Season 5, Episode 21
Let’s Fix Robert
Plot Summary-Marie gets Robert’s old girlfriends together to discuss what’s wrong with him
Nitpick of the episode-Why wasn’t Debra invited by Marie to attend that little get together with Amy. Stefania and Judy?
Best Line-“I’m Roberts other ex-girlfriend. Or as I’ll be known from now on, the plain one”…Amy
Episode Fun Fact –“I just wanted us to have a nice candid conversation about life and romance and what’s wrong with you”. ..Marie
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-ray coming in with the pizza, the tag where Marie talks some more to Robert
Best Character-Robert, his reactions are perfect here
Worst Character-Amy, I love how Amy blames Robert for their break ups when she was the one who broke up with him each time. Amy seems to forget they actually dated for quite awhile.
Final Thoughts-The implied attraction that Robert has for Debra comes out into the light here, but at least it works. Unlike a much later episode where it’s so not subtle that it stops being funny. But that’s another topic, as for this episode it is kind of funny to see Amy finally meet Stefania and the scenes where they grill Robert are pretty funny. It is a lot like Marie to do what she does here, get involved! Though the meeting gets a little mean spirited at moments. Most of the gripes are nitpicking, but Amy does bring up Robert’s fair of commitment which is the one thing that really does seem like he has to work on. Then Debra gets her speech, again, about how Robert wants to be alone because of his low self-esteem. This dialogue started to get so repetitive that it’s no surprise these kind of “Why can’t Robert find someone” episodes eventually stopped in Season 7.
Grade-B
Season 5, Episode 22
Say Uncle
Plot Summary-Ray thinks his kids like Robert better than him.
Nitpick of the episode-Nowhere else to put this observation, but Debra does do one thing which pisses me off. When everyone is criticizing Ray she is all over him. But when Marie turns the criticisms to her, then she starts insisting she doesn’t do anything wrong and even acts all offended. Of course Ray is the bad guy but Debra is perfect.
Best Line-“But I get to do something you don’t. I get to leave. So It really wasn’t fair to compare myself to you whose has a full time job and is a full time dad”…Robert
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-top of the teaser
Best Character-Robert, one of his best scenes in the end
Worst Character-Ray, no contest here. Ray will often do or say something thing when he knows he is wrong but rather than admit it he just keeps digging himself in deeper by pulling any excuse he can out of his ass to desperately make him not be the bad guy. These moments are nice acting on Romano’s part, but man does it make the character look a jerk. And FYI never tell someone to get a life, ever.
Final Thoughts-This episode is saved by the fantastic conversation Ray and Robert have at the end. A lot of parents see their kids loving their aunt’s and uncle’s and feel “how come they don’t love me as much”. Robert sums it perfectly, it’s a different situation when you only see the kids for a few hours and then can go home. When you live with kids, you do get tired of them and need breaks. Aunt’s and Uncle’s (and grandparents) see them so sparingly they want to enjoy them as much as they can because, again, they can go home when they’re done! This is something I have some recent experience with, and the episode portrays it very nicely. So while Ray and Robert are both class A jerks in that first act, it makes sense in the end. But to be fair Ray gets a little to bored with his kid as is often pointed out in the series it’s as if he never wants to spend time with them. And the reason why ray gets upset in the first place is a bit forced. He sees the kids imitating Roberts chin thing, so? And you gotta love how Debra changes her turn when Marie criticizes her parenting. Of course it’s ok to criticize ray…
Grade-A, one of the most relatable episodes and that’s saying something
Season 5, Episode 23
Separation
Plot Summary-Debra is upset when she finds out her parents are separating
Nitpick of the episode-Why does Ray laugh when Debra says her parents are separating? I kind of get it after Debra has made such a point about how much better they are than his but still. As I said before there doesn’t always have to be a conflict
Best Line-“Remember thanksgiving how they yelled? I couldn’t finish my pie”..Ray
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-Marie and frank on marriage (stupid scene)
Syndication Edit-top of the teaser, Debra yelling at the kids for playing with her makeup
Best Character-Debra, while I don’t get why she is so harsh at her mother overall she reacts the way anyone would in this situation. Though I love when she suggests she keeps her feelings inside, even Ray points out how crazy that is.
