Ok folks got a few extra episodes since the season 6 disc 5 only had four. And besides I really wanted to get those last episodes out of the way. But we’ll get to that. Let’s start with a great episode….
Season 6, Episode 16
Lucky Suit
Plot Summary-When Robert get an interview at the FBI, he asks Marie to iron his lucky suit..only for her to proceed to burn and ruin it. Then she makes things worst by faxing a letter to the FBI!
Nitpick of the episode-where the hell did Marie get a fax machine?
Best Line-“Oh, it was going okay, and then Agent Garfield read me a letter about crazy Robert in his lucky suit.”…Robert
Episode Fun Fact – Brad Garrett and Doris Roberts won Emmy’s from this episode, it’s not hard to see why. Actually it was Doris’s second win, she won the last year also.
Deleted Scenes-the interview actually went longer (they cut it at the right place)
Syndication Edit-Marie’s scene at agent Garfields went a bit longer as was the tag
Best Character-Marie, the scene in Agent Garfield’s office is pure gold.
Worst Character-I’m going to give the episode a pass, no one is bad here.
Final Thoughts-Once again this seems to be the season about exploring why our characters do the things they do. In this case, why does Marie interfere so often? And the scene where she explains how she feels about Robert having the job he does is one of the best scenes in the series, and it’s no surprise it earned Doris Roberts an Emmy. I’ve said many times Brad Garrett can get a laugh with just a reaction and he proves it here when Agent Garfield reads the letter. He says almost nothing but man does his face say it all! I thought he was a little too angry at the subsequent scene where he confronts Marie, and not all of what he accuses Marie of is accurate. It’s not all wrong either, as Frank even indicates at one point. The funny thing is I would usually criticize an episode that had so little of Ray in it, but this one works and it’s nice to see some tender moments between Robert and Marie at the end for once.
Grade-A-, Doris Roberts had said this was her favorite. No surprise here. I once said Robert episodes aren’t so good, meet the exception
Season 6, Episode 17
The Skit
Plot Summary-Ray and Debra entertain with a skit about Marie and Frank. But they’re caught off guard when Marie and Frank turn the tables and make fun of them!
Nitpick of the episode-You could nitpick when Frank comments that Marie knows that she’s a pain in the ass. But they’d both been drinking at the party so I can let it slide.
Best Line-“ Oh, please, stop hinting Debra. The silver is going to Robbie. It’s already in the will.”…Marie
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-Marie worked harder to get Ray to do a speech for Lee and Stan
Syndication Edit-the tag, Ray gets revenge on Robert by stealing some silver (it’s kind of lame)
Best Character-Robert, for once he’s right in this episode especially when he points out the hypocrisy in Ray and Debra being mad after they just mocked Frank and Marie.
Worst Character-Ray and Debra, I agree some of what Marie and Frank said were cheap shots but they take it waayy to personally.
Final Thoughts-Here’s another episode I am not sure what the point of was. Not that it’s bad, at all. It’s a really good episode. Maybe it’s to show Frank and Marie have a better sense of humor then Ray and Debra? It’s probably how families tease each other. Except for how nice it is to see Ray and Debra doing something together there really isn’t much to say about this one. It’s just more Ray and Debra arguing with each other.
Grade-B-
Season 6, Episode 18
The Breakup Tape
Plot Summary-Debra finds an old breakup tape Ray which causes him to obsess about the souvenirs Debra has saved from past relationships.
Nitpick of the episode-Robert notes he has a copy of the tape. Of course he did.
Best Line-“I noticed that you took the time to pop out the tab. Which you neglected to do with our wedding video”..Debra
Episode Fun Fact –Ray Romano won his first Emmy from this episode. Yeah, Matt LeBlanc was robbed that year!
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-The tag which is great, we hear messages on Ray’s machine after the breakup one and it kind of answers the question, how did Marie handle Ray being away at college?
Best Character-Ray, only for that last bit where he explains why he kept the tape
Worst Character-Debra, listening to the tape and then running upstairs to tease him about it is pretty cold and you gotta love how even when she is leaving him a sweet message she has to call him a stupid stupid man.
Final Thoughts-Another episode with Ray going all nuts about something. The only thing that makes it different is the last bit where Ray explains why the breakup tape bothered him so much. Basically because he didn’t understand why. In fact all the stuff about Ray being upset about the boyfriend gifts Debra has collected feels like filler. You could cut from the opening to that last scene and miss nothing.
Grade-B
Season 6, Episode 19
Talk to Your Daughter
Plot Summary-Ray thinks Ally is ready for the sex talk, turns out what she really wants to know is the meaning of life.
