Top 8 Everybody Loves Raymond Christmas Episodes

There aren't many series which have the amount of Christmas episodes Frasier had. Friends sort of did, but I talked about that already. Home Improvement did, but again I already went over those episodes. Family Matters comes close but a few of them I haven't even seen. The only one that compares that I haven't talked out is Everybody Loves Raymond which also had eight. Since I ordered Frasier from best to worst, I think it's time to sort these the same way. And this will be harder!  

"The Christmas Picture"

Ok if you've been around for awhile then you know I had some issues with this episode. And I will not give that rant again, let's just say what Debra does is appalling. While the situation of trying to do a family picture is relatable, it's kind of empty as far as Christmas is concerned. 

Top 8 Everybody Loves Raymond Thanksgiving Episodes

Every year as Thanksgiving rolls around I do a special sitcom article. Either a review of a single Thanksgiving episode, or an overview on an entire run of Thanksgiving episodes from a specific series. This year I decided to focus on Everybody Loves Raymond since they had a Thanksgiving show almost every year. Just like my Friends article last year, since I already reviewed the series there is no need for an in depth look at these episodes. This is a ranking. ELR Thanksgiving episodes were usually special, but which episode was better?

#8.”No Thanks”

This is actually a classic episode, when Debra tries to one up Marie by showing that her little insults don’t bother her. Leading to one of the best Marie/Debra scenes in the series. So if it’s so classic why so high? Because it’s a Thanksgiving episode for maybe three minutes.

Ten Memorable Sitcom Marriage Proposals

There are lots of life events that almost every TV shows will give us, from child birth to  weddings to marriage proposals. After all these are supposed to be “real” people so its only right we see them go through these experiences. And when done right, they make us as happy as the characters are. And we even cry at them! The wedding proposal is a huge one, since it can go either way. But when it is a yes, especially when it is done with a couple we have been watching for seasons, it’s a true moment of joy for the audience.

One thing, these are proposals that took. Also this NOT a TOP list because there are only so many clips online I could find and a few I’d have had on here in a second are not available. That being said, here are ten memorable  sitcom proposal’s.




 #10.Frasier
I'm unable to find a clip of Niles proposing to Daphne, so instead here is Martin proposing. Though it sounds less like a marriage proposal and more like a business proposal. 

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 9, Part 4)

Time to wrap things up my friends……



Season 9, Episode 13
Sister-In-Law

Plot Summary-Ray doesn’t appreciate when Amy tries spending time with him

Nitpick of the episode-I’ll never get why Ray can’t sit with someone and just listen to them talk. There’s a great continuity nod I hope was intentional. In her first appearance Amy mentioned loving to eat raw cookie dough, and when Ray insults her that’s exactly what Amy eating in the kitchen!

Best Line-“We should get in there dads probably got the fondu pot on his head like Winnie the Pooh”…Ray

Episode Fun Fact –

Deleted Scenes-Robert tries to find out if Amy is still angry, Marie embarrasses Ray

Syndication Edit-The tag where Ray does talk to Amy…of course enraging Robert and Debra. Maybe Ray shuts up because he just can’t win?

Best Character-Amy, probably her best episode and she even gets angry which is nice to see. Though fondu date night? Really??

Worst Character-Ray, once again we see the simple act of sitting next to someone while watching a sporting event is too much for him to handle. The only difference is its Amy this time. Even she admits she knows Frank better than Ray!

Final Thoughts-One thing I didn’t get about this episode was how quiet Marie was, did they have nothing for her to say? She did have some lines in the deleted scenes so I guess that answers that. The episode addresses something which has come up before, why the hell is Ray incapable to talking to people? It’s why his conversation with Pat last season was so nice to see. He can do it! All he has to do is sit there and let Amy prattle, why is that so hard? To be fair Amy is a talkative person but when Ray can’t seem to talk to anyone it’s hard to put the blame on her.

Grade-B-

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 9, Part 3)

Season 9, Episode 9
A Date for Peter

Plot Summary-Debra tries to arrange a date for Peter, but Ray is enraged when Peggy is included

Nitpick of the episode-Anyone remember “Sleepover at Peggy’s”? Don’t feel bad if you don’t clearly Ray forgot it. More on this below. It’s amazing how they made Peter go from someone we hated to someone we fully sympathize with here.

