Ep 14. The One With The Candy Hearts

In Friends season 1 episode 14, titled "The One With The Candy Hearts," Valentine's Day is the main focus for the group of friends. Chandler is bet by the others to go without any jokes for the day, while Ross struggles with his feelings for Rachel. Meanwhile, Joey and Chandler try to figure out how to get a date for the holiday, and Monica obsesses over a potential secret admirer.

The episode opens with Chandler arriving at Monica's apartment with a box of Sweetheart candies, which he promptly begins making jokes about. The others challenge him to go a full day without making a single joke, and they offer to pay him $50 if he succeeds. Chandler agrees to the bet, but quickly begins to struggle as Monica and Joey try to get him to laugh.

Meanwhile, Ross is having a tough time dealing with his feelings for Rachel. He's been trying to ignore his crush on her, but with Valentine's Day approaching, he finds it increasingly difficult to do so. When Rachel asks him to help her pick out an outfit for her date, Ross can't help but feel jealous and frustrated.

Joey and Chandler, on the other hand, are trying to figure out how to get dates for the holiday. Joey suggests they go out to a bar and pick up women, but Chandler is hesitant. After some encouragement from Joey, however, Chandler agrees to go. The two end up at a bar filled with single women, but they quickly realize that they're out of their element.

Back at Monica's apartment, she's frantically searching for her secret admirer. She's convinced that someone has been leaving her love notes, but she can't figure out who it could be. When Rachel suggests that it might be a neighbor in their building, Monica becomes determined to figure out who it is.

As the day progresses, Chandler continues to struggle with the bet, and the others keep trying to make him laugh. Ross, meanwhile, decides to take matters into his own hands and confess his feelings to Rachel. But when he arrives at her apartment, he finds her date already there, and he's forced to backtrack and pretend that he was just dropping something off.

Joey and Chandler's attempts at finding dates aren't going well either. They keep striking out with the women at the bar, and they end up leaving empty-handed. When they return to Monica's apartment, they find her there, still searching for her secret admirer. But when Joey sees the box of Sweetheart candies on the table, he realizes that he's the one who has been leaving her the notes. Chandler, who has finally cracked and told a joke, forfeits the bet and gives Joey the $50.

The episode ends with Ross and Rachel sitting on the couch, talking about their own Valentine's Day experiences. Ross tries to hide his disappointment, but Rachel picks up on it and invites him to come over for dinner and watch a movie. As she walks him to the door, Ross looks hopeful, hinting that there may be a chance for him and Rachel yet.

Overall, "The One With The Candy Hearts" is a fun Valentine's Day episode that highlights the various struggles and joys that come with the holiday. From unrequited crushes to secret admirers, the episode covers it all, while still maintaining the show's trademark humor and witty banter. Fans of the series will appreciate the episode's focus on character development and relationships, making it a must-watch for anyone who loves Friends.