The One With the Two Parties

Thursday, 2 May 1996

Both of Rachel's divorcing parents turn up for her birthday, so the friends run two separate parties across the hall from each other to keep the two of them apart.

What happens

• Monica plans a formal party with poached salmon, and when the others object she tells them to throw whatever party they want instead.
• Rachel returns from her sister's graduation, where her divorcing parents fought in public, so the group decides to invite only her mother.
• Mr. Greene arrives uninvited, and Monica fails to convince him that nothing is going on.
• Mrs. Greene arrives while her husband is still in the bedroom, so Monica hides the coats and sends the men to hold a second party across the hall.
• Rachel is surprised twice, realises both parents have come, and decides to split herself between the two parties rather than call it off.
• Monica's quiet party drives Gunther toward the door, and Phoebe offers to sneak him out.
• Ross fetches Mr. Greene's scotch, cigarettes and glasses to keep him occupied, and is caught wearing the glasses.
• Phoebe smuggles a group of guests across to the other party, and Monica catches her doing it.
• Mrs. Greene tells Rachel to see a therapist because she has chosen a boyfriend just like her father.
• Rachel breaks down in the hallway with Chandler over what her parents' divorce means for her, and Ross takes over comforting her.