707--Review

S P O I L E R

S P A C E

F O R

7 0 7

The One With Ross' Library Book (directed by David Schwimmer…again)

707 was not as good as 706, but it was still better than 704 and 705.

First, Joey/ Phoebe/Rachel/Erin:

I thought this story was decent, but not great. I was really hoping for more humor. But it was nice seeing Joey in a different manner for a change. (However, I won't be surprised if he is back to his womanizing ways by the next episode.)

Unfortunately, Kristin Davis was pretty much wasted. Her character really deserved more development. It would have been nice to see her in a multiple episode stint (rather than Tag). The Joey/Erin relationship would have made for an interesting story arc.

Phoebe and Rachel were acting very motherly towards Joey today. The group definitely views Joey as their child. For some reason, Phoebe was given very little to do in this episode. Most of the supporting dialogue went to Rachel. Strange.

Second, Chandler/Monica/Janice:

This was the most disappointing part of the episode. Maggie Wheeler totally overacted Janice (even more than usual). Her one-liners seemed too forced and aren't as funny as they used to be. For the first time ever, I actually hope we never see Janice again. (Unless of course she comes back for Joey.)

MP and CCA were much better last week. Once again, the C&M thing just doesn't work EVERY single week.

And why was there no mention of Yemen? Do the new writers care about ANYTHING that happened before Season 5?

Finally, Ross:

I probably enjoyed this more than anything else in the episode. It was actually funny and original. It was nice seeing a focus on Ross' work for a change, rather than Rachel's. But I do think sleeping with the stranger at the library was slightly out of character (even for Ross). And aren't C&M a little too old to be there as well?

On a side note, the casts' appearances have changed again. JA's hair is now shorter than ever, and she looks great. CCA, however, seems to be reverting to her early Season 6 appearance. She's lost her summer tan, and her hair is looking straighter. Maybe she was just slightly under the weather? And MP is definitely much healthier than he was during the season premiere.

Overall, this episode wasn't as I hoped. My expectations were probably too high because of the two guest stars -- and because last week's episode was so great. But it was still better than some the earlier episodes this season. And it was definitely above Season 6 quality. Hopefully, the Thanksgiving episode next week will be a great end to our 8 straight new episodes.

--Doc

"DocDoc2222" wrote in message news:[email]...

totally

and

hope

doesn't

ANYTHING

It wasn't quite as good as I was hoping. Like they replaced Janice with an evil clone or something. Maggie Wheeler and the writers have done better (I still ponder if BK&C will ever give her a spin-off series). It just rang false for me this time around. Janice has been a more sympathetic character in the past, not one that would suddenly try to become a houseguest. Still, she did take the news about Chandler and Monica better than I thought she did. I'm still hoping for a flashback revealing how Chandler and Janice met. TOW That Could've Been started a theory that Janice was the first girl Chandler ever had sex with, and I'm hoping an episode will confirm or deny this.

Bobby C.

DocDoc2222 wrote in message news:[email]...

Agreed, but honestly, that's not saying much. 705 was a veritable stinkbomb. I thought this one was close.

more

next

Surprised? I would be shocked! Joey, maybe once a season (at most), meets a woman who really engages his heart and elevates his usual piggish ways. But he always reverts to his love 'em and leave 'em lifestyle.

multiple

made

Was drooling at the leather skirt.

very

Rachel.

Phoebe, I've noticed, often gets nothing to do. I've come to the conclusion that most writers simply won't take the time to do something both realistic and funny with her character. She's too much work for them.

I thought this was the only good storyline of the night, and it was a pretty weak one. JA's hair looks FAR better than it has in years, and Rachel had a nice storyline playing both conscience and matchmaker. See a separate post for my thoughts on MLB and Joey.

totally

and

hope

Janice was completely wasted. We were stuck with the hoary sitcom device of no one willing to be honest and firm the first time. Felt like to me TPTB said, "Let's bring back Janice!" and then failed to think of a good storyline for her return. However, it was (almost) worth the bad storyline for Joey's hallway reaction. The look on his face was classic.

doesn't

Because the writers don't seem to know how to A) bring forth good, humorous stories organic to the characters and B) bring forth good, humorous stories based on the development of a commited relationship.

ANYTHING

I think you've answered your own question.

a

at the

little

Ugh. You are being far too kind. This was, hands down, one of the dumbest plotlines I've seen on the show yet. Was talking about it with my wife, and I think what really bothered me is that the story seemed not only completely contrived, but Ross' role in it was bland and generic. You could have essentially stuck ANY sitcom character into Ross' part and the story would have stayed the same (dumb and utterly unfunny). And YET AGAIN we have the return of Angry/Shouting Ross. Haven't any of the writers seen the shows from Seasons 1-3 where DS does a lot of great comedy with a minimum of shouting?

now

reverting to

MP is

Agreed. CCA, IMNSHO, hasn't really looked good since season 2 or 3.

too

so

season.

If next week is not a considerably improvement over 707, 704 and 705, I will stop watching the prime time eps for a while, and stick with the syndicated eps.

Michael Martin wrote:

Well, personally, I enjoyed seeing some of Ross's professional accomplishments. I think the writers were going for the "irony" of having Ross, the staunch defender of acedemia succumbing to the (only) girl who checked out his book. Putting other characters in Ross' place wouldn't have the same effect, in my opinion.

I thought it was ok. It was slightly out of Ross's character, but I don't believe he and the girl actually had sex. I had thought they were "on the way" to having sex, but didn't make it that far, cuz there was "increased security" and they got caught before anything could happen. . .

This episode was directed by DS, so he had some lattitude as to how he wanted to play Ross. He chose the way you saw, so maybe that's how Ross really is, as DS defines him.

Totally agreed. CCA last night didn't look good at all, IMO, but atleast JA is back to classy. . .

I disagree with all of you. I thought this episode was really good, Janice wasn't WONDERFUL, but the whole nasal thing at the end was great, and Joey's reaction to seeing her had me ROFLOL! It wasn't nearly as good as last weeks, but all in all, better than Season 6!

Monana Geller wrote in message news:8v453i$552$[email]...

No, it was horrible. Been there, laughed at that. Maggie Wheeler was wasted, Chandler has become a bland, generic character, and Monica is damn near unwatchable.

It's a measure of the ep's quality in that a 3-second scene was the lone highlight. I agree, it was a classic moment. Stuck in a piece of crap episode.

Which is a back-handed compliment if I ever heard one.

I agree. I thought this episode was horrible. I gave it a 5.5/10. A total disappointment especially after the last episode TOW The Nap Partners. That was a hilarius episode.

Janice apperence was totally wasted. The only OK storyline was Ross' library book part. And I must say, at first, I thought it was Cameron Diaz as well, considering this is November sweeps and they use guest stars all the time during sweeps.

I'm glad to be back at the newsgroup.

- Dhar http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/gilmoregirlsinn

Michael Martin wrote in message news:3a15a75f$[email]...