Best Line-“what if they start dating? We already have enough horrible people in this family”…Ray

Episode Fun Fact –Obvious this episode is one last chance to see some recurring characters. We get Peggy, Stefania, and Peter (who actually does have one more appearance)\

Deleted Scenes-Ray giving Peter advice

Syndication Edit-teaser, we find out who the women in the back who never speak are during the party

Best Character-Debra, for once I’m on her side

Worst Character-Ray, ughhhhhhhhhhhh

Final Thoughts-This was the final episode on my “Top 5 Worst Everybody Loves Raymond Episodes” list, and it still sucks. I’ve talked a lot about the creators tended to add conflict when they didn’t need to. Is that why Ray is a jackass here? His reasoning is just lame, he accuses Debra of trying to set up Peter and Peggy so that Debra will have another solider in her war with his mother. Um, how? Even if they did marry, which neither are thinking of by the way, that’s Robert’s family and has nothing to do with Marie. And of course he has to bring up the cookie incident, and even Peggy can’t believe he hasn’t let that go yet! I admit I have no idea what the episode could have been filled with without this, but Ray is just plain ridiculous here. At least he apologizes in the end. Roberts panicking when Stefania appears  is lame too but this obviously just one chance to see her again.  By the way when Marie and frank storm over the creators didn’t even try to give a good reason, guess there isn’t any point by now.

Grade-C-,still annoying after all these years

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 9, Part 2)

Season 9, Episode 5
Ally’s F

Plot Summary-Ray and Debra are concerned when Ally gets an “F” in math

Nitpick of the episode-Yeah that teacher may need vacation. I get teachers are stressed and even burned out, but geez! And if he knew what the problem w as with Ally why didn’t he pull her aside and discuss it with her? Isn’t that part of a teacher’s job? Even Debra realizes that the guy is a bit out of touch. Guess Ray is right when he says some teaches can’t relate to kids.

Best Line-“It’s just a midterm ok. It’s just a stupid grade and I’m gonna pass. God why do you have to overreact!?”…Ally

Episode Fun Fact –

Deleted Scenes-Ray and Debra arriving at the classroom to meet with the teacher

Syndication Edit-top of the teaser, which was a bad edit since we see ally talking on the phone foreshadowing the boy she liked. We also see in the teaser Ally favors Ray

Best Character-Debra, well it only took nine seasons for Debra to realize talking to your kids is a thing. That final scene between her and Ally is just great. I also give her credit for realizing the teacher is a bit high-strung and they it may not be all Ally’s fault.

Worst Character-Ray, I actually love it when he steals the teacher’s throat lozenges but what is up with that bit at the end when he acts like a jealous father? Maybe the idea was that Deb and Ray had changed places, Debra talking while Ray overreacts and yells, but  Romano cannot pull those scenes off.

Final Thoughts-I like this one because it’s the show exploring a common problem. Ally having trouble in math makes sense and the reason is perfectly normal for a teenager (she’s obsessed with a boy in her class). It’s also nice to see a little flaw in Ally. While I’ve said I liked her I’ll be the first to admit she often comes off as a little too perfect. Here she feels like a normal a teenager (and it’s jarring to remember her in season one; they do grow up don’t they?) The scenes with the teacher is funny. Again the family stuff feels a bit shoehorned, only there to give them some lines. But it’s not awful either as it does further the plot when we discover the real reason Ally is having trouble in math. The only complaint is that final bit where Ray gets all stupid and is yelling. It seems like when this show doesn’t have a joke to end on then making Ray a loon is the go to move.

Grade-A-, for season nine this is a true standout, it’s just Ray’s nonsense at the end which is lame.

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 9, Part 1)

Welcome to Season 9! As I mentioned last time the season was more the networks ides than the creators. In fact they had a the final episode all ready to go the season before but shelved it. They agreed to come back with an abbreviated season, only sixteen episodes. Which means these final articles will also be a bit abbreviated with only four episodes per article. So was the season any good or should did they stay to long at the party?


