The One Where Rachel Has a Baby
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"The One Where Rachel Has a Baby" is the double-length finale of the eighth season of ''
Friends ''Friends'' is an American television sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting ten seasons. With an ensemble cast starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa ...
''. It first aired on NBC on May 16, 2002. In the episode, Rachel spends 21 hours in labor, and watches many of her roommates, including Janice giving birth before her.
Monica Monica may refer to: People *Monica (actress) (born 1987), Indian film actress *Monica (given name), a given name (including a list of people and characters with the name) *Monica (singer) (born 1980), American R&B singer, songwriter, producer, ...
and
Chandler Chandler or The Chandler may refer to: * Chandler (occupation), originally head of the medieval household office responsible for candles, now a person who makes or sells candles * Ship chandler, a dealer in supplies or equipment for ships Arts ...
decided to have a baby, Judy wants
Ross Ross or ROSS may refer to: People * Clan Ross, a Highland Scottish clan * Ross (name), including a list of people with the surname or given name Ross, as well as the meaning * Earl of Ross, a peerage of Scotland Places * RoSS, the Republic of Sou ...
to propose to Rachel, Phoebe flirts with a patient at the hospital, and Rachel accidentally thinks Joey proposed to her. Part 1 was written by Scott Silveri, and Part 2 was written by
Marta Kauffman Marta Fran Kauffman (born September 21, 1956) is an American television writer and producer. She is best known as the co-creator of the NBC sitcom ''Friends'' with her longtime friend, David Crane. Both Kauffman and Crane were also executive pr ...
and David Crane. Both episodes were directed by
Kevin S. Bright Kevin S. Bright (born November 15, 1954) is an American television executive producer and director whose credits include '' Dream On'' and '' Friends''. Early life Born to a Jewish-American family in New York City, Bright attended the East Sid ...
. The two part finale was the most watched episode of the season with 34.91 million viewers. Jennifer Aniston won an
Emmy Award The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...
for her work in the episode.


Plot


Part I

Ross and Rachel frantically arrive at the hospital, where they are greeted by Chandler, Monica, Phoebe, and Joey. Even though they requested a private room, the only thing available is a semi-private one. Many couples come and go as Rachel waits hours to give birth. Judy comes into the room, asking to talk to Ross privately outside in the hallway. She gives Ross his grandmother's engagement ring and wants him to propose to Rachel with it. Ross isn't too sure about it but takes the ring anyway, putting it in his jacket. Meanwhile, in the waiting room, Monica jokes to Chandler about wanting to have a baby just to freak him out. He agrees that he has been thinking about having a baby too which in return freaks Monica out. The two of them decide to start a family and start trying for one right away while at the hospital. At the vending machine, Phoebe flirts with a patient named Cliff and goes looking for his room. Chandler and Monica try to find somewhere in the hospital to have sex in, and when they find an empty room they are interrupted by a nurse. Rachel watches impatiently as women who arrived at the hospital after her go into labor before her. Ross and Rachel are shocked when one of the women is Janice. Next door Chandler and Monica discover another empty private room. As they are getting it on, they stop when they hear Janice's laugh.


Part II

Chandler and Monica go next door to see if they actually heard Janice, and they are correct. With help from Joey, Phoebe finds Cliff's room but wants him to pose as "Dr. Drake Ramoray" to ask Cliff personal questions before she goes in. Finally, after 21 hours of labor, Rachel gives birth to her baby girl. Ross and Rachel share an intimate moment in the delivery room. When Phoebe gets to know Cliff better, ''
Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that streams on the streaming service Peacock. The soap, which aired on the American television net ...
'' is playing on the TV, and Cliff recognizes Joey. Phoebe tries to deny it, but Joey bursts into the room to tell her Rachel is having her baby. They end up telling him the truth. The rest of the gang comes by the room to see Rachel and the baby, and they ask what her name is. Ross introduces her as Isabella, which makes Rachel cry, and says, "that's not her name." He then says their backup name, Delilah, which leaves Rachel in disgust and says the name sounds like a biblical whore. Monica gladly gives Rachel the girl name she has picked out to use for herself, Emma, since Rachel liked it so much. Later on Rachel, who is now all alone in her room, gets a visit from Janice. Janice introduces her new baby, Aaron, which leaves Rachel aghast after looking at him. Janice tells her that Ross may not always be there for her and the baby, and he might even start a new family with another woman. She leaves Rachel saddened and afraid, especially when Ross walks in and tells her he got distracted talking to a nurse while on his way to get some sodas. He goes back to get some. Joey walks in and comforts her, telling her that he will always be there for them. Looking at Emma through the nursery window, Phoebe asks Ross why he and Rachel are not together. He tells her the reasons why, but she tells him he could finally have everything he's dreamed of since he was 15. Back in the room, Joey goes to get Rachel some tissues, and when he does, the ring falls from Ross' jacket. Joey kneels to pick it up, and Rachel, believing he is proposing, impulsively says yes. Meanwhile, Ross, with a bouquet in his hand, makes his way back to the room, intending to ask Rachel if she wants to start things up again.


Production

Kevin S. Bright Kevin S. Bright (born November 15, 1954) is an American television executive producer and director whose credits include '' Dream On'' and '' Friends''. Early life Born to a Jewish-American family in New York City, Bright attended the East Sid ...
directed the two part finale with Scott Silveri writing Part 1, and
Marta Kauffman Marta Fran Kauffman (born September 21, 1956) is an American television writer and producer. She is best known as the co-creator of the NBC sitcom ''Friends'' with her longtime friend, David Crane. Both Kauffman and Crane were also executive pr ...
and David Crane writing Part 2.


Reception


Accolades

At the 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Jennifer Aniston won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her work in the episode. At the 54th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, the episode was nominated for Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series, and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation,.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:One Where Rachel Has A Baby, The 2002 American television episodes Friends (season 8) episodes