Season 4, Episode 11
The Christmas Picture
Plot Summary-Ray decides to get his mother a family portrait for Christmas
Nitpick of the episode-Lots to talk about with this one, see below. One question though, why didn’t Ray just do a picture with Warren and Lois and then without? Seems like a simple solution though Marie probably wouldn’t have seen it that way.
Best Line-“Don’t you see I thought she would like this gift, because she told me she would!”…Ray
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-not sure never saw the rerun
Best Character-Ray, you gotta feel for this guy. For once the problem isn’t his own fault.
Worst Character-Debra, see below (you can tell we’re getting further into the series she seems to pop up here every episode)
Final Thoughts-One of my first articles ever was my top 5 worst Everybody Loves Raymond episodes. This was #5. But that was unfair, there are worst episodes. I really just wanted to rant about this episode. The truth is I only have one major problem with it, and her name is Debra. Where do I begin? First her commend that the only reason she agreed to alternate between her and Rays family at Christmas was because she was drunk on egg nog. Because of course. Then there is her idea about Christmas morning which was awful (it involved going to see her family Chroistmas Eve and drive back to Marie and Frank’s first thing Christmas morning). Do Ray and Debra no have gifts for their kids? And I’m sure the kids would’ve loved to spend Christmas morning locked in a car for two hours instead of opening presents or playing with their new toys. And I even agree with Ray when he says that sounds like a lot of driving. So the idea doesn’t land, so we have her revenge since they are seeing Ray’s family Debra can’t see her’s. And how does she get her revenge? She invites her parents to the family photo knowing full well how it will hurt Marie. She didn’t even tell Ray (course not he would have stopped it). That is just evil! Then after this is revealed she pouts and whines about how Marie has to always have things her way and how she doesn’t get to say who is in or out of the family. Deb, the gift is for MARIE I mean, why in the world would Marie want Warren and Lois in her picture? Top it off with everyone else bothering Ray with every little problem at the shoot and it’s no wonder Ray finally snaps. Course when he does he is mocked, though the revenge on Robert in the final line is funny. I can’t help but wonder what that drive home was like for Ray and Debra, or if they actually went through with giving Marie the picture.
Grade-C-, Not the worst but man does this one aggravate me! I can relate to the horror of doing a family photo, it sucks.
Season 4, Episode 12
What’s with Robert?
Plot Summary-After they break up, Amy think Robert may be gay
Nitpick of the episode-Amy breaks up with Robert again for the same reason, why did she expect his fear of commitment has changed?1
Best Line-“Robert’s not gay. He’s a policeman.”…Marie
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-One of the few times they cut something I was glad to see cut. At the end of the episode Marie has forced Frank to go talk to Ray and Robert because he wasn’t very supportive. The whole thing is awkward and I don’t miss it in re-runs.
Best Character-Robert,
Worst Character-Frank, his homophobia is addressed in this one. Why is it so bad if Robert is gay? We’ll talk not about this next season
Final Thoughts-This is a well handled episode. We finally see frank called out on his gay jokes. Then Marie and frank go all the way when Ray suggests hypothetically that Robert is gay as if he had been outed. You don’t often see how a family reacts to that news, even if it’s hypothetical here. And I have the feeling more people react like frank does. And finally the conversation Ray and Robert have at the end is very well written.
Grade-A-, nice to see this issue handled respectfully unlike other shows
Season 4, Episode 12
Bully on the Bus
Plot Summary-Ray takes matters into his own hands when Ally is bullied on the bus
Nitpick of the episode-When I first saw this one I had no problem with Ray going on Ally’s bus. But now, it kind of bugs me. I wonder what the hell he was thinking. I mean what was his plan, to beat up a third grader?
Best Line-“Debra, Debra, Lovely Wife why am I stuck with you for life!”…Ray
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-top of the teaser, ray comes home to frank and Robert on his couch
Best Character-Ally, you can tell in that last scene she’s already got her parents figured out. In case you didn’t guess, I loved Ally.
Worst Character-Debra, I give her props for admitting she was wrong but she was still the one who taught Ally to stand up for herself, which led to her bullying.
