Disc One: "The Pilot" (AKA "The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate"), "The One with the Sonogram at the End", "The One with the Thumb", "The One with George Stephanopoulos", "The One with the East German Laundry Detergent", "The One with the Butt", "The One with the Blackout", "The One Where Nana Dies Twice", "The One Where Underdog Gets Away" and "The One with the Monkey".

Disc Two: "The One with Mrs. Bing", "The One with the Dozen Lasagnas", "The One with the Boobies", "The One with the Candy Hearts", "The One with the Stoned Guy", "The One with Two Parts, Part 1", "The One with Two Parts, Part 2", "The One with All the Poker", "The One Where the Monkey Gets Away", "The One with the Evil Orthodontist", "The One with the Fake Monica", "The One with the Ick Factor", "The One with the Birth" and "The One Where Rachel Finds Out".

NOTE: The discs included in this release are the same as 2012's Complete Series Blu-ray collection, save for the disc art.

As previously reported, Friends on Blu-ray is presented in an expanded 1.78:1 aspect ratio and has been modified from its original 1.33:1 format. In most cases, the main difference is more empty space on the sides (just look at the screen caps), and I'd imagine that the reason for this decision is that, at the very least, fans would be getting something a little different. As for the image quality itself, Friends looks good but not great in high definition, with inconsistent colors and grain levels...but hey, at least it wasn't shot on video, right? For the most part, what we get represents a passable and relatively pleasing image (especially compared to the original DVD release), though not without a few color inconsistencies and other minor distractions. Overall: it's nothing to write home about, but also nothing to lose sleep over.

More so-so news on the audio front: it's presented in lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 (a very modest upgrade from the DVD's 5.0); not surprising, as Warner Bros. typically avoids lossless audio on catalog TV collections. The dialogue is still clear and easy to understand, but the music cues still don't have much in the way of dynamic range. Even on our first viewing, my wife commented how the theme song just sounded flat, and I couldn't help but agree. Though less audio space translates to better picture quality and more episodes per disc, it's hard to say if the sacrifice was worth it. Optional 2.0 dubs are provided in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese, as well as nearly a dozen subtitle options (including English SDH).

Seen above, this two-disc release is housed in a standard keepcase with a matching slipcover and an Ultraviolet Digital Copy redemption code. The menu is easy to navigate, much like the original DVDs...and hey, at least we get chapter breaks this time. Remember when those counted as "Bonus Features"?

Friends remains one of the most popular shows of its era, and this first season offers a great beginning that leaves just a little room for improvement. But for the most part, Warner Bros.' Blu-ray treatment of the series has been questionable at best: while the remastered image easily trumps its DVD counterpart (assuming the aspect ratio change doesn't bother you), almost everything else hasn't changed. In fact, there's even less content since these are the broadcast versions and not the slightly extended episodes as seen on DVD. Essentially, this is a modestly different version of a popular favorite...and if that's worth $20, go for it. Recommended, but only if you're not interested in the Complete Series collection.