Season 2

Season 2
Season	2
Episodes	24
Aired from	September 21, 1995 - May 16, 1996
Premiere	The One With Ross' New Girlfriend
Finale	The One With Barry & Mindy's Wedding
Other seasons
← Previous	"Season 1"
Next →	"Season 3"

The second season of Friends aired from September 21, 1995 to May 16, 1996.

Season summary

This season features more serialized storylines; it begins with Rachel's decision to tell Ross of her newly discovered feelings for him being put on hold she she finds he is dating Julie, a girl he knew from grad school. Rachel endures their relationship for a while hoping it fizzles out but instead it seems like it is going to last. Upset, Rachel decides to go on a date but gets drunk and leaves a phone message where she reveals her feelings. When Ross finds out, he decides to pursue a relationship with Rachel but feels uneasy about just dumping Julie. He makes a list of Rachel and Julie's bad qualities, but quickly decides that he wants to be with Rachel and breaks up with Julie. However Rachel gets a hold of the list and sees what Ross doesn't like about her, infuriating her and the relationship is over before it starts. The two are at loggerheads for a while, as Rachel spurns every attempt Ross makes to apologise. Eventually, a prom video reveals that Ross intended to take Rachel to the prom when her prom date was late. Rachel finally forgives Ross, and they begin a relationship that lasts into the following season.

The second season also served to deepen Chandler and Joey's friendship. Joey attempts to break into acting finally yield results as he gets a part in a fictional version of the soap opera Days of Our Lives. With the money he's making, Joey can afford to live alone and moves out following an argument with Chandler, and a creepy guy named Eddie Menuek moves in. Chandler is disappointed when he learns that his roommate does not share his interests, such as sports and Baywatch. He is pushed over the edge when it becomes clear that Eddie has some mental issues. Joey loses his job on Days of our Lives after angering the writers by claiming he writes his own lines and soon moves back in, Chandler getting rid of Eddie by using his selective memory against him by claiming he never lived there. Another surprise comes when Chandler falls in love with a woman over the Internet, who turns out to be Janice. Despite the fact that their relationship had failed in the past, they decide to get back together.

Phoebe decides the time has come to track down her father, learning that the guy she believed was her dad was just the model in the stock photo inserted into the frame. She learns where her father is living and goes to the address on Christmas Eve, but decides she can't face the potential rejection and doesn't knock on the door. A few weeks later she works up the courage again and goes back to her father's house but decides to leave yet again. However this time she runs over the family's dog, and when she returns it from the vet she learns that her father has abandoned this family too. Although upset, Phoebe feels better as she meets and gets to know her half-brother Frank Jr.

Monica encounters Dr. Richard Burke (Tom Selleck), a friend of Monica and Ross' parents, for the first time since she was a child. He is recently divorced and with grown children, however he and Monica are attracted to each other and start dating despite Richard being 21 years older than her. The two are very happy together, however they find they want different things out of life; Monica would like to eventually get married and have children however he has already done all that doesn't want to go through it again. Deciding this is an insurmountable obstacle for them, the two regretfully break up.

Cast

Main Cast

• Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Greene
• Courteney Cox as Monica Geller
• Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay
• Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani
• Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing
• David Schwimmer as Ross Geller

Recurring Cast

• Lauren Tom as Julie
• Tom Selleck as Richard Burke
• Adam Goldberg as Eddie Menuek
• Jane Sibbett as Carol Willick
• Jessica Hecht as Susan Bunch

See also

• Friends: The Complete Second Season
• Season 2 Actors
• Season 2 Characters
• Episodes
• Season 2 Subtitles

Trivia/Goofs

• This is the only season without a dedicated Thanksgiving episode.
• As of this season all episodes are filmed on Stage 24, which was renamed The Friends Stage after the series finale.
• As from this season, the handle on the green closet door by the bathroom in Monica's apartment is on the right. Unlike in season 1, this door is never seen open until Chandler opens it seven years later in "The One With The Secret Closet".
• In the later Season 2 opening credit sequence, a clip from The One With Phoebe's Husband is shown featuring Monica dancing to the start of Joey's porn movie. However this scene was cut from the broadcast episode.

