Everybody Loves Raymond S7: Co

In the case of many television series that last as long as "Everybody Loves Raymond" did (nine outstanding seasons, to be exact), a considerable slump in the writing and a decrease in passionate acting are to be expected some time after the youthfulness of the first few seasons have passed. With this groundbreaking show, however, Season 7 contains as much momentum as any previous year in its run, and an entertaining crop of episodes are available for fans in this upcoming DVD set.

"Raymond's" seventh season maintains the similar low-key, hilarious formula without going overboard for "better" ratings--an impressive trait that has left the series as one of the classiest contemporary shows you can hope to find. This 2004-2005 year opens with the Barones taking drastic actions to clear up the Debra/Marie feud that left everyone hanging at the end of Season 6. From there, Robert starts dating a girl who seems perfect until the family learns about some of her strange snacking habits, and Frank has a heart-to-heart with little Ally after an incident at the supermarket finally shows him how his behavior impacts his grandchildren. There is a special wedding proposal (complete with lots of squad cars and Marie-style shrieks), a few important invitations get botched (compliments of guess who?), one of the Barones lands in jail (here's a clue: it's the very last person you'd expect), a suitcase on the stairs temporarily interrupts the flow of daily life, and the Robert/Amy relationship finally receives its overdue glory in a humorous and equally touching 2-hour season finale. Oh, and don't forget that this is the year that we meet Amy's family for the first time--which, in itself, is more than enough said for fans :)

With this DVD set, the same side-splitting bloopers will be available, as well as select-episode commentaries for "Counseling," "Meeting the Parents," "Baggage," and "Just a Formality." (I was surprised they didn't do a commentary for "Robert's Wedding," since that was such a special landmark episode, but the ones they picked were still good.) Some new voices on those commentaries will include Anna Romano (none other than Ray's real-life wife) and Monica Horan, whose priceless facial expressions and sweet demeanor make Amy McDougal a welcome new regular in the show's star lineup. Be sure to listen also for Fred Willard and Chris Elliot, who portray Amy's hilarious know-it-all father and weird-as-sin younger brother. That being said, Season 7 is the typical entertainment that you would expect from Raymond. An impeccable script, brilliant acting, and that on-the-nail connection with real life make this what it is--top-notch quality that you will want to remember forever with these DVD releases. And the best news of all? Some of the best is still to come with Seasons 8 and 9, both equally wonderful and well-written. The entire series should undoubtedly be out within the next year, and that is some of the greatest television you could ever preserve.

Note: As another reviewer here has already pointed out, the classic "Robert's Wedding" episode (and the first season finale of the series that isn't a flashback sequence) does NOT include the short epilogue that shows all the main characters joining Robert and Amy on the dance floor. It's a very short scene but an important one, and I was disappointed to see that they left it out. Aside from that, though, everything on the DVD looks pretty good. As always, the commentaries are one of the best reasons to purchase the DVD's. Not many television series offer this option on their DVD releases, and "Raymond" does this for about 4 episodes every season. Ray Romano and Phil Rosenthal have had consistent enthusiasm with every commentary track they've done, and they're a pleasure to listen to.

I recently spent over $50 on two sets of ELR season seven (one for my parents, one for myself) and watched the entire season over Thanksgiving, only to discover that the climactic two-part episode of the season - "Robert's Wedding" - has about ten minutes of material cut from it. Anyone who checks the time of the two-part episode will verify this - it runs barely 31 minutes when it should run at least 40-42. How this could have happened is beyond me; even the syndicated version of "Robert's Wedding" contain the portions edited in the DVD release. Some have already referred to the edits in passing, but it's worse than what these make out.

I've done some searches online to see if HBO Video can be contacted about it, but of course, many Google searches have turned up nothing so far. Here's hoping that someone from HBO home video reads this and is the slightest bit concerned with selling a flawed product, but I wouldn't bank on it.

I thought TV to DVD was the greatest thing in the world at one time, but as more and more series are released to DVD with syndicated cuts of episodes, the more I feel like never buying another set of any series until I get verification that every episode is complete.

I enjoy watching all the seasons of Raymond. In Season 7, some of the episodes became a little more serious and the fighting a little more heavy ("Pet the Bunny," "Robert Needs Money," "Marie's Vision"), which is why I'm giving it 4 instead of the usual 5 stars I give for this excellent series. The first episode concludes the storyline began in Season 6 where Debra and Marie stop talking that I think was a little overly petty and silly even for them! There are still, as always, excellent episodes here; my favorites being the ones with Amy's parents. Also Robert and Amy finally get hitched, so it is an important season. What was up with the theme song and segment? Yuck! Too much repetition and stupid scenes! Fortunately, it's not shown on every episode.

