"The One With Chandler's Dad" is the twenty-second episode of the seventh season of Friends, which aired on May 10, 2001. The plot revolves around Monica and Chandler going to Las Vegas to invite Chandler's estranged father to their wedding.
Plot
The episode starts with Ross and Joey asking to borrow Monica's porsche, so an angry Rachel demands to know why Monica hasn't let her drive, Phoebe, in order to get things equal, reveals that Rachel thinks that Monica talks too much about the wedding, so Monica replies by letting Rachel know that she is a terrible driver.
Ross arrives at Central Perk and comments to Rachel about how fast the "bad boy" is. Rachel requests the keys of the porsche, but Ross refuses. He then he goes to the bathroom to comb his hair (using the comb on the floor of the bathroom), and during his absence Rachel steals the keys and 20 bucks, which she claims to a nearby woman is her alimony.
Monica then asks Chandler about why his father hasn't answered the wedding invitation and Chandler reveals that he didn't send it because his father embarrassed him. Monica tells Chandler they are leaving, Chandler thinking they are leaving to elope, to which a frustrated Monica answers that they are off to see his dad. Chandler then asks if he is ever going to win in their relationship.
Joey decides to bond with Jake, Phoebe's new boyfriend, so he invites him to the Knicks game, but as Jake reaches down for his agenda, Joey sees he is wearing women's underwear. He tells Phoebe about this, she explains that they were goofing around and that they traded underwear She and tells him that he is unsure about his manhood, as opposed to Jake who is so secure in his manhood that he dared to wear women's underwear.
Rachel is "Porsche-ing" around much to Ross's annoyance, but they are pulled over by Officer Hanson (who Rachel calls Officer Handsome). Rachel flirts with him so he won't give her the ticket and she succeeds, after which Ross begins to drive.
Chandler and Monica arrive to the show of Helena Handbasket, who Chandler reveals to be his father. She begins to talk to the people in the crowd, and Chandler says he can't deal with his. This draws Helena's attention to him, and Chandler's father is surprised to recognize his son. Helena then notices Monica's ring, and Chandler admits they are engaged. Rather awkwardly, Helena turns to another man and says "So, you're bald." Chandler interrupts and invites his father to the wedding. Then Helena begins to sing "It's raining men!"
Joey arrives at Central Perk and shows Phoebe that he is wearing Rachel's stolen underwear. She replies by agreeing that he is a man, but is also a bit slutty.
Ross is pulled over yet again, this time by Officer Petty (who Ross calls Officer Pretty), so he tries to do the same thing as Rachel but fails, and he is given the ticket for driving too slow.
Joey takes the underwear off and goes to hit on the hot girl sitting behind them. He accidentally takes the underwear out of his pocket whilst getting out his wallet and creeps out the girl.
Cast and Crew
Main Cast
Jennifer Aniston - Rachel Green
Courteney Cox Arquette - Monica Geller
Lisa Kudrow - Phoebe Buffay
Matt LeBlanc - Joey Tribbiani
Matthew Perry - Chandler Bing
David Schwimmer - Ross Geller
Supporting Cast
Kathleen Turner - Charles Bing / Helena Handbasket
Mark Consuelos - Policeman #1
Troy Norton - Jake
Chuck Martinez - Policeman #2
Alexis Arquette - The waiter in drag
Joe Everett Michaels - Bakersfield Guy
Stephanie Dicker - The woman
Michelle Haury - The waitress
James Michael Tyler - Gunther
Crew
Directed By:
Kevin S. Bright & Gary Halvorson
Written By:
Gregory S. Malins, Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones
Trivia
General
- In this episode Rachel reveals that her driver's license is expired. This was previously mentioned in "The One With The Invitation".
- The snippy waiter at the drag show is played by Courteney Cox-Arquette's sister-in-law, Alexis Arquette.
- In this episode, it is said that Rachel is an Aquarius. Jennifer Aniston is born on February 11, so it really is her astrological sign.
- This is the only episode with 2 directors.
- Although it's never stated outright, it is assumed that Emma was conceived, in-universe, around the time of this episode.
Goofs
- When Chandler and Monica are in Vegas, Monica's wrap keeps moving where it is on her shoulders between shots.
- When the Porsche is parked outside of Central Perk the license plate reads "YSO 791". Later when Ross and Rachel are driving, the license plate reads "XL 334".
- Monica claims in this episode that she wasn't a brownie, she just ate them. She was, however, a "brown bird," as was revealed in "The One Where Rachel Quits."
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| Preceded by "The One With The Vows" |
Season Seven Episodes | Followed by "The One With Chandler And Monica's Wedding, Part 1" |
| << Season 6 | Season 7 | Season 8 >> | |||||||
| #01 | "The One With Monica's Thunder" | #09 | "The One With All The Candy" | #17 | "The One With The Cheap Wedding Dress" | ||||
| #02 | "The One With Rachel's Book" | #10 | "The One With The Holiday Armadillo" | #18 | "The One With Joey's Award" | ||||
| #03 | "The One With Phoebe's Cookies" | #11 | "The One With All The Cheesecakes" | #19 | "The One With Ross And Monica's Cousin" | ||||
| #04 | "The One With Rachel's Assistant" | #12 | "The One Where They're Up All Night" | #20 | "The One With Rachel's Big Kiss" | ||||
| #05 | "The One With The Engagement Picture" | #13 | "The One Where Rosita Dies" | #21 | "The One With The Vows" | ||||
| #06 | "The One With The Nap Partners" | #14 | "The One Where They All Turn Thirty" | #22 | "The One With Chandler's Dad" | ||||
| #07 | "The One With Ross' Library Book" | #15 | "The One With Joey's New Brain" | #23 | "The One With Monica And Chandler's Wedding, Part 1" | ||||
| #08 | "The One Where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs" | #16 | "The One With The Truth About London" | #24 | "The One With Monica And Chandler's Wedding, Part 2" | ||||