S2E22 · The One With the Two Parties

Complete story — includes the ending

Rachel comes back from her sister’s college graduation ceremony mad at her parents for ruining it with their incessant rampage about the divorce. Concerned that her parents would not get along during her birthday party as well, she contemplates not inviting them to the party at all, though Monica has invited Rachel's mother, Sandra. Things quickly go awry when Rachel’s father, Dr. Green, unexpectedly arrives at the party right before Sandra does, prompting the gang to set up an impromptu second party at Chandler’s and Joey's apartment to keep the hostile couple apart. The second party turns out to be more fun and livelier than what Monica has planned, which results in some guests (including Gunther) leaving for the second party with the help of Phoebe. The gang tries to segregate both Greens throughout the night, and Rachel alternates between the two parties. She ends up feeling depressed, lamenting about her unavoidable future without her parents being together in it. Chandler, having had the painful experience of his parents divorcing, then comforts her. Both Sandra and Dr. Green are successfully kept apart despite many close calls, with Joey kissing the former as the latter leaves at the end of the party.