701 and 702 Reviews

S P O I L E R S P A C E

"The One With Monica's Thunder"

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I don't know if it was because there was an R&R plot that began hinting at a reunion or what, but this was definitely better than the crap that we saw last season. Joey's plot didn't have much relevance in the beginning, but then, as the episode progressed, I realized it was for a reason. As Rachel alluded to toward the end of the episode, they're getting older. Joey is having a hard time accepting that he's no longer a teen, and the fact that his friends are getting married is helping to show him that he's not getting any younger.

I thought Phoebe's songs were great--no "Jingle Bitch" or "Little Black Curly Hair," but great nonetheless. I hope we actually get to see her sing at the wedding...but I can tell you right now...if the wedding planning goes on until May, we are in for a looooong season. :)

"The One With Rachel's Book"

I don't know why this was titled what it was...the book plot sucked ass. It made for a few good jokes, but that was the extent of it. Ross massaging the old man had me in stitches. Watching him poke him with his fingers, then with the spoons, had me on the floor. I hope that Phoebe provides Ross with some really odd stories until the inevitable switcheroo (R&R and J&P living together) that will end up taking place, as hinted by Wanda from E! and Kevin Bright.

I thought Monica and Chandler's monetary problems were too cutesy, but we got to see the Gellers again, which is always a plus. I'm really hoping we see the Bings for February Sweeps. Oh, can you imagine the fur flying there?!

All in all, the episodes get a B each.

Courteney looked to be heavier, while Matthew and David both dropped some weight...Matthew maybe even dropped a little too much. And I can't wait until 707 when Jennifer's hair looks good again.

I also enjoyed both episodes. Although I missed the whole R&R kiss part because I was on the phone. When my VCR stops recording ER I'll have to check it out.

I know this sounds awful, but if I ever get engaged, I too would let all of NYC know. At least I don't have a big wedding book. And sadly, I think my wedding fund has been used for my parents cruises. They actually gave me that whole "turning 30, paying for it myself" speech.

I'm just glad to finally see new episodes.

Mike the Real American Hero wrote:

AND... we had another opportunity for one of Ross' famous embarrassing lines... (holding up his so-sexy hands to Rachel) "The only one enjoying these bad boys is gonna be ME!" <guffaw>

Tess

Do not trust anything Wanda says. She was the one who said R&R would have a big secret that they wouldn't reveal until later in the season. That obviously never happened.

As for the roommate shuffling, I took Kevin Bright's comment differently. I think he was only referring to Phoebe living with Ross. I am extremely doubtful he was hinting anything more.

--Doc

What did Kevin Bright say?

If we are talking about the same thing, it was actually Crane....

Happy together: While their apartment is being redone, Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) will continue to live with Monica and Chandler, and Rachel will stay with Joey. But, says executive producer David Crane, "There’s still a little bit of rearrangement to be done."

--Doc

[email] (Mike the Real American Hero) wrote:

Reminds me of Helen on Wings. Her mother gambled her wedding money away while she was in Vegas. Considering both Helen and Monica were both chubby through their teen years...

And the babes who were chubby isn't limited to just these two nbc series. Susan of "Suddenly Susan" was also supposed to be chubby. Then there's Jesse's buddy on that show. But at least that was based on reality, the actress who played the character actually loosing weight between seasons.

On Fri, 13 Oct 2000, Mike the Real American Hero stated this considered view. Waking from my doze, I hastily scrawled -

That can't be a bad thing, and I always think she looks better when she's not so thin - beginning of S2 for example.

Paul Hyett wrote:

I do not have time for a full-fledged commentary right now, but I have one overwhelming question.

Why, oh why, oh why, why, why does Chandler want to be around, let alone marry, this selfish, shrewish, horrifiying harridan? Monica is completely unwatchable.

Hellooooo!!! After getting drunk in Vegas, Claire Abraham doodled cat whiskers on his/her face and miaowed this little lot at a statue...

Uh, just so as I have this clear in my mind, which incident are you referring to here, Claire? :)

Hmm? Was it the constant inference that it was Monica's night? The screaming of, "I'm gonna be a bride!!"? The 16th birthday party story? While I enjoyed the episodes, it was hard not to notice that every line that Monica had to say was yelled at the top of CCA's lungs.

