Debra is something of a polarizing figure when it comes to the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. On the one hand, she can be somewhat cruel, tough, and even a bit of a bully at times.
On the other hand, she can also be a loving, lighthearted, and witty person who's good for some laughs. And besides, she does have to deal with her typically juvenile, naive husband, and his dysfunctional family that resides right across the street. Given the unique circumstances and traits of this character, there are some oddities and questions that arise when it comes to Debra.
Rarely Confronts Marie Directly
Given Debra's fairly extroverted, assertive personality, it's strange that she so often seems to bite her tongue when it comes to Marie's many slights and jabs at her. At the very least, Debra could return the passive-aggressive, subtle behavior that Ray's mother gives her.
Aside from a written letter and a multi-episode fight that sees her finally confront Ray's mom, Debra holds back more than she should. It's somewhat out of character for her, given how blunt she can be with Ray.
Her Distant Relationship With Her Sister
Viewers wouldn't know it unless they've watched the season four episode called "The Sister," but Debra actually does have a sibling.
In fact, she actually is a sister in the Christian sense, as it's revealed that she's decided to become a nun. Her pursuits and travels related to her religion are used as an excuse as to why she's never seen before or after this episode in the nine-season run of Raymond. Nun or no, it's rather bizarre that Debra's own sister is never seen - and virtually never even mentioned - outside this single episode.
Her Unique Ability To Only Cook Two Things Very Well
One good trivia question related to Raymond might be - "name the only two dishes that Debra apparently knows how to cook well." The answer would be braciole, as well as her signature lemon chicken - the latter of which manages to woo Raymond during their first date.
The fact that she can whip up such delicious lemon chicken and braciole makes it all the more peculiar that she's somehow unable to cook anything else. One would think her knowledge in making the aforementioned meals would help her as a guide or foundation in fixing other dishes.
Her Behavior In The Episode "The Thought That Counts"
In this fan-favorite episode, Ray finds himself stumped when trying to come up with a suitable Christmas present for his wife, settling on a mundane space heater.
He asks Robert and Amy for advice, and Robert - having a bit of an infatuation for Debra - comes up with the perfect gift. He implores him to get a 1st edition copy of her favorite book, "To Kill A Mockingbird."
Ray gets it, only to find both Robert and Debra are angered when Ray acts like the gift was his idea. The negative reaction to this shameless thunder-stealing makes sense on a certain level. But at the end of the day, it was still a gift that he shelled out for. Her anger and outright rejection of the item is a bit over-the-top.
Her Bizzare Way Of Making A Point In The Episode "Boob Job"
Though it tends to pale in comparison to the cringy behavior Ray often exhibits, Debra has had these bouts at times too. Like the last entry, her behavior in the zany episode "Boob Job" is pretty absurd to the point where it borders on unrealistic.
After Ray is seen acting awkward towards a woman at a PTA meeting, it comes out that - surprise - he's rather fond of larger breasts. This spurs a plot by Debra to put socks in her bra to trick him. This drawn-out charade might make for some laughs, though logically it invokes some head-scratching.
One would think a brief dialogue could have resolved this grievance or dispute the same way - but in a far simpler, less over-the-top way.
She's Seemingly Incompatible With Ray
It's hard not to wonder just what this couple sees in each other. Of course, some suspension of disbelief is usually required for entertainment - particularly with a wacky sitcom. Still, there are moments where the differences between Ray and Debra reach a level where they truly seem incompatible.
Episodes like "High School," where Debra buddies up with Ray's old bullies - with whom she seems to relate to more than Ray - reinforce this point. At times they couldn't seem more different - but they do say that opposites attract...
Her Peculiar 180 With Peggy
Peggy, the mother of Ally's friend, exudes a coldness and assertiveness that tends to make Debra look tame by comparison. She has her share of funny moments, like when she and Ray literally fight over turf to sell girl scout cookies.
Peggy's act of aggression naturally angers Debra, at which point she reprimands her. It would seem that from here, these two would have a pretty hostile relationship.
And yet, later in the series, Debra has seemingly made a 180. Not only does she begin to vouch for her, but she even attempts to get Amy's brother Peter to get into a relationship with her so she can have her in the family.
How She Manages To Get Fired In One Day At A PR Firm
Yes, there is a brief stint in which Debra lands a part-time job - at least for a day.
As it happens, Debra managed to get fired in the course of hours during the episode "Working Girl," in which she gets a job at a PR firm. In one humorous scene, she explains to Ray her persistence in arguing the merits of a pizza advertisement centered around a character named "Professor Pete Za."
Hey, can't blame her for trying, right? Still, just how awful was this concept - and how aggressively did she push for this ad that it warranted her immediate canning?
Working PR For The Rangers?
Speaking of her work history - the episode "How They Met" flashes back to the humble, awkwardly-funny first date of Ray and Debra. Conveniently, Debra informs him that she works in PR for the New York Rangers hockey team, after Ray mentions that he's pursuing a sportswriting career.
More eyebrows tend to be raised here, given that Debra couldn't seem to care less about sports in general, let alone hockey. She makes virtually no mention of them before or since this revelation, and she's usually nowhere to be found when Ray has a game on TV.
Why She Continues To Put Up With Ray's Parents Living Across The Street
It's tough to have a funny sitcom without some amusing setups and premises as well as zany characters. And having Ray's quirky, intrusive parents living right across the street from Debra checks these boxes.
Still, one can't help that logical brain from kicking in again, and posing the question - "why does she continue to put up with this?" and "why won't Ray and Debra just move?"
Debra has to deal with a passive-aggressive, overbearing Marie barging into her home uninvited. She criticizes her cleaning and cooking, irritatingly obsesses over Ray, and yet they spend close to ten years enduring this?