(My DVD crapped out on me so forgive me if I forgot something). Let’s start:



Season 9, Episode 1
The Home

Plot Summary-Frank and Marie shock the family by announcing they are moving to a retirement home

Nitpick of the episode-This a hard one to grasp, why would Marie and Frank suddenly want to move to a retirement home? And why are they suddenly getting along so well? This one requires a little suspension of disbelief though it’s not a shark jumping moment. And why weren’t the kids around to say goodbye to their grandparents?

Best Line-“Oh, Debra… do you know what your problem is? You’re always so dramatic. I’m fine with the way we are.”…Marie

Episode Fun Fact –

Deleted Scenes-Marie giving stuff away

Syndication Edit-top of the teaser

Best Character-Marie and frank, kudos for the writers for giving them something so against their character,  but at the same time keeping the characters in character. It works.

Worst Character-Debra, when Frank and Marie are finally moving its Debra who’s sad about it. DEBRA!! What the hell? Debra has spent more episodes than I’d care to count hating having the family so close and bitching every chance she gets. What??? Feels like filler.

Final Thoughts-I’ve commented before on how the writers will switch something up so an episode will go somewhere you weren’t expecting. This happens here, doing the idea which would have been an obvious finale episode as the premiere episode. Is it good? It’s feels a little odd, maybe because everyone is happily getting along here. The whole episode feels like one big act 1. Except you have to wait till next week to get the second half. The scene where Ray and Debra and Robert and Amy celebrate the announcement is pretty much all for laughs. I complained that it’d ridiculous Debra is sad but on the other hand why aren’t Robert and Ray even a little sad? They seem a little to eager to get rid of Marie and Frank.

Grade-B

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 8, Part 4)

We’re finishing up Season 8 today. As you may recall the season was pretty strong in the start. Will it finish up that way?






Season 8, Episode 16
Security

Plot Summary-Robert is torn between being a security salesman or staying a cop

Nitpick of the episode-Where the hell did this security salesman stuff come from?

Best Line-“I didn’t get robbed till I got an alarm!”…Ray

Episode Fun Fact –

Deleted Scenes-Robert reflecting on the birthday party

Syndication Edit-top of teaser

Best Character-Amy, she actually stands up to Marie showing she has more of a spine then Debra

Worst Character-Robert, for the life of me I will never understand why Robert has such a hard time making a decision in this episode. Actually that isn’t so bad, the real question is what made him decide being a security alarm salesman was the way to go?

Final Thoughts-Well we’re back were we left off, with another episode that aggravates me. What the hell is up with that security system nonsense? It’s lazy sitcom nonsense that shouldn’t be on this show. And if that’s bad enough Robert is an idiot for the whole episode, why is that decision so hard to make? Amy says he has asked literally everybody! Even when he finally makes it he’s practically forced into it by Ray. To be fair the debate about why Robert should or shouldn’t quit is handled well and it’s nice to see Amy stand up to Marie a little bit. Marie is of course Marie, only caring about herself. It’s also cool to see pat and hank disagreeing, it makes them more human.

Grade-C

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 8, Part 3)

Season 8, Episode 11
Debra at the Lodge

Plot Summary-Debra volunteers to help out at Frank’s lodge

Nitpick of the episode-So is the lodge for old people only? Episodes like this it seems that way but then other times we get references to Frank going when the kids were little so he couldn’t have been very old. Oh and it seems like the lodge got the liquors license back that they had lost in The Bachelor Party

Best Line-“Your husband garbles heart pills because he’s had a 50 year love affair with ham.”…Frank

Episode Fun Fact –

Deleted Scenes-none

Syndication Edit-top of the teaser, Amy wants to play a game before Marie and frank run in yelling about pulp

Best Character-Frank, I love how he stands up for his daughter in law

Worst Character-Ray, his old man jokes get, well, old. What is he jealous of in this episode exactly?

Final Thoughts-I get the feeling that this episode was intended to convey the fact that Debra can be happy and even has a few skills under her belt. That’s basically all I get from it. Debra is pretty awesome In this one and it’s nice to see Patricia Heaton sing and have fun. Though she comes off a bit naïve she should be able to see thru the guy’s behavior. Since we of course needed a conflict after Debra helps in the lodge, the best the writers came up with is the fact that the guys are all drooling over her. Sure. And the fact that the wives of the men are blaming Debra is even dumber. Especially in the tag when they take a look at Rays posterior.  Is there such a thing as reverse sexism?

