1. ‘The Finale’ – Season 9, Episode 16
The cast of Everybody Loves Raymond in The FinaleImage via CBS
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
In the series finale, Ray has to have his tonsils removed but knowing his family and their dramatics, he and Debra (Heaton) try to keep the minor procedure a secret. Of course, no one in the Barone family can keep a secret and when there are some slight complications during the surgery, everyone starts to wonder what life would be like without Ray.
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‘The Finale’ has a perfect combination of heartfelt and humorous moments that is a fitting send-off to the beloved Barone family. The episode brought in the show’s largest audience out of its nine-season run and was proceeded by a behind-the-scenes documentary of filming the episode that made it one of the top television series finales.
2. ‘The Bird’ – Season 8, Episode 9
Doris Roberts, Ray Ramano, Brad Garrett, Peter Boyle and Patricia Heaton in Everybody Loves Raymond episode The BirdImage via CBS
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
This year for Thanksgiving, Ray and his family are spending the holiday with Robert’s (Garrett) new wife, Amy (Monica Heron) and her parents, Pat (Georgia Engel) and Hank (Fred Willard). Everyone surprisingly manages to get along but when a bird flies into the house and is killed by Pat, the families declare a civil (and ridiculous) war.
‘The Bird’ is an absurd Thanksgiving episode that tailors the history of the holiday to the families’ current situation which is, of course, not in any way the same as the Pilgrims and American Indians. Between Ray’s pathetic shirtless performance and Pat and Hank’s politely spoken insults, ‘The Bird’ is hands-down one of the best Everybody Loves Raymond episodes.
3. Pat’s Secret’ – Season 9, Episode 15
Georgia Engel in Everybody Loves Raymond in Pat’s SecretImage via CBS
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Robert is shocked to discover that his mother-in-law, Pat, secretly smokes cigarettes and begs him not to tell anyone. He reluctantly agrees to keep his lips sealed but when Amy smells smoke on him, she and the rest of the family start to think that he’s the secret smoker making it even harder for Robert to keep Pat’s secret to himself.
As Robert tries to have his cake and eat it too, he winds up digging himself into a hole and striking comedy gold in ‘Pat’s Secret.’ The episode was ranked by Variety as the second-funniest episode of any comedy series in the 2004-2005 television season and Garrett’s top-notch performance in ‘Pat’s Secret’ earned him a Primetime Emmy Award.
4. ‘Robert’s Wedding’ – Season 7, Episode 24
Chris Elliot, Ray Ramano, Brad Garret, _Monica Heron and Patricia Heaton in Everybody Loves Raymond episode Robert’s WeddingImage via CBS
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
On the day of Amy and Robert’s wedding, Amy’s brother, Peter (Chris Elliot) tries to bury the hatchet between himself, Ray, and Robert over the past, but Robert isn’t buying it and suspects he’s up to something. While Ray keeps an eye on Peter for Robert, Amy learns firsthand what kind of mother-in-law she’s getting when Marie surprisingly objects to the marriage.
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Elliot reprises his role as Amy’s quirky brother, Peter, who always manages to add fuel to a fire with his immature antics and pranks. While Ray’s not-so-brilliant detective work and the multiple mishaps are the episodes’ main focus, Robert and Amy’s first dance together make ‘Robert’s Wedding’ an unforgettable episode.
5. ‘The Angry Family’ – Season 6, Episode 1
Ray Ramano, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle in Everybody Loves RaymondImage via CBS
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
At a school open house, Ray and Debra’s son, Michael, shares a story he wrote about a family who always bickers, which Ray and everyone thinks is about them. As the family argues over who is responsible for being the bad influence, they decide to go to counseling to try and work through the problem.
The Barone family makes the mistake of opening up in ‘The Angry Family’ but somewhere between all their accusations, they manage to make amends like any other family. ‘The Angry Family’ pits Debra and Ray against Frank (Boyle) and Marie (Roberts) and ensues into hilarious chaos as well as showcases the cast brilliant comedic chops.
