Ep 5. The Contractor

In season 8 episode 5 of Everybody Loves Raymond, titled "The Contractor," Ray hires Gianni to remodel his kitchen. However, things quickly go awry when Gianni becomes too bossy and demanding, causing tension between him and the rest of the family. Meanwhile, Robert becomes obsessed with catching a mouse that has been spotted in the Barones' basement, and Debra tries to bond with Ally by joining her in ballet class.

As Ray's kitchen remodel turns into a nightmare, he starts to regret his decision to hire Gianni. Gianni refuses to listen to Ray's ideas and insists on doing things his own way, which leads to a series of mistakes and mishaps. The project falls behind schedule and over budget, causing frustration for everyone involved. Ray's family tries to support him by offering suggestions, but Gianni dismisses their input and continues to push forward with his own agenda.

Meanwhile, Robert becomes consumed with a mouse that has taken up residence in the Barones' basement. He tries various methods of catching the rodent, including setting up traps and confining it to a small area, but nothing seems to work. Robert's obsession with the mouse becomes a source of amusement for the rest of the family, who are amused by his antics.

Debra, feeling left out of the family's activities, decides to take ballet lessons with Ally. However, she quickly realizes that she is not as graceful as she thought she was and struggles to keep up with the class. Despite her initial reluctance, Ally is supportive and helps Debra improve her skills. The two bond over their shared experience, and Debra feels more connected to her daughter than ever before.

As the episode comes to a close, Ray's kitchen remodel finally comes to an end, and the family gathers to celebrate. Despite the challenges they faced, the new kitchen looks beautiful and everyone is happy with the results. Robert is still on the hunt for the mouse, but he has learned to take a more relaxed approach and is just happy to see everyone enjoying themselves. Debra and Ally continue to bond over their shared love of dance, and the family is closer than ever before.