Ep 20. The One With The Ride Along

In Friends season 5 episode 20, entitled "The One With The Ride Along," the gang takes a wild ride with the cops. Ross, Chandler, and Joey all decide to accompany Phoebe's cop boyfriend, Gary, on a ride-along through the city. After being initially hesitant, Rachel and Monica decided to come along for the ride as well. The group is divided into pairs and sent out with different officers for the night.

Ross is partnered with Officer Mackenzie, a tough female cop who doesn't mess around. As they're cruising through the city, they spot a thief stealing a woman's purse. Ross is excited to have an action-packed evening, but Mackenzie tells him they're not allowed to intervene - they're just supposed to observe and report. Ross struggles with this concept, and it's clear he's not cut out for police work.

Meanwhile, Joey and Chandler are exploring their inner cool cop, chatting up attractive women and using their newfound power to try and score free food and drinks. They even manage to get backstage at a strip club, but things quickly take a turn for the worse when they get caught in a sting operation.

Rachel and Monica are paired with Gary, who seems more interested in showing off his prowess as a cop than spending time with Rachel. His constant need to prove himself is almost comical, and the girls start to wonder if he's really cut out for a relationship with Phoebe.

As the night wears on, the friends start to get bored with their assigned cops and end up regrouping at a convenience store. It's here that things really start to go crazy. While the group is inside, a thief steals the police car and takes off on a wild joyride through the city.

The friends are forced to band together and work with the cops to track down the stolen car. It's a hilarious and action-packed sequence that shows off the chemistry between the cast and their ability to play off each other's strengths.

In the end, the group is reunited with the stolen car and their stolen police badges. They all agree it was a crazy experience, but one they wouldn't trade for anything. The episode ends with the group back at Monica's apartment, sharing their wild story and laughing about the absurdity of the situation.

Overall, "The One With The Ride Along" is a classic Friends episode that showcases the humor and heart of the beloved sitcom. It's a great example of the show's ability to balance comedy with real emotional moments and leaves viewers rooting for the gang as they navigate their crazy adventures together.