Got a couple extra episodes to wrap up Season 3…
Season 3, Episode 19
Big Shots
Plot Summary-Ray takes Robert to the baseball hall of fame
Nitpick of the episode- What was Ray’s problem here? Why didn’t he just get in the damn line?
Best Line-“How often do I get to see the ray doesn’t get everything show?”…Robert
Episode Fun Fact –the real 1969 Mets appear, as a Red Sox fan it means nothing to me J
Deleted Scenes-Ray and Robert in the car on the way to the Hall of Fame (too bad they deleted it we needed more of ray and Robert in the car)
Syndication Edit-top of the teaser, Ray watching boxing with frank
Best Character-Robert, because it can’t be Marie, Frank, or Debra who barely get a line
Worst Character-Ray, not only does he spoil the day for Robert but he acts like a big baby about it later. It’s established that he’s a famous name but that doesn’t mean he’s the big shot he acts like here
Final Thoughts-I said in the other article we would get through all the Debra-less episodes in one shot.. I forgot one extra, though this isn’t the worst by far. Like the Marie and Frank episode it’s mostly about Robert and Ray and like that one the two alone gets old. Though not as bad as “franks tribute” did. Maybe the scene in the hall of fame would have work d better if the guard was a jerk, rather than a patient guy who gave Ray every to chance to comply. The diner scene is good but the stuff with ray and Robert in the car drags on forever. I could pick on the cop who pulls the two over later but having gotten a speeding ticket once in that part of the state I can say, yeah the cops are jerks there.
Grade-C+
Ok I promised better episodes this time, so lets talk better:
Season 3, Episode 20
Move Over
Plot Summary-Ray complains that Debra hogs the bed
Nitpick of the episode-This is coming up now, after eight years of marriage? It is implied that it’s not a new problem but, still! By the way we see lots of shots of ray and Debra in bed through the series and they hardly ever cuddle like in this episode.
Best Line-“Men don’t like to cuddle. We only like it if it leads to… you know… lower cuddling.”…Ray
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-Marie and Frank arrive to pick up the kids and comment on Ray sleeping on the sofa (this explains where the kids are and why Marie and frank fail to appear in the first part of the episode)
Syndication Edit-top of the teaser (have I said that before?)
Best Character-Debra, the scene where she takes her anger out on the donuts is priceless.
Worst Character-Ray, for not understanding that wives still want affection once in awhile.
Final Thoughts-Thank goodness, Debra’s back! This feels like a typical episode, finally. We get a stupid but relatable problem that Ray makes worst with a lie that Robert immediately debunks. When will Ray learn Debra talks to his family? But it’s not perfect because like “Neighbors” we get this stupid part where Ray talks to a priest. Yeah it’s cool to see Father Hubley again, but what the hell? But It’s so great to see Debra in the episode for more than two minutes I’m not even going to pick on her.
Grade-B+
Season 3, Episode 21
The Getaway
Plot Summary-Ray and Debra go on a getaway to a bed and breakfast in Vermont
Nitpick of the episode-So at the end of the episode, Debra is crying in the bathroom and Ray has gone to console her. This is a common bathroom so all the guests can use it. Another woman needs to brush her teeth but Ray and Debra are in there. She knows the situation, but rather than go and come back she goes down to get the landlady. This always annoyed me, this lady can see Ray and Debra are having a fight and seems to only care that she get into the bathroom to bush her teeth!
Best Line-“I ran out of things to say on the George Washington Bridge. Remember, I said, “I always take the upper level, ’cause if it collapses, you fall on the people on the lower level”? That doesn’t even make sense. We’re all going to die. We all go in the river.”…Ray
Episode Fun Fact –That bed and breakfast look familiar? It’s the Munsters house that has been as a location in tons of shows
Deleted Scenes-Debra gets the idea to go on a vacation (good scene but not essential)
Syndication Edit-say it with me, top of the teaser where ray is thrilled to see Debra planning the trip
Best Character-Ally, she has the best line in the episode. When Robert asks if she knew Marie was there she says that Marie is always there.