Final Thoughts-I love this episode. Yeah the bus thing is a little more annoying in hindsight but this is Ray we’re talking about. Once again the episode is nicely written and very honest. Yeah having Ally be the bully is a bit of a stretch but they make it work here. And since this is something everyone has to deal with who can’t relate to it? Debra’s attitude is awful as she takes the “that’s kids being kids” approach when she thinks Ally was being bullied. Yeah news flash Debra that is a big deal. Ray is absolutely right here. Nothing wrong with being strong but that doesn’t mean being a bully. And if Ally was the one being bullied, that could cause scars later in life. You don’t hear this as much but years ago people always said that “its kids being kids” crap (a Brady Bunch episode where Cindy is bullied exemplifies this) and it’s nonsense. I love the last scene when Ray and Debra talk to ally in a “Brady Bunch” way but this is handled more realistically with Ray and Debra not knowing exactly what to say and arguing thru the conversation. Its touches like that which make the show work. And as you might guess this episode does remind of “A Fistful of Reasons” aka The Buddy Hinton episode from Brady Bunch, but that episode tackles the problem a very different way.
Grade-A, One of my favorites
Season 4, Episode 14
Prodigal Son
Plot Summary-Ray doesn’t want to go to church, but is guilted into going until he finds out why Frank goes every Sunday
Nitpick of the episode-Ray would have been smart to talk to his father about why he goes to church before actually going himself
Best Line-“This is my one Debra as a parent”…Marie
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-Not sure honestly, sometimes the edits are so minor you barely notice them. For instance maybe just cutting the opening sequence is all that they needed to do.
Best Character-Frank, it’s always nice to see him care about something besides watching tv. And it’s not so bad he’s an usher he’s still there (thought I doubt ushers really act so flippant in real life)
Worst Character-Ray, he could at least be subtle about not going to church. When he is defending himself he says he doesn’t need to go because he practices being a good person all the time, which is one time when I agree with Debra when she mocks him.
Final Thoughts-As someone who stopped going to church a looonnng time ago, I can relate to Ray’s dilemma in this one. What I don’t get is why he decided to back. I know he bought into the “it’s important to your father” stuff Debra was saying but it seems odd. If he should want to go back because he wants, not because it will make someone else happy. But maybe that’s just me. Though the conversation he and Debra have about is a good one. It’s nice to see her listen to him for once. Robert has one real scene but it’s one of his better ones.
Grade-A-
Season 4, Episode 15
Robert’s Rodeo
Plot Summary-After Ray cancels plans with him, Robert is injured when a bull gores him and is forced to move back with Marie and Frank
Nitpick of the episode-I never got why Robert was so embarrassed in this episode. Maybe if it was a minor thing but a serious injury is a serious injury. Though considering the pain and discomfort he probably feels I guess i can get it.
Best Line-“Yeah once we stopped dating up I worried I wouldn’t get to be humiliated in front of her anymore”…Robert
Episode Fun Fact –if you get the DVD watch the commentary with caution. Apparently brad Garrett thinks commentaries are about doing stupid jokes and not talking about the episode! Actually most of the commentaries for these are bad.
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-On the other hand…lot’s of trimming with this one. Top of the teaser with Ray explaining he’s going to the go carts, very top of act 1 with Debra starting up with Ray, the family arriving at the hospital.
Best Character-Marie, like how she reacts it isn’t as dramatic as you’d think she would be (or would be in future episodes)
Worst Character-Ray, making fun of the injury is pretty low. Doing it with Robert in the hospital is even lower! Who cares where the injury is? I saw one comment say it may have been due to Ray being uncomfortable. I think he just didn’t get it. However to be fair he is redeemed in the final scene when he changes Robert’s bandage. You can see the look on his face that he gets it and it isn’t funny anymore. A well-acted moment. Uh yeah Ray, a puncture wound is kind of serious!
Final Thoughts-One of the few arc’s the show will do, with Robert recovering in stages through the next several episodes. Not sure why they decided to do this except they felt they wanted to do something different with Robert besides girlfriend issues (and it does force him back with Marie and Frank for several episodes). I already discussed Ray’s attitude in this episode. There’s also the fact that Rays lying to Robert made him go in early, but at least he apologizes. The best thing is that the episode manages some good jokes despite the serious problem. Another great little moment besides Ray changing the bandage is when Amy visits and leaves clearly upset. Nice nod suggesting she does still have feelings for Robert.
Grade-A-
