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The Best Episodes of Friends Season 9

Every episode of Friends Season 9 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Friends Season 9!

Binge this in 10h 2m•Peaking at 8.7/10

Six young people from New York City, on their own and struggling to survive in the real world, find the companionship, comfort and support they get from each other to be the perfect antidote to

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Friends Season 9 Episode 8 - The One with Rachel's Other Sister
    8.7/10(6144 votes)

    S9:E8

    Rachel's sister Amy tags along for Thanksgiving at Monica's place, because her (married) boyfriend cancels their plans. While watching the parade, Joey realizes that he forgot to show up for the Days of Our Lives cast float, and he asks Phoebe's help to come up with a believable lie. The dinner goes fairly well, however, Monica constantly obsesses about anybody damaging her best china. To make matters worse, Amy comes up with a crazy scenario involving Emma, which sparks a massive argument among the gang.

    Director:Kevin S. Bright
    Writer:Shana Goldberg-Meehan

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  2. Friends Season 9 Episode 1 - The One Where No One Proposes
    8.5/10(5544 votes)

    S9:E1

    Following Rachel's acceptance of Joey's accidental proposal, confusion reigns as Rachel wonders whether it was the right thing to do and Phoebe can't seem to mind her own business. Finally, Rachel, Ross and Joey get together and figure out that no one was actually going to propose. Meanwhile, Mr. Geller walks in on Monica and Chandler having sex in a closet.

    Director:Kevin S. Bright
    Writers:Sherry Bilsing, Ellen Kreamer

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  3. Friends Season 9 Episode 7 - The One with Ross's Inappropriate Song
    8.5/10(5472 votes)

    S9:E7

    Ross finds a way to make Emma laugh - singing Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back." Needless to say, Rachel isn't as amused, once she finds out. Meanwhile, Phoebe meets Mike's parents and tries her best to leave a good impression. Also, while viewing Richard's old apartment, Joey and Chandler discover a video tape with Monica's name on it, which causes Chandler to freak out, since he thinks it's a sex tape.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writer:Robert Carlock

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  4. Friends Season 9 Episode 18 - The One with the Lottery
    8.5/10(5231 votes)

    S9:E18

    Monica leads the gang, except for a scoffing Ross, to purchase a bunch of lottery tickets for the multi-million-dollar powerball jackpot. However, as they gleefully plot about how they will spend the fortune if they win, they start bickering among themselves until Phoebe takes matters into her own hands. Meanwhile, Chandler frets as he waits for a phone call about a hiring job position and Rachel thinks baby Emma is close to saying her first words.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Friends Season 9 Episode 23 - The One in Barbados
    8.5/10(5686 votes)

    S9:E23

    The gang heads down to Barbados for the paleontology conference. While Ross and Charlie are excited about attending multiple seminars, the rest of the gang just want to enjoy their time on the beach but the rainy weather prevents them from doing so. Things, however, are far from boring - Phoebe discovers that she still has feelings for Mike even though she enjoys spending time with David, Rachel feels lonely and struggles to keep her feelings about Joey to herself, and Chandler is amused by Monica's hair.

    Director:Kevin S. Bright
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane, Scott Silveri, Shana Goldberg-Meehan

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  6. Friends Season 9 Episode 2 - The One Where Emma Cries
    8.4/10(5488 votes)

    S9:E2

    Chandler, having trouble getting enough sleep at home, falls asleep in a meeting and accidentally agrees to run his company's Tulsa office. Emma won't stop crying after Rachel interrupts her nap; Monica and Phoebe try to help get her back to sleep. Meanwhile, Ross is still mad at Joey, and breaks his finger trying to punch him.

    Director:Sheldon Epps
    Writer:Dana Klein

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  7. Friends Season 9 Episode 5 - The One with Phoebe's Birthday Dinner
    8.3/10(5283 votes)

    S9:E5

    The friends are looking forward to getting together and celebrating Phoebe's birthday. However, on the day of the party, Ross struggles to convince Rachel to leave Emma with Mrs. Geller babysitting, and Monica and Chandler get into an argument, after Monica discovers that he's been smoking. All of this causes them to be incredibly late, leaving Phoebe and Joey alone at a restaurant with a table for six.

