Ep 11. The One With All The Resolutions

In Friends season 5 episode 11, "The One With All The Resolutions," the gang is determined to make New Year's resolutions and stick to them. Joey vows to learn how to play guitar, Phoebe resolves to pilot a commercial airplane, and Ross decides to do something new every day. Chandler refuses to make any resolutions, but eventually gives in and resolves to not make jokes at other people's expense.

Rachel resolves to gossip less, but finds out that it's difficult to break old habits. Meanwhile, Monica makes a bet with Phoebe that she can't resist calling her ex-boyfriend, and if she does, she has to donate $500 to charity. When Phoebe caves and makes the call, she decides to redirect the money to a less fortunate cause.

As the gang tries to stick to their resolutions, they encounter various obstacles and setbacks. Joey struggles with his guitar lessons and ends up writing a song about a smelly cat instead. Ross's commitment to doing something new every day leads him to an awkward encounter with a stranger in the bathroom.

Chandler finds it hard to refrain from making his usual sarcastic remarks, but eventually finds a loophole by making self-deprecating jokes instead. Meanwhile, Rachel struggles to keep her resolution to gossip less when she discovers a juicy secret about Chandler's work colleagues.

When the gang gathers for New Year's Eve, they reflect on their resolutions and whether or not they were successful in keeping them. Joey's guitar playing has improved, but he still struggles to remember the words to his smelly cat song. Ross has had some strange experiences while trying new things, but is grateful for the memories. Chandler is proud of himself for finding a way to make jokes that don't hurt others, and Rachel realizes that breaking old habits takes time and effort.

In the end, the gang agrees that making resolutions is an important way to improve oneself, but acknowledges that it's okay to not always succeed. They toast to a new year filled with growth, change, and perhaps a few more smelly cat songs.