Everybody Loves Raymond

When newlywed friends make a public display of their affection, Debra wonders why reticent Raymond has trouble saying those three little words.

For a criminal-psychology course, Robert issues standard IQ tests to Raymond and Debra and boy, is Raymond smarting when they get the results. But his feelings change when he discovers that Robert was playing mind games with them by telling each they scored hired than the other.

When Frank gets a few anecdotes published in Readers Digest, he submits his writing samples to Rays editor, hoping to get his own column in the newspaper. Frank, feeling he has a new lease on life, convinces Ray to submit his story ideas for the column, which he plans to call "I Was Just Thinking." Ray then has to break the news to his father that the editor thinks Franks writing is the most embarrassing work hes ever read.

When Rays upper class in-laws come for a visit, he begs his parents to be nice to them and accept their differences even though their lifestyles are worlds apart. Ray admits to his parents that he doesnt always see eye-to-eye with Debras folks but manages to fake it and hed like his parents to do the same when they all go out and try to have a family dinner. The request, however, proves to be a tall order for Frank and Marie.

Although Marie has always cooked the traditional turkey dinner for Thanksgiving, Debra decides its her turn to prepare the holiday meal, but, not wanting to compete with Maries turkey, she chooses to serve fish which upsets the apple cart. Marie, feeling threatened when her family thinks Debras fish idea is perfectly acceptable, decides to bring her own turkey to the dinner party to prove that shes the better cook. Meanwhile, Rays idea of a traditional holiday at home becomes even more untraditional when the relatives opt not to watch football.

Ray discovers, after many years, that the autographed Mickey Mantle ball he got as a kid from his father isnt authentic. Feeling hurt by the fact that his father was not truthful about the ball, Ray decides hes going to tell Ally the truth about Santa Claus. But when two familiar looking Santas unexpectedly show up at his house to surprise Ally, shes even more confused – about the truth.

Raymond cant face the fact that everybody thinks that his brother Robert is "classically handsome," while he is merely "adorable like a hamster." Robert is reluctant to go on a date because hes insecure about his appearance, so when Debra tells him hes attractive, Ray starts feeling insecure about his own looks. Rays jealous of his brothers looks when he overhears Debra compliment Robert. So, Ray decides to get a head-to-toe makeover to impress Debra, including a fake tan like George Hamilton.

Ray finds out that the diamond on Debras engagement ring is a fake, so he steals it from her to get it changed, only to find out after that she already had it changed. She had her grandmas $15,000 diamond put in.

When Debra tries to change Rays pessimistic attitude about winning the "Sports Writer of the Year Award," he agrees to change his ways and become more upbeat – and suffers the downside of being the only optimist in his family. When Ray finally starts feeling good about himself and his recent accomplishments, his family is surprised by the change in his personality and accuses him of being a "bragger with a swelled head."

Irate neighbors are seriously up in arms over Rays noisy dad and meddling mom so they demand a powwow at Rays house, where his parents stumble upon the raucous caucus.

In this flashback episode, Ray and Debra remember their days in their first apartment. Debra finds out shes having twins, and so they decide they need a house. Ray maps a strategy where they are not close enough for everyday visits from his folks but not far enough for overnight stays. A mustached Robert discovers his wife wants a divorce. Part-time realtor Frank finds Ray and Debra a perfect house across the street from him and Marie. Debra decides living across from her in-laws is a good idea.

Ray gets to use the "active technique" he and Debra learned in parenting class on his parents when their stubbornness goes too far. Ray doesnt realize how much hes mastered the technique learned in class until he uses his skills first on his parents and then on Ally, both with surprising results.

Ray resumes his interest in the piano to teach Ally a lesson about quitting when she refuses to continue with her lessons. But its Marie who orchestrates an even more valuable lesson when she strikes a sentimental chord from Rays past.

At a big surprise party for Frank and Maries 40th wedding anniversary, Raymond is shocked to learn that his parents were once separated for a year and might have gotten divorced if Frank hadnt returned home to help with Rays broken arm. After the initial shock wears off, Ray starts to wonder if its his fault that his parents are still together... and miserable.

