I do have to agree with some of the critics, but it was still a chance to see a family, quirky as they are, deal with the frightening aspect of a fearsome surgery. Frasier is his usual invasive know it all being. But just about everyone has some investment or experience. I thought they did a decent job of avoiding anything maudlin.
11 Reviews
Some people hate this. I don't know why...
scott-705636 November 2022
People either seem to either love or hate this episode. I'm on the side that, while I'm not in love with it, don't mind one bit. It's not really a "very special episode" per se, as there isn't much doubt at all about Niles' fate, it's more of how the rest of his family is worried nonetheless, and how the hospital "remembers" past visits from all of them. Nothing tremendously deep, just quietly reflective.
The last scene seems to give a little creedence to Daphne's psychic abilities. After we've seen past glimpses of characters' previous visits, we see Daphne stop, compose herself, then walk past a room where we see her and Niles in the near future welcoming a second child. One could say she composed herself then and there because she "saw" that future, and knew beyond all doubts things would be just fine. At least that's how I saw it.
People can hate this episode all they'd like. Fair enough. If you hate it, don't ever watch it again, and don't keep complaining about it's existence. There's about 300 or so other episodes of humour for you, if one dramatic one drives you up the wall, pleasantly avoid it.
The last scene seems to give a little creedence to Daphne's psychic abilities. After we've seen past glimpses of characters' previous visits, we see Daphne stop, compose herself, then walk past a room where we see her and Niles in the near future welcoming a second child. One could say she composed herself then and there because she "saw" that future, and knew beyond all doubts things would be just fine. At least that's how I saw it.
People can hate this episode all they'd like. Fair enough. If you hate it, don't ever watch it again, and don't keep complaining about it's existence. There's about 300 or so other episodes of humour for you, if one dramatic one drives you up the wall, pleasantly avoid it.
A dramatic return, at long last
alpineinc11 October 2022
Frasier fans seem to consist of two types; those that enjoy the slapstick goofiness that made it a smash hit, and those (like myself) that reveled in the fine line it tread between comedy and drama in the first season or two, but quietly abandoned in favor of (albeit often well done) farce and one-liners. While the story line all but forces the drama (rather than being introduced more naturally in more typical situations as in the early years), the cast takes good advantage of the opportunity of a well-written and well-directed episode. Those who lament Frasier's turn to straight-up comedy fairly early on in its impressive run, and rarely revisit the later seasons, should make an exception for this episode.
Perfection
w-2616323 November 2021
I love this episode and I might literally cry my eyes out.
This episode is not so Frasier-style but still brilliant. The drama, emotions, hilariousness, they just merge with each other in the perfect way. There are some sad memories for sure, but there's a bright future as well. And this is life. This is our life.
This episode is not so Frasier-style but still brilliant. The drama, emotions, hilariousness, they just merge with each other in the perfect way. There are some sad memories for sure, but there's a bright future as well. And this is life. This is our life.
How to do Drama in a Sitcom Right
jefferybucchino2 November 2021
In a show that is often goofy and filled with witty humor, this is one of the episodes that illustrates how well the people behind this show could properly weave drama together with that same comedic timing. The writing is ingenious with the story revolving around four people coping with the same heart-wrenching scenario in their own individual ways while simultaneously showing us some glimpses into their personal history with hospitals. And the acting of the entire cast is both heart warming and tear jerking with even the most silent moments such as Martin, played by the late/great John Mahoney, thinking back to getting the diagnosis of his wife years earlier.
Very touching, yet humorous
bettyegriffinunderwood9 June 2021
A marvelous episode, cleverly written (winner of an Emmy for camera work) as memories of past hospital experiences of the cast are reflected in brief segments, plus one peek into the future. Brought a tear to my eye when I remember my own family's experiences.
The final shot makes it a 10-star episode...
ttimgents19 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER WARNING!! ... If you didn't pick it up on your first viewing of this episode, go back and watch it again to see and experience for yourself the subtle, final reveal at the end of this episode.
