, quite possibly the best comedy on the show ever is delivered by Monica and Mike, who endure in a very fierce and competitive game of table tennis, leading to Monica's over-competitive side being expressed. Monica seems to steal the show and indeed the series with her hilarious neurotic and crazy nature which seems to develop and get funnier as each series progresses.

This DVD is a must!!! Buy it, you will not regret it!!!

The One With The Fertility Test and The One With The Donor focus mainly on Chandler (Matthew Parry) and Monica's (Courtney Cox-Arquette) problems with getting pregnant - sometimes with amusing consequences (Chandler’s 'amazing' work mate 'sperm-donor') and other times facing the sad facts and making new resolutions.

The One In Barbados centres on Ross's (David Schwimmer) palaeontologists convention in the Caribbean and, among other things, the revelation that he is actually famous (on being asked for an autograph from a fan: "... Sarah. I dig you...Love, Doctor Ross Geller".) While Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) is forced to choose between David from Minsk and Mike over who could (possibly) marry her, Monica's hair begins to morph into a poodle and she finds her match against the equally competitive Mike in a game of table tennis, with hilarious results.

Long-running questions are finally answered in these episodes: will Chandler and Monica ever have children, will Phoebe ever marry, will Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Rachel (Jennifer Anniston) ever get together and will Ross finally pluck up the courage to date Charlie?
With a superb cliff-hanger ending, these episodes surely wrap up a fine series of Friends in style, humour and a great deal of finesse.