<P> The episode was directed by Kevin S. Bright and written by Gregory S. Malins . It guest - stars Elliott Gould and Christina Pickles as Jack and Judy Geller, with a cameo appearance by Morgan Fairchild as Nora Tyler Bing . The idea was conceived by the writers, who suggested short stories about the "worst Thanksgivings ever". A flashback approach was incorporated as the producers realized the audience responded well to it, despite concern the episode might be confused for a clip show . </P> <P> In its original broadcast the episode reached a 16.0 Nielsen rating and finished the week ranked second . The episode earned Debra McGuire a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Costume Design for a Series . Since airing, it frequently ranks high in polls about the series' best episode . </P> <P> Ross's (David Schwimmer) complaint that his divorce and eviction means he is having the worst Thanksgiving ever prompts the others to tell their stories . Chandler (Matthew Perry) reminds everyone of when his parents told him they were divorcing . Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) then tells of story from a past life when she was a nurse and lost an arm, though Ross objects, with the demand of only tales of present lives . Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) says she knows Monica's (Courteney Cox) story, but Phoebe interrupts with a story about the time Joey (Matt LeBlanc) had a turkey stuck on his head . Monica tells of Thanksgiving 1987 . Monica and Rachel are eighteen years old and seniors in high school, and an overweight Monica spends time comforting Rachel, after Chip ended their relationship . When Ross learns of Rachel's breakup, he asks Chandler to stay overnight in the hope of getting a date, but Chandler refuses, claiming that he doesn't want to be stuck with "your fat sister" Monica . Overhearing the conversation from behind the door, Monica breaks down in tears and storms out . </P> <P> Back in the present, Chandler apologizes to Monica . Rachel reveals that's not the story she was referring to . The flashbacks continue to 1988; Ross and Chandler arrive for dinner to find that Monica has slimmed down, and Chandler now finds her attractive . Monica tells Rachel that she wants to humiliate Chandler for calling her fat, so Rachel suggests tricking him into taking off his clothes . Monica tries to seduce Chandler by rubbing various objects, including a knife, against her skin . She drops the knife and severs his toe . He is rushed to hospital to have it reattached but, in the commotion, Monica mixes up the digit with a carrot . In the present, Chandler becomes upset after learning that he had lost his toe because he called Monica fat, and angrily leaves . When Monica comes by his apartment seeking his forgiveness by putting a turkey on her head, he inadvertently tells her he loves her for the first time in their relationship . A tag scene shows another of Phoebe's past life memories as she serves in a World War I field hospital and again lost an arm . </P>

The one where monica cuts off chandler's toe