Worst Character-Ray, I gave him a break in the last episode when I said he was a jerk but at least made up for it later. Here, not so much.
Final Thoughts-Of course, when Ray was worried about them turning into his parents he was just whining. But here we get Debra afraid they will end up lie her parents, she is so consistent isn’t she? Anyway this is a well-acted episode…and that’s about it. It doesn’t leave much of an impression beyond that, though Patricia Heaton does some great acting in it. The stuff with Ray and Robert fighting over the playing the bad guy at ally’s cowboy birthday party was typical immature Ray/Robert stuff. And of course when warren suggests Marie and frank have a good marriage all Debra can do is frown.
Grade-B-
Season 5, Episode 24
Frank Paints the House
Plot Summary-Frank takes it upon himself to paint Ray’s house, whether Ray likes it or not.
Nitpick of the episode-Actually it kind of makes sense Frank’s employers would kind of nudge him into retirement. How did they stand him for as long as they did? And even though Marie uses the word “fired” I think it was really just early retirement.
Best Line-”You know I think you’re the only one who thinks your funny.”…Marie
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication edit-top of teaser, Debra wakes up and forgets its Saturday
Best Character-Frank, he reminds me of my father again
Worst Character-Debra, Yeah I know I keep picking on her. But when Ray says he fought with Frank to keep the color white instead of yellow, guess what Debra says? Now she’s in favor of yellow! Of course.
Final Thoughts-This is a good episode as we see more of Frank’s personality here. He takes pride in his work, but he also doesn’t feel like he has to explain himself to people. That’s fine until you start just being a jerk about it. I think Ray was in the right to “fire” Frank because Frank wouldn’t even acknowledge what Ray was saying! Frank had a good point about the yellow but by not talking to Ray about it he just comes off like a jerk. And Robert steals the episode with his reactions to Frank, and of course that final scene when he spray paints Marie (because Ray acts like a child, again). Ray and Robert look on in terror while Frank walks by and gives a great straight line to end the scene-“That’s gonna need another coat”. Doris Roberts must have loved that one!
Grade-A-
Season 5, Episode 25
Ally’s Birth
Plot Summary-Ray recalls the circumstances of Ally’s birth
Nitpick of the episode-Debra really thought she was ready to pop after just a few contractions huh? And she isn’t supposed to be that bitchy yet, although you could argue that it was the pregnancy. Also the episode contradicts another time when it was established Ray didn’t help Debra to the car when she was in labor because he was making a sandwich for the hospital.
Best Line-“I hate all of these damn fire hydrants. I’m glad dogs pee on them.”…Frank
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-The teaser which established Ray doesn’t really want to go to the father/daughter dance (of course he doesn’t).
Best Character-Frank, when Debra and Ray try to sneak out of the house without getting Marie’s attention Frank distracts her. It’s a funny moment.
Worst Character- Marie, the way she tries to steamroll over Debra as she tries to privately tell Ray she’s pregnant is pretty awful, but it is Marie we’re talking about. Though I like how even though she’s pissed after Debra had the baby without her she lets it go fast.
Final Thoughts-This episode is yet another case of having a good idea and not having a clue what to do with it. I guess the stuff with Debra in the police car is supposed to be funny, but for me it’s just lame. I mean, what the hell? The only good scene is the tag where we see the family seeing Ally, followed by Ray returning to the present day and enjoying the fact he is spending time with his daughter. Why is it that in nearly every single episode Ray doesn’t enjoy his kids until after the fact?
Grade-B, Not thrilled with this one but there will be worst season enders!
So season five was a little more hit or miss than season four was, but it still managed some solid, memorable episodes. What will season six bring? We’ll find out starting next time.
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