Guess What Aired 14 Years Ago Today? Friends’ “The One With All The Resolutions.” Let’s Revisit the Episode’s Best Moments, Shall We?

I had to recalculate the numbers about four different times to make sure I had this right: One of my favorite Friends episodes, “The One with All the Resolutions,” aired 14 years ago today! Season five was one of the strongest thanks to the pairing of Monica and Chandler (and the producers’ genius idea to reveal it one at a time to the rest of the friends). So let’s take a look back at the best moments of season 5, episode 11 that aired, yes, on January 7, 1999.

The New Year’s Eve Kiss

Of course, Monica and Chandler want to kiss at midnight (It’s not like they could sneak away in the hallway—what fun would that be?), so Joey—who already knows about Chandler and Monica—convinces Ross to kiss Phoebe, and he’ll kiss Rachel. (Wonder if the writers knew at this point that they’d try a story arc with these two?) By the way, thank goodness we don’t have a couple name for Monica and Chandler. Chandica? Nah. I still like Chandy, even though it has nothing to do with Monica.

The Resolution Awards:

Best Reaction to a Resolution:

Ross: “I am going to be happy this year! I. Am. Going. To. Be. Happy. This Year!”

Chandler: “Do you want us to leave the room?”

Most Pointless Resolution: Phoebe, who decided she’s going to pilot a commercial jet. (To be fair, the writers had no room in this episode for another resolution storyline.)

The Best Resolution—Because It Will Never Happen: Chandler, who has to stop being so critical (He can’t, it’s his essence!). Seriously, could his struggle be any more brilliant?

Most Rewarding Resolution: Rachel (who has to stop gossiping), only because it sets up the big revelation at the end—that Monica and Chandler aren’t really doing laundry together every minute of the day.

As for Joey, he decides he’s going to learn the guitar, the Phoebe way. (Go on, make a claw.)

By the way, I love this line:

Joey: “You know those special skills listed on my resume? Well, I’d love it if one of those was true.”Phoebe: “Well, I can teach you. I’ve taught me, and I looooove me.”

Chandler with the Win for the Best Line of the Episode: “Hornswaggle? What, are you dating a character from Fraggle Rock?!”

Chandler’s Second Best Line: “Ross is wearing leather pants! Ross is wearing leather pants! Someone comment on the pants! Oh, come on!”

Best Use of Physical Comedy: David Schwimmer, who in his attempt to show Ross’ struggle pulling up his pants, smacks himself in the head. Schwimmer + physical comedy = genius. “They’re still not coming on man! And the lotion and the powder have made a paste!”

Matt LeBlanc: The Trifecta of Reactions Award

I will say this till the day I die… Matt LeBlanc deserved an Emmy for his portrayal of Joey. His reactions in the episode alone proves my point (click here to see Matt’s take on the Emmys). Let’s revisit, shall we?

Example #1: Phoebe finally lets Joey practice with a guitar, which sounds great in theory until he drops it.

Example #2: Rachel darts into Joey’s apartment trying to tell him the news that Monica and Chandler are an item. But the best is when Joey, who is sick of keeping secrets, starts yelling “AHHHHH” to stop from hearing what Rachel’s going to say.

Joey, thinking Rachel is still there, keeps going, unaware that Chandler has now entered and picked up the rooster.

Priceless.

Example #3: The following dialogue:

Joey: “Do you know something?” Rachel: “Do > you know something?” Joey: “I might know something.” Rachel: “I might know something too.” Joey: “What’s the thing you know?” Rachel: “Oh, no. I can’t tell you until you tell me what you know.” Joey: “I can’t tell you what I know.” Rachel: “Well then I can’t tell you what I know.” Joey: “OK, fine.

Pause so Rachel and Joey can twiddle their thumbs.

And then…

Joey (quite smug): “You > don’t know.” Rachel: “OK, I will walk over to Chandler’s bedroom, and I will see the thing that I think I know is actually the thing that I think that I know!” Joey: “You KNOW!”

Rachel: “Yes, I know! Chandler and Monica?! Oh, this unbelievable!”

Do you realize how many “knows” are in that dialogue? And do you know how hard that is to keep that straight as an actor? I couldn’t even keep it straight re-typing it from the DVD!

And with that, we have “The One With All the Resolutions!” What moment is your favorite?

Photos: YouTube, Warner Bros. Television DVD