Season 5, Episode 6
The Author
Plot Summary-Robert comes in with great news the same time Ray gets bad news.
Nitpick of the episode-Another character wants to write a book? This is the third time! Granted the episode isn’t really about that, but still!
Best Line-“you 2idiots. Now I have to eat funions!”
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-Robert searches for a thrown out note (good scene that establishes Rays book, this was obviously the teaser and is a good scene it’s to bad it was deleted)
Syndication Edit-Top of the teaser with the kids interrupted Ray
Best Character-Robert, given all the times Ray’s news has squashed Robert’s this is a nice change of pace.
Worst Character-Ray, not only does he act like a baby but he just overreacts. Is this really a big thing? And you gotta love how he ran off to play golf after promising Debra he wouldn’t. If Rays news hadn’t distracted from that I’m pretty sure I would have been on Debra’s side with that argument. It does seem like he actively tries to avoid spending ANY time with his kids!
Final Thoughts-It’s obvious through the series how immature Ray and Robert are. This may be the episode that exemplifies it. I’m not sure how to feel about the fight they end up having. But truth is they will have an been more ridiculous fight later on so I guess I can let it go. I do love Marie when she stops the two from fighting. She really sounds like a mother, Doris Roberts was awesome.
Grade-B-
Season 5, Episode 7
The Walk to the Door
Plot Summary-Ray recounts how he didn’t walk a date to the door as a kid and is nervous about seeing her at a wedding the whole family is attending
Nitpick of the episode-I don’t really buy the whole thing about Ray stealing Robert’s regret. I mean when did Robert tell that story to him? Ray can remember some random story Robert told him once but can’t think about one time he wronged Debra and feels bad about it?? How about recording over their wedding video? Or throwing out her diamond ring? Or picking on her at the auction? I mean, something???
Best Line-“would you stop calling it an incident. The Cuban Missile Crisis was an incident”…Ray
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-top of the teaser
Best Character-Ray, I feel for Ray’s plight here because, well…I’ve been there
Worst Character-Frank, once again is it really so hard for him to say something nice? He actually shows vulnerability at one point only to pull back when he realizes Marie is showing empathy. He reminds of me of my dad again in the teaser.
Final Thoughts-Ever been to a wedding and been forced to sit with an annoying couple that wouldn’t shut the hell up? Then this is the episode for you! Though it does get kind of dull. That whole conversation about regrets feels forced. Like it’s filler to get to that final scene. Robert feels like especially picked on here first Marie can’t come up with a regret for him and then when it’s Roberts turn she tries to shush him! He’s right if everyone else can have a turn then he should too.
Grade-B-
Season 5, Episode 8
Young Girl
Plot Summary-Robert is a dating a women much younger than he which makes Frank happy and Debra enraged.
Nitpick of the episode-Yeah, sorry but Debra’s right. Robert and Erica are way too different in ages here. Apparently the actress was 16 in real life!
Best Line-“Theirs the Debra you see that doesn’t have a problem with it. Then when you leave there’s the Debra I see. Darth Debra”..Ray
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-the tag, Debra wondering if she looks old
Best Character-Debra, while I don’t like how she drags Ray out of the house by the ear overall I’m on her side here
Worst Character-Frank, his drooling over Erica isn’t cute it’s…uncomfortable.
Final Thoughts-What is the point of this episode exactly? That sometimes old people date people younger than them? The first part of the episode just feels awkward and the second half is Debra tearing the relationship apart. I do like how Ray points out that there are two Debra’s, one nice and sweet and the other a nasty witch! These Robert dating girls episodes get predictable especially with Debra lecturing him at the end, it’s not wonder they finally stop them.
Grade-B-
Season 5, Episode 9
Fighting In-Laws
Plot Summary-Debra is shocked to find out her parents are having marital trouble and attending a week of marriage counseling
Nitpick of the episode-Having Warren and Lois basically turn into Frank and Marie at the end was a bit much. And how did Warren and Lois in the kitchen not here the noise Ray was making in the garage?
Best Line-“Well, we hardly ever get to see them so when they come up we want to spend as much time as possible with them… I’ve been told that’s how I feel.”…Ray
Ok I got two for this episode, so here’s the other:
“Listen, if my parents set an orphanage on fire on Christmas Eve they wouldn’t be as bad as your parents”…Debra
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-Debra offers Marie a food suggestion
Syndication Edit-some dialogue in the opening
Best Character-Marie, love how she is when Lois and warren are arguing, she is soaking in every second the nosy person she is
Worst Character-Ray, in the opening scene Ray can’t even manage to get his ass off the couch to answer the door when Warren and Lois arrive. Cmon dude!
Final Thoughts-This is the episode where we see Warren and Lois aren’t the perfect happy people they pretend to be. This is the first time they feel like normal people and that scene where the truth comes out is great.We also see it’s really important that Debra’s parents be better than Ray’s. We’ll see this again, this very season in fact, but every time something comes up where it’s implied that Marie and Frank aren’t so bad she fights against it. It’s so important she and her family be better than The Barone’s, that it finally comes out in another episode we’ll be getting to next season.
Grade-B+
Season 5, Episode 10
The Sneeze
Plot Summary-After being sneezed on, Ray is convinced he’s getting sick forcing Debra to take care of him.
Nitpick of the episode-Ray is a hypochondriac of course but man does it get ridiculous here. That guy who sneezes In the opening should learn how to cover his mouth. By the way it turns out Ray has strep. I hope all the other guys get ready to have it that’s pretty contagious.
Best Line-“I’ve had a pain in the ass for forty five years. Got any soup for that?”…Ray
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scene-none
Syndication Edit-The teaser with Ray complaining Debra is never in the mood. This explains why she has candles and is dressed so provocatively in the first scene. Of course it ends badly because as horny as Ray is, hypochondria obviously comes first. To be fair the scene is stupid and the episode may be better off without it.
Best Character-Marie, it is kind of nice to see her maternal instincts and hey if Ray is going to act like a big baby…
Worst Character-Ray, yeah you’d think Debra but does Ray have to turn into a complete baby in this episode? He’s almost out of character. And don’t get me wrong Debra is annoying here why is being nurturing so hard for her?
Final Thoughts-This one, bugs me. If you read above you know why. Ray has always been a hypochondriac, it’s one of his biggest traits, but here it gets just silly. And that whole bedroom scene gets uncomfortable, especially when his friends come in. That kills me, why would he invite his friends over??? Are these teenagers or forty year old men? I don’t see the charm here. I guess the saving grace is the fact that Debra is for once in the wrong, Ray it turns out has strep throat, that is a nice moment I wish I saw more of.
Grade-C, maybe I’m being a little hard on this but the whole second act just annoys me, the characters feel off (especially Ray) and it’s hard to even watch.
Kind of a mixed bag this time
