Ep 12. What Good Are You?

In Everybody Loves Raymond season 5 episode 12 titled "What Good Are You?", Ray is feeling unappreciated when everyone around him keeps reminding him of his faults and shortcomings. Frustrated and hurt, he decides to take a break from his family and go golfing with his friends. However, things don't go as planned when he realizes he's forgotten his lucky golf ball, and he has to find a way to salvage his game. Meanwhile, Debra takes on the task of organizing Ally's birthday party, but when Ray comes home early, he begins to criticize everything she's doing wrong.

As the episode unfolds, Ray's frustration with feeling useless and unappreciated by his family and friends is a central theme. He feels like he can't do anything right, and everyone around him just sees his faults. This feeling is exacerbated when he forgets his lucky golf ball, which throws off his entire game. Throughout the episode, we witness Ray's struggle with his self-worth and his difficulty in finding ways to feel important and valued.

Debra's storyline is equally compelling, as we see her take on the daunting task of planning Ally's birthday party. Her stress levels are high as she juggles party planning with work and managing her family's needs. When Ray comes home early, he starts to criticize everything she's doing wrong, which only adds to her stress levels. As the tension between Ray and Debra grows, we see how easy it is for both of them to fall back into old patterns of fighting and frustration.

Although the episode deals with weighty themes of self-worth and the pressures of family life, it's not without its moments of levity. One of the funniest scenes involves Ray getting stuck in the mud while trying to retrieve his golf ball. It's a classic physical comedy moment that's both hilarious and relatable. Additionally, scenes of Debra trying to navigate the complexities of party planning with her extended family are also humorous and add some much-needed laughs to the episode.

Overall, Everybody Loves Raymond season 5 episode 12 is a thoughtful and well-crafted exploration of the pressure of family life and the importance of feeling valued and appreciated. Ray's struggles with self-worth and his desire to find ways to feel important and valued are relatable, and the episode does an excellent job of exploring these complex issues in a way that feels both honest and nuanced. Furthermore, the addition of humor and gentle moments of levity ensures that the episode never feels too heavy or melodramatic. Fans of the series will find a lot to appreciate in this episode, which is one of the strongest of the entire fifth season.