I was going to grade this episode 8 of 10... But the final reveal of why Daphne was on such an edge throughout the episode was brilliant writing: the final reveal being her imagining a future walk past a hospital room where Niles and a first child were visiting Daphne and a newborn second child... Daphne was on such an edge throughout the episode not only because she might lose Niles but because she might have lost the chance of having a family with him... Nothing said: just revealed by the camera... One wonders if she will ever express that openly with the family. Kudos to the writer(s) who came up with that idea. [08\19\2022]
I was going to grade this episode 8 of 10... But the final reveal of why Daphne was on such an edge throughout the episode was brilliant writing: the final reveal being her imagining a future walk past a hospital room where Niles and a first child were visiting Daphne and a newborn second child... Daphne was on such an edge throughout the episode not only because she might lose Niles but because she might have lost the chance of having a family with him... Nothing said: just revealed by the camera... One wonders if she will ever express that openly with the family. Kudos to the writer(s) who came up with that idea. [08\19\2022]
One of the Best if not The Best
spuddcw2000-13 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I want to end on a good note reviewing this landmark episode so I will put my hesitation at the outset. I don't know why the clearly skilled directors, lighting professionals, and the other minds at work there can't figure out that not every room is not lit the same way. It looked like TV set of a hospital; not the hospital itself. Also...no "throw back" to when Martin was shot?
That being said, this episode was moving, touching, had just the right amount of humor--intelligent humor that I have come to rely on with Frasier.
I found the subsequent episode to be a massive letdown--downright stupid. It was great to see Jane Leeves get a chance to shine as a worried wife. It was good to see some vulnerability instead of the laugh riot it was at times in other episodes of this sitcom.
The serious nature of this episode reminded me a lot of the clock episode on MASH only done more in line with what the sitcom was. Excellent all around!
That being said, this episode was moving, touching, had just the right amount of humor--intelligent humor that I have come to rely on with Frasier.
I found the subsequent episode to be a massive letdown--downright stupid. It was great to see Jane Leeves get a chance to shine as a worried wife. It was good to see some vulnerability instead of the laugh riot it was at times in other episodes of this sitcom.
The serious nature of this episode reminded me a lot of the clock episode on MASH only done more in line with what the sitcom was. Excellent all around!
How art the mighty fallen
studioAT28 March 2016
'Frasier' suffered a massive dip in quality after its seventh season finale and this for me was the nadir.
The premise is a good one, offering the chance for humour and pathos. But where in the past the show might have dealt with these two elements in a balanced fashion, here it goes right over the edge and opts for schmaltz and sentimentality that is unneeded.
You can't blame the creative team I suppose. After 10 years (and the 'Frasier' character existing for a previous 9 on 'Cheers') it must have been harder to come up with new ideas and to keep giving the audience new ways to invest in the characters, but this is going too far.
The fact that it was dragged out over a two parter again shows a lack of direction and a show that had run out of steam.
The premise is a good one, offering the chance for humour and pathos. But where in the past the show might have dealt with these two elements in a balanced fashion, here it goes right over the edge and opts for schmaltz and sentimentality that is unneeded.
You can't blame the creative team I suppose. After 10 years (and the 'Frasier' character existing for a previous 9 on 'Cheers') it must have been harder to come up with new ideas and to keep giving the audience new ways to invest in the characters, but this is going too far.
The fact that it was dragged out over a two parter again shows a lack of direction and a show that had run out of steam.
Tonally confusing
joemarcy16 May 2018
Felt like watching community theater, or catharsis for a writer who went through a loved one's heart surgery, kept a journal, and spit it out as a script, hoping the episode would write itself. Wasn't this show funny? Whatever it traded jokes for didn't pan out in this episode-maybe just director Kelsey Grammer trying his hand a little too hard at a multi-camera one-act.
This episode is so, so un-Frasier like-I'd never show it to anyone I wanted to get watching the show.
This episode is so, so un-Frasier like-I'd never show it to anyone I wanted to get watching the show.
THIS EPISODE WAS ANNOYING
tomtorgerson12 April 2022
Huge fan of fraser. I've seen every season probably a dozen times. This episode always annoys me. All of the acting feels overly dramatic and annoyingly unfunny. For instance why is Marty asking about a vending machine that he can just get up and look at?
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