Ep 16. The Checkbook

In season 2, episode 16 of Everybody Loves Raymond, titled "The Checkbook," the Barones are back with more family shenanigans. In this episode, Ray's mother Marie decides to help him balance his checkbook, a decision that leads to disastrous consequences.

As usual, the Barones are up to their usual antics and causing chaos in each other's lives. When Marie offers to help Ray with his finances, he tells her he can handle it himself. However, he quickly realizes that he's in over his head and he asks his wife Debra for help. When Debra discovers that Ray has been writing checks without balancing his account, she makes him sit down and go over his finances with her. Ray's attempts to explain away his overspending and errors in calculation only make things worse.

Meanwhile, Marie takes over Robert's finances, leading him to make a big mistake when he tries to save time by paying multiple bills at once. When Marie discovers the error, she confronts Robert and insinuates that he is irresponsible and careless with his finances. This leads to an argument between the two siblings and adds to the already strained relationship between Marie and Robert.

Back at the Barone household, Debra decides to take matters into her own hands and teach Ray a lesson about financial responsibility. She hides his checkbook, leaving him to fend for himself without access to his money. Ray quickly finds himself in trouble when he tries to pay for a pizza using an old check, only to realize that he has no money in his account. He is forced to ask his brother Robert for a loan, leading to even more embarrassment and tension.

As the episode comes to a close, the Barone family gathers for dinner as Marie tries to mediate the conflict between Robert and Debra. Yet, even as they try to patch things up, their bickering and petty sniping serves as a reminder that their problems won't be solved overnight. In the end, each of the Barones must come to terms with their own personal flaws and work to overcome them if they want to achieve true happiness and peace within their family.

Overall, "The Checkbook" is a hilarious and relatable episode that highlights the everyday struggles of financial management. With its witty writing, charming cast, and relatable storyline, this episode perfectly captures the joys and challenges of family life. Fans of Everybody Loves Raymond will not want to miss this unforgettable installment of the beloved sitcom.