Friends - Series 8 - Episodes 13-16 [VHS] [1995]

Sypnosis:
In this Thanksgiving episode, special guest star Brad Pitt plays Will, Monica's high school friend who was the only student fatter than Monica was. She invites him to Thanksgiving dinner with the gang, unaware that he isn't exactly fond of Rachel. Meanwhile, Chandler and Phoebe pretend to be enthralled with a televised football game in order to avoid helping Monica in the kitchen. And Joey vows to devour the entire turkey single-handedly.

My Opinion:
Generally, this is a pretty good episode and many parts are hilarious. However, the entire episode is pretty much filmed in one apartment and focuses entirely on Brad Pitt - so in places it can actually become a little dull and the laughs it creates can be a bit half-hearted. However, speaking as a woman, I must admit that Brad looks better in this episode than he possibly ever has before - and this fact more than makes up for a comparitively tiresome plot!

Episode 10: The One With Monica's Boots

Sypnosis:
Chandler is incensed when Monica spends a fortune on a luscious pair of black boots but when she discovers that her sexy new footwear thrashes her feet, she puts on a brave front and walks on rather than admit that hubby knows best. Meanwhile, when a wide-eyed Phoebe learns that Ross' young son attends the same school as rock star Sting's son, she angles to meet the celebrity and get concert tickets - until she runs afoul of his suspicious wife, Trudie Styler. In additon, Rachel tries to mediate between an angry Joey and his pregnant kid sister.

My Opinion:
A really great episode! This one is a classic - but it can be noticed (especially in this one) that Chandler's sense of humor and gift for jokes in this series has more or less transformed into pure sarcasm - which can occasionally be irritating and disappointing. His mannerisms have changed a great deal (along with his weight!), but this may only be obvious to committed fans of the sitcom.

Episode 11: The One With Ross' Step Forward

Sypnosis;
Ross becomes nervous when his new girlfriend, Mona, wants to mail cute Christmas cards with both of their pictures on it. When Rachel starts feeling the hormonal effects of her pregnancy, she desperately searches for possible romantic partners - including the always accommodating Joey. Meanwhile, newlyweds Chandler and Monica must deal with Chandler's boss, who is enduring a divorce.

My Opinion:
Pretty good. Ross' paranoia makes up most of the content of the show, and the way he consistently rejects Mona's increasingly large role in his life is both funny and endearing.

Episode 12: The One Where Joey Dates Rachel

Sypnosis:
In order to prepare Joey for his big date the next night, Rachel eagerly agrees to step out with him for a rare night on the town, but when each is pleasantly surprised with their newfound compatibility, they begin to regard each other in a way no one could have predicted. Meanwhile, a beaming Chandler racks up a record number of points on Monica's new Mrs. Pac-Man game machine - but his three-letter ID might prove too offensive when Ross'young son Ben visits. In addition, Ross finally is allowed to teach an honors class but its cross-town location means he must break land speed records just to get there on time.

My Opinion:
I believe this is possibly one of the best epsiodes the 'Friends' creators have ever made. I have seen it over four times already! Rachel & Joey's date is both funny and emotionally touching - you really get to see a tender, romantic side to Joey that is really endearing. Phoebe and the rest of the gang are simply hilarious the whole way through. However, I don't know if it's just me, but Phoebe seems to be an awful lot meaner in this series! Decide for yourself - but in the older episodes she was both silly and sweet, yet now she is both strange and sharp-tongued.