I rarely watch a an episode more than once, but this is one of them. It is not only quintessential "Frasier" material, but it is intelligent clever, and witty. The entire episode, revolving around a single question Niles asks Frasier, "Are you happy?" takes place in Cafe Nervosa. The episode focuses mostly only dialogue and character development, but in such a way that you are constantly entertained. Involving all major characters as they interact with each other, it is filled with quotable quotes. What strikes me the most about is the way it is a self contained story. A person who has never seen Frasier before can sit down and watch it without having any background knowledge of the show. The running gag of Frasier never giving his coffee order right (and therefore has to constantly return it) is brilliantly played, and is the perfect way to break-up the episode into manageable segments. Over all, this is one of the finest episodes ever, "Frasier" or not.
6 Reviews
Beautifully Written and Presented
Hitchcoc26 September 2019
Niles and Frasier are the most pretentious pompous figures in television history. They look askance at anything that they deem pedestrian. And that is why they are so much fun to watch. In this one, the two of them meet at that coffee shop and discuss each other's lives. While there, they annoy the workers, and, ultimately their father, who shows up with Daphne. The witty exchanges are a mile a minute. What a terrific episode.!
A masterclass
studioAT18 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This is an impressive episode, both as an episode of 'Frasier' and as an example of good writing in general.
Frasier and Niles talking for 22 minutes shouldn't be that interesting, but in the hands of Grammar and Hyde Pierce it is a riot, as in an episode of character development, we try to work out whether Frasier really is happy with his new life in Seattle.
This is one of those episodes that saw the show step out of the shadow of the show that spawned it 'Cheers' and stand out as a sitcom in its own right.
Frasier and Niles talking for 22 minutes shouldn't be that interesting, but in the hands of Grammar and Hyde Pierce it is a riot, as in an episode of character development, we try to work out whether Frasier really is happy with his new life in Seattle.
This is one of those episodes that saw the show step out of the shadow of the show that spawned it 'Cheers' and stand out as a sitcom in its own right.
A simple but effective story.
magickbox2 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of my favorite episodes where Frasier and Niles meet up at a busy Cafe Nervosa to chat over a cup of java , which proves to be literally true as Frasier is particularly fussy about the ingredients in his and keeps rejecting it. Niles inquires as to whether his brother is happy but Frasier's response is interrupted by the weather, Roz, Daphne, Martin and Eddie.
In this episode, one location, lots of laughs!
jmsfan9 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The Season One finale takes place entirely at Cafe Nervosa as Frasier ruminates to Niles about his first year back in Seattle. This episode is completely hilarious, loaded with one-liners, setups and rejoinders, and situational humor.
At first, Frasier and Niles are unable to get a table inside, so Frasier suggests they sit outside. Niles says, "Why not? I'm feeling alfresco." Frasier instantly pounces back with, "Oh, how does Mrs. Fresco feel about that?" I know, a groaner, but in this episode the humor flies fast and furious and there are more hits than misses.
One of my favorite exchanges comes when Niles is talking about his marriage to Maris, already established as a pretty oddball pairing and Niles talks about how their marriage is more comfortable than one of hot, burning passion. He says to Frasier, "We can spend an afternoon together, me at my jigsaw puzzle, she at her autoharp, not a word spoken between us and be perfectly content." Frasier comes back with, "I'm told it was a lot like that near the end in the Hitler household." Frasier is on fire here!
Niles has a lot of funny lines but he really serves as a sounding board for Frasier. And this episode touches on something that will come up many times in the series: the fact that the Crane brothers truly enjoy spending time with each other, no matter what their respective love status may be. Their Dad, Martin, is particularly grumpy in this episode and the brothers are discussing that when Frasier relates a recent breakfast between he and his Father: Frasier: "I asked Dad to pass me a bran muffin, and he said, 'What's the magic word?'" Niles: "You're kidding!" Frasier: "He didn't think it was funny when I said, 'Rest home!'" Classic!
Martin (the late, great John Mahoney) brings his dog Eddie into the cafe and the barista says, "No dogs allowed" and Martin immediately pretends to be blind, which send her retreating. Niles gives his umbrella to Daphne, calling it her bumbershoot. She delights in his appreciation of her "Mother tongue." Niles replies with one of my favorite lines of the entire series, "I've always had an ear for your tongue." This episode is a rip-snorter and I've only scraped the surface of what transpires and what is said. There is a running gag throughout the episode and even into the credits as a picky Frasier keeps sending his coffee back, much to the aggravation of the put-upon barista. This is one of those Frasiers to relish over and over.
At first, Frasier and Niles are unable to get a table inside, so Frasier suggests they sit outside. Niles says, "Why not? I'm feeling alfresco." Frasier instantly pounces back with, "Oh, how does Mrs. Fresco feel about that?" I know, a groaner, but in this episode the humor flies fast and furious and there are more hits than misses.