Worst Character-Debra, remember I mentioned insecure Debra back in “The Sitter”? Well she’s back, in a big way. I complain about Debra a lot but this weepy insecure version of the character is really annoying. Crying because she thinks Ray is bored with her?
Final Thoughts-There’s a lot to like in this episode. Robert taking care of the kids is cute, and anyone who has gone on a trip with the wife can relate to that feeling of “what am I gonna talk about for three days?” But weepy Debra drives me nuts, first crying in the store and that ending scene with Ray. One thing I haven’t talked about yet that we get a glimpse of here is the relationship between Ally and her grandpa. She clearly loves him and he her in his own way. I always wanted to see more of that but with one exception we’ll get to eventually it’s mostly understated.
Grade-B-
Season 3, Episode 22
Working Girl
Plot Summary-Debra gets a new job only to be fired the next day
Nitpick of the episode-Most wives would come home and cry on their husbands shoulder, not Debra she just takes her anger out on him until he finally calls her out
Episode Fun Fact -Then we lose Frank for a couple episodes. But the reason is understandable, since Peter Boyle had a heart attack on set.
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-some of Julie Haggarty’s dialogue
Best Character-Ray, he comes off pretty good in this one. Sure he’s annoyed about Debra working but at least he doesn’t sabotage her like later episodes
Worst Character-Debra, professor Pete Za? Really deb? And of course the more supportive Ray is the more angry Debra gets at him. Makes sense, sure it does
Final Thoughts-I get the feeling they figured that Debra had to be the focus once this season, but not sure this idea was a great one. And while I love Julie Haggerty I think she gets way to much screen time here. And we get another appearance of weepy Debra at the end. When I’m complaining about her later remind me how much her early episodes bugged me. Anyway, This episode is pointless and forgettable.
Grade-C-, I promised good episodes but this is not one
Season 3, Episode 23
Be Nice
Plot Summary-Ray and Debra try being nice to each other
Nitpick of the episode-I love how when Ray suggests she stop calling him “idiot” she can barely go a minute without rolling her eyes (which even Ray knows is code for “idiot’). The worst part he doesn’t say anything stupid in this scene, why is she rolling her eyes exactly? Oh that’s right he suggests a nice name he’d rather be called. That totally deserves an eye roll!
Best Line-“You’re playing with fire here. You got to let steam off on each other. Because if you let off on a stranger, he gets mad. He punches you. You punch him. He pulls a knife. You pull a gun. Guys jump in. Wars start. It’s a mess! The spouse is the perfect escape valve.”…frank
Episode Fun Fact – One of the first episodes of this show I really watched (due to a crossover stunt CBS had), and I kept wondering why Debra was so mean in it. Little did I know? But I was hooked from then on.
Deleted Scenes-Ray tries to sneak a snack in front of the kids (this one is lame), Ray has to deal with angry husbands of the wives he spoke to earlier in the episode (this is stupid too, do any guys on TV enjoy their kids?)
Syndication Edit-top of teaser and act 1
Best Character-Robert, funny how he hardly has any lines but his bit about how there is such a thing as “too nice” is the highlight of the episode.
Worst Character-Debra, she mocks Ray at the park because he was being nice to the other mothers. What a jerk! Sigh
Final Thoughts-This is a great episode, a little slice of life which is what I enjoy the most. My mother annoyed me with the phone thing that Debra does to Ray at the top of the episode. And it’s true husbands and wives need to let off steam once in while because they live together and being nice all the time is impossible. While Marie, Frank and Robert have small roles it’s great dialogue. I really liked this one.
Grade-A-
Season 3, Episode 24
Dancing with Debra
Plot Summary-Ray is jealous when Debra and Robert spend time together
Nitpick of the episode-The summary says it all. Ray is jealous when his brother and wife spend time together? Even Robert and Debra say how creepy that is!
