Ep 22. Baggage

Raymond Barone is a successful sportswriter living in Long Island, New York, with his wife Debra, a stay-at-home mom, and their three children. Raymond's parents, Frank and Marie, also live nearby and frequently visit their home. Raymond's older brother, Robert, is a police officer who often feels overshadowed by Raymond's success.

In the season 7 episode "Baggage," Raymond and Debra are preparing to take a weekend trip to a bed and breakfast, leaving their kids with Raymond's parents. However, things take a turn when Debra discovers Raymond's old suitcase in the closet, filled with items from his past relationships. Raymond tries to explain that he's just sentimental and keeps mementos from all of his ex-girlfriends, but Debra is hurt and angry.

Meanwhile, Robert decides to use Raymond's absence as an opportunity to try out his new hobby: cooking. He invites over his girlfriend, Amy, and her parents for a dinner party, but his lack of experience in the kitchen leads to a disastrous meal. To make matters worse, Frank and Marie barge in and start criticizing the food and Robert's abilities as a chef.

As the weekend goes on, tensions grow between Raymond and Debra over the suitcase. Debra insists that Raymond either throw it away or leave it behind, but Raymond refuses, insisting that it has sentimental value. The situation becomes even more complicated when Raymond's ex-girlfriend, Jill, unexpectedly shows up at the bed and breakfast. Debra is furious and demands that Raymond handle the situation, but Raymond is torn between his loyalty to his wife and his desire to catch up with an old friend.

Meanwhile, at Robert's dinner party, things continue to spiral out of control. Amy's parents, who are wealthy and sophisticated, seem unimpressed with Robert's cooking and his home, leading to a series of uncomfortable conversations and awkward silences. As the night wears on, Robert becomes increasingly self-conscious and anxious, leading to a meltdown in the kitchen.

In the end, Raymond and Debra reconcile, with Raymond agreeing to throw away the suitcase and focus on his relationship with Debra. Meanwhile, Robert learns an important lesson about not trying to impress others and just being himself. The episode ends on a comedic note, with Frank and Marie revealing that they enjoyed Robert's cooking after all, leaving Robert relieved and grateful.

Overall, "Baggage" is a funny and relatable episode of Everybody Loves Raymond that explores the delicate dynamics of relationships and the importance of honesty and communication.