Ep 14. Just a Formality

Ray Barone is a successful sports writer who seems to have it all. He has a loving wife, Debra, who is a stay-at-home mom, and three children who keep him on his toes. He has a great job that he loves, and he is surrounded by loving family and friends. Despite this, Ray always seems to find himself caught up in one misadventure after another.

In the episode "Just a Formality," Ray and Debra are planning a 10-year wedding anniversary party. Even though they argue about everything from the guest list to the food, they finally come to an agreement on everything. However, they forget one important thing – getting a picture of themselves together for the invitation.

Ray remembers that a friend of his from high school, a photographer, lives in the area and offers to take their picture. When they arrive, the photographer seems to be interested in more than just taking their picture. Ray, oblivious as to what's going on, encourages Debra to put some life into the shoot. She does, and the result is a sexy picture of her with Ray barely visible in the background. Ray and Debra are unsure about using the picture but decide to because they don't have anything else.

On the night of the party, everyone admires the invitation picture. But when Robert, Ray's brother, sees them, he takes it the wrong way, thinking that Debra is cheating on Ray. He confronts Ray with the picture, and a big fight ensues between the brothers. Debra explains the situation to Robert, and he calms down.

While all this is happening, Ray's parents, Frank and Marie, are having problems of their own. Frank has recently retired and spends all his time in front of the television. Marie is looking for something to do, and ends up channeling all her energy into the wedding anniversary party. She takes over everything, and Ray and Debra feel disrespected and overwhelmed. They try to talk to Marie, but she can't see past her own needs.

In the end, the party is a success, and everyone has a good time. Ray and Debra make up with Robert, and Frank and Marie finally resolve their issues. They realize that they all love each other despite the occasional fight.

Overall, "Just a Formality" is a classic episode of Everybody Loves Raymond. It embodies many of the show's themes, including family, loyalty, and love. It's a reminder that even in the midst of dysfunction, there's always room for forgiveness and understanding.