21 “Friends” episodes For every mood, season and awkward moment under the sun

By Samantha Reilly, self-taught “Friends” expert

The entire Friends series is coming to Netflix. Yes, it’s happening, and this is your ultimate guide to letting “Friends” help you “when the rain starts to fall,” or, you know, when you feel like binge-watching instead of studying (Don’t worry, we won’t tell!).

Photo from University Express; design by Jenny Hottle

When you’re…HANGRY

A friend stole your Chick-fil-A? You’re out of dining points? We’ve all been there, and so has Ross.

Watch The One with Ross’s Sandwich (Season 5, episode 9)

 

When you’re…BROKE

Sometimes, your paycheck just isn’t enough. Don’t worry. Joey, Rachel and Phoebe get it.

Watch The One with Five Steaks and an Eggplant (Season 2, episode 5)

 

When you’re…REMINISCING

Back to that bad choices thing: we all went through high school. Enough said.

Watch The One with the Prom Video (Season 2, episode 14)

 

When you’re…FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR ROOMMATE

Close quarters takes on a whole new meaning when you’re not BFFs with your dorm-buddy, but hey, your roommate can’t be as bad as Eddie.

Watch The One Where Eddie Won’t Go (Season 2, episode 19)

 

When you’re…HATING YOUR JOB

The beginning of a career can be frustrating (and just plain embarrassing), but you never know, you could get offered a high-end fashion job in exchange for your pickle at a retro diner.

…and if you’re also…REGRETTING LAST NIGHT

There was a party and you took some shots, and your account of last night ends right about there. You can take some tips about how to do damage control from Chandler (though I don’t really recommend it).

Watch The One Where Chandler Can’t Remember Which Sister (Season 3, episode 11)

 

When you…KNOW YOUR FRIEND’S “BAE” IS CRAZY

How could she not see it?! Oh well, you do, and so does Ross. You’ll get through it together.

Watch The One with the Screamer (Season 3, episode 22)

 

When you’re…FEELING SPORTY (KIND OF)

A little friendly competition never hurt anyone — until troll doll got involved. The Thanksgiving game may inspire you to huddle up with some friends, which would be fun, but then again you could just watch your other “Friends” do it, instead.

Watch The One with the Football (Season 3, episode 9)

 

When you…DON’T FEEL LIKE CLEANING

Hey, it’s okay if your dorm is a mess, as long as you’re not dating anyone like Ross.

Watch The One with the Dirty Girl (Season 4, episode 6)

 

When you’re…SICK OF LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS

If your last conversation with bae included some sort of dialing or Wi-Fi connection interruption, your long-distance relationship skills already trump Ross’s

… or if you … DON’T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP TO BEGIN WITH

No one wants to be alone for big moments. You can turn to your friends for matchmaking, but be careful you don’t end up with a Chandler-level Cupid.

Watch The One with the Girl from Poughkeepsie (Season 4, episode 10)

 

When you…NEED SOME GOOD GOSSIP

Life can’t be interesting all the time, unless you’re a sitcom character. When you’re in a gossip-less rut, sit back and indulge in the gang’s twisted game of telephone.

Watch The One Where Everybody Finds Out (Season 5, episode 14)

 

When you…NEED A WORKOUT

It won’t burn too many calories, but you can watch Rachel and Phoebe run together and hopefully (but probably not) get some inspiration.

Watch The One Where Phoebe Runs (Season 6, episode 7)

 

When you’re…IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD

There’s nothing like looking for hidden presents or watching an embarrassing brother-sister dance routine to get you in the mood for the holidays.

Watch The One with the Routine (Season 6, episode 10)

 

When you…NEED SOME SELF-DEFENSE TIPS

Staying safe is important. So is knowing the Japanese word for “eel.”

Watch The One with Unagi (Season 6, episode 17)

 

When you…FIND AN AMAZING SALE

No one understands your discount-rack triumph like Monica. Whether you’re celebrating a Black Friday win or looking for aggressive shopping tips, “Extreme Couponing” meets “Say Yes to the Dress” in the girls’ adventure.

Watch The One with the Cheap Wedding Dress (Season 7, episode 17)

 

When you…SEE SOMEONE FROM HIGH SCHOOL

Just because you’re still friends with someone on Facebook doesn’t mean you’re willing to reunite with your old classmates. This episode proves it. It also shows you that some people really do get hot after graduation (via the best fake example ever, Brad Pitt).

Watch The One with the Rumor (Season 8, episode 9)

 

When you’re…IN AN “I HATE THE WORLD” MOOD

Optimism is a great thing, but in moderation. It’s okay if you’re not “Santa Claus on Prozac getting laid in Disneyland.” The Parkers of the world will forgive you.

Watch The One in Massapequa (Season 8, episode 18)

 

When you…HAVE “ANACONDA” STUCK IN YOUR HEAD

You might hate hearing it on the radio, but Ross and Rachel’s duet of “Baby Got Back” is unlike anything else.

Watch The One with Ross’s Inappropriate Song (Season 9, episode 7)

 

When you’re…FEELING WORLDLY

Nothing says international traveler like speaking another language. Get an introduction to French from Professor Buffay (but take a real class if you actually want to learn something).

Watch The One Where Joey Speaks French (Season 10, episode 13)

 

When you’re…SICK OF THE COLD

Summer might be far away, and you might be missing your beautifully tanned skin. Instead of hitting the booth, watch Ross do it. It’s way funnier and takes a lot less thinking.

Watch The One with Ross’s Tan (Season 10, episode 3)

 

When you…WANT TO LAUGH, CRY, LOVE, WASTE TIME OR DO ALL OF THE ABOVE

Watch the whole series. It’s worth it, I swear.