The family sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond is renowned in part for the cast of colorful characters that comprise Ray's dysfunctional family. Yet, Raymond proves to be quite the interesting - and often peculiar - lead character himself. Given that the title itself centers around this figure, one can't help but focus on the various details of this sports columnist's life.
Needless to say, there are more than a few unclear and bizarre things related to this humorous dad, brother, husband, and son. With that said, let's take a look at 10 things about Ray Barone that don't quite add up.
His Kids Changed After The Pilot Episode
From a production standpoint of course, it makes sense there's likely to be continuity errors and various shifts from the pilot of Raymond when compared to the established series that follows it. Still, even with Ray's twin sons being but toddlers during the pilot, it's fairly obvious that these aren't the same actors.
In fact, it turns out, they weren't, as Sawyer and Sullivan Sweeten hadn't yet taken on the roles of Ray and Debra's kids. It's certainly a bit of a jarring shift, and one that's just sort of brushed aside.
He Can't Say "I Love You"
Characters often have their odd quirks to give them a humorous or interesting twist that stands out. This is especially true in sitcoms. There's Robert's knack for touching food to his chin, and Marie's obsession with the happenings of Debra's kitchen. But the star of this sitcom has a particularly interesting one.
As it's established early on in the series, Ray apparently struggles to say a phrase of just a few words; "I love you." Of course, it's not about the words themselves, but the emotional implications behind them. Still, it's a seemingly minor quirk that one would think a grown man would be able to overcome.
The Mystery Of His Missing Friend
While this list won't focus too much on continuity issues with the pilot, one can't help but wonder about at least one more. It would seem that Ray had completely lost touch with an old friend who made an appearance in the pilot, by the name of Leo. In fact, he's featured early in the episode, as he and Ray leave the house to go get pizza.
It turns out that this was the one and only scene that the mysterious Leo would appear on this show. Of course, it's easy to chalk this up to Leo moving away or simply drifting apart. Still, it's peculiar that there wasn't even a mention of him since.
His Lack Of Involvement With Work
For a seemingly-prominent sportswriter in the sport-loving state of New York, one would think there'd be more scenes showing Ray either at work or partaking in activities related to journalism. Granted, there occasional brief scenarios like this, but they're few and far between.
Sure, most of the show takes place in the households of the Barone families before or after Ray works. Still, we rarely even see activities like note or draft-taking, work-related calls, interviews, etc. At least in Long Island, the life of a sportswriter must be a fairly relaxed and almost boring one.
He Never Moves Out To Get Away From His Parents
Obviously, there's the case to be made that Ray is a family man and something of a "mama's boy." Still, even though it's Debra who gets more frustrated with Ray's folks, their antics and uninvited visits clearly irritate Ray quite a bit too.
With his apparent success as a sportswriter, one would logically conclude that at least eventually Ray would toy with the idea of packing up and moving his family at a distance farther than 50 yards from his intrusive parents. In fact, it was actually his parents who ended up moving out first - at least before getting forced to move back by being too bothersome.
His Inability To Take Criticism
It's fair to say that sensitivity is a trait many have, and a natural one at that. Still, Ray seems to be full-blown fragile at times, which is particularly odd for a man working a job that requires a thick skin. One would think that being a sportswriter and a journalist in general would harden him up, or at least be more understanding of inevitable critiques or venom.
Yet, Ray seems truly shaken up and distraught upon learning that a single radio DJ apparently dislikes him. He even ends up attending a party specifically to confront the DJ and awkwardly ask what the deal is. All this from a man who seems to be pretty well off and is admired by most of the people among his circle.
He Almost Never Confronts His Intrusive Parents
Getting back to Ray's abrasive parents, it likely wouldn't be a stretch to say that his apathetic nature to them irritates some fans. While this sets the stage for plenty of humorous moments, the fact that Debra has to engage in most of the pushback can be both frustrating and peculiar.
As mentioned, Ray does get bothered by their antics, but seems to take their side over his own wife far more often than not. It's especially strange considering all Debra already puts up with from Frank and Marie.
His Love-Hate Relationship With His Brother
There definitely seems to be an ebb and flow when it comes to Ray's relationship with his brother. It makes sense to a degree, as Robert can be somewhat spiteful and sibling rivalries are pretty common no matter what age. Still, the petty vitriol and envy seen between Ray and Robert is more akin to that of kids and teenagers rather than adult men in their '40s.
This is especially glaring since Ray and Robert are quite similar - and have a good thing going on - there isn't much reason to be this bitter towards each other. Yet, these two often oscillate from loving brothers to sworn rivals who seem to revel in one another's misfortune.
His Increasingly Cartoonish Nature
It stands to reason that people tend to mature as they age. Though in the universe of Everybody Loves Raymond, different rules seem to apply, at least when it comes to the lead character.
During the decade of the show's existence, Ray seems to get more childish and goofy rather than less. In later seasons, he does things like throw a tantrum when seeing Peggy invited to their party, and fails to hold back his childish razzing of a janitor. Obviously this is meant to inject more humor into the show and sitcom characters get some leeway in the eccentric department, but it's still a bit of an odd trajectory for his character development.
He's Miserable For Much Of The Italy Trip
Despite the laugh-out-loud moments and gorgeous scenery in the Italy-based episodes of Raymond, it's a bit tainted by Ray's peculiar mopey attitude for the first half. This rather successful man is living it up with his family on an enjoyable vacation in Italy, and he's among the most dismal we've ever seen him.
He attributes this to the cultural adjustments and his apparent cold, but these are small potatoes given the circumstances. Oddly enough, it's only after he eats what seems to be a magnificent slice of pizza that he has a sudden epiphany and becomes gleeful.