MovieChat Forums > Everybody Loves Raymond (1996) Discussion > Maybe Marie Went to France

Maybe Marie Went to France

posted 8 years ago by !!!deleted!!! (54110396)
6 replies | jump to latest

Throughout the series, there were references and scenes that show Marie taking French lessons on television.
Frank, however, seemed to have some issues with the French dating back to Season One in the episode, The In-Laws, and all the way to Season 9 in Ally's F where he bellows, "We dragged their asses out of two wars." I like to think that Marie had an opportunity to visit France in her later years. She always seemed to be drawn to music and the arts, and a trip to Paris would have expanded her horizons.

[–] andrereichenbacher 8 years ago

Keep in mind that Ally's F aired around the same time when the U.S. government/military invaded a sovereign nation looking to secure the rights to plundering it's oil reserves (under the pretense of looking for "weapons of mass destruction") and France, among other nations, refused to support that, rightfully so. Therefore it became immediately popular to mock and parody (some would say outright bash and badmouth) the French as a result. Hell, the goverment was openly encouraging it's citizens to make fun of the French. If you were a sentient being back in 2003, you know full well what I''m talking about.

Like I've said before, topical humor tends to not age particularly well, and I honestly hope that future generations will not judge us too harshly based on the ludicrous actions of the individuals that were in charge at that time.

And don't even get me started on how they chose to deal with Hurricane Katrina and it's aftermath.....

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

I am aware of the highly-charged political environment of the United States at that time. At that time, it was de rigueur to dislike the French, even referring to french fries as "freedom fries." I think you're right that it allowed the writers to include these jokes at the expense of the French.

[–] ERThree 8 years ago

Throughout the series, there were references and scenes that show Marie taking French lessons on television.

Really? The only time I recall Marie's French lessons being referenced or seen was in "The Invasion"; every time I watch that episode, I find myself wondering, "When was Marie ever so interested in French?" I could definitely see her being interested in French cuisine, though.

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

In the episode, Ray's Ring (Season 6), Frank barges into Ray's and Debra's kitchen while they are having breakfast, and says he's going to watch Sports Center at their house because Marie is "doing her French lesson crap," and that he'd stop her, but "maybe someday she'd learn enough to move there." Marie laments in Ally's F that Ray's misbehavior in his high school French class stops them from conversing in French.

In Marie's Sculpture, it is evident that Marie has unfulfilled aspirations, and longs to be "more than a short-order cook" for Frank. I would like to think that Marie once freed from her role as a wife would be open to explore some of her own interests.

[–] sonomagirl2120 8 years ago

Wasn't Frank a painter in his younger years? I recall a scene where it is mentioned that Marie used to pose nude for him. Maybe they both got tired of living with Robert and Amy and took a sabbatical to France to enjoy some art and culture.

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

I think it's nice to think that they enjoyed some of their remaining years.