Season six is where the series was starting to show some wear. Though not quite as good as the previous two the season was still pretty strong…Until the end, but that’s a rant we’ll get to in a couple weeks.
Season 6, Episode 1
The Angry Family
Plot Summary-The family is shocked when Michael reads his story at school, a story all about “The Angry Family”.
Nitpick of the episode-Of course, Michael could have told Ray and Debra in the kitchen scene that the story was never about them. But then we wouldn’t have had an episode!
Best Line-“I should be writing stories! My life is a gothic novel. And until you have lived in that house with all of them in there with you, day after day, week after week, year after friggin’ year, then you are in no position to judge me! ”….Debra, this is only part of one of her better rants
Episode Fun Fact –The woman standing next to Ray in the opening is Ray Romano’s real life wife; this idea came from creator Phil Rosenthal’s son who did this very thing
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-just some added line of dialogue
Best Character-Debra, that scene where she basically explodes at the teacher is a great bit of dialogue. And what she saying is pretty accurate, for once. I also love Ray’s reactions during it. It’s been awhile since the Dr. Nora just like in that episode we see her here putting on a show pretending to be someone she isn’t before she snaps, what is she afraid of? Is she that ashamed of her life?
Worst Character-Marie, you’ll notice when Frank points out how Marie has never gotten over Ray marrying Debra she doesn’t respond to that charge. She just launches into a speech which is basically “how dare you blame the mother -I work to keep this family happy!”. Uh huh.
Final Thoughts-A good idea, with an ok delivery. This is actually based on an incident that happened to producer Phil Rosenthal. The problem is that nothing is really resolved, and then in the tag we find out the story was never about them making the whole thing pointless! I commented on Marie above but Robert is borderline obnoxious here making it sound like the reason Geoffrey wrote the book is all because of Ray and the way the family adores him. Um, that’s crap Robert but keep singing that song! And Debra refuses to accept any responsibility at all, it’s all Ray and his families fault. Sure. It’s always all about her. Father Hubley finally makes the valid point that the family is a little to close together, and this is true. No one ever has a chance to take a break and breath. And they won’t either. He also points out how the issue should be the kid and not themselves!
Grade-A-
Season 6, Episode 2
No Roll!
Plot Summary-Ray brings home a game to spice up his sex life with Debra
Nitpick of the episode-I agree with Debra, why did Ray even bother buying the game if he didn’t actually want to play it?
Best Line-“ Ray! Come on! Do you want to play or not! Take the question seriously!”…Debra
Episode Fun Fact –new opening with family playing football, it’s AWFUL and thankfully didn’t last
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-The tag showing Debra satisfied for once after they’ve had sex
Best Character-Debra, give her credit she handles the topic very delicately, though why she never tried to discuss this before escapes me. She says because it’s embarrassing.
Worst Character-Ray, he brings home the game for..reasons, and acts exactly the same when they get to the bedroom. I guess this was Debra’s very point!
Final Thoughts-Starting the theme of the season why these characters do what they do. In this case, why does Debra always seem so uninterested in sex? Could it be because Ray isn’t giving her what she needs? He does make it all about him and his needs. This episode is one of the better Ray is horny episodes. Mostly because rather than Ray being a drooling horn dog, the two actually discuss things as adults. Par for the course for this series Ray doesn’t learn anything after the episode ends. The rest of the family don’t have much to do here, but I give the episode credit for them have a real conversation rather than just yelling at each other.
Grade-B
Season 6, Episode 3
Odd Man Out
Plot Summary-When Marco begins taking piano lessons from Marie, Frank becomes jealous.
Nitpick of the episode-Very often when a one-time character becomes a regular, the original character gets softened so people will like him more. That seems to be happening to Marco, who was a badass in Italy when we met him but here he is taking piano lessons. No I don’t buy the “I promised my mother” nonsense.
Best Line-“opera? Just what the world needs, more fat women screaming”…Frank
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-nome
Syndication Edit-
Best Character-Debra, it’s funny to see her give Robert some crap when he is whining about hurting his back after moving the piano. It’s happens so seldom! She also teases frank for being jealous which is kind of funny.
Worst Character-Frank, the whole thing about his being jealous is stupid
Final Thoughts-Not a huge fan of this one, though it does manage some laughs. Especially at Robert’s expense. It’s simply another forgettable one. The whole idea of Frank being jealous of Marie is just dumb. I get the idea of Marie and frank fighting over who will be friends with Marco but it still falls flat. Usually when Marie and Frank fight it’s great but this feels so forced.
Grade-C
Season 6, Episode 4
Ray’s Ring
Plot Summary-Ray loses his ring after Robert spins it into a drain.
Nitpick of the episode-Once again the series has to make sure Ray isn’t that bad a bad guy. Even though he shoots the woman at the airport down when he realizes what she wants, it’s still spun in a way so Debra can be mad at him (Ray told the woman if he weren’t married he would have gone with her, but he’s married so no thanks. Which he never actually said quite that way but that’s how Ray stupidly says it to Debra. Guess which part Debra focuses on?)
Best Line-“You send your little lady out into a man’s world with a naked finger? It’s like banana time in the monkey cage!”…Frank
Episode Fun Fact -I love the product placement in the supermarket scene. Especially Ragu Express which lasted a very short time but will always live on in this episode.
Deleted Scenes-original teaser, Ray trying to explain business trips are really work
Syndication Edit-Marie wanting to hear all about the girl at the airport. Stupid moment actually since as even Ray says it’s not as if he is looking to replace Debra
Best Character-Ray, fun seeing him get hit on
Worst Character-Debra, she overreacts again but you have to love her pitiful attempts to get men’s attention in the grocery store.
Final Thoughts-I know sitcoms like to play with this idea, the man losing his wedding ring and the wife overreacting, but does this happen in real life? Anyway it’s not a bad episode though it feels like the episode is straining a bit to find a reason for Debra to be mad at him. What are the chances of him being hit on like that? And she doesn’t even even seem to have a good reason. By the way Mad About You did it better! The stuff at the grocery store is funny and it’s nice to see Debra get snubbed once in awhile.
Grade-B+
Season 6, Episode 5
Marie’s Sculpture
Plot Summary-Marie makes a sculpture which appears to resemble…a very personal part of the female anatomy.
Nitpick of the episode-I get that Marie didn’t realize what the sculpture accidentally resembled, but how come Frank couldn’t see it?
Best Line-“Oh my God… I’m a lesbian.”…Marie (this whole episode was building to this line!)
Episode Fun Fact –This has been voted the second favorite episode by fans, though I don’t think it would be that high on my list.
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-longer opening
Best Character-Frank, actually this is a tough one because all the characters are good here. But the topper is the end when Frank finally realizes what the statue looks like, and just utters an exasperated “Holy Crap” that is the funniest laugh of the episode.
Worst Character-Robert, He’s jealous that Marie gave Ray the sculpture and not him. Of course he is.
Final Thoughts-This is a classic episode, and it probably would be right up there on my list though not #2 (what would be? good question). I said before that this show would often not use a word because it was funnier when they don’t. This episode is the best case, since it isn’t clear what they are talking about. Much like Seinfeld’s “The Contest” it would be easy to not get the reference, making it funnier when you can catch on and enjoy the joke. In fact I would call this ELR’s official equivalent to “The Contest”. The scene with the nuns is funny, especially since it could have been so contrived and goofy. Somehow it works and leads into one of the best conversations Ray and Marie have at the end. We don’t always get to see Ray being supportive and, well, smart that often. And they talk like adults for once!
Grade-A, Quintessential episode
Off to a decent start, will it last? We’ll find out next time!
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