Sick of reading Ally the same stories night after night, Debra decides to try her hand at writing a childrens book. Feeling great about doing something other than being a mom, she invites Raymond to write the story with her. But Debra sees the other side of her easy-going husband when he turns their little project into an all-out competition - with Ally as the judge.

Ray makes a startling discovery when he takes Debra to his 20th high school reunion. It turns out that Debras "one of them" – the cool people who hated him and used to throw him into the girls bathroom! Depressed about being unmasked as a "nerd," Ray tries to deal with their mixed marriage.

All Ray wants for Christmas is a little loving from his wife and hes willing to try anything and everything to have his holiday wish come true. Ray has tried just about everything to get Debra "in the mood" and his dream comes true when she finally falls victim to his boyish charm on Christmas morning. The problem? At the very moment that he gives her the shivers, his entire family is working their way into the house for Eggs Florentine and gift unwrapping. But where theres a will, theres a way – and Raymond is determined to get what he wants from Santa this year.

When Ally has to do a school project on genealogy and interview her oldest living relative, Ray helps her track down Franks long-lost Aunt Sarina, who lives in Italy. But apparently the unmarried Sarina has taken "stop by if youre ever in America" a little too literally and shows up at the front door. Her American family instantly adores her for her way with pizza and old-world charm. Ray, as always, thinks its too good to be true and hes right.

When Raymond takes over the family checkbook to prove to Debra how "easy it can be" to balance it, he discovers he is no accountant. After he quickly runs out of money and starts bouncing checks, he tries to hide the truth from Debra and winds up entangled in a mess of lies, two fake checkbooks and a large loan from his brother.

Scary monsters in her room send Ally scurrying nightly to the safety of her parents bed, so sleep-deprived Ray decides its time to call in an expert -- his mother. But if Debra finds out about his plan, it could be lights out for him.

Debra brings an "unapproved snack" to Allys T-ball game and Ray doesnt stand up for her – prominently displaying his fear of being disliked. Debra had no idea that pretzels were not on the "approved snack list" in the orientation packet for Allys team. And, as a mom juggling three children under the age of 7, she doesnt have time to cater – and really doesnt care. But when Raymond wont take her side against the uptight team parents, she loses her cool and points out that hes just afraid of making enemies. But enemies he makes – at the very next game.

When six-foot-tall Raymond discovers that hes shrunk a quarter of an inch, the resultant midlife crisis grows until it stretches into "an end-of-life crisis." So, before he gets put six feet under, he decides to make a list of his dreams and goals in life. But when Debra finds him writing his "Things To Do Before I Die" list, she decides to show her husband the proper way to have his crisis. Meanwhile, Marie gets mad at Frank when she discovers that he sold half of their burial plot for a profit.

After Raymond asks Debra why she ever married him, they take a walk back in time to the very beginning of it all. Raymond is very, very nervous. Hes about to propose to his lovely girlfriend Debra and nothing is going right. But when he finally pops the big question, she accepts, the families celebrate, and all is well. At least for five minutes. Then the "nervous" turns into "pure fear" when Ray wonders if she really wants to marry him for love or if its just for the elaborate wedding shes been planning since she was twelve.

When Ray’s house is tented for termites, he moves his entire family into his parent’s house and gives Frank and Marie a taste of their own medicine. Marie’s initial excitement that “Raymond has come home!” quickly fades when the world’s greatest home intruders start to feel intruded upon. Sensing her in-laws’ growing frustration with the disturbance of their daily routine, Debra decides to have a little fun at their expense and “help them” like they always claim to be “helping her” — until she and Ray realize that once again, they just can’t win the game.

Feeling overwhelmed with her responsibilities, Debra decides to get a babysitter. But when Lisa, the babysitter, becomes the smash hit at “Space Station Barone” with her alien-catching games and endless energy, Debra develop into a jealous mother. To become the kids’ favorite again, Debra replaces the babysitter with Grandma and disaster ensues when Marie sprains her ankle and Ray uncovers Debra’s secret plot. But by that time, Lisa has been stolen by the Parker family and Bill Parker kicks Ray out of the car pool when he tires to woo her back.

