Writer:	Steve Skrovan
Director:	Will Mackenzie
Star:	Ray Romano (Raymond Albert Barone),  Patricia Heaton (Debra Barone),  Brad Garrett (Robert Barone),  Doris Roberts (Marie Barone),  Peter Boyle (Frank Barone),  Madylin Sweeten (Ally Barone),  Sawyer Sweeten (Geoffrey Barone),  Sullivan Sweeten (Michael Barone)
Recurring Role:	Charles Durning (Father Hubley),  Len Lesser (Garvin),  Victor Raider-Wexler (Stan)

This episode does not have any notes. Add some now!

Frank: How do you think I feel? I go into church and everyone asks me, "Why isn't Ray here? Didn't you raise him right?"
Ray: They say that?
Frank: Shut up. (edit) Ally: How come Daddy doesn't have to go to Church?
Debra: I don't know. Why don't you ask Daddy?
Ray: (in his pajamas, eating cereal) I... have to work. (edit) Frank: Go to Church!
Ray: No, no! I don't feel like it!
Frank: "I don't feel like it!" That's the problem with you kids today--everything has to feel good! You think World War II felt good? You think Korea felt good? In my day, nothing felt good!
Ray: Then why don't you go back to your day and stop ruining mine?
Frank: 12 years of Catholic school down the toilet. Go to Church! (edit) Ray: You get over there right now and tell Ally I'm not going to hell!
Frank: You know, I'd love to, but I don't make the rules. (edit) Ray: Grandpa said that? He said I'm going to heck?
Ally: He said hell. (edit)

Toward the end of the episode, Ray asks Debra why she goes to Mass, and Debra gives him an answer that is very heartfelt and funny at the same time. In previous interviews, actress Patricia Heaton has said that during filming, when Phil Rosenthal asked her how she might answer a question like this, Heaton's actual response was used in the episode with her character. (edit) In the beginning of the episode the kids are playing a Nintendo 64 game. Debra comes down and turns it off by pressing a button on the controller. The only off button for a Nintendo 64 is on the console, which was on the coffee table. (edit)

"Prodigal Son" The title of this episode is also the name of a Rolling Stones song, as well as a parable in the bible. (edit)