In the first-ever episode of "Friends" titled "The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate" (also known as "The One Where It All Began"), Monica Geller, played by Courteney Cox, goes on a date with Paul Stevens, portrayed by John Allen Nelson. Paul is a character introduced in this episode as Monica's love interest, and they go on a date that ends with Paul revealing he is a wine enthusiast. However, Monica soon discovers that Paul is not as interested in her as he is in her friend Rachel, which sets up one of the central storylines of the series.