The Definitive Ranking of Every Friends Thanksgiving Episode

Friends, Screencap via Warner Bros.

7.  The One Where Underdog Gets Away

Ah, yes. The very first Thanksgiving. When Monica and Ross learn that their parents will be vacationing during Thanksgiving, they plan to celebrate at Monica’s on their own for the first time. Phoebe and Chandler plan to join, but as Chandler hates Thanksgiving, he will eat only tomato soup and grilled cheese. Joey has plans to be with his family and Rachel is flying to go skiing with her family. But as everyone is preparing their own Thanksgiving plans, the Underdog parade balloon floats away. The gang runs out to see it, but when they return, the door is locked, the oven is on, and no one has the keys.

Sneakily Feminist Quote:

Ross: Wow, you guys sure have a lot of books about being a lesbian.

Susan: Well, you know, you have to take a course. Otherwise they don’t let you do it.

Political Correction: There isn’t a whole lot to be pointed out here in terms of the relative woke-ness of Friends, so why don’t we take this opportunity to point out a chronic problem – the lack of diversity. I mean, seriously. I can only remember two black people in the entire series, and one of them is Gabrielle Union’s turn as “Rando Neighbor” in one episode. It’s early in the series by this episode – they could have fixed it! But alas.

Best Moment: Chandler’s somewhat sentimental toast. He notes that if everyone’s Thanksgiving plans hadn’t been ruined, then they wouldn’t be together. It’s a perfect portrayal of that moment when you realize you’d rather spend holidays with your new family, rather than the one you grew up with. It’s worth noting that none of the friends ever make other plans for Thanksgiving again.

Ranking: 7/10. Like many shows, Friends didn’t really hit its stride in the first season. Still, you have to give this episode props for setting up such a fun tradition in future seasons.