The cast of Friends drinking from straws in milkshakes while looking at the camera in a promo photo.Image via NBC
By
Michael Block
Published 4 minutes ago
Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!
On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK.
In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Sign in to your Collider account
Summary
Generate a summary of this story
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
As one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, Friends was notorious for depicting a specific group of friends in New York City as they navigated their 20s and 30s. Though it was merely a fantasy to live a life like Monica, Rachel, Joey, Chandler, Ross, and Phoebe, we aspired to have friends like them. Their friendship was something of a chosen family as they would tend to celebrate Thanksgiving as a bunch; thus, the series was notorious for its Thanksgiving episodes.
Often, some of the most beloved episodes of the series are for its antics, hijinks, and celebrity cameos; there’s one that is often underappreciated: Season 7’s “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs.” In this episode, the gang's all together for another annual fest. There is a baseline festive tone, but the episode also served as a transition. This simple holiday episode became a major turning point for the series, marking the official arrival of the tonal shift. As the characters aged and reached pivotal points in their lives, the series' actions shifted from hilarious incidents to subtle life moments. The ensemble sitcom found a rhythm with a slower pace and softer beat, shifting the blueprint into a comforting blanket.
'Friends' Went From Chaos To Slice-Of-Life in This Thanksgiving Episode
It's time to journey back to 2000 for Season 7's eighth episode. The plot of the episode sees Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) overjoyed that her cute, adorable assistant Tag (Eddie Cahill) has joined the gang for Thanksgiving dinner, but things don’t go according to plan, causing their relationship chance to hit a snag. Ross (David Schwimmer) becomes obsessed with naming all 50 states before dinner, but he falls six short. Meanwhile, Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) brings in a cute, adorable puppy named Clunkers to dinner. The arrival of the dog forces Chandler (Matthew Perry) to admit his fear of dogs. If you removed the opening line about Thanksgiving, it could have been just any other day.
For the Thanksgiving episode, there wasn't a lot of fanfare around the holiday. The decorations were sparse. The attire was casual. And the meal, though prepared exceptionally well by Monica (Courteney Cox), was a chance for everyone to eat as one. It was a chosen family gathering. Compared to many other episodes that came before, "The One Where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs" had a much slower pace. In fact, it was like sitting on the couch after a massive Thanksgiving feast when you're stuffed: it was relaxed. Though it might be a bit jarring to imagine, pretend the studio laughter is whisked away, and the scenes are presented as if they were the modern friend-hangout hit, Adults. There is a universe in which these slice-of-life moments could be presented in that manner, something impossible in many of the other scenarios Friends presented prior.
Our Friends Became Vulnerable in This Season 7 Episode
Friends was a show about 20-somethings living their best lives in NYC. When their 30s crept in, our friends became vulnerable as they embarked on internal reflection. Tag showing up is a big shock for Rachel, but his arrival is due to the fact that he broke up with his girlfriend. So, when he's not in the room, she asks Monica and Phoebe when it's an appropriate amount of time to make a move. Phoebe says a month, Monica says three to four, but Joey, listening in from the background, chimes in with a half hour. The punch line is present, as well as the arrival of Joey's (Matt LeBlanc) iconic "moo point" line, but this is a genuine question that marks a shift in Rachel.
She has had a thing for her hot assistant, but couldn't pursue it. Now, presented with the opportunity, she pursues him not necessarily because she's attracted to him, but because she's obsessed with figuring out her future. He's a younger man, so it causes a reflection of her journey of getting older. She wants what Monica and Chandler have. Of course, Joey nearly ruins it all, forcing Rachel to confront her feelings. In the end, her admission becomes the pairs beginning, as Tag seals the night with a kiss.
Chandler, the king of snark, admits he hates dogs, which becomes a shocking confession for everyone. Scared by the inability to know what they are thinking, Chandler's revelation serves as a comedic element in the episode. Even when he tries to joke that either the dog goes or he goes, his reaction is met with silence as they all want the cute dog to stick around. But peel back a layer, his shocked reaction is authentic. It gives the audience a moment to see his wall crack. He begins to show his vulnerability, once masked by wit. It's a sign of growing up. In the most Joey and Chandler fashion, they have a heart-to-heart in which Chandler has to set aside his fear to impress Monica. The resolution becomes his newfound attachment to Clunkers, showing that Chandler can share his emotions.
