The characters in Everybody Loves Raymond may not have always gotten along, but were occasionally subject to unforgettable wholesome moments.
Raymond and Debra hug and smile; Frank kisses Marie on the head as she smiles at the camera
Everybody Loves Raymond is one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, with a cast of iconic actors filling out the unforgettable Barone family. Even seventeen years after the series aired its final episode, the comedy remains one of the most popular and best-loved shows ever created, transcending generations.
Though much of the show’s comedy was generated from the Barone family’s propensity for not getting along, Everybody Loves Raymond still included the occasional wholesome moment that warmed viewers’ hearts. Some of these scenes proved memorable enough to stick with fans long after the series came to an end.
Debra And Marie Make Up
7×01 — “The Cult”
Debra (Patricia Heaton) and Marie (Doris Roberts) on "Everybody Loves Raymond."
Every fan of Everybody Loves Raymoond knows that the ongoing rivalry between Marie and Debra is legendary. Things come to a breaking point in a rare multi-episode arc wherein the two finally cut ties with one another, bringing the show’s sixth season to a bitter cliffhanger ending. However, the season 7 premiere sees the two make amends once more, tearfully embracing and setting things right.
As difficult and tenuous as their relationship is, Debra and Marie truly love one another, something which the show makes sure to remind viewers of from time to time. Though their squabbles are a core element of the series, it always warms the heart to see the two lay aside their differences and get along for the good of the family.
Everybody Dances
6×14 — “Snow Day”
In the season 6 episode “Snow Day,” the Barones find themselves with little to do after a snowstorm blows out the power on their block. The adults lounge together in Frank and Marie’s living room and, though a few petty squabbles threaten their good time, the episode ends with an appropriately dorky dance sequence.
The Barone family rarely gets along, especially when things become inconvenient in their daily lives. However, the audience is occasionally treated to a scene in which the family enjoys a purely good time. This sequence would prove so heartwarming, in fact, that it would be included in the show’s opening sequence for several seasons to come.
Robert’s Proposal
7×14 — “Just A Formality”
As the sole single member of the main cast, Robert’s search for love is a primary storyline throughout Everybody Loves Raymond’s run. He finally finds his match in Amy MacDougall, who he proposes to in memorable fashion during the show’s seventh season, getting some help from his fellow police officers to put together a proposal she would never forget.
Robert’s turbulent love life was hilarious at times, but also grew quite sad when the older Barone brother began to doubt that he would ever find his other half. Seeing him finally take the first steps in claiming his well-deserved happiness was quite cathartic for viewers who had followed his story for seven years and proves to be one of the show’s best moments.
Debra Calls Marie “Mom”
6×21 — “Mom”
In the season 6 episode “Mom,” Debra forces Ray to call her mother “Mom” to help bring the two together. Things take a turn when Ray requests the same from Debra, who is harshly shut down by her doting mother-in-law. By the end of the episode, however, Debra and Marie come to an agreement and gleefully celebrate this new stage of their usually strained relationship.
This new status quo both satisfied Debra’s yearning for acceptance from her mother-in-law and Marie’s desire for a daughter. Though this understanding certainly wouldn’t put an end to their constant squabbling, it was certainly wonderful to see Debra and Marie get along for once.
The Twins Do Standup
4×10 — “Left Back”
Everybody Loves Raymond cast
In the season 4 episode “Left Back,” Ray and Debra grow worried that Michael is less intelligent than Geoffrey when they find that his teacher wants to hold him back a year. The family eventually comes to see that Michael’s talents manifest themselves in different ways and the episode ends with the family coming together to watch a comedy routine performed by the young boys.
Ray and Debra’s children had precious few scenes dedicated entirely to themselves, making this a memorable moment for their characters. Viewers were treated to adorable stand-up performed by Michael and Geoffrey, with their supportive family watching in the crowd making the Barones feel like a remarkably real family.
Frank Covers For Debra
5×19 — “The Canister”
Frank Barone isn’t exactly the type of man to wear his heart on his sleeve. Instead, he lets his love be shown in other ways, as is the case when he covers for Debra by taking the blame stealing Marie’s cookie canister. When asked why he protected her, Frank says that he didn’t want to see Debra get the full brunt of his wife’s wrath.
Small moments like this make Frank one of the show’s most emotionally wholesome characters precisely because of how rarely he allowed his emotions to show. Despite his gruff exterior, Frank truly cared about his family, including his daughter-in-law.
Ray And Debra Give Robert A Loan
7×06 — “Robert Needs Money”
Ray Barone and Robert Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond Robert Needs Money
Robert often adopted the role of “family sad sack” during the events of Everybody Loves Raymond, especially during his days as a bachelor. Things came to a head when he hit financial trouble, leading him to receive a loan from Ray and Debra. Robert was overcome with emotion at their generosity, leading him to embrace his brother and sister-in-law in gratitude for their help in his time of need.
Although fans of the series know that Robert would eventually blow this money on a vacation to Las Vegas, this reality doesn’t dilute the emotion behind this scene. Robert often believed that his family didn’t care for him and, on the occasion that they proved otherwise, he couldn’t help but grow emotional at the thought of being truly loved.
Frank Likes Marie Without Makeup
3×16 — “Frank’s Tribute”
Frank and Marie are a truly hilarious couple primarily due to their constant bickering and shouting matches. Though it would be easy to mistake their relationship as dysfunctional, Frank proves otherwise in a surprisingly tender scene wherein he removes his wife’s makeup and declares that he loves her even without it.
This moment is a stark contrast to most of the other scenes that the couple shares over the course of the show’s nine seasons. It is so rare to see Frank and Marie getting along that this kind of moment sticks with viewers even over a decade after its air-date.
Ray And Debra Dance
2×25 — “The Wedding, Part 2”
Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton as Ray and Debra Barone sitting on couch in Everybody Loves Raymond
Debra is one of the funniest moms in any sitcom, who often finds herself faced with one extra child in the house in the form of her immature husband Ray. The two occasionally share a happy moment, however, as is the case in the season 2 finale, where they fondly remember the events leading to their wedding day, slow-dancing as the season comes to an end.
As one of several episodes exploring the Barone family’s history, this episode not only shows how Debra and Ray came to be together but also reminds audiences that, despite their very common fights, they are still very happy with one another. Small moments like these go a long way in deepening a sitcom marriage, making it far more than a scheme for jokes and guffaws, but rather an emotional story about real people.
Ray’s Close Call
9×16 — “The Finale”
Everybody Loves Raymond The Finale
The series finale of Everybody Loves Raymond took a sharp turn for the dramatic when, during a routine operation, Ray takes a moment too long to emerge from the anesthesia. His family drops its casual veneer and begins to panic at the idea of losing Ray. Throughout the episode, each member of the Barone family finds their own way to express their love for the family member they nearly lost.
Though things ultimately come to a happy conclusion, the brief dramatic turn of this episode is part of what makes Everybody Loves Raymond’s finale truly great. It balances everything that worked about the series, exchanging the Barone family’s typical squabbling and sarcasm for genuine emotion. In the end, audiences are left knowing that, for all their fighting, the Barones’ truly love one another, marking a happy conclusion to the beloved sitcom.