When Debra’s mother comes to visit the family for a week, Debra finds herself shocked to discover that she wishes her mom were more like Marie. Debra’s highly anticipated week of “quality time” with her mom, Lois, and the family quickly turns into a big disappointment when her mother seems more interested in the Renoir exhibit and her crossword puzzles than in Debra, Ray and the children. When her frustration with Lois’ disinterest reaches a boiling point, Debra makes the mistake of blurting out that she wishes her mother were more like Marie. Then she has the unfortunate double trouble of making amends with her mom — and dealing not only with Marie’s glee, but also with her claim that she deserves credit for teaching Debra parenting skills.

Feeling pathetic because he lives with his parents, Robert finally musters up the courage to move out on his own. Encouraged by Ray, and much to his parents’ horror, Robert packs up his bags, takes his dog and moves into a garage apartment. But the move affects the family more than they anticipated. They feel the absence of their relationship “buffer.” As Debra describes it, “He’s like.the lead apron at the dentist.” Meanwhile, Robert enjoys his newfound freedom, until Raymond comes to visit and points out that the older couple with whom he is living are really carbon copies of their own parents — from whom he was trying to get away.

Raymond is in a bad mood. Forced to wait home all day for the delivery guy to bring Debra’s new curtains, he can’t go out and play golf and laments to his brother that marriage is like a prison. So, when Amy breaks up with Robert after he says he cannot commit right now, everyone blames Raymond for ruining his brother’s life.

Everywhere Ray looks, beautiful women are coming out of the woodwork to stop by and say “hi” to new tenant Robert. It’s the best looking “welcome wagon” Ray has ever seen. Unbeknownst to Debra, who believes him when he tells her that the brotherly visits are an attempt to cheer up a lonely, homesick Robert, Ray is having the time of his life pretending to live the carefree life of a bachelor – that is, until Debra shows up unexpectedly.

When Ray finds out that his father let him win a game of ping pong when he was twelve he challenges him to a game. When Ray loses he tells Frank that he let him win. Frank then tells Ray the truth. He didnt let him win, he really did win.

Robert’s entire demeanor changes when he starts clubbing with his patrol partner, Judy, and her friends. When he starts using expressions such as “This is so whack” and “I’m down with it” and showing up in mustard-colored suits, Ray and the rest of the family find it hard to believe the extent to which Robert will go to fit in with his new friends.

Just as Frank and Marie are about to embark on a high seas vacation, Frank hurts his knee and Ray, not wanting to disappoint his mother, agrees to accompany her on the Caribbean cruise. It’s endless hours of shuffleboard and bingo and an extremely cramped cabin for two that can barely fit one. Could things get any worse for Ray? Marie, meanwhile, is having the time of her life soaking every ounce of fun in the sun. And back home, Robert is just about out of patience as caretaker for the injured Frank.

Trying to impress Robert when they visit the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Ray uses his “weight” as a sports writer for Newsday to jump to the front of the line to meet the members of the ’69 Miracle New York Mets. Members of the ’69 World Champion Mets appear as themselves.

Debra and Ray feel tremendous pressure to show each other a good time on a romantic weekend getaway in Vermont. From the moment they set foot in the quaint bed and breakfast, it’s apparent that Debra and Ray are trying a bit too hard for this to be a perfect weekend. Debra agrees to a tour of the Ben and Jerry ice cream factory while Ray suggests they check out a local antique fair. Meanwhile, Marie spies on Robert, who is left to babysit for the kids.

When Ray and Debra realize theyre nicer to strangers than to each other they vow to change their ways.

When Robert and Amy get caught alone by some of Robert’s fellow apartment tenants, they are desperate to find someplace, any place, where they can have some time to themselves. Ray comes to the rescue, at Debra’s urging, by allowing Robert to move into their basement for a while. But, when caught again, by someone even more intimidating – – the couple is mortified.

Debra is upset when she sees Rays giddy reaction to her friends recently acquired "new and improved" breasts. Anxious to find out whether or not Ray is content with her body as it is or if he would prefer it if she, too, made some minor enhancements to the upper region, Debra decides to conduct a little experiment to determine just how truly satisfied Ray is with her current physique.