Episode List

#	Total	Image	Title	Writer	Director	Original Airdate
1	25		"The One With Ross' New Girlfriend"	Jeffrey Astrof & Mike Sikowitz	Michael Lembeck	September 21, 1995
			Rachel gets an unpleasant surprise when Ross returns home. Phoebe has varied success when cutting her friends' hair!
2	26		"The One With The Breast Milk"	Adam Chase & Ira Ungerleider	Michael Lembeck	September 28, 1995
			Monica goes shopping when Ross's new girlfriend and is too afraid to tell Rachel. Joey is troubled when a fellow after-shave salesman outperforms him on the job.
3	27		"The One Where Heckles Dies"	Michael Curtis & Greg Malins	Kevin S. Bright	October 5, 1995
			The downstairs neighbor dies and bequeaths his strange possessions to Monica and Rachel.
4	28		"The One With Phoebe's Husband"	Alexa Junge	Gail Mancuso	October 12, 1995
			Everyone's surprised when Phoebe's husband shows up.
5	29		"The One With Five Steaks And An Eggplant"	Chris Brown	Ellen Gittelsohn	October 19, 1995
			When planning a birthday party for Ross, the six discover money is an issue in life, even among friends.
6	30		"The One With The Baby On The Bus"	Betsy Borns	Gail Mancuso	November 2, 1995
			Joey and Chandler accidentally leave Ben on a bus while babysitting. Phoebe (whose Smelly Cat debuts here) gets fired from her Central Perk singing gig, and is replaced by a professional.
7	31		"The One Where Ross Finds Out"	Michael Borkow	Peter Bonerz	November 9, 1995
			Dramatic developments occur in Ross and Rachel's relationship. Chandler regrets asking Monica to help him lose weight.
8	32		"The One With The List"	Marta Kauffman & David Crane	Mary Kay Place	November 16, 1995
			Rachel makes a painful discovery concerning Ross. Monica's new boss gives her an impossible task.
9	33		"The One With Phoebe's Dad"	Jeffrey Astrof & Mike Sikowitz	Kevin S. Bright	December 14, 1995
			Phoebe learns the surprising truth about her father. Ross makes Monica's Christmas party guests miserable. Rachel gets her revenge on Ross.
10	34		"The One With Russ"	Ira Ungerleider	Thomas Schlamme	January 4, 1996
			After some gentle person persuasion, Joey accepts a great acting job. Rachel dates a guy who looks amazingly like Ross.
11	35		"The One With The Lesbian Wedding"	Doty Abrams	Thomas Schlamme	January 18, 1996
			Carol and Susan prepare for their wedding with help from an uncomfortable Ross.
12	36		"The One After The Superbowl, Part 1"	Jeffrey Astrof & Mike Sikowitz, Michael Borkow	Michael Lembeck	January 28, 1996
			Ross goes to visit Marcel the Monkey in the San Diego Zoo and finds the simian is pursuing a show-biz career. Joey has a date with a deranged fan. Lembeck won a Best Director Emmy.
13	37		"The One After The Superbowl, Part 2"	Jeffrey Astrof & Mike Sikowitz, Michael Borkow	Michael Lembeck	January 28, 1996
			Rachel and Monica fight over Jean-Claude Van Damme. Chandler dates a girl he went to elementary school with, with a surprising outcome. Lembeck won a Best Director Emmy.
14	38		"The One With The Prom Video"	Alexa Junge	James Burrows	February 1, 1996
			Monica's old home video elicits the true feelings Ross has for Rachel. Joey gives Chandler a gift.
15	39		"The One Where Ross And Rachel... You Know"	Michael Curtis & Greg Malins	Michael Lembeck	February 8, 1996
			Ross and Rachel encounter romantic obstacles. Monica falls for a handsome older doctor. Chandler and Joey have new lazy chairs and do not want to get up from them.
16	40		"The One Where Joey Moves Out"	Betsy Borns	Michael Lembeck	February 15, 1996
			Chandler catches Joey licking a spoon and replacing it in the drawer, and a major fight ensues. Monica's parents find out about her new boyfriend.
17	41		"The One Where Eddie Moves In"	Adam Chase	Michael Lembeck	February 22, 1996
			Joey and Chandler pine for each other but neither will admit it. Chandler gets a new roommate. A record company asks Phoebe to make a Smelly Cat music video.
18	42		"The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies"	Teleplay by Michael Borkow, Story by Alexa Junge	Michael Lembeck	March 21, 1996
			Joey's soap character looks set to be killed off after Joey makes some contentious remarks to a fan magazine. Monica and Richard have their first argument.
19	43		"The One Where Eddie Won't Go"	Michael Curtis & Greg Malins	Michael Lembeck	March 28, 1996
			Chandler battles to get rid of his annoying new roommate and have Joey, who's feeling the crunch of unemployment and mounting debt, move back in. The girls discover a book on personal empowerment.
20	44		"The One Where Old Yeller Dies"	Teleplay by Adam Chase, Story by Michael Curtis	Michael Lembeck	April 4, 1996
			Impressionable Phoebe becomes depressed when it dawns on her that some movies don't end happily. Richard bonds with Chandler and Joey at a basketball game.
21	45		"The One With The Bullies"	Sebastian Jones & Brian Buckner	Michael Lembeck	April 11, 1996
			Chandler and Ross are intimidated by two bullies who take over the friends' Central Perk sofa. Phoebe meets her long-lost family.
22	46		"The One With Two Parties"	Alexa Junge	Michael Lembeck	May 2, 1996
			Rachel gets a real surprise when her parents show up at her birthday party.
23	47		"The One With The Chicken Pox"	Brown Mandell	Michael Lembeck	May 9, 1996
			When Phoebe catches chicken pox, her chances for romance with an ex-love are nearly ruined. Rachel is intrigued by Phoebe's ex-love sailor suit wanting Ross to have one as well. Monica feels she may be too neurotic for straight-arrow Richard.
24	48		"The One With Barry & Mindy's Wedding"	Teleplay by Brown Mandell, Story by Ira Ungerleider	Michael Lembeck	May 16, 1996
			Rachel is a bridesmaid at her ex-fiance's wedding. Monica and Richard's relationship is jeopardized when the subject of children arises.

<< Season 1		Season 2					Season 3 >>
#01	"The One With Ross' New Girlfriend"		#09	"The One With Phoebe's Dad"		#17	"The One Where Eddie Moves In"
#02	"The One With The Breast Milk"		#10	"The One With Russ"		#18	"The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies"
#03	"The One Where Heckles Dies"		#11	"The One With The Lesbian Wedding"		#19	"The One Where Eddie Won't Go"
#04	"The One With Phoebe's Husband"		#12	"The One After The Superbowl, Part 1"		#20	"The One Where Old Yeller Dies"
#05	"The One With Five Steaks And An Eggplant"		#13	"The One After The Superbowl, Part 2"		#21	"The One With The Bullies"
#06	"The One With The Baby On The Bus"		#14	"The One With The Prom Video"		#22	"The One With The Two Parties"
#07	"The One Where Ross Finds Out"		#15	"The One Where Ross And Rachel... You Know"		#23	"The One With The Chicken Pox"
#08	"The One With The List"		#16	"The One Where Joey Moves Out"		#24	"The One With Barry And Mindy's Wedding"