Ray inadvertently commits “”petslaughter”” on Ally’s hamster while Debra and the kids are away for the weekend. When Ray breaks the difficult news to Ally about “”Pumpernickel’s”” 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.

Robert finds himself in the most unlikely position of having to choose one of three women – girlfriend Amy, ex-wife Joanne or Italian bombshell Stefania – to share the future with him. Robert decides that “”honesty is the best policy”” when it comes to his relationship with Amy, so he foolishly tells her about his recent reunion with ex-wife Joanne. To make matters worse, when Amy runs to Debra for consolation, Debra mistakenly spills the beans about Robert’s recent tryst with Stefania. Suddenly, Robert is not in a position to decide which woman he wants. It’s a matter of which one, if any, is going to want him.

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.

When Marie surprises the family with the news that she’s treating them all to a two-week vacation in Rome, everybody loves the idea – except Raymond. It’s 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 – she’s stunningly beautiful, unbelievably sexy and works in a gelato shop.

When Marie surprises the family with the news that she’s treating them all to a two-week vacation in Rome, everybody loves the idea – except Raymond. It’s 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 – she’s stunningly beautiful, unbelievably sexy and works in a gelato shop.

While out for a family dinner, the Barones spot Robert’s ex-wife, which prompts them to reminisce about the demise of his marriage. The family tells Amy the truth about Robert’s failed marriage to Joanne, whom Frank not-so-affectionately refers to as “”a nutcracker.”” The surprise sighting also brings back some personally harrowing memories for Robert – although, when Joanne suggests the ex-spouses get together, Robert seems intrigued.

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 Robert’s 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.

Ray’s attempts to alleviate Debra’s PMS moodiness only make her more irritable. When Ray witnesses Debra’s hypersensitive mood and generally annoyed reaction to everything he says and does, he checks the calendar and realizes it’s going to be a long couple of days ahead. In his desire to get a “”quick fix”” for Debra’s womanly problems – thus making his life a heck of a lot easier – he turns a bad situation worse by suggesting that a simple pill will help with his wife’s insufferable mood swings.

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 that’s 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 Robert’s cruel conduct.

Ray finds it hard to understand why Debra needs her “”alone time.”” When Debra realizes that all her time is spent with the kids, Ray and his family, she implores Ray to take the kids out more often so that she can have more time to herself. Of course, this makes Marie think that something must be wrong in their marriage, despite Ray’s assurances. However, when Ray spies on Debra to see what she actually does with her “”alone time,”” he is not so sure all is okay.

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

Debra throws the Barone family into turmoil when she finally creates a dish that everyone likes. Ray can’t believe it when he samples Debra’s braciole. Even though her past attempts at cooking seemed to have ruined his taste buds, it’s simply delicious. But, when Marie gets wind of Debra’s cooking prowess, and sees the effect that the braciole has on Ray, Robert and Frank, it’s war!

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 he’s being the perfect father by taking an interest in Ally’s “”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 didn’t realize how much.

Ray and Debra renew their wedding vows after they find out that Ray accidentally taped over their wedding with the 1991 Super Bowl.

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, it’s all laughs and snide remarks from Ray when he finds out the cause of Robert’s job-related injury. Ray’s 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.

Everyone gets on Ray’s case because he’s doesn’t go to Sunday Mass. When Ray starts feeling guilty about the good example Frank is setting by attending church, he commits to becoming a regular parishioner. After all, if Frank can do it, so can he. But, when Ray shows up at the church, he quickly realizes what it is that draws Frank to this house of worship week after week – and it isn’t the sermon.

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 Ally’s pushiness and “”don’t take any crap from anyone”” attitude comes from Debra. Meanwhile, Debra thinks if she doesn’t instill that independence in Ally, she’ll 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.

When Amy raises the notion that Robert’s reluctance to commit to Amy may be a result of his being gay, Ray doesn’t believe it. But, after further thought – and closer observation of Robert’s keen sense of style and panache for interior design – Ray is not so sure anymore.

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

While discussing the possibility of having to hold Michael back for another year of pre-school, Ray is shocked to discover that he too was left back when he was that age. Once Ray learns of his scholastic past, he is convinced that of all the traits a parent could pass on to a child, his legacy is to pass his stupidity on to Michael. Meanwhile, Frank heads over to the school to sweet talk the kindergarten teacher into letting Michael advance with the other kids.

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, it’s 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 is bewildered, but not altogether displeased when Debra starts initiating sex on a more than regular basis. He can’t believe his luck – and good fortune when as a result of Debra’s new behavior it’s as if he and she were newlyweds again. Ray is even willing to give up his golf game to satiate Debra’s desires. But, never able to leave well enough alone, Ray looks for a reason behind her sudden burst of energy and gets a crushing blow to his ego.

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 … it’s a toss up. You could be speaking about either Ray or Gerard. When Ray confronts his family to refute Debra’s findings, he realizes that he’s just made a bad situation worse.

Debra is upset when her hippie, free spirit sister decides to become … a sister. It’s a good indication that something is up when Debra’s sister, Jennifer, shows up for a visit with rosary beads and prayer cards as gifts for the kids. Unable to share the real reason why she is so upset with Jennifer’s decision to become a nun, Debra reacts by accusing her sister of going through yet another phase and not being truly worthy of the calling to the religious life.

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 doesn’t meet with everyone’s approval.

Ray and Debra are discouraged when they realize that their sex life isn’t what it used to be. Ray and Debra shrug it off by assuring each other that it’s not an unusual occurrence for older couples to experience since the kids are always underfoot, they’re sleep deprived, etc. Trying to make themselves feel better, they approach Frank and Marie about what constitutes a “”normal”” sex life for an older couple, but are left feeling more inadequate when they discover the bedroom secrets of the elder Barones.

The whole family chooses sides when Ray and Debra fight over a newly acquired can opener.

Ray discovers that Frank’s newfound interest in him is because he’s been betting with the inside information Ray’s giving him.

Debra is upset when she sees Ray’s giddy reaction to her friend’s 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 and Debra reminisce about their fateful first meeting 15 years before. Memories flood back when Ray and Debra prepare Ally for her first playdate with a little boy. The first time Ray and Debra laid eyes on each other, their first kiss, the first time Marie met her future daughter-in-law and what she thought of her, and the first time Ray sampled Debra’s cooking are all revealed.

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 – Marie – the couple is mortified.

After Ray urges Debra to go swing dancing with Robert to let himself off the hook, he can’t believe how infatuated the two become with their new hobby and it’s starting to tick him off. Meanwhile, Ray sees a side of Marie that he never fully expected.

When Debra gets a job Ray isn’t too happy because it means he has to help around the house. But she gets fired on first day so Ray goes and gets her job back. Debra isn’t happy about this at first but seems okay with it at the end.

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

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 confides to Debra that her constant need to cuddle and “”be on top of him”” when they are sleeping is causing him too many sleepless nights, Debra is more than happy to comply with his request to give him his space in bed. Now, Ray is learning the hard way that you have to be careful what you wish for!

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 1969 New York Mets.

Debra brings the kids to her parent’s house and Ray stays home alone. Ray can’t sleep because he’s scared so he goes to Robert’s but Robert’s fine. So Ray goes to his parent’s house where he finds Robert scared too. The two reminisce about how Frank used to scare them as children.

Frank fakes an injury so he won’t have to go on a cruise with Marie. Ray ends up going and gets mistaken for her lover.

When Frank wins “”Man of the Year”” at his lodge Ray and Robert are asked to make a video tribute about Frank. While making the video they realize none of his lodge buddies like him.