Through all the real-life vulnerabilities of Chandler and Rachel, Ross is secluded in his own world. He becomes obsessed with chasing a goal. His fixation on naming the 50 states exposes a side of him that has strayed from years of Ross and Rachel, allowing her to move on (for now). Perhaps his biggest moment of letting go of the old Ross was when he asked Joey, who previously believed there were 56 states, for help naming the missing states. For someone who always attempts to be the most intellectual person in the room, he gives himself momentary grace that he's not perfect. For some of us, it takes menial tasks like this to realize we're not made of steel. As Rachel wins the boy and Chandler loves the dog, Ross finally, in the bottom of the episode, wakes up Chandler as he wins the game, naming the fiftieth state, Delaware, only to discover he has Nevada twice.
Related
21 Years After 'Friends' Ended, This Iconic Catchphrase Is Officially Part of a Brand New Funko Pop
Your favorite fictional actor is now your favorite Pop figure.
Posts By Erielle Sudario Jul 10, 2025Thanksgiving On 'Friends' Was a Reflection Of Reality
The friends together in the empty apartment in the finale of Friends.Image via NBC
The later seasons become a show about 30-somethings growing into the individuals they’d become. The comedy was still present, but the focus was on the comfort of accepting the next stage of life. There was more focus on what it means to settle down than on "live your best life." You could see this shift especially in how some of the Thanksgiving episodes were presented. Even when Brad Pitt dropped by to reminisce about the past, the episode had a more mature aura as it recognized that the past was growing more distant.
As someone who is about to celebrate my 20-year-high school reunion, I see Friends differently now. I understand why the Thanksgiving episodes shifted. Friends was always going to need to grow up. Our gang of six was always going to take the next steps in life, so the series did the same. As they found those moments, the show softened and became warm and comforting. The laughs and gags are still there, but it is also shaped by the reality of life.
Friends is available to stream on HBO Max.
Friends
Like Follow Followed TV-14 Comedy Romance Release Date 1994 - 2004 Network NBC Showrunner Marta Kauffman Directors Kevin S. Bright, Gary Halvorson, Michael Lembeck, James Burrows, Gail Mancuso, Peter Bonerz, David Schwimmer, Robby Benson, Shelley Jensen, Terry Hughes, Dana De Vally Piazza, Alan Myerson, Pamela Fryman, Steve Zuckerman, Thomas Schlamme, Roger Christiansen, Sheldon Epps, Arlene Sanford, David Steinberg, Joe Regalbuto, Mary Kay Place, Paul Lazarus, Sam Simon, Todd Holland Writers Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz, Brian Boyle, Patty Lin, Bill Lawrence, R. Lee Fleming Jr. Franchise(s) FriendsCast
See All-
Jennifer Aniston
Rachel Green
-
Courteney Cox
Monica Geller
Ross Geller, Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, and Phoebe Buffay are six twenty-somethings living in New York City. Over 10 years and seasons, these friends go through life lessons, family, love, drama, friendship, and comedy.
Genres Comedy, Romance Powered by
Expand
Collapse
-
Friends
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
Nov 1, 2025
7 Shows That Tried To Be the Next ‘Friends,' Ranked
2 days ago
8 Series Finales That Can Be Called Masterpieces
17 hours ago
The 10 Greatest Summer Blockbusters Since 'Jaws'
18 hours ago
Post Malone's Greatest Song Isn’t "Sunflower" — It’s the One That Spent 39 Weeks in the Billboard Top 10
What To Watch
July 20, 2025
The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
Trending Now
Now That It's Returning for Season 2, You Have to Watch One of HBO Max’s Best Hard Sci-Fi Shows
The 8 Greatest '80s Shows Nobody Remembers
'Reacher's Skull-Cracking Action Hero Is Making Waves on Streaming Charts Outside of Prime Video
