Friends (TV Series) The One with the East German Laundry Detergent (1994) User Reviews

The first signs of "Friends" as the show it later becomes

[SLionsCricketreviews · 7/10 · 24 November 2015]

A very exciting, fast and humorous episode that features parallel story lines that are each done marvelously.

The Ross and Rachel story is perfect, and it builds the foundations for their relationship to come. It is wonderful to see Ross actually make a 'move' on her by doing laundry with her. The plot that ensues is wonderful! We see how polar opposite these characters are, and it is this aspect that is most endearing.

Chandler's story line is hysterical, and this episode features the first of many Janice appearances. She is hated by fans, and I cannot comprehend why! Anytime that she is on screen, she makes Chandler a funnier character. Their interactions are a highlight of the early seasons of the show.

The Joey/Monica plot was the weakest, a bit slow at points, but it still is very enjoyable.

This episode really is the beginning of "Friends"

The One in the Laundry

[Lady_Targaryen · 9/10 · 20 October 2007]

In this episode, we see for the first time Janice, the annoying Chandler's girlfriend who has a bizarre laugh. Chandler wants to get rid of Janice, but he doesn't know how, so Phoebe proposes him to end their current relationships at the same time( I guess I don't need to say that Phoebe ends her relationship perfectly well, while Chandler , in his own words, makes ' the worst break up of history').

Joey wants his ex-girlfriend Angela back, so he invites Monica to go with him on a double date with Angela and her boyfriend Bob. The problem is that he says to Monica that Bob and Angela are brother and sister, so Monica stays terrified with their behavior.

Ross and Rachel go together to a laundry room, where Rachel admits that she has never done laundry before. Funny things happens there (specially all Rachel's clothes staying with the same color!, but the cute moment is to see Ross being kissed by her as a sign of gratitude. :)

The One With The Best Breakups

[devashishparnami · 8/10 · 6 February 2018]

This episode again was a great one with three hilarious stories talking part altogether. Joey and Monica's date was the funniest and undoubtedly Joey has the best expressions. Chandler's breakup was the funniest breakup in the history of the world. The laundry actually looked quite fun and would wanna try doing it myself.

First great episode

[hupholland2014 · 10/10 · 5 December 2014]

The first truly great Friends episode, a fantastic piece of sitcom comedic writing by Jeff Greenstein and Jeff Strauss that isolates all six leads and puts them In duos, one in a restaurant, one a coffee shop and one a laundromat, and then takes bits of everyday urban life and three different points of relationships and cross pollinates them with wit and charm from the accomplice friend. Great bits here, including subtle jokes like Uberweiss. Hip and fresh writing combined with excellent acting and realistic sets. The episode that stated quite clearly that Friends wasn't going to be one and done like many new sitcoms every year on network TV.

The One With The Break-Ups...

[taylorkingston · 8/10 · 24 October 2015]

I absolutely love this episode. It's so funny. I love the that is the first time we see Janice, who is one of my favorite recurring characters, other than Gunther.

In this episode, Chandler, and Phoebe decide to break up with their partners, but when Chandler's girlfriend comes into Central Perk, he has a very tough time actually doing it. Meanwhile, since Ross is so eager (and lame) to hang out with Rachel, he goes to do laundry with her at a laundromat. And Joey sets Monica up with a guy, who is dating the girl Joey wants to date. It sounds complicated, but when you watch it, it makes sense.

Fun Fact: Monica says that Ross never even said when he lost his virginity, however in the episode before this one, it turns out that he had.

Fun Fact: Monica talks about the Underdog balloon getting away, however this did not take place until a few episodes later. It is possible she is talking about another situation, but it is highly unlikely.

Fun Fact: Rachel says she can't even send back soup, however in an episode based before this one, she sends back drinks.

Fun Fact: The first words Janice says are "Oh, my God", which later became her catchphrase.

Fun Fact: When Janice laughed at Chandler's joke for the first time, Maggie Wheeler (who plays Janice) accidentally made a shrill, and annoying laugh, and because of this, it was added to Janice's character.

