After Debra reads a newspaper article about people who enjoy being at work more than being at home, she convinces Ray to set up an office in their house.

Sick of reading Ally the same stories night after night, Debra decides to try her hand at writing a children's book. Feeling great about doing something other than being a mom, she invites Raymond to write the story with her. But Debra sees the other side of her easy-going husband when he turns their little project into an all-out competition - with Ally as the judge.

Ray, feeling guilty about only getting his dad a card for his 65th birthday, makes up for it by buying him a fancy and expensive aquarium just like the one he always admired in the Chinese restaurant. At first Frank adores the gift, but after one of the fish dies, he starts to hate it. Ray thinks it must be because the fish's demise reminded his dad of his own mortality - until he finds out the real reason and learns an important lesson about father-son relationships.

When Ray’s house is tented for termites, he moves his entire family into his parent’s house and gives Frank and Marie a taste of their own medicine. Marie’s initial excitement that “Raymond has come home!” quickly fades when the world’s greatest home intruders start to feel intruded upon. Sensing her in-laws’ growing frustration with the disturbance of their daily routine, Debra decides to have a little fun at their expense and “help them” like they always claim to be “helping her” — until she and Ray realize that once again, they just can’t win the game.

After Frank has one accident too many, Debra decides that the kids can’t ride with him anymore, which makes Raymond realize that his dad is getting older. Not only did Frank back into Robert’s patrol car, but further investigation reveals that his driver’s license is expired! Uncomfortable with the fact the he’s not a safe driver anymore, Debra decides she doesn’t want the kids in his car. But the most uncomfortable part for Ray is thinking about the fact that his parents are really getting older — and unsafe driving is only the beginning of the journey.

Feeling overwhelmed with her responsibilities, Debra decides to get a babysitter. But when Lisa, the babysitter, becomes the smash hit at “Space Station Barone” with her alien-catching games and endless energy, Debra develop into a jealous mother. To become the kids’ favorite again, Debra replaces the babysitter with Grandma and disaster ensues when Marie sprains her ankle and Ray uncovers Debra’s secret plot. But by that time, Lisa has been stolen by the Parker family and Bill Parker kicks Ray out of the car pool when he tires to woo her back.

Feeling pathetic because he lives with his parents, Robert finally musters up the courage to move out on his own. Encouraged by Ray, and much to his parents’ horror, Robert packs up his bags, takes his dog and moves into a garage apartment. But the move affects the family more than they anticipated. They feel the absence of their relationship “buffer.” As Debra describes it, “He’s like.the lead apron at the dentist.” Meanwhile, Robert enjoys his newfound freedom, until Raymond comes to visit and points out that the older couple with whom he is living are really carbon copies of their own parents — from whom he was trying to get away.

It has always been Raymond’s life long dream to get an article published in Sports Illustrated. So when his friend Andy, the “stat guy” and novice sportswriter, sells a piece to the magazine, Ray is devastated. Instead of being happy for Andy, he’s only unhappy for himself. But things get even worse when Debra points out that he’s being self-centered. Then his father agrees and adds that he’s always been an “attention pig,” leaving Ray to deal with his newly discovered self-image.

Raymond is in a bad mood. Forced to wait home all day for the delivery guy to bring Debra’s new curtains, he can’t go out and play golf and laments to his brother that marriage is like a prison. So, when Amy breaks up with Robert after he says he cannot commit right now, everyone blames Raymond for ruining his brother’s life.

When Ray finds out that his father let him win a game of ping pong when he was twelve he challenges him to a game. When Ray loses he tells Frank that he let him win. Frank then tells Ray the truth. He didn't let him win, he really did win.

When Marie discovers that Ray held an unchaperoned, wild party at their home some 20 years ago, she is hurt and disappointed that her beloved Ray would have lied to her. Unable to forgive or forget, Marie can no longer put Ray on a pedestal. He’s been bumped for big brother Robert — and it’s killing Ray.

Robert’s entire demeanor changes when he starts clubbing with his patrol partner, Judy, and her friends. When he starts using expressions such as “This is so whack” and “I’m down with it” and showing up in mustard-colored suits, Ray and the rest of the family find it hard to believe the extent to which Robert will go to fit in with his new friends.

Frank is elected “Man of the Year” down at the Lodge and a reluctant Ray and Robert are enlisted to prepare his tribute. When they show up at the Lodge to interview Frank’s friends for the testimonial video, they’re more than a little shocked by the intense passion behind the guy’s comments about their father — but it’s nothing compared to the outrageous reaction when Frank views the tribute for himself.

When Ray confides to Debra that her constant need to cuddle and “be on top of him” when they are sleeping is causing him too many sleepless nights, Debra is more than happy to comply with his request to give him his space in bed. Now, Ray is learning the hard way that you have to be careful what you wish for!

Debra is upset when she sees Ray's giddy reaction to her friend's recently acquired "new and improved" breasts. Anxious to find out whether or not Ray is content with her body as it is or if he would prefer it if she, too, made some minor enhancements to the upper region, Debra decides to conduct a little experiment to determine just how truly satisfied Ray is with her current physique.

