Ross, Chandler and Joey tag along with Gary on a patrol. Rachel discovers a message from Emily in Ross' answering machine.
Tropes:
- Actor Allusion: Ross claims he's "more cop" than Chandler or Joey. David Schwimmer had previously appeared on NYPD Blue.
- Borrowed Catchphrase: Monica and Rachel swap catchphrases after listening to the message Emily leaves for Ross.Monica: Nooo!
Rachel: I know! - The Cameo: Helen Baxendale makes a voiceover cameo with Emily's message to Ross.
- Friendship Moment: Joey assuring Chandler that he could never pick Ross over him, saying Chandler's like the brother he never had.
- Honor Before Reason: Rachel thinks it's better to tell Ross about Emily's message than just lie to him about it.
- Irony: While opposed to Ross getting back together with Emily, Rachel (the one that Emily was extremely jealous of and wanted kept away from Ross) thinks her message was sincere and not just some sick mind game.
- Near-Death Experience: Ross is convinced he had one while tagging along on Gary's patrol, though in reality, he was just scared by car backfire. He's still in an existentialist funk throughout the remainder of the episode, which the rest of the gang finds groan-worthy.
- Prized Possession Giveaway: After sorting out things with Chandler, Joey lets him have his sandwich... but only one bite.
- Satiating Sandwich: Joey thinks his meatball sub is the greatest sandwich in the world; it was it and not Ross that he was trying to protect during the ride along, which Chandler points out makes no sense. He changes his mind when Joey lets him have a taste.
- Shout-Out: The "gunshot" scene is set to the theme music from Ironside (1967) (which is probably better known to audiences nowadays as the "Kill Bill Sirens").
- Taking the Bullet: Subverted. When the guys thought they were being shot at, Joey dives at Ross, which upsets Chandler. Joey then reveals that he wasn't trying to protect Ross, he was trying to protect his sandwich.
- Verbal Backspace: Monica has one of these moments when she talks about "controlling"... err, "helping" Ross.
