The Good Father – The Episode opens in Boston with Alan Cornwall (Nicholas Lyndhurst) greeting Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) with a hug. Alan compliments Frasier’s appearance. Thinking about it, Frasier thanks Alan for picking him up. Alan changes the subject to Martin Crane’s funeral which Frasier describes as “emotional” when David Crane (Anders Keith) appears. David explains how he is feeling good after a Xanax and three espressos. Frasier introduces David to Alan who wrote his recommendation to Harvard. Alan tells them about a student spilling coffee on his shirt and losing his shoe on the first day of school. It isn’t until he shows them a photo that he realizes the student is David. Trying to ease the awkwardness, Alan questions how Frasier found it in himself to leave his talk show. Frasier assures him that it was time. Grabbing the luggage off the conveyor belt, David manages to get it on the cart before falling on the floor. Frasier tells Alan that the luggage isn’t his.
Eliot (Peter S. Kim) addresses Fraser is immediately cut off by David. He knows Eliot is excited to see his celebrity uncle but he is “haggard” after an exhausting flight. Eliot assures him that he only knows Frasier from the driver’s license in his wallet. Frasier thanks him for returning his wallet. David apologizes for the mistake. When Frasier says forget it, David tells him that it would be impossible with his eidetic memory. After a bit of back-and-forth, Frasier informs Alan of Frederick “Freddy” Crane (Jack Cutmore-Scott) missing Martin’s funeral due to a work emergency. Alan reminds him of how tense it was between the two of them when Freddy dropped out of college. Frasier claims to support Freddy’s decision but Alan isn’t having it.
Frasier surprises Freddy with a visit. They reluctantly embrace before Frasier invites himself in. He starts to comment on Freddy’s apartment but stops himself. Freddy sarcastically says the Picasso is being framed and the second floor is in the shop. Frasier describes his apartment as a great place to fight a cartoon rat for a breadcrumb. After a bit of back-and-forth about Freddie dropping out of Harvard to become a firefighter, Frasier gives him something that belonged to Martin. Believing Freddy is watching Frasier’s talk show, Eve (Jess Salgueiro) asks him to reduce the volume when she sees Frasier. Freddie rushes a disappointed Frasier out of his apartment. Eve reminds him that she is not his girlfriend before realizing he never told Frasier about John.
A School Near Boston – Alan complements Frasier’s speech when Olivia Finch (Toks Olagundoye) approaches. Alan warns that she is an “absolute terror”. Olivia offers Frasier at teaching position at the college. He informs her of his impending trip to Paris to conduct research for his book, “The Lost Manuscripts of Marivaux”.
At a local pub, Frasier admits to having mixed emotions about returning to Boston. A student attributes Frasier’s speech to his decision to become a psychiatrist instead of a dancer. Frasier questions how he can connect to young people but not Freddie. He informs them of Eve and Freddie’s refusal to spend more time together. Alan asks if it ever crossed his mind that Freddie hates him. Olivia urges him to never give up on a relationship with Freddie before assuring him that he will teach at Harvard. When Frasier goes for drinks, she boasts of what Frasier could do for their department. Alan asks when was her last date. She tells him that men fear smart women.
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner – Frasier arrives at Freddie’s with steaks for dinner. Freddie reluctantly accepts when David bursts in unannounced. Frasier starts to scold him until he realizes he did the same thing. David asks Freddie if he ever kissed a girl in his apartment. Freddie agrees to let David stay to avoid a heart-to-heart with Frasier when Alan and Olivia barge in. Olivia asks Freddie where to buy his firefighter calendar. In the hallway, Freddie pleads with Eve to pretend to be his girlfriend. While Frasier and David search Freddie’s apartment for clues, Eve and Freddie slip John through to the bedroom. In the kitchen, Alan believes he has seen Eve somewhere before. Olivia prods Frasier to join the Harvard Psyche Department. In the living room, Eve lies to Frasier about being a PI. Freddie announces the dinner party is over because Eve is sick before leaving to check on John.
Frasier tells Eve that he would like Freddie to trust him. After boasting of John’s attributes, Eve claims he has always been there for them. In the kitchen, Alan recalls Eve working at the pub and having a baby with a fireman. Frasier suggests Freddie is embarrassed by his situation before getting emotional about being a grandfather. Back in the living room, Frasier asks Eve and Freddie if they are thinking about having children. Freddie says they aren’t ready. Frasier demands to see his grandchild. Freddie starts to deny the allegations when John lets out a wail. He comes clean about everything. Frasier attributes Freddie’s decision to drop out of Harvard to his situation. In the bedroom, Frasier chastises him for skipping Martin’s funeral. Freddie admits to being angry when his friend who was starting a family died in a fire. He says Martin flew down to Boston to be with him.
Freddie opens his gift to find the flag that flew over the capitol in honor of Detective Martin Crane. Frasier expresses his desire to be a good father before promising to do better.
Oh, What Fresh Start Is This – Frasier stops by Freddie’s to inform him of his teaching position at Harvard. He escorts them to his new apartment across the hall. He boasts of buying the apartment building. Freddie questions the move. Frasier offers them rent-free apartments if Freddie moves in with him. Eve readily agrees but not Freddie. The episode ends.
Frasier Review
The series starts out strong with Frasier returning to Boston from Chicago. The episode commemorates the late John Mahoney who portrayed Martin Crane in the original series.
The cinematography is good. The laugh track is slightly annoying but expected. Nicholas Lyndhurst is a great addition to the cast. Kelsey Grammer rebooted Frasier wonderfully.
The acting is not always believable but decent for the most part. Some scenes drag on too long. The airport scene is just one example.
The episode deserves a 6. Get more Frasier recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more. Join our new forum to discuss a variety of topics.
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