Ray discovers that Franks newfound interest in him is because hes been betting with the inside information Rays giving him.

Upon drafting their wills, Ray and Debra must decide who would make the best guardians for their children. After pondering long and hard over their decision, Ray and Debra choose the two people who they feel would be the best candidates to raise their children should anything happen to them. But their choice doesnt meet with everyones approval.

When Ray hires his overwhelmingly annoying cousin Gerard to assist him, and Debra points out how alike the two men are, Ray is mortified. The whiny, nasal voice, the need to find something negative to say about everything, the stupid questions ... its a toss up. You could be speaking about either Ray or Gerard. When Ray confronts his family to refute Debras findings, he realizes that hes just made a bad situation worse.

Inspired by how well the Barones got along at Thanksgiving dinner, Debra is intent on finding a way to improve her relationship with Marie. When Debra spends the whole day cooking with Marie, its the perfect opportunity to test out her new ""shrug it off and let the criticisms roll off your back"" attitude that she feels will win Marie over.or will it? Meanwhile, Ray gets roped into having Frank and Robert accompany him to a car show, where he has his own method of getting along with his family.

Ray decides to get his parents a family portrait for Christmas and they love the idea, until Debras parents show up to be in it too.

Ray and Debra have differing points of view on how best to handle the situation when they learn that Ally has been bullying another child on the school bus. Ray thinks Allys pushiness comes from Debra. Meanwhile, Debra thinks if she doesnt instill that independence in Ally, shell end up being a wuss - just like her dad. But, when push comes to shove and they confront Ally about how to better her behavior, they find themselves questioning their own parenting abilities.

Ray feels tremendous guilt when he cancels plans with Robert, who then gets hurt in the line of duty, when he should have been hanging out with his brother. At first, its all laughs and snide remarks from Ray when he finds out the cause of Roberts job-related injury. Rays bedside manner definitely leaves a lot to be desired. But, after some prodding from Debra, Ray decides to show Robert just how much he really cares for him...not an easy task for a Barone.

Ray screws up a ""Hackidu"" trade for his daughter, Ally, by giving away a ""Scramisaur"" card that ends up being worth a lot of money. Ray thinks hes being the perfect father by taking an interest in Allys ""Hackidu"" hobby and advising her on a card swap. But when he inadvertently gives away her favorite card, he has to pay for his mistake – he just didnt realize how much.

Ray and Debras plan of getting Frank and Marie their own friends backfires when instead of going to their house they bring their friends to Ray and Debras.

Still recuperating from his recent run-in with a bull, a cantankerous Robert is driving everyone crazy with his mean-spirited and nasty behavior. When Robert is told by his doctor that he will need two more weeks of convalescing at his parents home before he can return to living on his own, everyone figures thats the reason for his foul attitude. But Debra gets to the heart of the matter when, playing amateur psychiatrist, she uncovers the real reason behind Roberts cruel conduct.

After losing his nerve on the job during his first day back from medical leave, Robert quits the police force. No one realized how much of an effect the ""bull incident"" had on Roberts mental state – and his ability to confront fear and the unexpected. Now, back on the job only one day, he finds himself too scared to handle a minor altercation so, rather than face his fears, he decides to change his career to something ""safer and more solitary"" – telemarketing. However, he rejoins the force after confronting the bull that gored him.

When Marie surprises the family with the news that shes treating them all to a two-week vacation in Rome, everybody loves the idea – except Raymond. Its virtually impossible not to enjoy oneself in a country as beautiful as Italy; but, if anyone can manage it, Raymond can. Not willing to let his sour mood spoil it for the rest of the family, Debra, Frank, Marie, Robert and the kids go on their merry way and soak up the atmosphere, sights, smells and tastes of the city of love and try their best to ignore Ray. Meanwhile, Robert meets the girl of his dreams – shes stunningly beautiful, unbelievably sexy and works in a gelato shop.

Ray finally tells Frank and Marie how he feels about their constant intrusiveness after Marie accidentally drives the car through the front of his house.

