Ep 24. Dancing with Debra

In Everybody Loves Raymond season 3 episode 24, titled "Dancing with Debra," Ray and Debra get roped into taking dancing lessons with their friends, Robert and Amy. The episode follows their hilariously awkward attempts to master the foxtrot and other ballroom dances, under the instruction of an overzealous dance teacher played by guest star Peter Boyle.

The episode begins with Ray and Debra joining Robert and Amy at Nemo's, a local bar, where they're all enjoying a few drinks. Robert and Amy are excitedly telling Ray and Debra about their recent discovery of a dance studio. Robert proudly shows off his newfound moves, and Debra admits that she's always dreamed of taking ballroom dancing lessons.

Despite Ray's initial objections, he reluctantly agrees to join in on the fun when he sees how excited Debra is about the idea. They all head to the dance studio, where they meet their instructor, Buddy, who is played by Peter Boyle. Buddy quickly reveals himself to be an intense, drill sergeant type of teacher who takes the lessons extremely seriously.

As the lessons progress, it becomes clear that Ray and Debra are struggling to keep up with their friends. Ray is too focused on making jokes and trying to lighten the mood, while Debra is too nervous about making mistakes. The tension between them builds as they struggle to master the steps and keep up with the tempo.

At one point, Ray and Debra have a blow-up fight in the dance studio, with Debra accusing Ray of not taking the lessons seriously and Ray accusing Debra of being too controlling. The argument spills out into the parking lot, where they both end up getting locked out of their car in the rain.

As they wait for a locksmith to arrive, Ray and Debra reconcile and admit that they both have insecurities about their dancing ability. They realize that they need to work together and support each other through the lessons, rather than letting their frustrations get the best of them.

The episode culminates with a dance competition at the studio, where all four couples perform for an enthusiastic crowd. Ray and Debra surprise themselves by pulling off a flawless foxtrot, and in the end, they all celebrate with a group dance to the tune of "The Blue Danube Waltz."

Overall, "Dancing with Debra" is a classic episode of Everybody Loves Raymond that showcases the show's signature brand of comedy, with plenty of laughs, heartwarming moments, and relatable relationship issues. The guest appearance by Peter Boyle only adds to the episode's charm, and fans of the show will no doubt love watching the Barones attempt to cut a rug.