S1E7 · The One With the Blackout

Complete story — includes the ending

During a citywide power outage, the gang hangs out at Monica and Rachel's apartment. Ross tries to share his feelings with Rachel, but a stray cat interrupts their conversation. Rachel and Phoebe search the building for the cat's owner, who is eventually revealed as their neighbor Paolo, a hunky but English-challenged Italian who Rachel falls for. Meanwhile, a nervous Chandler becomes trapped in an ATM vestibule with Victoria's Secret model Jill Goodacre. (This episode was part of "Blackout Thursday", in which NBC tied together three shows set in New York City and airing the same night, beginning with the Mad About You season 3 episode " Pandora's Box " which depicted the cause of the city-wide blackout, followed by this episode, and ending with an episode of the short-lived show Madman of the People. Seinfeld aired the same night but did not participate.)