Nitpick of the episode-I love how people on TV shows can remember things from thirty years ago. Here Robert randomly remember Marie gave Ray a better gift one Christmas when he was ten. I mean, do you remember what you got for Christmas when you were ten? Also even though it was established earlier that Frank had the sex talk with the Santa talk, in this episode it’s stated frank never talked to them.
Best Line-“You want to know the meaning of life? You’re born, you go to school, you go to work, you die. Canoli Marie”…Frank
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes. None
Syndication Edit-the tag, Ray and Debra reflect on the day’s events
Best Character-Ray, at least he tries talking to his daughter I guess
Worst Character-Debra, she gives Ray a hard time for having no answer for ally even though she didn’t either
Final Thoughts-Before it would become every single episode, we’re treated to the second act which is just the family debating philosophy. It’s almost like a play, with each character getting in some comments and the dialogue moves very well. It’s one of those things that it’s hard to describe but the pacing is perfect. The best part is that final scene where Ray and Debra watch the kids playing. Beautiful. The first half is just setting up the second, and that’s all it really does.
Grade-A
Season 6, Episode 20
A Vote for Debra
Plot Summary-Debra runs for class president, but loses. And when she finds out Ray didn’t vote for her, she is not happy.
Nitpick of the episode- Okay that whole thing with the meat was awful. The setup is at the school meeting they have laid out some food. And as they call everyone’s attention to the stage, Ray is preoccupied with getting some tender loin. Of course he is awkward about it and the whole room is watching him by the end, so he gets embarrassed and tries hiding the food. In his pants. Huh???? Why didn’t they wait to start the meeting until after the food was over? And was it really necessary that EVERYONE be paying attention, a lot of people there didn’t really care. I’ve been to events where people were doing their own thing when the actual event started. And if they couldn’t wait, why the hell did they put out the second platter of tender loin for??? Ugh, It’s not funny it’s just forced.
Best Line-“Shut up! I’m your wife. I don’t care if my platform was… anti-puppy. You have to vote for me.”…Debra
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-Top of the teaser, ray arguing with the kids; the tag with Ray embarrassing himself again at Bill Parker’s acceptance speech
Best Character-Ray, for once he makes a valid point and it sticks!
Worst Character-Debra, why did she want to bring Ray to the meting didn’t she know Ray would embarrass her? And yes telling people she didn’t know him was awful but to be fair she’s called out on it.
Final Thoughts-Once again the theme of the season continues. Why does Debra seem so ashamed to be with Ray? Shouldn’t she accept him as he is? This comes out when Debra points out that at the school event she was so embarrassed by him she denied even knowing who he was. That’s kind of cold. It’s also a misdirection since the episode seems to be another one about Ray not wanting Debra to get out of the house forcing him to be more responsible. The talk the two end up having is probably one of the best Ray and Debra scenes.
Grade-B-
Season 6, Episode 21
Call Me Mom
Plot Summary-Marie is annoyed when Ray starts calling Debra’s mother “Mom”, and Ray questions why Debra doesn’t call her mother mom either.
Nitpick of the episode-This episode brings up a valid point, why has Debra never called Marie “mom”
Best Line-“She caught me saying it today and an icy wine through this room did blow”…Marie
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-none
Syndication Edit-
Best Character-Debra, it’s always nice when she acknowledges that she isn’t perfect. Ray has a valid point, why doesn’t she call Marie “Mom”? And the scene where tries is a great one.
Worst Character-Marie, does she had to be so mean about it when Debra calls her mom for the first time?
Final Thoughts-Following up on the Thanksgiving episode we see Ray is still calling Debra’s mom “MOM”…and then Marie walks in! But rather than the episode be all about how upset Marie is about that, it becomes an episode about Debra and why she doesn’t call Marie mom herself. This leads to a nice scene between the two. It’s especially nice considering the next few episodes! Its also one of the better Lois episodes she seems like a real person for once especially when she stands up to Marie a bit. The fact Lois is the one to take issue with Debra calling Marie is a nice twist. Feels more like he character Mona from who’s the boss.
Grade-B-
Well this season has been pretty good. Let’s ruin it! Yeah this is it. The three episode (well, four but the fourth will be the next article) arc I have been dreading. For me, this was the jumping the shark moment for the series. It literally almost made me stop watching. Why? Well let’s start with the next episode:
Season 6, Episode 22
Mother’s Day
Plot Summary-After Debra offends Marie in front of some friends, Marie gives her the silent treatment. Later Marie “apologizes” which only gets Debra furious with Marie!
Nitpick of the episode-This is probably a bad nit considering what is going on in the episode, but I think Ray taking care of the mother of his children is just as important as him seeing his real mother.
