1. Pilot  

First aired: 9/13/1996    Production Code: 9601

Debra is sick and tired of having Raymond's parents and his brother show up unannounced. With her birthday coming up they try not to let Ray's parents and Robert to come over, so they can have a nice peaceful birthday party.

2. I Love You  

First aired: 9/20/1996    Production Code: 9602

When newlywed friends make a public display of their affection, Debra wonders why reticent Raymond has trouble telling her that he loves her.

3. I Wish I Were Gus  

First aired: 9/27/1996    Production Code: 9604

It seems even "dead people love Raymond," as reticent Ray learns when he's chosen to deliver the eulogy at his great uncle's funeral. It's an occasion that serves as a reunion for Ray's mother and her feuding sister, Alda.

4. Standard Deviation  

First aired: 10/4/1996    Production Code: 9605

For a criminal-psychology course, Robert issues standard IQ tests to Raymond and Debra and boy, is Raymond smarting when they get the results.

5. Look Don't Touch  

First aired: 10/11/1996    Production Code: 9606

Nemo's niece, Angelina, takes employment waitressing at his place. When Angelina catches Ray's eye, he has a lot of explaining to do to Debra, especially when Angelina calls him at home.

6. Frank, the Writer  

First aired: 10/18/1996    Production Code: 9603

When Frank gets a few anecdotes published in Reader's Digest, he submits his writing samples to Ray's editor, hoping to get his own column in the newspaper.

7. Your Place or Mine?  

First aired: 10/28/1996    Production Code: 9607

Marie gets fed up with Frank after 40 years of marriage and moves in with Ray and Debra. Ray and Robert enjoy being mothered by Marie, while Debra spends quality time with Frank, who discovers salsa and is enjoying being a "bachelor" again.

8. In-Laws  

First aired: 11/1/1996    Production Code: 9608

When Ray's upper class in-laws come for a visit, he begs his parents to be nice to them and accept their differences even though their lifestyles are worlds apart.

9. Win, Lose or Draw  

First aired: 11/8/1996    Production Code: 9609

Ray gets tired of being treated like a kid at his father's poker game, so he ignores his father's advice, which he quickly regrets.

10. Turkey or Fish  

First aired: 11/22/1996    Production Code: 9611

Debra's plan to create her own family tradition by serving fish for Thanksgiving is underminded by Marie, who takes it upon herself to make a turkey on her own. Meanwhile, Ray's idea of a traditional holiday at home becomes even more untraditional when the relatives opt not to watch football, much to his dismay.

11. Captain Nemo  

First aired: 12/13/1996    Production Code: 9610

When Robert is forced out as captain of Nemo's basketball team, Ray gets the title and the opportunity to lead his team to victory. Meanwhile, Frank and Marie are upset with Ray for de-throning Robert as captain, and feeling guilty Ray begs Robert to re-join the team.

12. The Ball  

First aired: 12/20/1996    Production Code: 9613

Ray discovers, after many years, that the autographed Mickey Mantle ball he got as a kid from his father isn't authentic. Feeling hurt by the fact that his father was not truthful about the ball, Ray decides he's going to tell Ally the truth about Santa Claus.

13. Debra's Sick  

First aired: 1/3/1997    Production Code: 9612

When Debra comes down with the flu and is bedridden, inexperienced Raymond must take care of her and the three kids, complicating his plans to meet Terry Bradshaw.

14. Who's Handsome?  

First aired: 1/17/1997    Production Code: 9614

Raymond can't face the fact that everybody thinks that his brother Robert is "classically handsome," while he is merely "adorable, like a hamster."

15. The Car  

First aired: 1/31/1997    Production Code: 9615

Debra, already annoyed at getting stuck driving the old car Ray bought from his parents, really gets upset when she discovers that it was his old "make-out-mobile."

16. Diamonds  

First aired: 2/7/1997    Production Code: 9617

Ray decides to replace the fake diamond on Debra's engagement ring, not realizing she'd already had it replaced with a diamond of her grandmother's.

17. The Game  

First aired: 2/21/1997    Production Code: 9616

When Ray and his family play Scruples after their cable goes out and they have nothing but time on their hands, they find themselves arguing about honesty.

18. Recovering Pessimist  

First aired: 2/28/1997    Production Code: 9618

When Debra tries to change Ray's pessimistic attitude about winning the "Sports Writer of the Year Award," he agrees to change his ways and become more upbeat—and suffers the downside of being the only optimist in his family.

19. The Dog  

First aired: 3/3/1997    Production Code: 9619

Ray brings home a stray bulldog that reminds him of the dog he had to give up as a boy due to his allergies, but his brother, Robert, bonds with the animal and the siblings then have to decide who gets to keep him.

20. Neighbors  

First aired: 3/10/1997    Production Code: 9620

Irate neighbors are seriously up in arms over Ray's noisy dad and meddling mom; they demand a pow-wow at Ray's house, where his parents stumble upon the raucous caucus.

21. Fascinatin' Debra  

First aired: 3/17/1997    Production Code: 9621

A popular radio psychologist comes to the house to interview Debra for a book on the American family. But the doctor finds that the rest of the eccentric Barones are more captivating, leaving "normal" Debra feeling left out because she's not "quirky or funny or interesting."

22. Why Are We Here?  

First aired: 4/7/1997    Production Code: 9622

Ray and Debra remember their days in their first apartment, she discovers she's having twins, and they decide they need a house. Ray maps a strategy where they are not close enough for everyday visits from his folks but not far enough for overnight stays. Meanwhile, Robert discovers his wife wants a divorce.