Ray inadvertently commits ""petslaughter"" on Allys hamster while Debra and the kids are away for the weekend. When Ray breaks the difficult news to Ally about ""Pumpernickels"" untimely demise, Debra insists that they give the beloved pet a proper burial -- complete with eulogies -- to help the youngster get through the grieving process. What Ray at first thought was an utterly ridiculous way to mourn the passing of a family pet, ends up being one of the most emotional experiences of his life.

Ray is mortified when he meets a girl whom he dated 25 years earlier and believes he treated with disrespect. Meeting Elizabeth again, Ray, wracked with guilt because he feels he didnt behave properly on their high school date, is determined to apologize. However, when he finds out the real reason Elizabeth went out with him that night long ago, he regrets ever bringing up the past. Meanwhile, Debra demands that Ray give her an example of something he regrets, but incredibly he cant come up with anything.

While celebrating Thanksgiving, Debra discovers that her seemingly contented parents are really not very happy with each other. When Ray accidentally overhears his in-laws going at it with each other, he relays the news to Debra... who has always believed her parents relationship to be a lot healthier than Frank and Maries. But, when things come to a head at the Thanksgiving table, its apparent that there really isnt that much of a difference between the two older couples – much to Debras dismay.

Ray buys Debra an elaborate Christmas gift in the hopes that she will be so impressed, she will let him go on a weekend golf trip with his buddies. Ray believes he has the whole scenario worked out. He thinks by giving Debra a better gift than she is getting him will soon have him teeing off on a new course that hes been dying to play. However, he doesnt figure on the even more extravagant gift that Debra has purchased for him.

Ray gets to go to the Super Bowl and cover it for his newspaper. He brings Gianni but feels bad about not having brought Debra when he sees that all the other reporters brought their wives so he has her flown in and to prove that he wants to spend time with her he rips up the tickets to the Super Bowl.

Ray and Debra discover that they have nothing to talk about except the kids.

Robert gets a surprise visit from Stefania, the woman with whom he fell head over heels in love when the Barones vacationed in Italy. Roberts excitement over having his beloved, and stunningly gorgeous, Stefania so close quickly gives way to annoyance when he is witness to a few of her idiosyncrasies. After spending some quality time with the Italian beauty, sans gelato and gondolas, Robert has to rethink his feelings for her. Meanwhile, Stefanias father, who has accompanied her to America, has his own change of heart with respect to his feelings for Robert.

Tempers flare when Marie accuses Debra of not returning a borrowed canister that holds sentimental value and Debra insists that she has already given it back. Debra is then horrified when she discovers that she does indeed still have the canister in her possession. With Ray and Roberts reluctant assistance, she concocts an elaborate scheme to get rid of the evidence, rather than confess to Marie that she was wrong and her mother-in-law was right all along.

Marie gathers Roberts ex-girlfriends Amy and Stefania and his female police partner, Judy, together so they can dissect his character in an effort to help her better understand why her eldest son cant commit to a relationship. Unfortunately, Robert unexpectedly drops in and is forced by his mother to listen to his character being assassinated by the women as they discuss his relationship hang-ups in detail and compare notes on his quirky dating behavior, inability to commit to one woman and his flawed personality.

Debra gets upset when she finds out that her parents have seperated.

As Ray escorts Ally to a father-daughter dance, he realizes how grown up and independent his daughter has become. As a result, he begins to recall the day, nine years ago, when the Barone clan welcomed her into the family, but not without incident. In the flashback, expectant parents Ray and Debra are caught by surprise when Debra goes into labor in the back seat of Roberts patrol car, forcing him to be called into action. Meanwhile, Ray and Debra plot to keep a pushy Marie away from the delivery room until after the baby is born, not an easy feat.

When Debra tells Ray that hes too selfish in bed and that she wants a little variety he goes out and buys an adults only board game to spice things up.

When Ray gets hit on at the airport after losing his wedding ring on a business trip Debra gets jealous and tries to get back at him by going to the supermarket without her wedding ring but her plan backfires on her when nobody pays attention to her.

Ray tells Frank that he and Debra fell down the stairs so Frank tries fixing the stairs but ends up in the hospital. Ray feels so guilty that he tells Frank the truth, that he and Debra fell out of bed while having sex.

