The first season established the core premise: Ray and Debra are trying to raise a family, but Marie and Frank are always there, barging in uninvited. It set the tone for the iconic "us vs. them" dynamic between Debra and Marie, with Ray often acting as the inept mediator. Notable episodes included the pilot, setting up the "across the street" tension, and "The Ball," where Ray learns a valuable lesson about his father's blunt honesty.

"She's the One" features Robert dating a woman who harbors a bizarre, frog-eating secret; "Robert's Wedding" is a classic two-part finale that perfectly encapsulates the chaotic love of the family.

While the core five remained the focus, the show began to lean more into the supporting cast. We see more of Debra’s posh parents and the introduction of Amy’s deeply religious, "non-dancing" family, the MacDougalls. Awkward family reunions. The Big Event: