Ep 17. Stefania Arrives

As the title suggests, "Stefania Arrives" focuses on Raymond's Italian girlfriend Stefania (Alex Meneses) as she visits the Barone family home for the first time. Raymond (Ray Romano) is excited for his family to meet Stefania, but his fears about how they will behave around her are well-founded.

The episode begins with Raymond and Stefania enjoying a romantic evening at a restaurant. As they walk out, they bump into Raymond's parents, Marie (Doris Roberts) and Frank (Peter Boyle). Raymond is embarrassed by his parents' behavior, as they both make crude comments about Stefania's physical appearance.

The next day, Raymond invites Stefania over to his parents' house for a family dinner. Marie is thrilled to meet Stefania, as she has been dreaming of her son marrying an Italian woman. However, Marie's hospitality quickly becomes suffocating, as she bombards Stefania with questions about her life and her family.

Raymond's brother Robert (Brad Garrett) arrives with his new girlfriend, Amy (Monica Horan), who quickly becomes the center of attention for everyone except Stefania. Robert and Amy are affectionate with one another, which makes Raymond feel uncomfortable and jealous.

As the night goes on, tensions rise between Stefania and the Barone family. Frank, who has been drinking heavily, repeatedly makes inappropriate comments to Stefania, which she tries to ignore. Raymond becomes increasingly frustrated with his family's behavior, but he is too afraid to speak up for fear of causing a scene.

The climax of the episode comes when Stefania reveals that she is actually married and has been separated from her husband for two years. This news shocks the entire family, and Marie is particularly upset that Raymond would not have known this information about his girlfriend. Stefania leaves in tears, and Raymond is left to confront his family's narrow-minded attitudes and his own insecurities about his relationship with her.

Despite the serious subject matter, "Stefania Arrives" is full of the humor and warmth that made Everybody Loves Raymond such a beloved sitcom. The interactions between the various family members are both awkward and endearing, with each character bringing their own quirks and personality to the dinner table. The episode also highlights the importance of communication and honesty in relationships, as Raymond and Stefania's lack of communication nearly leads to a disastrous outcome.

Overall, "Stefania Arrives" is a standout episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, showcasing both the show's comedic chops and its ability to tackle serious issues with sensitivity and humor.