While the Barones watch their sons play, Ray finds that Geoffery is having trouble getting the hang of the game. As Geoffery skips down the court and does pirouettes at the free throw line, Ray is mortified. He then learns the hard way that his sons lack of ability shouldnt interfere with either of them enjoying the game.

Robert meets a beautiful woman who is a big fan of Ray Barones sports column. But when the woman mistakes Robert for Raymond, Robert doesnt set her straight. Now, Robert has to involve Ray in a complicated plot to keep the woman from learning Roberts true identity. Ray warns him that this could blow up in his face, but Robert keeps it up so he can get her to like him instead of Ray. As Ray expected, things go wrong when she shows up at Rays house and she tells Debra, who she thought was dead, that she and Ray are dating.

When Marie receives a letter from a relative detailing how wonderful her life is and how well her kids are doing, it drives Marie insane with jealousy. She enlists Debras help in writing a Barone ""family update,"" but despite efforts to make everyone sound successful, the letter makes them all feel inadequate about what they have done – or not done.

Held captive at Frank and Maries during a snowstorm, Debra, Ray and Amy actually find themselves having a great time. Then Debra makes a nasty comment to Frank which totally upsets the good mood. This causes Marie to defend Frank and finally reveal her true feelings for Debra.

Robert is ecstatic when he is recommended for an FBI job. That is, until it becomes apparent that Maries intrusive ways may be his undoing. This time, she may have gone too far and Robert may not be able to forgive and forget.

When Debra stumbles across a cassette tape that contains a message from Rays college girlfriend, she wants to know why he has saved it all of these years. So Ray retaliates by asking Debra to divulge any gifts that shes kept from her former boyfriends – but hes in for quite a shock when he sees the quantity of gifts still in her possession.

Debra decides to run for school president but Ray isnt sure he can handle the twins by himself during all those meetings so he votes against her. She loses and finds out that he voted against her so they get into an argument but her mouth is quickly shut when she reveals that she denied knowing him because he was embarrassing her.

Debra takes offense when Marie accuses her of being rude and the two wind up fighting and not speaking to each other. When Ray tries to make things better by getting each of the women to apologize to the other, he only achieves in making a bad situation worse. Then, the unthinkable happens (at least to Ray) - Debra decides she likes it when Marie doesnt speak to her and she intends to keep it that way.

After Marie has Frank return an anniversary gift Ray and Debra gave them Ray and Debra reminisce about the first time they slept together. Debra then decides to go apologize to Marie but Marie refuses to accept her apology when she learns that Debra lied to her in front of a priest.

After arguing with Ray over his inability to help her with the housework, Debra becomes intrigued when their friends, Linda and Bernie, mention theyve been seeing a marriage counselor. Although Ray is completely against the idea, he quickly adopts a cooperative attitude when they meet the therapist, Pamela, who instantly takes a liking to Ray when he claims that hell do anything to make his marriage work. Frustrated by the session, Debra accuses Ray of acting phony during therapy. Marie intercedes and conducts a mock ""therapy"" session with them which leads to a breakthrough that leaves even Ray horrified.

As a challenge, Ray writes a eulogy for Frank, who hasnt died yet. In the eulogy, he tells a childhood story about watching his tough dad pet the family bunny, named Hoppy. Unfortunately, Marie reads the paper, who wants a tribute in it. Also, Robert and Frank learn of Rays sentimental recollection.

After deciding to lend Robert $1,000 when he complains hes struggling with finances, Ray and Debra are surprised when Robert uses the money for a vacation to Las Vegas.

Ray and Debra are excited to have finally met a couple, Neil and Lauren, who are just like them. However, Ray starts having mixed feelings when their annoying 8 year-old son, Spencer, wreaks havoc around the Barone household.

While Raymond, Robert and Frank dont want to bring up the fact that Marie is having vision trouble, Debra decides to level with her and suggests she visit an eye doctor. When Marie winds up with a pair of specs just in time for the holidays, she winds up putting the family on edge when she starts seeing them for better and for worse! Meanwhile, Robert gets back together with Amy and invites her to a Thanksgiving dinner.

