Episode 15 - TOW Estelle Dies
21 January 2009
Review
Synopsis: Ross tries to get Rachel’s old job back so that she will stay in New York. Joey’s agent Estelle dies and Phoebe tries to keep the news from him. Chandler and Monica go to see the house next door to the one they are buying and discover Janice is going to buy it. The Good: This is a very necessary episode as it ties up several loose ends as we head to the end of the show. The final appearance of Janice is passable and at least Chandler gets a couple of good jokes in as he outsmarts her. The death of Estelle frees Joey to move to LA for his own series and as usual he sneaks some funny reactions into his story. But the spotlight is on Ross and Rachel again. There is a nice link made in their story to series one as Rachel’s fear and excitement over going to Paris mirrors her emotions when she came to New York in series one. Ross has some fun trying to convince her old boss to rehire her and in the end we see the love they have for each other shown in a touching way. The Bad: Unfortunately the jokes in the episode are forced in and don’t fit the nice tone established. Early on Chandler makes jokes which are unnecessary as they try to shoehorn humour into a serious scene. Joey is made to look like a fool once again as he believes Estelle can call him from beyond the grave. Then there is Janice who continues to be wasted in her role as they overplay her irritating characteristics. This episode shows how the writers can still make us care about these characters but they can’t make them funny at the same time. It was the marriage of those two needs which once made Friends great. Best Line: (Ro) “Perhaps I can persuade you? What if you could give your son this genuine Pterodactyl egg (whispers) replica?” Best Friend: Ross
Feedback
Add your comments on this episode below. They may be included in the weekly podcasts.
|
’)