Joey gives Chandler an embarrassing gift. The gang watches Monica and Rachel's old prom video, and when Rachel sees what Ross did, she kisses him.
Tropes
- '80s Hair: The prom video is set in the 1980s, so Rachel, Monica and Ross all sport decade-appropriate hairstyles.
- Artistic License – Biology: Lobsters do not actually mate for life. Sorry Phoebe.
- The Big Damn Kiss: Rachel after seeing what Ross did for her in the prom video.
- Boyfriend Bluff: Ross scares off a guy talking to Rachel by pretending to be her date. Rachel doesn't appreciate this as she actually liked the other guy.
- Brick Joke: Upon seeing Monica's bathing suit from her high school days, Chandler snarks, "I thought that's what they used to cover Connecticut when it rained." Later while watching the video, he sees Rachel's original nose and says he stands corrected.
- Formerly Fat: This marks the first time the audience sees Fat Monica.Joey: Some girl ate Monica!
Monica: Shut up! The camera adds ten pounds.
Chandler: Ah, so how many cameras are actually on you? - Funny Flashback Haircut: Ross' perm and moustache in the video.
- Gag Nose: The prom video shows Rachel before her nose job. Chandler jokes that that is what they cover Connecticut with when it rains.
- Giant Poofy Sleeves: Rachel's Prom dress has these. When they keep slipping down she asks Ross to check if they're hooked together properly. Since he's secretly in love with her he spends a few seconds staring at her back before fixing the hook.
- Home Porn Movie: Apparently Jack and Judy taped over the end of the Prom video to make their own sex tape. Monica is naturally horrified to discover this while watching the tape.
- Indy Ploy: After Joey gets mad at him, Chandler realizes he also lost the bracelet. He ends up buying a new one to replace it, only for Rachel to find the original one. Joey enters and sees both bracelets at the same time, prompting Chandler to say he got one for him as an apology.
- Noodle Incident: Jack mentions an "incident in Hawaii" between Rachel's parents that tipped him and Judy off to the fact that the Green's marriage was in trouble. When Rachel asks what he means he shoos her out of the room rather than explain.
- Pet the Dog: After Monica tells her parents she got fired, Jack immediately leaps to her defense after Judy starts criticizing her like she normally does, in contrast to his normal Innocently Insensitive ways.
- The Reveal: The video reveals that when it looked like Rachel's date stood her up, Ross was willing to take her instead. But by the time he went downstairs to do so, Rachel was already out the door with her date, who came after all. Rachel had no idea Ross did that, and upon finding out she gives him a big kiss.
- Right Behind Me: Chandler complains about the bracelet to Phoebe, calling it "the reject from the Mr. T collection" and says "I pity the fool who puts on my jewelry! I do! I do! I pity the fool that.." He then turns around and sees that Joey is behind him.
- Saw Star Wars 27 Times: Monica says that Roy, her prom date, had seen A New Hope 317 times. His name was in the paper. (At the time of the clip, set in 1988, the movie was only available on laserdisc; however, it had been re-released to theatres multiple times since its original 1977 run).
- School Swimsuit: One of the things in the box of old stuff Monica's parents sent her was her high school swimsuit. Chandler jokes that he thought it was what they put over Connecticut when it rains.
- Shipper on Deck: Phoebe insists that Rachel is Ross' soul mate (his "lobster", as lobsters supposedly mate for life).
- Shout-Out:
- Ross says Chandler's bracelet isn't showy, "not for a Goodfella."
- In the prom video, Ross plays "Axel F" on the keyboard.
- Upon seeing Ross with a perm and Porn Stache in the video, Joey quips "Lookin' good, Mr. Kotter!"
- Unwanted Gift Plot: Joey gives Chandler a gaudy friendship bracelet, who doesn't like wearing it.
- We Should Get Another Tape: The titular video is half Monica and Rachel's prom and half Jack and Judy's sex tape.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Joey in response to walking in on Chandler insulting him and the bracelet.
- Zip Me Up: During the Prom video Rachel asks Ross to help her with the hooks holding her Giant Poofy Sleeves in place. The camera catches Ross lingering slightly as it may be the first time he's ever been given permission to touch her.