Disc 1

"The Cult": This episode concludes the "Mother's Day"/"The Bigger Person"/ "The First Time" issue from Season 6 where Debra and Marie stop talking to each other because Marie got bent out of shape when Debra wouldn't drop everything to let her kids tell knock-knock jokes in front of her friends. Robert can't handle the tension between his mom and sister-in-law, so he joins a group called "The Inner Path." This phase doesn't last long, so they use it to bring together the bickering broads. The whole 4-episode-long storyline was really reaching and the ending lame.

"Counseling": Raymond and Debra have an even more heated argument than usual over cleaning the house and then they find out their friends are seeing a therapist. When they make an appointment, Raymond knows all the right things to say which exasperates Debra. Then Raymond makes a shocking confession.

"Homework": Raymond goes on a crusade against the mountains of homework Ally's getting since Debra is making him help her.

"Pet the Bunny": Another emotionally charged episode. Raymond gets a head start on his father's eulogy and Frank goes mental over a story about him petting a bunny.

"Who Am I?": Raymond isn't having fun hanging around the guys anymore and Debra is hopeful he's finally growing up. Then she thinks he may have grown up too much when he starts going to his father's lodge.

Disc 2

"Robert Needs Money": Robert is down on his luck so Raymond and Debra give him $1,000 and then regret it when he decides to use the money to go to Vegas. Boy do Ray and Deb get mad at him!

"The Sigh": Debra guilt trips Raymond into giving her their bathroom and Ray begins to think he has no place of his own.

"Annoying Kid": A couple Raymond and Debra are friends with have a son who drives Ray crazy with his robot games. The guy who plays Neil the father (Craig Anton) is really hot!

"She's the One": Robert thinks he has found the perfect woman until Raymond finds out something very peculiar about her. This one was weird!

"Marie's Vision": Marie gets glasses and notices flaws in everybody. Then she gets in a fight with Frank and calls what they have a "loveless marriage" which really sets Frank off. I'm not sure what triggered Marie into saying something that would ignite such an emotional outburst, but the story gets very serious very fast.

Disc 3

"The Thought That Counts": Robert gives Raymond the perfect idea for a birthday present for Debra and takes all the credit in typical Raymond fashion. Very strange how well Robert knows Debra yet gives his girlfriend stupid ice show tickets. Hmmmmm.

"Grandpa Steals": Ally sees Frank making a scene in the grocery store after he was caught eating bulk trail mix and is uncomfortable around him.

"Somebody Hates Raymond": Raymond finds out a famous radio personality hates him and it's eating him up as to why. Robert gloats over it until he meets the jerk. I like how Robert sticks up for his brother in this one.

"Just a Formality": Robert wants to marry Amy but the task of asking her father for permission proves more than a formality.

"The Disciplinarian": Debra is angry at Raymond because he always makes her be the bad guy when it comes to setting boundaries for the kids. Raymond is afraid that, no matter what they do, their kids are going to do crazy things like they did. I like the Jethro Tull concert mention (I love that band!). When the family gathers to discuss important issues (i.e. "Talk to Your Daughter" from season 6) is usually when the episode fizzles for me as their conversations are often so silly.

Disc 4

"Meeting the Parents": Amy and Robert are having brunch for Frank and Marie. Surprise! Amy's parents show up. Good one!

"Sweet Charity": Debra gets Raymond to volunteer at the hospital and Ray is angry when Robert takes Traffic Cop Timmy and makes fun of him.

"The Plan": Ray convinces Robert to screw up his wedding invitations so Amy won't ask him to do anymore work. Unfortunately, they get mailed. Another good one!

"Sleepover at Peggy's": Ally is spending the night at Peggy's-the Girl Scout Nazi--and a fanny-touching incident makes him think she has the hots for him.

"Who's Next?": Ray and Deb have a discussion as to who they'd pick for each other if they died. The infamous Harriet Lichmann makes an appearance. It ends up being an argument at the funeral.

Disc 5

"The Shower": Debra drinks too much at Amy's bridal shower and is picked up for DUI when she's found napping in her car. I didn't know you could be arrested if your keys are in the ignition and you're not driving.

"The Baggage": Deb and Ray have an argument over who should unpack a suitcase that's been sitting on the staircase for three weeks.

"The Bachelor Party": Ray throws a bachelor party for Robert that is lame so his family makes him organize a second party that may prove disastrous thanks to Amy's brother.

"Robert's Wedding Parts I & II": Robert's wedding is almost ruined by a little speech courtesy of mother dearest (what a surprise).