Ross (David Schwimmer) is lonely, so he gets himself a monkey. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) is dating a swarthy Italian man named Paulo – and ends up in a violent airport argument as a result.

Chandler (Matthew Perry), meanwhile, is desperate for a kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve, so he calls up his ex, Janine, in spite of the fact she makes him want to gnaw his own arm off. Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) winds up meeting, dating, and parting from a sweet (albeit very nerdy) scientist named David, all in a single episode. Joey (Matt LeBlanc) takes a brief foray into the world of dating single parents.

And Monica (Courteney Cox)? Well, Monica’s date, Bobby, brings everyone down with his very sad, very sob-worthy stories.

Essentially, this one has all the makings of a very miserable Christmas. Sorry, folks!

Festive ranking: one very sorry jingle bell, ding-donging not so merrily in a dark, empty room.

8) Friends Season 9, Episode 10: “The One with Christmas in Tulsa”

Anyone who knows me well will tell you the same thing: I really, really, really hate flashback-driven TV specials. Not only are they lazy AF (c’mon, writing team – did you really have nothing new? At all?), but, in the golden age of streaming, I have zero need for a show to remind me of episodes gone by. I can literally go back and watch them all, whenever I want.

This episode isn’t just a flashback-driven TV special, though: it’s also the episode that sees Chandler come dangerously close to cheating on Monica when a female coworker tries to make a pass at him. And, fine, he doesn’t pull an Alan Rickman in Love Actually, but, y’know, just the merest hint of infidelity when it comes to those two soulmate-status lovers is enough to set my teeth on edge.

Every single Friends Christmas episode, ranked from worst to best