Ep 12. Debra's Sick

Ray is a sports writer and happily married to Debra, a homemaker. They have three children: Ally, Michael, and Geoffrey. Ray's parents, Frank and Marie, live across the street and frequently visit.

In season 1 episode 12, titled "Debra's Sick," Debra comes down with a cold. Ray, who is usually oblivious to household chores, is forced to take care of the kids and household duties while Debra rests in bed. Ray struggles to juggle his work, taking care of the kids and managing household duties all at once.

As the episode progresses, Ray finds himself frustrated with the children's behavior, and he struggles to keep up with his editorial deadlines. Meanwhile, Debra is feeling terrible, and Marie (who is always concerned) attempts to force her traditional Italian cures on her ailing daughter-in-law, much to Debra's chagrin.

Ray's brother Robert makes a brief appearance, stopping by to check on Debra. Ray confides in him about how much he's struggling to keep everything together, and Robert admits that he's also worried about the state his life is in.

Throughout the episode, Ray's frustration and exhaustion increase as he struggles to maintain his newfound responsibilities as a caretaker. His frustration bubbles over when he receives a call about a sports game he had been looking forward to attending, he rages to Debra over the phone. But, his lack of sympathy for Debra's illness catches up with him, and he realizes his mistake as soon as he hangs up.

When Debra apologizes to Ray for causing him so much stress, he finally understands how much work goes into keeping their family running and makes peace with his duties. He does various things to make Debra happy, such as giving her an at-home spa treatment.

The episode ends with Ray and Debra lying in bed, happy and comfortable. Ray is asleep, but Debra is lying wide awake. Suddenly, she realizes that she might have infected the entire family with her cold. She gets up and begins to frantically clean the house, sanitizing every surface she can find. She's finally solved a problem and gone back to being the rock of the family again.

Overall, "Debra's Sick" is an entertaining and relatable episode that highlights the central theme of the series: the ups and downs of family life. It shows how the small things we take for granted in our everyday lives can quickly become a bigger responsibility when life's unexpected events throw us off course. The episode also highlights the importance of acknowledging and appreciating one's familial responsibilities, something that is often overlooked in modern-day society.