Boisterous Frank learns a difficult lesson in humility from his granddaughter, Ally. During a trip to the supermarket with Ray and Ally, Frank starts nibbling on some trail mix, completely ignoring the nearby ""no sampling"" sign. Hes soon confronted by a testy manager, and a heated argument ensues. Watching it all unfold is Ally, who becomes frightened by Franks ranting. When the trio returns home, Ray speaks to his father about his behavior. While Rays comments initially fall on deaf ears, Frank later realizes he needs to talk to Ally... but now hes scared because hes never had a real conversation with her.

The six-year on-again, off-again relationship between Robert (Brad Garrett) and Amy (Monica Horan) is definitely on again in this pivotal episode. So much so, in fact, that ""Robert wants to propose to Amy,"" says executive producer Philip Rosenthal. But theres one formality the hopeful groom-to-be must take care of first: asking Amys devout churchgoing folks (Fred Willard, Georgia Engel) for their daughters hand in marriage. To that end, ""Robert convinces Ray to accompany him to meet her parents in [Pennsylvania],"" says Rosenthal. How they---and possibly Amy---respond determines whether wedding bells will be ringing anytime soon. Peter: Chris Elliott. Frank: Peter Boyle.

Ray reluctantly agrees to do some charity work at a hospital after Debra signs him up, but he soon becomes a hit with the patients and starts spending more time there than at home, much to his wifes dismay.

Yet another bump appears on the rocky road to Robert and Amys wedding, which was nearly blocked by her disapproving parents. When the bride-to-be (Monica Horan) puts her betrothed (Brad Garrett) in charge of writing the wedding invitation, he seeks input from Ray and Frank. While they cant believe Robert let himself get roped into such a chore, they nevertheless come up with a plan: If Robert makes a mess of the job, it will convince Amy that she should take care of all the wedding plans herself. So the groom drafts an appalling mock invite---complete with the wrong date and names---and waits for Amys reply...which is worse than he ever expected.

Debra and Ray pick out replacement spouses for each other and jealousy starts. Marie announces that Rose, the elderly lady next door, has passed away. Marie is upset because Rose is the woman shed chosen for Frank if she hadnt died. Debra thinks it would be fun to fantasize about who should take her place and tells Ray shes selected her friend Linda. But then Ray picks Lindas husband Bernie for Debra.

Ray and Debra wind up in a two-week standoff over a suitcase. When Robert asks Ray if he can borrow a suitcase sitting on the stairway landing for his honeymoon, Ray explains he and Debra have been locked in an ""unspoken"" battle of wills since a weekend trip over who is responsible for putting the suitcase away. Although Robert thinks Ray and Debra are insane, Frank and Marie can easily relate and offer their own words of wisdom – with Frank counseling Ray and Marie advising Debra on how to resolve their marital differences.

Robert and Amy exchange vows in a classic Barone family wedding ceremony.

Marie instantly tries to get the upper hand in her relationship with her new daughter-in-law when Amy and Robert return from their honeymoon, but Debra steps in, determined to stop Maries meddling once and for all, which horrifies the guys.

Debra and Ray are annoyed at the over-the-top affection Robert and Amy are expressing towards each other. In fact, Robert feels compelled to give Ray marriage advice (as does Amy to Debra at the newlywed couples three-month anniversary dinner... a book called, ""Marriage is an Amusement Park""), much to his annoyance.

After Amy invites her brother Peter to stay for dinner, he makes himself at home on the couch and never leaves. Meanwhile, Robert overhears a conversation that hits close to home when the Barones and Amy talk about the difficulties of having a 40-year-old man living under the same roof with his mother and father.

After Debras mother suggests throwing Debra an ""old-fashioned English Tea Party,"" Ray reluctantly agrees after she promises to do all the work. When Debra realizes Ray is planning something for her birthday, she suggests he change the theme to a Chinese banquet. Unfortunately, Lois has already started planning the tea party and now Ray must find a way to convince her to change her plans.

When the kids ruin Rays dictionary, Frank shares how Ray ruined his prized jazz collection. After trying to make amends for his childhood mistake, Ray discovers that he may not have been the culprit.

