老友记 the 25 best episodes EVER, ranked 

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episodes. We know, because we just tried to do it. We limited ourselves to just 25 instalments and after all the hair-pulling, anguished scribbles on episode lists and general \'why did we think this was a good idea?\' existentialism, we\'ve managed to narrow it down (though we\'re already wondering if we made the right choices). We think these 25 manage not only to have one standout moment (i.e. PIVOT!) but

of their storylines are solid. But we reserve the right to change our minds...

One of the examples when the title of the episode isn\'t right, this. The baby shower is fun enough - Rachel\'s mum being rude to people-pleaser Monica is always going to be a treat - but the real meat of the episode comes from the guys and their game of Bamboozled. The fact that never became a real quiz show is a travesty - after all, as Chandler says: "THIS IS THE BEST GAME EVER."

We didn\'t love all of Bruce Willis\'s appearances in 

, but he is sheer perfection in this episode. We get to see the real Paul behind the mask as he looks in the mirror and tries to psyche himself up for a weekend with Rachel ("I\'m just a love machine"). It\'s a classic sitcom farce as Ross and Elizabeth, Paul\'s daughter, are also at the cabin and have to hide from Paul with misunderstandings and close calls aplenty... before Ross gets one up on his nemesis. 

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Aww - sorry, but we\'re suckers for a wedding. Not only did this double episode see Monica and Chandler get married - even if Chandler had to have a freak-out first - but it had Gary Oldman being a complete joy as an actor who spits in Joey\'s face and then drunkenly holds him back from the wedding. And, of course, there was the wonderful melancholy moment when we found out Rachel was pregnant. Say what?!

©  Getty Images Danny Feld/NBCU Photo Bank

We just love a wedding, okay? The London episodes of 

often get a bad rap - and sure, the Fergie and Richard Branson cameos are a bit... well. But the meat of the episode is brilliant, from Hugh Laurie\'s sardonic plane passenger arguing with Rachel over her decision to fly to London, to what can only be described as the BEST CLIFFHANGER EVER when Ross says Rachel at the altar. "... Shall I go on?"

©  Getty Images Oliver Upton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

"You slept with the stripper?" "OF COURSE!" This episode earns its inclusion with just that one line, to be honest, but the rest is great too - when Joey thinks Ross\'s bachelor party stripper has stolen the wedding ring, the boys turn detective to lure her to Chandler\'s office and confront her (watch out for the moment when Matt LeBlanc genuinely loses it and you can see him cracking up in the background). Of course, it\'s the duck who\'s responsible - and the stakes are raised at the vet\'s, leading to the boys getting emotional and doing that sniffy, I\'m-not-crying-you-are thing. Bless.

played some marvellous games - Cups, the aforementioned Bamboozled, our personal favourite Fireball - but surely the most iconic has to be the ball? Simply starting with Joey and Ross throwing a ball back and forth, it ends up lasting hours and involving almost all of the 

(including Chandler the dropper and Monica the fun sponge). And, of course, Rachel buys a terrifying and evil cat that hisses her name...

An oldie, but SUCH a goodie. When the power goes out across the city, the romantic setting persuades Ross to tell Rachel how he feels... but before he has a chance, she meets sleazebag Paolo. But while that\'s all brilliant ("You are a huge crapweasel!") the best storyline comes courtesy of Chandler, who is 

. If you don\'t answer a polite offer of Wrigleys with: "Gum would be perfection", we don\'t want to know you.

Just one of two video-themed episodes in our list. This one is a complete doozy - after Rachel reveals Ross is the father of her baby, they squabble over who came on to whom, before he admits he accidentally taped the encounter. This is one of those superbly plotted episodes, with all the strands - Monica and Chandler getting fake-named by their new couple friend; Joey\'s pick-up technique - coming together perfectly for an excellent climax (as it were).

Another season one corker, as Jon Lovitz stars as a creep of a restaurant owner who turns up to Monica\'s \'audition\' as head chef stoned ("TARTLETS"). He would almost be enough to earn this episode a place in our list on his own, but another of the storylines sees Ross attempting to talk dirty to his latest squeeze. "... Vulva?!"

©  Getty Images Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank

NO, YOU\'RE CRYING. We\'re still completely unable to watch this episode without blubbing like babies, which is the sign of a good finale, right? It has everything - new babies, a race to the airport, "I got off the plane", emotional goodbyes and a cracking final line. We\'re tearing up just thinking about it.

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