The gang has their customary Thanksgiving dinner, with Rachel's insufferable sister Amy as a guest. Amy is offended that Rachel and Ross would not give Emma to her in the event of their deaths. They would give her to Monica and Chandler, but then Chandler feels insecure about his competence as a father. Joey misses out on an event involving the whole Days of Our Lives cast and Phoebe helps him come up with a good lie for not going.
Tropes:
- Accidental Misnaming: While yelling at Amy, Rachel accidentally calls her own daughter "Emily". When Ross tries to correct her Rachel snaps "whose side are you on?" at him.
- At Arm's Length: Rachel does this to Amy during their cat fight. Unfortunately Rachel puts her other hand on the dinner table to steady herself and ends up knocking one of Monica's treasured dinner plates onto the ground
- Bad Liar:
- Joey needs to explain why he missed the Days of Our Lives event, but his ability to lie is extraordinarily bad. For example, when Phoebe asks what happened to the muffin she bought at the coffee house yesterday, Joey tries blaming it on a talking raccoon before realizing just how bad that is.
- Ross isn't much better when he tries to tell Chandler that if Monica died Chandler would get to raise Emma by himself. Joey immediately points out that even he's a better liar than Ross.
- Brick Joke: Some advice about getting away with lying includes how looking down is a giveaway. Later, Chandler asks if he's not considered competent enough to raise Emma alone.Ross: [looks down] No, that... that is not what we're saying.
Joey: Yeah, he's lying. He looked down. - Cat Fight: Tensions between Rachel and Amy mount to the point they have a fight towards the end of the episode. Chandler and Joey enjoy the show.Phoebe: Oh my god! Shouldn't we stop this?
Joey: What? Are you out of your mind? Lets throw some jello on them! - Faint in Shock: Throughout the episode, Monica is very nervous that the good china might get damaged. When Rachel and Amy break a plate in their fight, Monica collapses into Ross' arms.
- Hypocritical Humor: After Chandler's ability to be a responsible parent to Emma is questioned by Ross and Rachel, Monica points out that Emma is the product of a drunken one-night stand.
- Mama Bear: Rachel was already pretty angry but Amy claiming Emma "isn't even that cute" switches Rachel into fight mode. Ross goes Papa Wolf and tells Amy she's gone too far with that comment.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Monica is so upset about the plate getting broken she can't even bring herself to tell Joey off for eating all but one of the pies she left in his oven.Monica: Oh my god, I've lost the will to scold.
- Thanksgiving Episode: The eighth time the friends celebrate Thanksgiving together. Joey missing a Days of Our Lives holiday event is a sub-plot.
- Trauma Button: Ross and Rachel questioning his parenting skills hit Chandler hard because he's privately had these kind of doubts about himself for some time.
- What the Hell, Hero?: After Monica is sent into shock by one of the plates breaking, Chandler scolds Rachel and Amy for their fight and for not acting like adults.
- Yank the Dog's Chain: Should Ross and Rachel both die, Emma would go to Chandler and Monica. However, if Monica were to die afterwards, Emma would be taken away from Chandler and go to Ross's parents. Chandler is quite displeased to hear this, lampshading how the one source of joy in his life after multiple tragedies would be taken away from him.Chandler: Well, what is wrong with me? Am I incompetent? Because I managed to survive whatever it is that killed the three of you!
