This set carries the show's 10 best episodes. Friends has matured into one of the few sitcoms that can truly be judged "must-see." The ensemble--Courteney Cox Arquette, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, and Matt Le Blanc--provide a master class in chemistry in this two-tape set.

Volume 1 includes some of the best of the Ross-Rachel episodes. Their star-crossed relationship is set in motion in the "Pilot," in which runaway bride Rachel moves in with Monica. "The One with the Two Parts" features guest appearances by Helen Hunt and George Clooney, not to mention Marcel the monkey. Lovelorn Ross tries not to be a nice guy but throws in the cards in "The One with All the Poker." "The One Where Ross Finds Out" and the great flashback episode "The One with the Prom Video" finally bring Ross and Rachel together.

Volume 2 contains "The One Where No One's Ready" and "The One with the Embryos." The two-part "The One with Ross's Wedding," in which Ross famously blurts the wrong name at the altar, launched Monica and Chandler's secret affair, a subplot that revitalized the series. Two gems from season 5, "The One with All the Thanksgivings" and "The One Where Everybody Finds Out" (about Monica and Chandler), illustrate why Lisa Kudrow won the ensemble's lone Emmy.
--Donald Liebenson