Grade-B-

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 8, Part 2)

Season 8, Episode 6
Peter on the Couch

Plot Summary-After staying with Amy and Robert for awhile, Peter goes home to find out that he’s been thrown out.

Nitpick of the episode-We finally soften Peter’s characters and he is more likable from now on.

Best Line-“Yeah, I noticed his underwear hanging on the doorknob. Which reminds me, if you go out today, pick up a new doorknob.”…Robert

Episode Fun Fact –

Deleted Scenes-more of ray and peter in the car, the family waiting for ray to get back

Syndication Edit-Peter and Robert Looking for food in the fridge

Best Character-Robert, I liked how sympathetic he is with Peter in the end especially considering his attitude at the start of the episode.

Worst Character-Ray, he’s just a jerk here when he it comes to driving Peter home

Final Thoughts-This episode serves no purpose aside from developing Peter’s character a little more. So if you don’t like him, this isn’t going to be your episode. Its nice to see Robert and Amy acting like a normal married couple. The first half feels like standard sitcom fare as peter disrupts Robert and Amy’s routine. I can relate to this episode after being stuck living with my parents again I know it is easy to get comfortable. But as Peter discovers, it can’t last forever.

Grade- C+

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 8, Part 1)

Welcome  to season 8! We’re finally getting toward the end with only a few more articles left.  So what did we get this season? While we got some good episode the crappier ones are getting more common. Sadly that started with the first episode…






Season 8, Episode 1
Fun with Debra

Plot Summary-Debra complains that she and Ray don’t do enough together so Ray agrees to take her golfing

Nitpick of the episode-This seems a lot like a few earlier episodes which tried to address this issue.

Best Line-(yeah I got nothing)

Episode Fun Fact –Brad Garrett is absent in this episode, the only episode of the series he missed, due to contrast negotiations with CBS. Thankfully they had a perfect excuse for where Robert was in this episode.

Deleted Scenes-none

Syndication Edit-top of teaser

Best Character-Ray, love he spends time with the kids in the beginning. I should bring up why he seems to hate doing this with Debra, but I feel like we’ve discussed that already.

Worst Character-Debra, in the opening Debra tells Ray to watch the boys. He ends up taking them golfing and even though the boys had fun she can’t let Ray off the hook for doing “what he wanted to do”. Finally she relents but why was she such a pain about it? She gets mad even when Ray does what she wants!

Final Thoughts-This was clearly not supposed to be the first episode because it feels like a filler show. Debra talks Ray into going golfing with her and it goes as expected. We see him and Debra enjoying each other’s company at first but tired of each other by the end. Is this a metaphor for their marriage? I get Debra wanting to do more with Ray but even she gets that golf is something he does as alone time. Why not find something new? Oh yeah we did that before. In fact this feels like at least three episodes they’ve already done!

Grade-B-, been there done that

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 7, Part 5)

Season 7, Episode 21   
The Shower

Plot Summary-After Marie gets Debra angry at Amy’s shower, she over drinks and ends up behind bars with a DUI.

Nitpick of the episode-I looked it up and I guess you can gets arrested for a DUI even if the keys are just in the ignition. That seems a little extreme, but I guess the episode wins this one.

Best Line-“Oh! So she finally killed Ma.”…Robert after seeing Debra in prison which was a great moment

Episode Fun Fact –Debra says a line in prison about being glad she’s out since she has three kids at home. This line is taken straight from Ray Romano’s standup.  The amusing thing to me is that it took until season 7 for them to work it in!

Deleted Scenes-more at the bridal shower,  Marie and frank commenting before ray and Debra come home from jail

Syndication Edit-

Best Character-Robert, that scene in the jailhouse is great but the best part is when Robert walks by Ray and Debra, and then realizes who he just walked by! I also love how thrown in to the scene he is, as if the creators forger Robert was a cop and then they remembered so they got him into the end.

