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Robert's Divorce

‘Robert's Divorce’

Season 4, Episode 24 -  Aired May 22, 2000

Robert and his family run into his ex-wife, Joanne (guest star Suzie Plakson), at a restaurant, bringing back memories of their break-up.

Quote from Robert

[flashback:]
Debra: It's just that, um... You and Joanne... I mean, we think Joanne is great, but just sometimes, uh, you know, with you, she can be not very nice, and we were just thinking that it would help you if you told her... Robert, stop looking at my breasts.
Robert: I'm sorry. Listen, you know, Joanne has to put up with a lot from me. I'm not the easiest person to live with. I'm hairy and smelly, and I'm really kind of like an animal.

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Quote from Ray

[flashback:]
Marie: Hi, dear.
Debra: Hey, Marie, hi!
Ray: Hey, I told you two, you can't come in here anymore if you don't knock.
Frank: Gotcha. Hey, your old lady's looking for you.
Robert: Joanne?
Marie: Yeah. She was a little short with me on the phone. I think she's worried about you.
Frank: I don't like that one.
Marie: Why can't you just be happy that Robby found someone? When are you gonna learn it's not our place to meddle in our children's lives?
Debra: Marie, I don't think it's meddling if you love and care about the person.
Ray: You know, you're just strolling down the railroad tracks and you don't hear the "whoo-whoo!"

Quote from Frank

[flashback:]
Debra: Robert, I think what your father is trying to say is that sometimes Joanne is-
Frank: A nutcracker.
Robert: Dad, you're talking about my wife.
Frank: A nutcracker!

Quote from Robert

[flashback:]
Marie: Robby, you really should- No. No, I'm not butting in. Live your life.
Debra: Robert, you just seem so unhappy.
Robert: What is this, some kind of intervention? I happen to love Joanne. She's strong, she's independent. You don't know anything about her. You don't know about our private life. We have chemistry.
Ray: I remember when you took chemistry. That was the year you had no eyebrows. [Frank chuckles]
Robert: I don't appreciate this. I really don't. Your family is not supposed to be like this. If no one is gonna support me, then I'd just rather you all butt out! [kicks inflatable chair and storms out]
Frank: Wow, he really hates that chair.

Quote from Robert

[flashback:]
Robert: I'm tired of the way you treat him. He's my brother. And I'm gonna tell you something else, Joanne. Maybe if you just showed a little warmth to people, they wouldn't be so scared of you. And maybe if you just gave me a clue that you still cared about me, I wouldn't spend so much time hiding out at Ray and Debra's.
And you wanna know something else? Things are gonna have to start changing around here.
Joanne: I want a divorce.
Robert: What?
Joanne: Ah, that felt good. I've been waiting for the right time. Thank you. [doorbell rings]
Ray: I'll get that.
Joanne: I'm glad we talked. How much time do you think you'll need to get your stuff out of the house?

Quote from Frank

Frank: I don't see what's wrong with itemizing the bill, so we each pay for what we ate.
Ray: All right, it's just easier to split it up equally, Dad.
Frank: Yes, easier for those of you who had appetizers!
Robert: You know what? I'll catch up with you. I wanna check Dad's tip.
Frank: You don't tip on the tax or the liquor!
Ray: All right, all right. Get in the car, you're drunk.

Quote from Robert

[flashback:]
Joanne: What are you doing?
Robert: I am rubbing your shoulders.
Joanne: Why?
Robert: I don't know, you're my mush-mush?
Joanne: It's okay.
Robert: I'm sorry. Was I hurting you? Sometimes I don't know my own strength.
Joanne: You and your big mitts. That's why we can't have pets.
Robert: My funny lady! Oh, look out for Mr. Big Hands.
Joanne: Okay, I'm going to bed.

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