Phoebe wants to celebrate her birthday with her friends at a fancy restaurant, but only Joey arrives on time. The rest of the friends are held up by personal problems: Monica is ovulating and so wants to have sex with Chandler before they go, but Chandler has been smoking in Tulsa and the two argue about it; meanwhile, Rachel is reluctant to leave Emma alone and she and Ross get locked out of their apartment with Emma inside.
Tropes:
- All Men Are Perverts and All Women Are Lustful: Chandler is grousing about how Monica lied about their fight being over so that they would have sex. Joey asks what his complaint is since they still got sex out of the deal. Thinking that over, Chandler's not sure what he's complaining about, either. And Monica then wants to give it another try.
- Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: Judy Geller comes to babysit Emma and tells a story about how little Ross didn't want her to leave him alone while she went to the hairdresser and so took off all his clothes, hid his penis between his legs and said "Mommy, I'm a girl, take me with you". Ross is, of course, mortified. It's later demonstrated at the dinner that the other friends have already heard this story.
- Berserk Button: Apparently smoking is one for Monica as she gets the angriest she's ever been with Chandler after discovering he started lighting up again.
- Big Eater: At the end, the gang leaves without waiting for the food they ordered. Except for Joey, who's left to gleefully eat all six courses AND the whole birthday cake. Earlier, he also made a remark about starving due to having had only one lunch that day.Joey: Dinner for six for one? (to the waiters) You boys are about to see something real special!
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Phoebe resisted the urge to harangue Mike about not being attend her birthday dinner on the grounds it's too early in their relationship to show her true colors.
- Monica isn't really able to hide her disgust over Chandler spending three days smoking in Tulsa. She pretends to forgive him, but only reveals to Chandler afterwards it was a ruse to have sex with him while she is ovulating.
- Deadpan Snarker: Ross tries to comfort Rachel over her various concerns about Emma being alone in the locked apartment, until she mentions the possibility of a bird flying in. He then spins an elaborate yarn that ends with Emma fighting an eagle (currently on fire) in an apartment overflowing with water.
- Monica and Chandler are effectively reduced to this while ordering from the menu due to their argument over smoking. Joey's point that they both got sex out of the deal causes them to drop it completely.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: Joey was the only one to be on time for Phoebe's birthday dinner, and he does everything he can to salvage the ensuing antics. After everyone leaves except him, he gets to eat all their dinners and is given Phoebe's birthday cake.
- Everybody Smokes: At least in the Tulsa offices they do as it's apparently legal for a group their size to smoke indoors.
- Even the Girls Want Her: Phoebe comments on Monica having "the breasts of a Greek goddess" and gets briefly distracted thinking about them.
- Flat "What": Chandler's reaction to Monica suggesting they put their fight on hold and go have sex.
- Friendship Moment: Joey is the only one to show up to Phoebe's dinner on time, and he initially helps prevent them from being moved to a smaller table (at least until he has to go pee).
- Halloween Episode: Phoebe schedules her birthday dinner on Halloween. Joey thinks that's spooky, but otherwise, the holiday isn't really relevant to the episode other than the fact that the apartments have been decorated appropriately.
- The Nose Knows: Monica knows right away that Chandler started smoking again because she can smell it on him. Phoebe even warns him that this will happen.Phoebe: That woman has the nose of a bloodhound.
- Off the Wagon: Chandler starts smoking again, having held out for six years (if you overlook the single drag in season five and the one breath he took from his neighbor's).
- Oh, Crap!:
- Monica over realizing she forgot that Chandler isn't with the rest of the group at Central Perk.
- Ross upon realizing he and Rachel are locked out of the apartment.
- Ready for Lovemaking: Monica greets Chandler wearing a skimpy nightgown so they can have sex before heading to the birthday dinner.
- Shutting Up Now:
- Monica questions why Phoebe didn't get a larger table. She then realizes Phoebe had a larger table when the dinner was supposed to start and that it'd be best to drop the subject.
- When Ross agrees with Rachel about what to order, a frustrated Joey mutters to himself, "Ross bruises like a peach." Ross overhears this and immediately makes a selection.
- Sophisticated as Hell: Phoebe sounds as though she's from the 19th century while explaining to the waiter that her friends are late. Eventually she has enough of it when the waiter keeps pressing her.Phoebe: One really does have a stick up one's ass. Doesn't one?
- The Unfavorite: When Ross insists that Judy is great with kids, Rachel asks about Monica. Ross claims Monica was way worse than her stories let on. When Monica learns that Judy is watching Emma she's surprised because apparently Judy told her she was out of town that day.
- With Friends Like These...: When it's suggested that someone has to stay home to watch Emma, Phoebe immediately voices her preference for Rachel and expresses Flat Joy over Ross being able to attend. Ross returns the favor by noting how little thought he'll be putting into her birthday present.
- Wouldn't Hit a Girl: After finally arriving, Rachel innocently muses about what she should order and what tastes good. A frustrated Joey reminds himself that he should never hit a woman.
- Written-In Absence: Mike cannot attend the dinner because he has to work that night.
- Yank the Dog's Chain: Joey's constant efforts to get some food are derailed by others suddenly arriving for the dinner.