First appearance of: Janice.

Best part of the episode: Janice.

Worst part of the episode: Ross.

Overall, I give this episode an 8 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Awesome.

#5!

[Analog_Devotee · 9/10 · 13 June 2021]

The scenes in the laundromat are some of the funniest scenes in sitcom history. This was the one where I really began to fall in love with the Rachel & Ross duo.

The One with the East German Laundry Detergent

[ComedyFan2010 · 9/10 · 5 June 2011]

Another great episode. We are introduceds to Janice when Chandler wants to break up with her. The scene where him and Phoebe do their break ups together is very funny Another great plot line is when Joey lies to Monica and says that the date of the girl he wants is actually her brother. This causes a lot of hilarious joke. There is some inconsistency though when Monica tells her that she doesn't even know when her brother lost his virginity since we know that he did. Usually such inconsistencies don't bother me, but it is just interesting since it happened in the previous episode and not seasons apart And we also have Ross and Rachel go on a laundry "date". Ross is absolutely cute. Especially when Chandler tells him that he should reconsider bringing his dirty underwear since it will be the first time Rachel sees it.

Sometimes I'm good at analyzing

[jpapanone · 8/10 · 7 July 2021]

Movies and episodes, and other times, not so much.

After reading the other reviews, I do have to change my original gut reaction.

I was gonna say something along the lines of how this was an enjoyable episode and fun etc....but yes. I think the 3 different story lines of groups of 2 characters is neat.

I didn't really focus on that...I just liked each or the stories.

Chandler and Janice and Phoebe story was absolutely excellent....and Matthew Perry was phenomenal.

Joey and Monica had a unique storyline that was executed nicely.

And this was a good avenue for some Ross and Rachel alone time.

I think I have seen this episode at least 10 times...but has been probably 15 years since I saw it last. This was very good.

Def not a 10...and I don't think a 9 either.

A very solid 8.

Ha ha clap clap

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 13 November 2020]

I like the bit with the East German laundry detergent.

Perry and Le Blanc's Best Episode

[slightlymad22 · 7/10 · 16 November 2014]

Plot In A Paragraph: Pheobe and Chandler decide to dump their partners together in Central Perk, but Chandler drinks too much espresso while trying to break up with his girlfriend Janice. Keen to spend time with Rachel, Ross pretends his building's washroom is out of order so he can join her at the laundromat. Rachel, feels that managing this domestic chore is a real step to independence. Meanwhile Joey regrets dumping sexy Angela when he learns she is dating Bob. He proposes a double-date, with his "new girlfriend" Monica. She agrees to go because he lies saying Bob is Angela's brother.

The best episode so far for Matthew Perry (Chandler) and Matt Le Blanc (Joey) both do really well here. I found the story slowed down when it was with Ross and Rachel, who shared their first kiss. We also get our first introduction to Janice.

THE BEST SCENE.

[shafihapatel · 8/10 · 27 June 2021]

AT LAUNDARY: Ross was so eager to spend time with Rachel so he joined her at the laundry and taught her how to do it at the end.. there was a horrible woman who was arguing with Rachel in matter of basket then Rachel gave a strong fight and got back her basket and then she was so happy and kissed Ross, after that Ross was so confused and bumped into machine's door and fell down it was so funny and cute too.

Enter Janice

[studioAT · 5/10 · 28 August 2019]

'Friends' is still finding its feet at this point, pairing up each of the characters and seeing what works/doesn't.

It is also an episode, as another reviewer has said that has a few continuity errors with regards to what has gone before.

As with many a 'Friends' episode, not all of the three stories work. Yes it's nice to see Monica and Joey teamed up, but the story isn't that great.

The other two work much better, with developments on the Ross/Rachel front, and the first appearance of the beloved Janice, played by Maggie Wheeler.

All in all a good episode.

My favourite episode of Ross and Rachel

[arnaut-44532 · 10/10 · 22 April 2021]

In this episode is one of their cutest scenes ever made. Also Phoebes and Chandlers storyline is great here.