Welcome to season 2 which featured a big adjustment to the series. And not just with the stories, which became less about Ray as a jerk. The set's were revamped a bit and the show was finally evolving into the one we would love. Let’s get started:
Season 2, Episode 1
Ray’s on TV
Plot Summary-Ray is mortified to find out his family has been lying to him his whole life.
Nitpick of the episode-Real easy one, Ray’s first time on TV was such a mess why in the world was he invited back for that second time? And has this show never heard of doing a rehearsal before going live!
Best Line-“I could’ve eaten a box of Alpha-Bits and crapped a better interview.”…Frank
Episode Fun Fact –We get some changes for the second season. The new opening (which is lame), and the living room has been given new wallpaper which is much brighter. Also the window near the door was adjusted, possibly to more closely reflect the house in the establishing shots. And Robert is the character we would love for the rest of the season, they say it’s because he lost weight but I get the feeling he got some notes during the summer. Finally Robert can enjoy himself once in awhile and stop acting, well, creepy.
Deleted Scenes-none for this episode
Syndication Edit-few second of teaser with ray saying goodbye to his parents
Best Character-Debra, she actually come off supportive here!
Worst Character-Ray, because he’s Ray
Final Thoughts-This episode is such a relief after watching that first season. This is the show I love! Ok I’m not going to pretend this is the best episode ever. In fact it’s a little one sided with no B story at all. But it was a season premiere. The main premise of the episode is that parents always lie to their kids for their own good. I am not sure if the episodes really hits that as good as it could have, but watching ray accept his quirks is always fun. Though while I can forgive him for mispronouncing words not scratching the mic or talking after the show has started should have been common sense.
Grade-B+
Season 2, Episode 2
Father Knows Least
Plot Summary-When Ally refuses to behave, Ray and Debra attend a class on raising children
Nitpick of the episode-Sorry but it seems a little easy for Ray to get to the bottom of Ally’s petulance. He basically guesses and gets it
Best Line- “Don’t try that Active Listening with me! Where you do get off listening to me?”…Debra
Episode Fun Fact –First use of Marie’s nickname for Frank and rays nicknames for Debra when he comes home
Deleted Scenes-none for this episode
Syndication Edit-the teaser
Best Character-Frank and Marie, this may be the first time we can see that deep down these two do love each other.
Worst Character-Debra, no contest. She just hates it whenever Ray shows her up in some area, how dare he be smarter than her! She won’t even give him credit! And she won’t learn to talk to her kids as well see in later episodes. And of course she asks ray to deal with ally and gets mad at how he deals with it. Hey Debra next time do it yourself! By the way while Debra is tougher than last season she’s still got her weepy moments.
Final Thoughts-This is another one of those episode that I am not sure what the thought was. To show that child rearing classes exist? Ally is just suddenly a brat and at the end of the episode she’s fine. Did they really have to go to a class to figure things out? And of course at the class even though Debra asks the question it’s Ray who is put on the spot. And of course she doesn’t help,but does criticize how Ray acts. Also par for the course for the show Ray learns to actively listen only to fail by the end.
Grade-B, nice try
Season 2, Episode 3
Brother
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Plot Summary-Ray and Robert bond
Nitpick of the episode-The conflict in this episode, Robert being upset at Ray for going out with him because his parents asked, is so weak it doesn’t last even two minutes after the commercial break. Do these writers know its ok to not have conflict?
Best Line- “One of these days, you’ll turn around and I won’t be here.” ..Marie, this is one of many lines on this show which is really sad now.
Episode Fun Fact –the first time Marie gets something out of her special locked drawer in the kitchen (in this case, some Sucrets)
Deleted Scenes-none for this episode
Syndication Edit-teaser with ray and Debra playing video games before Marie walks in
Best Character-Robert, nice to see him happy
Worst Character-Debra, love how annoyed she is when she’s woken up
Final Thoughts-This is an interesting episode, I kind of like the brother stuff in that scene when they’re laughing at Marie. It reminds me of my brother and I were, once. All it really does is serve to show while there’s sibling rivalry ray and Robert do like other. Though of course when Robert wants to get closer, Ray gets uncomfortable. My DVD crapped out so I couldn’t see the whole episode, sorry about that.
Grade-B+
Season 2, Episode 4
Mozart
Plot Summary-When Ally wants to quite the piano, Ray takes some lessons from his mother so she’ll keep playing
Nitpick of the episode-while it’s good for ally to lean an instrument forcing her isn’t the way
Best Line-“Your father, his idea of culture is an undershirt with sleeves”…Marie
Episode Fun Fact – Well at long last we finally see that there is more Marie and Frank’s house than the kitchen. The living room finally puts in an appearance.
Deleted Scenes-none for this episode
Syndication Edit-teaser with ally running from Marie’s piano lesson
Best Character-Marie, nice to see one of her passions
Worst Character-Frank, his homophobia will be a regular thing and I think this is the first we see of it
Final Thoughts-this episode is ok I guess the creators figured if they were going to put a piano on the set they may as well use it. It’s always good to get scenes of ray and his parents, Doris Roberts was so awesome she always felt authentic.
Grade-B-
Season 2, Episode 5
Golf
Plot Summary-Ray has an anxiety attack at the golf course after lying to Debra
Nitpick of the episode- the doctor openly discusses Robert’s foot problem with Ray. No doctor would ever discuss another patient like that, even if it is to a family member.
Best Line-“An anxiety attack, give me a break! Everyone’s having those now-a-days. It’s hip!”..Frank
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none for this episode
Syndication Edit-during the teaser, the footage of tiger woods we see in the DVD version isn’t in the reruns, Ray talking to Robert and Kevin at the doctor’s office
Best Character-Debra, at least she tried to be understanding
Worst Character-Ray, hate to say it but yeah
Final Thoughts-I’m honestly not sure about this one. This is the first time rays love for golf comes up. But the whole thing about ray having an anxiety attack feels weird to me. Couldn’t he have just felt guilty? That comes up but they stick with the anxiety attack stuff for some reason. Course then we wouldn’t have had the nonsense about Marie telling Debra to help ray relax more. My DVD again crapped out, so I didn’t see the ending.
Grade-C+
More of Season 2 coming in a few days
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