Worst Character-Marie, what is it about her that she can’t just be somewhere without also being the center of attention? Can’t she just sit back and relax? The worst part is when Debra stands up for herself and insists she doesn’t need Marie, what does Marie do? She gets pissy and leaves. Ugh. Fair is fair and she does give a nice apology at the end.

Final Thoughts-This episode is saved by being really funny. Without that it’s just another crazy Debra getting mad at Marie episode. I already talked about how well done the jail scene is, but the scene at the hearing for Debra to get her license back is good to. I like that Marie apologizes and the scene features Joel Brooks, a great character actor who always gets a few laughs. I like seeing Debra getting a little karma here for being a bit crazed half the time. I’ve noticed that Marie is quicker to apologize for things than Debra.

Grade-B+

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 7, Part 4)

 




Season 7, Episode 16
Sweet Charity

Plot Summary-Debra forces Ray into doing volunteer work, which he enjoys-until Robert starts to hog the attention


Nitpick of the episode-Why is Ray so insecure when Robert is the center of attention? Is it so hard to come back another day? Granted it would have been nice if Robert told Ray he was going but since it was Debra’s idea I guess we know who to blame

Best Line-“I was doing charity work and because it wasn’t convenient for you you wanted me to stop”..Ray

Episode Fun Fact –We see Timmy again, for some reason.


Deleted Scenes-none


Syndication Edit-top of teaser, Ray yelling at the cable company

Best Character-Ray, nice to see him enjoying charity work

Worst Character-Debra, do I need to explain why? This is one time when it’s not me being nitpicky,  she’s awful here. Ray is enjoying his charity work but when it became inconvenient she tries to trick him into quitting. By lying to Robert which is even worst. Ugh. At least she gets called out on it.  Oh and did I mention she signed him up without asking him and then guilted him into it?


Final Thoughts-First of all, the thing with Ray and him fainting at the blood is stupid. He’s an adult for crying out loud! The episode itself is ok but what is up with that twist in the end where we find out Debra sent Robert in to discourage Ray form doing any more charity work? Is she really that awful that she makes Ray feel bad for not doing more charity and then tries to get him to quite when it’s not convenient for her anymore? Obviously it was another case of her making him do something because she didn’t want to, not expecting him to enjoy it!


Grade-B-

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 7, Part 3)

Season 7, Episode 11
The Thought That Counts

Plot Summary-Ray promises Debra he has the perfect Christmas gift for her, and ends up taking credit for Robert’s idea.

Nitpick of the episode- what the hell was Ray thinking not giving the right price to Frank and Robert? It really is like he was trying to hog the glory. Kind of hard to defend him here.

Best Line-“It’s like I killed my mother’s birthday”…Ray

Episode Fun Fact –

Deleted Scenes-None for this episode

Syndication Edit-

Best Character-Amy, this will happen more now that Amy is a regular but it’s so nice when she calls out Robert on things. In this case, why it’s so important for Robert to make Ray look bad.

Worst Character-Robert, he doesn’t land here often but man when he does he deserves it. Dude who cares whose idea it was??

Final Thoughts-The Christmas episode I always forget. That doesn’t mean it’s bad, it just doesn’t stand out like the others. That makes sense since it’s simply Ray trying to find a gift for Debra and then taking Robert’s gift idea. In fact it starts weeks before Christmas and goes right to the day after, making the holiday a footnote. It’s not new, except the part where Ray explains he puts more thought into Marie’s gift because Marie cares about things like that. Though that seems a little forced. The other big thing in this episode that I do love is that way Amy calls out Robert for his incessant need to make sure Ray looks bad. Why is it such a big deal where the idea came from as long as Debra loved the gift? And the tag at the ice capades is beyond lame.

Grade-B

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 7, Part 2)

Season 7, Episode 6
Robert Needs Money


Plot Summary-When Ray and Debra give Robert a check to help with expenses, they are appalled to find out his he is using it for a trip to Las Vegas

Nitpick of the episode-If you thought I was to critical back in “Cruising with Marie” by insisting Debra wouldn’t have allowed Ray go off with his mother like that, check out the tag of this episode where Ray tries to talk Debra into letting him got to Vegas with Robert. She practically threatens to leave him!