The whole family chooses sides when Ray and Debra fight over a newly acquired can opener.

Ray discovers that Frank's newfound interest in him is because he's been betting with the inside information Ray's giving him.

Ray and Debra are discouraged when they realize that their sex life isn't what it used to be. Ray and Debra shrug it off by assuring each other that it's not an unusual occurrence for older couples to experience since the kids are always underfoot, they're sleep deprived, etc. Trying to make themselves feel better, they approach Frank and Marie about what constitutes a "normal" sex life for an older couple, but are left feeling more inadequate when they discover the bedroom secrets of the elder Barones.

Upon drafting their wills, Ray and Debra must decide who would make the best guardians for their children. After pondering long and hard over their decision, Ray and Debra choose the two people who they feel would be the best candidates to raise their children should anything happen to them. But their choice doesn't meet with everyone's approval.

Debra is upset when her hippie, free spirit sister decides to become ... a sister. It's a good indication that something is up when Debra's sister, Jennifer, shows up for a visit with rosary beads and prayer cards as gifts for the kids. Unable to share the real reason why she is so upset with Jennifer's decision to become a nun, Debra reacts by accusing her sister of going through yet another phase and not being truly worthy of the calling to the religious life.

When Ray hires his overwhelmingly annoying cousin Gerard to assist him, and Debra points out how alike the two men are, Ray is mortified. The whiny, nasal voice, the need to find something negative to say about everything, the stupid questions ... it's a toss up. You could be speaking about either Ray or Gerard. When Ray confronts his family to refute Debra's findings, he realizes that he's just made a bad situation worse.

Ray is bewildered, but not altogether displeased when Debra starts initiating sex on a more than regular basis. He can't believe his luck - and good fortune when as a result of Debra's new behavior it's as if he and she were newlyweds again. Ray is even willing to give up his golf game to satiate Debra's desires. But, never able to leave well enough alone, Ray looks for a reason behind her sudden burst of energy and gets a crushing blow to his ego.

Inspired by how well the Barones got along at Thanksgiving dinner, Debra is intent on finding a way to improve her relationship with Marie. When Debra spends the whole day cooking with Marie, it's the perfect opportunity to test out her new ""shrug it off and let the criticisms roll off your back"" attitude that she feels will win Marie over.or will it? Meanwhile, Ray gets roped into having Frank and Robert accompany him to a car show, where he has his own method of getting along with his family.

While discussing the possibility of having to hold Michael back for another year of pre-school, Ray is shocked to discover that he too was left back when he was that age. Once Ray learns of his scholastic past, he is convinced that of all the traits a parent could pass on to a child, his legacy is to pass his stupidity on to Michael. Meanwhile, Frank heads over to the school to sweet talk the kindergarten teacher into letting Michael advance with the other kids.

Ray decides to get his parents a family portrait for Christmas and they love the idea, until Debra's parents show up to be in it too.

When Amy raises the notion that Robert's reluctance to commit to Amy may be a result of his being gay, Ray doesn't believe it. But, after further thought and closer observation of Robert's keen sense of style and panache for interior design, Ray is not so sure anymore.

Ray and Debra have differing points of view on how best to handle the situation when they learn that Ally has been bullying another child on the school bus. Ray thinks Ally's pushiness comes from Debra. Meanwhile, Debra thinks if she doesn't instill that independence in Ally, she'll end up being a wuss - just like her dad. But, when push comes to shove and they confront Ally about how to better her behavior, they find themselves questioning their own parenting abilities.

Everyone gets on Ray's case because he's doesn't go to Sunday Mass. When Ray starts feeling guilty about the good example Frank is setting by attending church, he commits to becoming a regular parishioner. After all, if Frank can do it, so can he. But, when Ray shows up at the church, he quickly realizes what it is that draws Frank to this house of worship week after week, and it isn't the sermon.

Ray feels tremendous guilt when he cancels plans with Robert, who then gets hurt in the line of duty, when he should have been hanging out with his brother. At first, it's all laughs and snide remarks from Ray when he finds out the cause of Robert's job-related injury. Ray's bedside manner definitely leaves a lot to be desired. But, after some prodding from Debra, Ray decides to show Robert just how much he really cares for him...not an easy task for a Barone.

Ray and Debra renew their wedding vows after they find out that Ray accidentally taped over their wedding with the 1991 Super Bowl.

Ray screws up a ""Hackidu"" trade for his daughter, Ally, by giving away a ""Scramisaur"" card that ends up being worth a lot of money. Ray thinks he's being the perfect father by taking an interest in Ally's ""Hackidu"" hobby and advising her on a card swap. But when he inadvertently gives away her favorite card, he has to pay for his mistake – he just didn't realize how much.

Debra throws the Barone family into turmoil when she finally creates a dish that everyone likes. Ray can't believe it when he samples Debra's braciole. Even though her past attempts at cooking seemed to have ruined his taste buds, it's simply delicious. But, when Marie gets wind of Debra's cooking prowess, and sees the effect that the braciole has on Ray, Robert and Frank, it's war!