Best Line-“I think it’s cute how you’re still a little naïve”…Ray
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-Longer teaser, Ray comes over for cake
Syndication Edit-The beginning of the tag with Ray bringing in flowers for Debra, top of the teaser Debra fighting with the kids
Best Character-Ray and Frank, I love how they start arguing for the ladies but Ray is on Marie’s side and Frank is on Debra’s side. It’s well done.
Worst Character-Marie, she’s awful here from the beginning scene where she barges over and expects Debra to stop everything so the kids can perform for her and her friends to that scene where she pumps Ray for info on whether or not Debra’s feelings were hurt right to the end the way she acts about Ray visiting her on Mother’s Day. Doris Roberts always managed to make Marie likable despite all the not so nice things she did, but this episode it doesn’t come across. At All.
Final Thoughts-If this episode had been all by itself I would be easier on it. It’s not a bad idea, what if Marie and Debra had a real fight? But it ends unresolved and the whole episode is so tense that it’s almost hard to watch. Too bad it gets must worst! And for the record I think Marie is in the wrong Debra deserves some respect and Marie barging over to her house shows none. Especially when we find out the only reason she barged over was to show that her daughter in law was better then her friends. That is classic Marie she always has to be the best, and we’ll see this again in the series.
Grade-D+
Season 6, Episode 23
The Bigger Person
Plot Summary-Ray and Frank learn to use Marie and Debra’s fight to their advantage
Nitpick of the episode-I can’t believe that Marie and Debra failed to realize how Ray and Frank were taking advantage of them.
Best Line-“you’re like a lady”…Frank
Episode Fun Fact –
Deleted Scenes-original teaser with Debra yelling at Ray (a good scene to cut since we don’t need it and it includes a line which would later become a whole episode), another phone call from Marie
Syndication Edit-
Best Character-None. They’re all awful and I refuse to give credit to any of them.
Worst Character-Robert, why can’t he mind his own business? I get that he’s trying to mediate but it just makes things worst (that never works, trust me). And why did he go to Debra first, I almost agree with Marie about that.
Final Thoughts-Where do I begin with this one? Everyone is awful here, and I’ve noticed this episode is often skipped in re-runs. That could be a weird coincidence but I can’t help but wonder, did someone realize this episode was awful so they pulled it? It’s just unpleasant right down to that final scene where Marie tells Ray to shut up and throws Robert out. The worst scene is the very last one when Ray is trying to sneak off to play golf, but Debra catches him and comes off like she’s going to beat him up!
Grade-F, sorry I got nothing positive here
Season 6, Episode 24
The First Time
Plot Summary-A flashback shows the first time Ray and Debra had sex
Nitpick of the episode-I noted way back in The Wedding episode that they changed Father Hubley from Debra’s priest to The Barone’s. So yes him meeting Debra in the flashback makes no sense.
Best Line-“You take that sauce and I’ll kill you”…Frank
Episode Fun Fact –Apparently the original idea was for the fight to continue for a whole season. But the creators realized it wasn’t much of a show if two of the main leads didn’t speak to each other. Thank goodness!
Deleted Scenes-
Syndication Edit-teaser with ray making Debra sigh an agreement to have sex the next day (typical Ray only cares about the deal and misses the fact that Debra is upset later)
Best Character-Debra, for being the first to try to work things out. Guess Frank was right in “Mother’s Day” when he said Debra might come around eventually but Marie never would.
Worst Character-Marie, she’s awful in the flashback, bringing a priest to stop Ray from having sex? Are you kidding me?? Things get worst in the final scene where she ignores Debra’s apology and gets mad at her all over because the two did have sex that night. Who cares, they’re married now! She is awful through this whole arc, isn’t she supposed be the one who cares about family? And in future episodes she will realize this and not stay angry when things come up, so I don’t know what her problem is here.
Final Thoughts-I hate this episode. Not quite as bad as the previous, but still. It’s clear they were forcing the flashbacks at this point (and in fact this would be the final one) and the whole thing is just so stupid. I mean I can believe Marie overheard Ray’s plans and wanted to stop it, but what she does is just absurd. And of course despite an opportunity to end the episode with the argument between Debra and Marie resolved, it just goes on.
Grade-D, very depressing way to end the season
One last quick note….
Season 6, Episode 25
Everybody Loves Raymond: The First Six Years
This was just a clip show celebrating the series six years. The framing device was unique, having celebrities reminisce about their family experiences as a lead in for the segments. Not much else to say about it but it was worth a mention.
And that was Season six, what an awful way to end a pretty strong year. Will things turn around for season 7? Come back next week and find out.
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