One of my favorite exchanges comes when Niles is talking about his marriage to Maris, already established as a pretty oddball pairing and Niles talks about how their marriage is more comfortable than one of hot, burning passion. He says to Frasier, "We can spend an afternoon together, me at my jigsaw puzzle, she at her autoharp, not a word spoken between us and be perfectly content." Frasier comes back with, "I'm told it was a lot like that near the end in the Hitler household." Frasier is on fire here!
Niles has a lot of funny lines but he really serves as a sounding board for Frasier. And this episode touches on something that will come up many times in the series: the fact that the Crane brothers truly enjoy spending time with each other, no matter what their respective love status may be. Their Dad, Martin, is particularly grumpy in this episode and the brothers are discussing that when Frasier relates a recent breakfast between he and his Father: Frasier: "I asked Dad to pass me a bran muffin, and he said, 'What's the magic word?'" Niles: "You're kidding!" Frasier: "He didn't think it was funny when I said, 'Rest home!'" Classic!
Martin (the late, great John Mahoney) brings his dog Eddie into the cafe and the barista says, "No dogs allowed" and Martin immediately pretends to be blind, which send her retreating. Niles gives his umbrella to Daphne, calling it her bumbershoot. She delights in his appreciation of her "Mother tongue." Niles replies with one of my favorite lines of the entire series, "I've always had an ear for your tongue." This episode is a rip-snorter and I've only scraped the surface of what transpires and what is said. There is a running gag throughout the episode and even into the credits as a picky Frasier keeps sending his coffee back, much to the aggravation of the put-upon barista. This is one of those Frasiers to relish over and over.
That's a wrap for a great season
CubsandCulture7 May 2021
Episode:
This is a perfect example of how tight and well thought out the writing of the show is. It is a bounded story that only has one location but the writers break up the action with pretty natural events, i.e. The rain, and French scenes, i.e. Roz showing up. On that level the writer(s) manage to take a simple conversation over coffee and keep it as cinematic as sit-coms are. But the episode is built around two running tensions that depend on 'happiness' meaning two distinct things. The first is a running gag where Frasier's fussiness and snobbery keeps causing his coffee to be sent back. The second is Frasier's attempts to answer and discuss Niles' question on whether he is happy.
In the first story thread happiness means 'pleasure' or 'contentment.' In the second thread happiness means 'flourishing' or 'welfare.' (If you know Greek, the second is eudaimonia.) The two ideas bounce off each other and makes us-like the characters-think about how the year went. Add in that the writers include ironic counterpoints. Martin is unhappy in the first sense because the brothers missed his birthday, Roz is unhappy in the second sense because of her failed attempt to find a partner. And the result is a very well considered 22 minutes of story.
The episode *also* manages to be funny on top of being so tightly written. It displays the hallmarks of the show.
Season:
The most remarkable thing about season 1 is that it doesn't feel like a first season. There are no bad episodes and the overall story of the season feels entirely organic to the characters. I am sure being a spinoff helps with some of this but Frasier (character) became a lead character without any notable problems and his world got filled out completely. Outside the pilot no episode feels like a introduction and various characters-Gil, Bulldog etc.-get appearances or name drops without feeling forced.
With that said, the other remarkable thing about the season-and really the show itself-is just how consistent it is through its run. Pretty much every episode is a 10 or 9. Even 8's are exceptionally rare. The season starts well and ends well with nary any missteps in-between.
This is a perfect example of how tight and well thought out the writing of the show is. It is a bounded story that only has one location but the writers break up the action with pretty natural events, i.e. The rain, and French scenes, i.e. Roz showing up. On that level the writer(s) manage to take a simple conversation over coffee and keep it as cinematic as sit-coms are. But the episode is built around two running tensions that depend on 'happiness' meaning two distinct things. The first is a running gag where Frasier's fussiness and snobbery keeps causing his coffee to be sent back. The second is Frasier's attempts to answer and discuss Niles' question on whether he is happy.
In the first story thread happiness means 'pleasure' or 'contentment.' In the second thread happiness means 'flourishing' or 'welfare.' (If you know Greek, the second is eudaimonia.) The two ideas bounce off each other and makes us-like the characters-think about how the year went. Add in that the writers include ironic counterpoints. Martin is unhappy in the first sense because the brothers missed his birthday, Roz is unhappy in the second sense because of her failed attempt to find a partner. And the result is a very well considered 22 minutes of story.
The episode *also* manages to be funny on top of being so tightly written. It displays the hallmarks of the show.
Season:
The most remarkable thing about season 1 is that it doesn't feel like a first season. There are no bad episodes and the overall story of the season feels entirely organic to the characters. I am sure being a spinoff helps with some of this but Frasier (character) became a lead character without any notable problems and his world got filled out completely. Outside the pilot no episode feels like a introduction and various characters-Gil, Bulldog etc.-get appearances or name drops without feeling forced.
With that said, the other remarkable thing about the season-and really the show itself-is just how consistent it is through its run. Pretty much every episode is a 10 or 9. Even 8's are exceptionally rare. The season starts well and ends well with nary any missteps in-between.
See also
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