Episode Synopsis:

The One With Chandler in a Box (04.08)

Joey was dating Kathy, a woman to whom Chandler is very attracted. As it turns out, the feeling is mutual and the two share a kiss. After Joey tells Chandler he broke up with Kathy and there is some other guy, Chandler comes clean and admits to being "the other guy." Joey feels betrayed, of course, and sentences Chandler to five years of the silent treatment.

Chandler continues to plead for forgiveness. Joey refuses, but Ross convinces him to at least hear Chandler out. When he goes to Central Perk to talk to Chandler, he sees him and Kathy sitting together, holding hands and kissing. He curses him in Italian and leaves. When Chandler catches up to him in the apartment, he finds Joey packing a bag and saying he's going to look for a new place. Chandler basically tells Joey he'll do anything to make him stay, adding that he wished they still had the entertainment unit so he could sit in there and think about how he let Joey down.

Joey seems to like the idea of Chandler being locked up for six hours to do some thinking, and states, "we've got a box" (a large wooden shipping crate). Chandler agrees to get in it as punishment.

Meanwhile, Monica is slaving away over Thanksgiving dinner, as per usual. She tries to chip away at some ice on the freezer wall and a piece hits her in the eye. At first she refuses to go to the eye doctor, as he's her ex-boyfriend, Dr. Richard Burke. When she finds out Richard is out of town and there's another doctor on call, she agrees to be seen. It turns out to be Richard's son, Timothy, to whom she is instantly attracted. She ends up inviting him to Thanksgiving dinner - a choice none of her friends approve of.

Chandler is doing his time in the box during dinner, but keeps making jokes (including knocking, which makes Phoebe go to answer the door). This annoys Joey, who finally cracks and tells him he may as well get out, because he's "just an idiot in a box" if he's not going to take it seriously. Chandler assures Joey he'll be quiet and take it seriously, which he does.

As a bit of a side story, the gang has decided to do Secret Santa for Christmas and have some discussion about how hard Rachel is to buy for. Apparently, she has been returning things for store credit and making up stories about where the original gift went. This bothers Ross most of all, of course, as her ex-boyfriend. Eventually, after being taunted by Ross all day, Rachel brings out a shoebox of sentimental things she kept from her time with him. An eggshell from the first time he made her breakfast, movie stubs, and the like. There's also an artifact she took from the museum (where they had their first intimate encounter) that she definitely shouldn't have kept. Ross explains that there are actually people out looking for it.

As the evening goes on, Dr. Timothy Burke and Monica are getting to know each other and share a kiss out on the fire escape. Monica realizes Tim kisses like his dad. This freaks them both out, of course, and Tim leaves. Monica continues to shudder long after. We never see Tim on the show again.

Kathy shows up at Monica and Rachel's apartment and breaks up with Chandler while he is still locked in the box. Chandler remains silent the entire time, only sticking a finger out to sadly wave goodbye. Joey is so touched by Chandler's ability to keep quiet during this, that he lets him out to go after Kathy. He adds "Merry Christmas from your Secret Santa" as Chandler is leaving. He then asks the others who got Chandler, because he needs to trade.

As the credits roll, the five friends are watching Chandler go after Kathy, narrating for the sake of the audience. "He's catching up to her... he's taking her purse... that's not them." Joey calls the police as they continue to watch. Kathy and Chandler reunite off screen as Phoebe comments, "get a room."