Ep 26. How They Met

In the season 3 finale of Everybody Loves Raymond titled "How They Met," viewers are taken on a journey to learn the backstories of how Ray and Debra met.

The episode opens with Ray practicing a speech for his brother Robert and his fiancee Amy's wedding. He's nervous about giving the speech, which is set to detail how Robert and Amy met. As Ray practices, Debra walks in and suggests that he lighten the mood by sharing their own story of how they met. Ray is hesitant at first, but eventually agrees to share their story.

The episode then takes us back in time to when Ray was a young sportswriter in Long Island. He had just moved to a new apartment complex where he met Frank and Marie Barone, who occupied the apartment across the hall. Initially, Ray was excited to live in the same building as his parents, but their constant meddling and interference in his life quickly became overwhelming.

One day, Debra stumbled into the building looking for her missing dog. Ray, who was sitting outside, offered to help her search for the dog. They hit it off instantly and spent the next few hours talking and getting to know each other. At the end of their search, Debra invited Ray to her friend's party later that night, much to Ray's excitement.

At the party, Ray and Debra continue to enjoy each other's company. Ray even ends up scoring a date with Debra for the following night. However, things take a turn for the worse when Ray's parents show up unexpectedly and start causing trouble. Frank and Marie are unsupportive of Ray's relationship with Debra, and Debra leaves the party feeling upset.

Despite the rocky start, Ray and Debra continue to see each other and fall in love. However, they still have to deal with Frank and Marie's constant interference. In one memorable scene, Frank makes up an excuse to come over to Ray's apartment, only to find that Ray and Debra are in bed together. Frank storms out in a huff, but Ray and Debra take it in stride and continue on with their relationship.

As Ray finishes up his speech for Robert and Amy's wedding, he gets choked up when talking about the love he and Debra share. The rest of the family wholeheartedly agrees, with even Frank and Marie showing their support for their son's relationship.

Overall, "How They Met" is a heartwarming episode that provides insight into the early days of Ray and Debra's relationship. While Frank and Marie's interference provides some comedic relief, the episode's focus on Ray and Debra's love story is what makes it truly special.