The Finale (Everybody Loves Raymond)

Infobox Television episode | Title = The Finale
Series = Everybody Loves Raymond
Season = 9
Episode = 210
Guests= "see below"
Airdate = May 16, 2005 (CBS)
Production = 917
Writer = Philip Rosenthal
Ray Romano
Tom Caltabiano
Leslie Caveny
Tucker Cawley
Mike Royce
Lew Schneider
Aaron Shure
Steve Skrovan
Jeremy Stevens
Director = Gary Halvorson


Prev = Pat's Secret
Next = Series ended"The Finale" is the two-hundred and tenth episode of the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. It was the 16th episode of the 9th season, and the final episode of the series. It aired on May 16 2005. It was preceded by an hour-long special looking back on the nine seasons of the show.

It took three tries to film the episode, as the first time Patricia Heaton had laryngitis, and Doris Roberts had it the second time.

The episode had an estimated audience of 33 million.

Plot synopsis

Ray Barone stresses about getting his adenoids removed. Everyone assures him he'll be fine, but he believes otherwise. As it turns out, the doctors have trouble taking Ray out of anesthesia, and his family quickly gets worried, until the doctor comes out moments later to explain that he is fine. It is agreed that Ray will not be told, and neither will Marie, who was in the bathroom at the time. However, Marie gets the truth out of Frank, and Debra must explain the incident to Raymond, who is still unaware of the mishap. The ensuing discussion, which includes Robert and Amy as well, involves Ray asking, "So for 30 seconds, you all thought I was dead?", which was followed with a smile and asking, "What did everybody do?" One by one, each Barone express their love for Ray (either subtly or noticeably). The next day, the entire family sits down at the table for breakfast. Everyone is talking and laughing, and the show ends on that note.

The episode was interesting in that it was indistinguishable from any other episode in terms of the story. The only clue it was the final episode, besides the title, was the final shot which referenced The Last Supper painting, or so it says, and the longer-than-usual fade. Also, at the end of the credits of every other episode, a presentation of food is made as if the viewer were a diner in a restaurant (the Where's Lunch vanity logo); at the end of the finale, the viewer is presented with the dinner check, which says "No Charge". Unlike many sitcoms, the finale was a single half-hour episode instead of an hour long finale that would be broadcast as two parts in syndication.

Trivia

*At the hospital, the nurse is writing with a pencil; however, medical records are always written with ink.

*Coincidentally, the surgeon, who tells the Barones that Raymond is fine, is Charles Chun who plays a head surgeon in the comedy Scrubs.