    Director:David Schwimmer
    Writer:Scott Silveri

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  8. Friends Season 9 Episode 17 - The One with the Memorial Service
    8.3/10(5045 votes)

    S9:E17

    Chandler's jokey entry on his and Ross's college website leads to a faux burial service for the allegedly dead and obviously unpopular Gellar. Meanwhile, Joey is unwilling to give his favorite stuffed animal, Hugsy, to Emma. And Phoebe asks Monica to help her avoid a post-breakup tryst with Mike.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Friends Season 9 Episode 6 - The One with the Male Nanny
    8.2/10(5473 votes)

    S9:E6

    Ross and Rachel hire a nanny for Emma named Sandy and things seem to be going great. However, Ross is uncomfortable having a male nanny. Meanwhile, Chandler becomes upset when Monica says that somebody from her new job is the funniest guy she's ever met. Also, after Phoebe and Mike decide to take their relationship to a new level and exchange apartment keys, Phoebe gets a surprise visit from her ex-boyfriend David.

    Director:Kevin S. Bright
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane

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  10. Friends Season 9 Episode 3 - The One with the Pediatrician
    8.1/10(5105 votes)

    S9:E3

    Rachel's pediatrician drops her as a client because she calls him incessantly to ask about any insignificant issue concerning Emma, so now she must find a new one, which puts Ross in an awkward situation. Meanwhile, Joey arranges a blind date for Phoebe. Also, as Chandler and Monica are preparing to leave for Tulsa, Monica receives a job offer from a prestige restaurant in Manhattan.

    Director:Roger Christiansen
    Writers:Brian Buckner, Sebastian Jones

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  11. Friends Season 9 Episode 15 - The One with the Mugging
    8.1/10(4967 votes)

    S9:E15

    Joey endures a draining audition at the hands of a pompous actor-director. Ross and Phoebe discover a secret link after being mugged together on the street. Chandler's advertising internship gets off to an impressive start.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writer:Peter Tibbals

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  12. Friends Season 9 Episode 20 - The One with the Soap Opera Party
    8.1/10(4941 votes)

    S9:E20

    Joey secretly throws a party on the roof of his building for the "Days of Our Lives" cast and he reluctantly invites the rest of the gang, once they discover his plans. Meanwhile, Ross meets a new colleague, Charlie, and is instantly attracted to her, however, he feels intimidated once he learns about her accomplished ex-boyfriends. Also, everyone forgets to tell Chandler about the change of plans and he gets stuck at a theater play by himself.

    Director:Sheldon Epps
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Friends Season 9 Episode 21 - The One with the Fertility Test
    8.1/10(4835 votes)

    S9:E21

    Joey comes to Ross for advice on dating Charlie, since they don't share much of the same interests. Meanwhile, Chandler and Monica bump into Janice at a fertility clinic. Also, Rachel has a gift certificate for a massage at a fancy massage place which Phoebe doesn't want her to use, since she doesn't approve of big corporations.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Friends Season 9 Episode 4 - The One with the Sharks
    8.0/10(5140 votes)

    S9:E4

    After Phoebe has a talk with Ross, it prompts her to realize that she's never had a long term relationship. Monica makes a startling discovery while visiting Chandler in Tulsa. Also, Joey goes on a date with an attractive woman and discovers that her apartment seems really familiar, although he doesn't remember sleeping with her before.

    Director:Ben Weiss
    Writers:Ted Cohen, Andrew Reich

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  15. Friends Season 9 Episode 9 - The One with Rachel's Phone Number
    8.0/10(5045 votes)

    S9:E9

    Joey becomes convinced that Monica is having an affair, after Chandler sneaks back into town without him knowing, in order to have some alone time with his wife. Meanwhile, Rachel and Phoebe have a girls night out, and Rachel gives her phone number to a guy they meet at a bar. Also, Ross and Mike try to hang out together but it doesn't go very well, since they can't find a common interest to talk about.

