The One Where Joey Tells Rachel

Thursday, 28 February 2002

Joey tells Rachel over dinner that he is in love with her and she cannot return it, while Phoebe introduces Monica to a man she is convinced is Monica's true soul mate.

What happens

• In a recap of the previous episode, Joey admits to Ross that the woman he cannot stop thinking about is Rachel.
• Phoebe tells Chandler and Rachel that the man she is dating, Don, is really Monica's soul mate, and Chandler denies that soul mates exist.
• Monica visits Ross and warns him that Joey is so shaken he is talking about leaving town, so Ross agrees to go and see him.
• Phoebe brings Don to the coffee house, where Monica and Don discover a shared taste in restaurants and Monica tells Phoebe afterwards how much she likes him.
• Ross goes to Joey's apartment to say he is not angry, and Joey lets slip that his feelings for Rachel go as far as love.
• Ross tells Joey to find out where Rachel stands, and says his own discomfort should not stand in the way if she feels the same.
• Joey loses his nerve outside Rachel's door and asks her to dinner instead of telling her anything.
• Chandler admits to Monica that he is afraid she will leave with Don, and Monica tells him she believes their marriage is work rather than destiny.
• Joey tells Rachel at dinner that he has fallen in love with her, Rachel cannot say it back, and Joey stands up to leave.
• Rachel starts crying and Joey sits back down, promising her that she will never lose him.