Season 3

The third season of Friends aired from September 19, 1996 to May 15, 1997.
==Season summary==
This season took on a significantly greater serialized format.
Ross and Rachel's relationship continues smoothly for a while however Rachel tires of working at Central Perk and wants to finally get a job in the fashion industry. During her search she meets Mark Robinson, who helps her to get a job at Bloomingdale's as their employer's second assistant. Ross immediately becomes jealous and suspicious of Mark, convinced that Mark only helped Rachel to get the job so he could steal her from Ross. Rachel attempts to convince him that he's got nothing to worry about and Ross tries to contain his jealousy but to no avail. This leads to a massive argument between them and Rachel tells Ross that she thinks they should take a break, something that she immediately regrets. Ross, upset, goes out and ends up sleeping with the hot girl from the copy shop, Chloe. 
Rachel quickly regrets her suggestion and the two make up, however she quickly learns that Ross slept with someone else and, devastated, ends their relationship. The two blame each other for the break-up, putting their friends in the middle of the situation. It is so stressful that Chandler, who's having a very hard time dealing with the situation as it reminds him of his parents' divorce, takes up smoking again.
Phoebe, established as having no family except for an identical twin sister, becomes acquainted with her half-brother, Frank Jr. She is upset when he decides to marry one of his high school teachers due to the massive age difference, but eventually has no choice but to accept the relationship. In the season finale, she learns that the woman she thought was her biological mother actually wasn't and meets her actual birth mother, Phoebe Abbott.
Joey develops a crush on Kate Miller, his acting partner in a new play. At first, she doesn't harbor feelings for him, even after sleeping together. After her boyfriend/director dumps her following a scathing review of the play, she turns to Joey for support. The relationship doesn't last long, as she is given an opportunity on a soap opera in Los Angeles.
Monica begins a relationship with Pete Becker, a millionaire who has a crush on her. At first, she only sees him as a friend. But eventually, he wins her heart. Monica prepares for what she thinks is a marriage proposal, but is disappointed when Pete confides in her that he wants to become the Ultimate Fighting Champion. After seeing him get beat up badly in two matches, she tells him he has to give it up. Since he won't, she breaks up with him.
Ross and Rachel slowly rebuild their friendship, but continue to fight their lingering feelings for each other. Ross starts dating Bonnie, a formerly bald friend of Phoebe's, which upsets Rachel. On their vacation at a beach house, Rachel convinces Bonnie to shave her head again. When Ross confronts her about this, Rachel admits she's still in love with him and the two kiss. Season 3 ends with Ross trying to decide between Rachel and Bonnie. 
==Cast==
===Main Cast===
*Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Greene
*Courteney Cox as Monica Geller
*Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay/Ursula Buffay ("The One With The Jam")
*Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani
*Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing
*David Schwimmer as Ross Geller
===Recurring Cast===
*Maggie Wheeler as Janice
*Jon Favreau as Pete Becker
*Steven Eckholdt as Mark Robinson
*Angela Featherstone as Chloe
*Giovanni Ribisi as Frank Buffay Jr.
*Dina Meyer as Kate Miller
==Trivia/Goofs==
*Interestingly, this is the only season without a two-part episode. However, "The One With The Morning After" can be considered a continuation of "The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break".
*The opening title sequence in this season differs from others in that Rachel and Chandler are seen to jump onto the side of the fountain. Also the characters all hold different coloured umbrellas to the normal title sequence (Rachel has an orange one while Ross has a blue for example) at the start.
*The position of the radiator in the hallway changes from by the step to under the little window at the top of the stairs.
==Images==
===Visual effects comparisons===
File:Friends opening credits title card (Visual effects comparison) Version 4.png
File:Friends opening credits title card (Visual effects comparison) Version 5.png
==See also==
* Friends: The Complete Third Season
* Season 3 Characters
* Episodes
==Episode List==
Category:Season 3
Category:Episode Lists
Category:Friends Seasons