Ah, this one makes me cry every time, but more on that in a minute. This episode, like every episode of Friends has two plot lines. On the funny side, Joey starts to finally earn some money and as a gesture of thanks to Chandler for his many years of unwavering support, he buys him a gaudy gold bracelet that is engraved. Chandler of course hates it and wears it begrudgingly. He is overheard complaining about it to Phoebe, and must make amends to Joey.
On the serious side, only the second best Ross and Rachel moment of the series, barely better than "she got off the plane". The gang is watching a video from when Monica and Rachel went to prom, which Ross is reluctant to watch. During the video it appears that Rachel is going to be stood up and with his father's encouragement Ross rushes off to get in a tux and be her savior. As he descends the stairs we see Rachel and Monica leaving with their dates, Ross understandably crushed. Seeing this, Rachel lets go of the grudge she has been holding, rushes over and kisses Ross in what can only be described as one of the purest kisses in the history of television.
So, why does this make me blat like a baby? I am Ross and I have my Rachel out there, only I never got lucky enough to become friends as an adult with her, nor did I get to have this kind of resolution to my unrequited love, so I know well the pain Ross was feeling and the joy he must have felt in his very core at this moment. Yes, I know these are fictional characters, but it deeply resonates within my soul.
Review of The One with the Prom Video
