Ross and Chandler plan to party with an old college friend. Monica gets a new job, right after committing to the catering job with Phoebe. Rachel interviews for a job but her boss sabotages her.
Tropes
- And There Was Much Rejoicing: Rachel asks Sophie if she heard that Joanna died, and Sophie gleefully replies that she did.
- Asshole Victim: Joanna gets hit by a car. Sophie is overjoyed after learning so, and while Rachel does feel bad, part of it is because she knows Joanna died before she could get Rachel her promotion.
- Bait-and-Switch Comment: After being at some clubs, Joey says they'll head back out soon for more fun, but Chandler and Ross admit to being burned out. Joey asks if they're serious, but rather than be annoyed when they say yes, he lets out an exhausted, "Thank God."
- Big "OMG!": Upon learning Joanna has died, Rachel lets out a sincere, "Oh, my God!" Then it occurs to her this likely happened before the necessary paperwork on her promotion was submitted, so she lets out an annoyed, "Oh, God!"
- Extreme Omnivore: Joey claims that he once ate a book on a dare from Chandler and Ross. Monica uses this to defend her review of Alessandro's when the owner comes to confront her.Alessandro: Our food is not "inedible swill"!
Monica: I couldn't eat it! I have five friends who couldn't eat it, and one of them eats books. - Feeling Their Age: Played for laughs. After admitting they're exhausted from all the partying, Ross, Chandler, and Joey admit to various frustrations they had with the various clubs they visited (including how loud the music was) and how they don't want to be up too late. Ross and Joey think this is actually kind of sad, but Chandler says they're just not 21 anymore and that there's nothing wrong with them doing more relaxed activities.
- Friend-or-Idol Decision: Monica gets a job as head chef of a restaurant, just as her catering business with Phoebe was getting off the ground. Eventually, she takes the job, as Phoebe wants her to be happy.
- The Ghost: Gandalf the Party Wizard is discussed at length but never appears as he cancels on the guys before they can meet up.
- Hire the Critic: In-Universe. Monica gets hired as the head chef of a restaurant she wrote a scathing review of.
- Hope Spot: Joanna sabotages Rachel's interview out of a misguided attempt to not lose her to another department. When Rachel threatens to quit, she offers to make her an assistant buyer, with a raise and an office. The next morning, Rachel learns that Joanna died before she could submit the necessary paperwork.
- Killed Off for Real: Rachel's boss Joanna is struck by a cab offscreen.
- Nerds Are Virgins: Referenced when Joey asks why Chandler's friend is named Gandalf.Chandler: Didn't you read Lord of the Rings in high school?
Joey: No, I had sex in high school. - Noodle Incident: One of Gandalf's previous adventures ended with the guys waking up on a fishing boat in Nova Scotia. There's also whatever happened at the last party that makes Ross think he needs to bring his passport, extra socks and a snakebite kit.Chandler: It's not going to be exactly like last time.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: Ross and Chandler's college friend Mike Ganderson is only referred to as Gandalf the Party Wizard - the only time his real name gets mentioned is to explain that his last name sounding similar to Gandalf is the source of the nickname.
- Shag Wagon: The van Monica and Phoebe buy was apparently used this way by its previous owner judging by the giant mural of a busty woman, who has light-up nipples, riding a dragon that's airbrushed on the side. Joey says that he feels like he knows the woman who is pictured on the side (and becomes even more sure of this once he sees the flashing nipple-lights). In the extended cut of the episode Rachel jokes that she may have lost her virginity in that exact van.