    Director:Ben Weiss
    Writer:Mark Kunerth

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  16. Friends Season 9 Episode 14 - The One with the Blind Dates
    8.0/10(4930 votes)

    S9:E14

    Phoebe and Joey purposely set Ross and Rachel up on bad dates in the hopes they'll get back together. Meanwhile, Monica and Chandler babysit Emma, and aren't being as responsible as they should be.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writers:Sherry Bilsing, Ellen Kreamer

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  17. Friends Season 9 Episode 16 - The One with the Boob Job
    8.0/10(4853 votes)

    S9:E16

    While reviewing their monthly expenses, Monica and Chandler discover that their situation is less than stellar. This results in Monica asking Joey to lend her some money without telling Chandler. When Chandler eventually finds out, Joey comes up with a lie that Monica needs the money for breast enhancement procedure. Meanwhile, Phoebe gets really excited as she and Mike decide to move in together, but her excitement quickly dissipates once she discovers that Mike doesn't see himself getting married ever again. Also, Rachel's attempt to baby-proof the apartment tampers with a frustrated Joey's sanity.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writer:Mark Kunerth

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  18. Friends Season 9 Episode 13 - The One Where Monica Sings
    7.9/10(5012 votes)

    S9:E13

    A night at Mike's piano bar gives Monica a very showy moment in the spotlight. Ross struggles to move on after witnessing Gavin and Rachel kiss. Meanwhile, Chandler employs his secret skill to repair Joey's botched eyebrow-waxing job.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Friends Season 9 Episode 19 - The One with Rachel's Dream
    7.9/10(4912 votes)

    S9:E19

    After visiting the set of "Days of Our Lives", Rachel catches herself dreaming about a romantic encounter with Joey. Meanwhile, Chandler buys a non-refundable weekend getaway for himself and Monica, but when she can't get time off at work, Ross joins him. Also, Phoebe takes advantage of Monica's restaurant clientele.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Friends Season 9 Episode 11 - The One Where Rachel Goes Back to Work
    7.8/10(4895 votes)

    S9:E11

    Chandler starts looking for a job and is anxious about having a baby with Monica while uncertain about his career prospects. Meanwhile, Rachel visits work and finds out that during her leave, a guy named Gavin has been temporarily assigned to take care of her job. She starts to feel insecure about her job position and decides to come back from her leave early. Also, Phoebe works as an extra on Joey's TV show and brings even more drama to the set.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Friends Season 9 Episode 12 - The One with Phoebe's Rats
    7.7/10(5033 votes)

    S9:E12

    Gavin gives Rachel a very interesting birthday gift while Ross begs Joey to stay away from Emma's hot new nanny. Meanwhile, Mike meets and then accidentally murders Phoebe's unusual pet.

    Director:Ben Weiss
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Friends Season 9 Episode 22 - The One with the Donor
    7.6/10(4916 votes)

    S9:E22

    Rachel and Phoebe take Joey's girlfriend Charlie shopping, where she overhears the two of them gossiping about Joey. Meanwhile, Ross gives a presentation to a fellow professor in the hopes of getting the role of keynote speaker at the paleontology convention in Barbados. Also, Monica and Chandler consider alternate pregnancy options making some people really uncomfortable in the process.

    Director:Ben Weiss
    Writers:Ted Cohen, Andrew Reich

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  23. Friends Season 9 Episode 10 - The One with Christmas in Tulsa
    7.2/10(5200 votes)

    S9:E10

    Everyone in the gang gets a little upset when Chandler announces that he'll be spending Christmas and New Year's Eve in Tulsa because of work. To make matters worse, Monica gets quite jealous when she finds out that one of Chandler's co-workers is a former Miss Oklahoma runner-up. After doing some retrospection, Chandler decides to quit his job.

    Director:Kevin S. Bright
    Writer:Doty Abrams

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Season 9 Ratings Summary

"The One with Rachel's Other Sister" is the best rated episode of "Friends" season 9. It scored 8.7/10 based on 6144 votes. Directed by Kevin S. Bright and written by Shana Goldberg-Meehan, it aired on 11/21/2002. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The One Where No One Proposes".