Best Line- I’m sure you complained about me the whole night, right? “Oh, Ray never takes me dancing. Ray doesn’t hang up his clothes. Ray can’t say the word ‘cinnamum'”
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-None for this episode
Syndication Edit-teaser, Ray and Debra watching a sad movie
Best Character-Debra, always nice to see her having fun
Worst Character-Ray, he’s an idiot here. Um, more than usual
Final Thoughts-This episode is just boring. As I re watched it I barely remembered it. So I really have nothing else to even say about it. It feels like something straight out of season one. The second half is one long dance scene (with just music, no dialogue for a large part) which isn’t so bad, I guess.
Grade-D+ stupid premise + boring dancing
Season 3, Episode 25
Robert Moves Back
Plot Summary-Robert and Amy get back together, and accidentally have sex in front of the whole building.
Nitpick of the episode-Stupidest title, not only does Robert not move back to Marie and Frank’s but he doesn’t even go into the house. What is Robert’s view that the WHOLE building could see him and Amy? And so these people not have curtains of their own? And yes, those pants Amy is wearing in that kitchen scene couldn’t possibly fit Robert.
Best Line-“And by the way, sometimes the noodles in your lasagna are overcooked! ”Amy
Episode Fun Fact –this episode was filmed after the next one, so frank appears. He was still recovering from his heart attack hence the limited role in the episode. Also,the final appearance of Roberts dog Shamsky who will never be seen or spoken of again.
Deleted Scenes-Ray is angry that Robert took all the chocolate syrup
Syndication Edit-some lines of dialogue between Robert and Amy
Best Character-Amy, she’s awesome in the end dressing down Marie. Obviously she apologized after off screen, because Marie loves her again when she next appears.
Worst Character-Ray, once again we see how hospitable Ray can be when he has company in the house. He acts like they will never leave! And in this one he hints at Robert moving out every chance he gets here. Really Ray? What is your problem? Do you have some precious routine that you can’t handle getting disrupted??
Final Thoughts-Actually I had a tough time picking a worst character for this one. We have Robert, being jealous of Amy going out with a guy even though he has been on a few dates (a point Ray makes!). And we have Debra who stands up to Marie and really expects Ray to following her out of the room in a huff. Marie, for being Marie. We get a real look at what happens when her ego is challenged here, and how scared everyone else is at the same time. The only good character is Frank, who has little to do. But the scene in the kitchen is a classic thanks to that great sight gag of Amy in Roberts pants and some very funny dialogue that by itself makes this episode go from a bit far fetched to a classic.
Grade-A-
Season 3, Episode 26
How They Met
Plot Summary-How Ray met Debra
Nitpick of the episode-what did Debra find charming about ray exactly?
Best Line-“ I can’t go out with her now. The whole time she’s gonna know that all I’m thinking about is her breasts.”…Ray
Episode Fun Fact –In the studio audience for this episode was my father, mother, and sister. I’m still bitter about it :)
As noted Peter Boyle was absent for this episode, thankfully the plot made it very easy to write Frank out of the flashback.
Deleted Scenes-None for this episode
Syndication Edit-
Best Character-Debra, she is so adorable in the flashback
Worst Character-Ray, he knocks her down twice in the episode plus misses some very obvious signals from Debra. How did this guy every get married?
Final Thoughts-I love this one. It’s so nice to see Ray and Debra being sweet for once. The situation is totally believable unlike the wedding episode which made no sense. You also gotta love when Debra meets Ray’s family. Robert is instantly smitten and Marie instantly dislikes her. The dialogue is natural and we really believe these are into each other. And when we come back to today we see that marriage has soured them but at least for once we see that the two happy together, which is always nice since it’s rare!
Grade-A+, Great episode to end a lukewarm season
Ok folks next time we start Season 4 which is the best season the show would have!
