MovieChat Forums > Everybody Loves Raymond (1996) Discussion > Debra defenders: please explain the Supe...

Debra defenders: please explain the Super Bowl episode

posted 9 years ago by LDSjess
14 replies | jump to latest

In most episodes of the show, I can understand Debra's position somewhat, even if I don't always agree with her, but I cannot fathom how Debra's behavior could be justified in any way in the Super Bowl episode. I have seen that episode several times and have tried to view it from Debra's perspective, but no matter how many times I have seen it, her behavior is completely inexcusable. I know there are some people on this board that frequently defend Debra, and sometimes make some valid points, so maybe you can help me out on this episode in justifying why she got upset.

There is no part of this episode in which I feel that Debra's anger towards Ray is justified in any way. First of all, she gets upset with him when he chooses to take Gianni to the Super Bowl instead of her. Why? Debra has absolutely zero interest in football. Why would she be upset that when Ray is taking a trip for the sole purpose of watching a football game, that he would want to take someone who shares his love of football and would appreciate this once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the Super Bowl? What if it were Debra taking a trip to go to a literature convention? Wouldn't she prefer to take a friend who truly appreciates literature the way she does, rather than bringing along her husband who has absolutely no interest in literature whatsoever?

Second, after Ray decides to fly her down, which means that he has to kick poor Gianni out of the room (something Debra cares nothing about), she then gets upset when the other wives invite her to go with them while the men play golf. Wasn't this a business trip for Ray? The other wives were tagging along for the opportunity of being in Florida, but understood that the intention of the trip was not intended to be a couples' getaway, but was a business trip for their husbands. Why couldn't Debra understand this and just appreciate the getaway the way the other wives were able to do?

What bothers me more than anything about this episode though is the way that Ray completely allowed Debra to make him feel guilty over something that he has absolutely no reason to feel guilty about, to the point that he ended up eating his Super Bowl tickets. The episode is almost too painful to watch.

Looking forward to some feedback from Debra supporters and maybe another perspective as to how Debra was justified in the way she behaved.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Wildstyle26 9 years ago

I can understand Debra's disappointment there. But when Ray called her, and asked her to come down, she was happy because she was thinking they were going to have a bit of vacation time together without the family. And she was ecstatic when she got there.

However, once she was down there, then Ray springs it to her that they weren't going to spend any time together except at night after they've done their own stuff separately all day. That's what he wants when they're home together. Had she known it was going to be like that, she'd have probably stayed home. So it was a huge letdown that Ray didn't tell her how it was going to be before she got there. That was on him. It's natural to assume when someone calls to invite you somewhere, that they want you there with them. Not that they're bringing you down so they don't have to be bothered with you while they hang out with someone else.

She wasn't trying to ruin his trip, or not want him to go to the SB. She was just hoping they would be spending some time together if he wanted her to come. Sadly, she didn't know he only invited her because his pals thought to bring their wives and he was ashamed that he didn't. And he brought her for some hotel sex at night, which he told Gianni.

But what I do fault Debra for is her initial reaction. Where she makes a scene in front of another couple, then storms into the bathroom like a bratty teenager. Then when Ray gets rid of the couple and opens the door, she's standing there with her arms folded, waiting for him to come to her.

Ray was the one that ruined everything when he decided to tear up the tickets. He overreacted as well. Debra didn't tell him to destroy his tickets, and ruin Gianni's trip too.

[–] JosephASpadaro 9 years ago

Debra was acting out of emotion, not logic and rational thinking.

[–] SkiesAreBlue 9 years ago

I agree. It was a sports weekend and part of Ray's job. I do feel that there was a bit of a breakdown in communication. First of all, why didn't Ray know that his friends would be taking their wives? He first blows it asking Gianni in front of Rob and Frank to the game over them. Then when he and Gianni get to the hotel he is surprised that wives were included. I'm sure in the course of their marriage Debra would by then known what sports weekends would mean. Men go off to play, watch and the wives would be organised for shopping and spa trips. What wife wouldn't jump at that? A weekend away and all expenses paid. I felt that it was extremely rude of her to not appreciate that when Ray found out about the other wives he asked her down. Another room could possibly be found for Gianni which Ray should pay for. However, Ray tearing up and eating BOTH tickets he is a total tool. Not one of my favourite episodes.

SkiesAreBlue

[–] Candyhearts27 8 years ago

Bad Moon Rising, Superbowl, Young Girl, Boob Job, Jealous Robert, The Canister, Net Work, Let's Fix Robert, A Date for Peter, Lateness, were her worst episodes, in my opinion

[–] !!!deleted!!! (54110396) 8 years ago

I completely agree with your assessment. These episodes were Debra's lowest points. I can appreciate Patricia Heaton's performance in Bad Mood Rising without liking the episode. I did think that The Canister was very clever, though, the way the episode was written and directed.

[–] Bookmanmovielover 8 years ago

The Canister episode is one of my favorites. When it comes rolling down the stairs it's like it came back to life.

<“Every man of courage is a man of his word.” - Pierre Corneille>

[–] Kawada_Kira 8 years ago

"You said no matter what!"

"I didn't know i'd be battling the supernatural!"



[–] jac91604 8 years ago

The Super Bowl episode and the babysitter episode which is on right now on TV Land.

Debra doesn't have an outside job but whines for help, so she gets help and is jealous of the babysitter.

I preferred Carrie on KOQ, she was bitchy when she needed to be, but Debra is always unhappy.

Nothing is ever good enough.

[–] leedeelee 8 years ago

I understand her position on NOTHING. She doesn't work, and all she does is make Ray do sh*t a wife should do, and then she infringes upon him with the Superbowl where she DIDN'T belong and then on top of it, she freaks when he tries to please her b*tchy a*s! She is vile and horrible and her character totally ruins the show!

[–] Green-Eyed-Girl31 8 years ago

I understand her position on NOTHING. She doesn't work, and all she does is make Ray do sh*t a wife should do, and then she infringes upon him with the Superbowl where she DIDN'T belong and then on top of it, she freaks when he tries to please her b*tchy a*s! She is vile and horrible and her character totally ruins the show!

Other than that how do you feel about her?

"You met me at a very strange time in my life"

[–] leedeelee 8 years ago

Thank you for asking--I think she is a lazy, moody, b*tchy, controlling, stuck-up, and hyper-critical know-it-all.😏

[–] Green-Eyed-Girl31 8 years ago

Thank you for clarifying, as it wasn't really clear.

 

"You met me at a very strange time in my life"

[–] leedeelee 8 years ago

You're welcome!😉