BWW Flashback Friday: FRIENDS The One Where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs

I'll admit it, I'm an all out FRIENDS fanatic. I really don't care for people who don't like it, but it doesn't matter. It made me incredibly happy for the 10 years it was on air and it still makes me happy now. There were many things that this show did right, but one of the most prominent is Thanksgiving.

Throughout the years, I have seen countless lists of the best FRIENDS Thanksgiving episodes and I almost always disagree. My personal favorite is from Season Seven, an overall lackluster season with notable exceptions, but the Thanksgiving episode gave everybody a chance to shine and it remains my favorite. Why? Because, I don't like dogs. And people FREAK out about that fact. I don't hate dogs, I've been known to watch them from time to time. I have even had affection for one or two, but overall, I just don't like them. And this episode cemented my love for Chandler Bing, because his plight is just all too familiar for me.

The basic plot is Thanksgiving Day, Rachel's sexy assistant, Tag joins the gang for Thanksgiving. The FRIENDS are in a tense game of state naming. Ross claims he can easily name all 50 states where all the rest failed. Joey named 56 and Monica just plain doesn't care about the Dakotas.

When Ross only comes up with 46, Chandler bets him that he cannot come up with the last four before the holiday dinner. Ross accepts the challenge and won't even eat until he remembers them. In other news, Phoebe, who at this point is staying with Monica and Chandler, is hiding a dog she is watching. When Monica discovers the dog, Chandler reminds everyone that he's allergic until the truth finally comes out: Chandler hates dogs. By the end, Chandler has made his peace with the dog in question, Ross can't remember the last state (Delaware) and Joey accidentally reveals to Tag that Rachel has a huge crush on him. No worries, he takes it in stride and makes out with her.

Besides the dog hating theme, there are many things that are working here that makes me love this episode. Joey advising Rachel on how to pursue Tag is one of the most perfect Joey moments in FRIENDS history. And anytime that Ross is irritated and stressed out is quintessential Ross. Since it's a Thanksgiving episode, we are treated to a bottle episode where all the FRIENDS are in the same room and that's when the show is at its best. Tag and Rachel date throughout Season Seven, but it ultimately ends because of their age difference. Regardless, it is fun to see where it all started. So many relationship conflicts erupt at Thanksgiving, it's nice to see one begin.

Every season has a great Thanksgiving episode, except Season 2 where it is acknowledged that it is Thanksgiving time, but there's no real episode built around it. My other two favorites are Season 8's "The One With the Rumor" guest starring Brad Pitt (a little bittersweet now, but still funny) and Season 9's "The One With Rachel's Other Sister" guest starring Christina Applegate.

Favorite Lines:

• Joey - Hey! How is New England not a state? Huh? They have a sports-team! Chandler - Does South Oregon have a sports-team?

• Monica - Hey, did you guys know that your oven doesn't work? Joey - But the drawer full of take-out menus is okay, right?

• Joey - All right, Rach, the big question is, does he like you? All right? Because if he doesn't like you, this is all a moo-point. Rachel - A moo point? Joey - Yeah, it's like a cow's opinion. It just doesn't matter. It's moo.

• Chandler - Okay, I went over to Ross' apartment to bring back Clunkers. Y'know, for you, and... I left the door open and she must have gotten out and I looked everywhere, all over the apartment, including the roof, which FYI Ross, one of your neighbors, growing weed. I couldn't find him, and I am so, so, so, sorry. But I do know where we could all go ease the pain.

Season Seven had its highs and lows, but for me this was one of the highs. The warmth of Monica's kitchen and of their relationships ooze out of the screen and it's very clear why they strive to spend this holiday together every year. My best friend and I traditionally have our Friendsgiving marathon when we are cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Sometimes we go in chronological order, sometimes in order of our favorites, sometimes we get crazy and put it on shuffle. FRIENDS is just as big of a tradition as our friendship is.

Photo Credit: NBC