The One with the East German Laundry Detergent

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"The One with the East German Laundry Detergent" is the fifth episode in season one of the television situation comedy Friends.

First aired: October 20, 1994

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

[edit] Plot

Chandler decides to break up with Janice at Central Perk at the same time that Phoebe is breaking up with the guy she's seeing, Tony. Chandler is amazed at how well Phoebe's break-up goes, while he struggles with his own. He accidentally pokes Janice in the eye, and endures what he claims is "the worst break-up in the history of the world". Eventually Phoebe comes to his rescue and does the talking for him, and Janice leaves the coffee house satisfied. Phoebe declares she is gifted at breaking up with people, and Chandler suggests that they should "always break up together".

Joey runs into his ex-girlfriend, Angela, at the coffee house, and tries to rekindle their relationship. However, Angela informs him that she is already seeing another man named Bob. In his attempt to get back together with Angela, he suggests to Monica that they go on a double-date with the couple; however, he tells her that Bob is Angela's brother. Joey's lie causes Monica to freak out when she sees Angela and Bob getting too close for a pair of siblings. Eventually Monica figures out what is going on, and works with Joey to "rip the couple apart and keep the pieces for themselves."

Monica originally plans to go to the laundromat with Rachel and Ross. When she cancels on them to go to the double-date with Joey, Ross is left on his own to teach Rachel, the self-confessed "laundry virgin", how to wash clothes. He stands up for her when an obnoxious woman steals her washing machine; he then encourages Rachel to stand up for herself when the woman comes back to steal her laundry cart. Happy with her first laundry experience (even though her undergarments turned pink due to a misplaced red sock), Rachel kisses Ross for the first time.

[edit] Trivia

The episode was the real beginning of Rachel & Ross' on-off relationship, lasting all 10 seasons.
This episode marks Janice's first appearance in the series.
The title of the episode refers to the laundry detergent (called Überweiss (Super White), "it's new, it's German, it's extra tough!") that Ross brings with him.
This episode marks "Ugly Naked Guy"'s first appearance (through Monica's reference to him - he's laying tile).
While at dinner, Monica relates a story about the Underdog balloon getting away from a parade — an incident which doesn't happen until four episodes later, in The One Where Underdog Gets Away.