As Jack Geller so eloquently put it, "Good luck, Chandler."

Or, better yet, as Phoebe put it, "Break it off. Break it off NOW."

If Monica says, "I'm engaged!" in one more episode, I may have to start muting CCA's scenes.

--Doc

DocDoc2222 wrote:

All of them. Every word that came out of this bitch's mouth.

Wow! No love loss there. :)

"But she's not a shrew, Chandler won that squabble about the wedding money!" ;)

Mislead wrote:

Only by describing all the neat stuff Monica gets to have if she doesn't send him to the poorhouse. And he apologized and caved and groveled just to have her show how generous she's supposed to be to express the smallest amount of fiscal responsibility. As a bride who managed to have a quite lovely and frugal wedding, I am sick to death of media suggestion that every woman is cheated if she doesn't have a three ring circus at her nuptuals. I have come to be pretty comfortable with the death of R&R, and I'd be enjoying a show based on a Chandler romance if he was dating a girl worth caring about. C&M as an idea didn't ruin this for me. R&R ending did not ruin this for me. Ruining Ross did not ruin this for me. Having this horrible incarnation of Monica be the central focus of the entire show ruined it for me, although Chandler and Joey were both very entertaining. They are now the show's only saving graces.

For the record, Ross' behavior in the first episode did not strike me as being particularly objectionable. There are few men who would not be aroused if Jennifer Aniston absolutely threw herself at him like that, or not confused at how she played with him. He handled it with more self-deprecating humor and better grace than a lot of men would. If Ross treated a female character the way Rachel treated him tonight he'd get flayed alive, both by the other characters and on this newsgroup.

I don't think there's been a clear signal whether the writers intend to bring up R&R later or not. They could go either way with this easily. It is bitterly obvious that they have no idea at all what to do with either character; both are dull or annoying alone and more effective together, but they don't really want to have them get back together - probably because there's already one tediously, cloyingly happy couple running around.

More Joey and Chandler! More Joey and Chandler!

On Fri, 13 Oct 2000, Claire Abraham stated this considered view. Waking from my doze, I hastily scrawled -

Perhaps he disagrees with you, and thinks, like I do, that she is a hot sexy babe? :)

Well, of course! That's all that matters!

She makes Rachel seem altruistic by comparison.

Mike the Real American Hero wrote in message news:[email]...

was an

Agreed. Still not up to Season 1/2 standards, but still better than most of S6. Have you noticed most of the best episodes are centered around the two apartments--meaning no guest stars, no on-location scenes, and no geographically-split plotlines?

realized it

they're

him

Joey is, more and more, becoming my favorite Friend to watch. Can't say anything about his non-TV roles, but ML has this character down and really maximizes the laughs and character traits.

Curly

the

until

Yes, I can only imagine what Phoebe will sing at the wedding. And from I have read, expect the wedding to take place during May sweeps.

One thing I think you missed is that JA's acting ability really shined through in this ep., and the next one. For the first time since somewhere in Season 2, I found myself actually liking Rachel and appreciated JA's delivery.

It

Yes. Very sitcom-y and little or no relevance.

with

Same here. Thought we would wake the kids from laughing so hard.

Kevin

I'd like to see Ross softened and made more sympathetic this season -- Yelling Ross from last season was extremely unlikeable.

got

see the

Was I the only one who had deja vu with MP in this scene? It paralleled his character from "Fools Rush In" not telling his parents he had gotten married.

Season opener: B+. Second ep: B-/C+

until

MP looked light years better than last season, but what is up with CCA's hair? Ick.

"Michael Martin" wrote in message news:39e6fe81$[email]...

definitely

of

two

Yep I noticed.

a

show

I laughed so hard my side hurt hearing him talk "S'up with the wack Playstation s'up?"

I absolutely love the song about not letting Monica and Chandler sing at her wedding and the one at the end

I loved the end when Rachel had him backed up against the door! That was so funny

then

Well at least Ross has got to the point where he can laugh at himself. That's at least one step in the right direction.

we

his

Yeah a little.

some