After inadvertently leaving the twins home alone, Ray and Debra are impressed with Ally when she steps up and takes care of the twins until they return. Ally asks if she can baby-sit more often, and, in yet another attempt to rid her house of Marie, Debra consents. However, Marie believes Debra is turning her daughter into a slave when she gives Ally additional responsibilities, including cooking and laundry chores.

Fed up with his wifes constant lateness, Ray leaves Debra at home rather than take her to the ESPY Awards. While Debra seethes over Rays actions, Marie and Amy get into a heated debate with Frank and Robert when they air their own grievances about their wives blatant disregard for the time.

After Robert takes a second job selling home security systems, he reveals hes been asked to join the security firm full-time and is mulling over retiring from the police force early. While Marie is overjoyed, Amy questions if this is really what Robert wants or if hes only retiring early to make his mother happy. The disagreement about his future leads to a tense birthday party for Robert.

Amys parents put Robert on the defensive when they point out his strange habit of touching food to his chin before he eats it. When Amy confides in Debra, who tells her that Roberts strange behavior could be psychological, she devises a plan to break him of his chin habit for good.

When Robert informs Ray that Amy filled him in on some juicy gossip about him, Ray decides to get even with Debra by sharing some nasty secrets of his own.

A young man, Sam Gilula, arrives at Frank and Maries and everyone is surprised when he and Frank fondly embrace. Sam explains Frank had been quite an inspiration to him as a lad, a mentor in fact, much to Ray and Roberts disbelief. Later, Ray and Robert make fun of Frank, wondering how he could have inspired anyone.

Frank and Marie return from a trip down to a retirement home in New Jersey when they tell the family that they plan on moving there. Everyone, besides Frank and Marie, is overjoyed fro hearing the news. Marie and Frank sell their own house to Robert and Amy for $26,000. On they day of their moving, however, Debra reveals some mixed feelings about their moving and doesnt feel right about it.

When Debra and Marie have a big fight, Ray is struck with worry when he thinks Debras anger will cause her to forget about their sex that night. But, it is the opposite when that anger causes a more intense night with sex. Ray really begins to enjoy it and realizes that the angrier Debra gets at Marie, the better sex they have. When Marie comes over to apologize, Ray makes up a chain of lies to both Marie and Debra so it doesnt ruin his plans.

After Ally comes home with an ""F"" on her report card, Debra feels she is not paying enough attention. Ray, however, feels it might be the teacher. After a small meeting, Ray goes on how Debra didnt do anything to stick up for Ally and how you should always stick up for your kids. Frank and Marie could relate to Rays disobediance when he was in high school. But Debra finds out that Ally has a crush on Tommy Sanders, a boy in her class. When Debra confronts the teacher with this, it turns out that the teacher is a mean old bat that doesnt understand the trials kids go through.

Debra invites her divorced parents, Warren and Lois, to the family Thanksgiving. When Ray walks in on the two making love, he and Debra assume that they are getting back together. Later on, Warren and Lois inform Debra otherwise and an unprecedented turn of events shocks everyone.

Amys parents ask Ray to give their son, Peter, some tips on dating. Later, Debra throws a cocktail party and invites some single women to meet Peter, but Ray isnt thrilled with the guest list.

Ray accidentally insults the twins new friend and the faux pas quickly spirals out of contral when he repeats it to the boys dad.

Ray tells Robert that Amy talks too much after she chats with Ray for over an hour while he tries to watch a basketball game on TV. Of course, Robert tells Amy, which leads to a heated confrontation between ""Lady Chatterly"" and her insensitive brother-in-law.

Robert discovers Pat smoking and she pleads for him not to tell. Later, when Amy smells smoke on Robert, she thinks Robert smokes. Frank, Marie, Peter, Hank and Amy all think Robert smokes. Robert gets yelled at, and Pat doesnt tell the truth or back him up. The next day, Robert tells Raymond and Debra about Pat, and the family comes over. There is a bitter argument and then Ray and/or Debra yells out that Pat smokes. She confesses and tells the truth. There is another argument and Peter confesses something, then Hank, then Ray, then Debra. It ends with Frank and Marie telling them that they are weird and that they shouldnt do the stuff they are doing.