Best Line-“No! No way! Lending money to Robert is the stupidest thing I ever heard.”..Frank

Episode Fun Fact –

Deleted Scenes-top of the teaser, Ray comes home with cookies; Ray trying to talk to Robert

Syndication Edit-Frank and his rules about lending money to people

Best Character-Ray, this is one time when Ray doesn’t under react  . He’s gets mad at Robert pretty quick.

Worst Character-Robert, What the hell did he think Ray and Debra gave him that money for??? And he is way out of line when he says that Ray is only successful because of luck, thankfully he apologizes.

Final Thoughts-I really don’t know about this episode. It feels like rehash, we’ve seen this Ray/Robert stuff before. We bet more Robert whining about how lucky Ray is and how Ray supposedly doesn’t want to see Robert happy. It also feels a lot like that episode about Ray having control of the checkbook.  I guess the idea was to comment on how lending money to family can sometimes backfire. Which it can. But it just goes back and forth about whether Robert is going to actually take that money. Not good when an episode reminds me of three others.

Grade-B-

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 6, Part 4)

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

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 6, Part 3)

Season 6, Episode 11
The Kicker

Plot Summary-When Frank catches the game winning football at a game, he decides he’s going to keep it

Nitpick of the episode-The fact that Frank managed to catch that ball is beyond preposterous. Also Debra states she read Ray’s column when they were dating even though its been established he didn’t get it until they were engaged. By the way no radio station would share Frank’s last name like that.

Best Line-“I caught that ball fair and square and anyone who doesn’t like it can kiss me in the back pockets”…Marie z.  ,

Episode Fun Fact –I don’t usually comment on continuity flubs but it’s obvious when he ball breaks the window it doesn’t come from across the street (you can even see the arm of the stage hand who threw it!)

Deleted Scenes-ally is upset ray did the puzzle on the cereal box, Ray worries about the remote (these are both stupid bits best cut)

Syndication Edit-top of the teaser, frank wants her spoon

Best Character-Ray, the way he handles the problem is very nice (better than his first idea to trash his father in the newspaper-yeah that was a bad idea!)

Worst Character-Frank, do I need to explain why?

Final Thoughts-This is sort of a perfect Frank episode, as we see all his sides here. His sarcastic side, his jackass side, and in the end that he does have a heart when he’s finally persuaded to return the ball. What’s interesting is how against Frank the family is, I mean it’s not even close! ! That whole scene where they try to get the ball from him is a cute moment with all of them working together for once. The way the problem is finally resolved is cool. The scene in the kitchen with the family listening to the radio is probably a little longer than it needed to be, we get it!

Grade-B+

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 6, Part 2)

Season 6, Episode 6
Frank Goes Downstairs

Plot Summary-After lying about why Ray and Debra fell off the bed, Frank ends up in the hospital trying to fix their stairs.

Nitpick of the episode-Course, no way in real life Frank would have experienced a fall like that and come away with just a few bruised ribs.

Best Line-“I thought what they had you on was marvelous. I’m going to call Mexico to try and get some for the house”…Marie

Episode Fun Fact –

Deleted Scenes-tag was longer, Frank remember Rays story after all

Syndication Edit-

Best Character-Frank, even drugged up he’s funny. And the scene where he falls through the stairs was brilliantly staged.

Worst Character-Ray, sigh. Really? Bragging to your friends about the fact you fell onto your wife during sex and injured yourself? How old again??? And I love how after he falls off the bed, on to Debra, he wants to keep going even though she hurt herself. What is up with this guy?

Final Thoughts-A few seasons ago we saw that Ray gets uncomfortable talking about sex with his father. This is the episode that really explores that. I also like yet another misdirection, it starts out as another Ray wanting sex story but turns into a Frank episode by the end. Frank also reveals, while medicated, that he liked it when Ray moved next door so they can be pals. This is something of course Frank would never admit had he not been pumped full of drugs. This episode is ok but aside from the very clever stunt where Frank falls through the stairs there’s nothing to remarkable.

Grade-B

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 6, Part 1)

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-

Analytical Episode Guide:Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 5, Part 5)

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