The Founder’s Society – The episode opens with Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) complaining about not being invited to office events. Alan Cornwall (Nicholas Lyndhurst) attributes Frasier to the Harvard Psychology department’s in-crowd. Frasier admits to being surprised by his difficulty in fitting in before accusing his co-workers of being intimated by his intellect. Alan urges him to not take it personally because no one they know attended the birthday party when Olivia Finch (Toks Olagundoye) barges with a birthday hat and cake. Alan and Olivia boast of receiving a “Golden Plume” invitation. Snatching the invitation out of Olivia’s hand, a disappointed Frasier reads it. She assures him that it is no big deal before excitedly saying it is a big deal. Frasier compares their behavior to “giddy children” when he spots his Golden Plume on the floor. They all giddily celebrate their invitation.

As Frasier, Olivia, and Alan prepare to leave for the event, Eve (Jess Salgueiro) recalls them competing to get into the club. Frasier says they beat the system through an alliance. Olivia explains the difference between bragging about someone else versus yourself. She assures them that the three of them are guaranteed Founder’s Society members. Frasier admits to only wanting a place to belong. Alan attributes his desire to be a club member to “Scotch-related gluttony” while Olivia’s is “naked ambition”.  Frasier and Alan tell stories about their Oxford days. The Harvard instructors leave to meet their car when David Crane (Anders Keith) arrives. David pries into Freddy Crane’s (Jack Cutmore-Scott) relationship with Eve. Freddy reminds him that Eve dated his fireman mate before he died. David announces his decision to ask her out. After denying any feelings for Eve, Freddy says Eve is going on 30 while he is still a teenager. David assures him that Eve wants him. Freddy gives him the go-ahead. Freddy listens to David ask Eve out in the hallway. She expresses shock to learn Freddy gave David permission to ask her out.

The Least Dangerous Game – Upon arrival at the event, Olivia stresses the need for them to impress as many members as possible. Alan tries on a vintage gauntlet. Frasier reminds him of the Bullingdon Club disaster. Alan tries to remove the gauntlet but he doesn’t budge. Frasier tries to help when Olivia alerts incoming founders, Dev Sharma (Parvesh Cheena) and Dr. Bowen. Alan hurriedly places the arm with the gauntlet behind his back. Bowen complements Olivia for her psychology department transformation. Olivia attributes it to Frasier who gives Alan the credit. Impressed with their camaraderie, Sharma says not everyone is that supportive. Bowen tells him that he needs to learn how to parallel park. He reminds her that it was on a hill before walking away. Frasier, Olivia, and Alan prepare to drink to their success when they overhear Bowen saying there are only two membership spots open.

Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad?

Olivia reminds Frasier that she hired him. Alan asks which is more important a long-time friendship or an 8-hour “soul-crushing” job. Olivia suggests she and Alan have the strongest bond because their face has never been displayed on a billboard. Frasier says their alliance will at least get two of them club memberships.

Pulling David into Frasier’s apartment, Eve asks Freddy if he approved of David asking her out. Freddy utilizes humor as his defense. She says it is more about David’s approach. Referring to David as a “charmer,” Freddy assures her that it couldn’t be that bad. Demonstrating how he asked Eve out, David prepares to kneel when Freddy orders him to stop. He admits to not being suave like Freddy who has kissed at least four girls. Freddy boasts of being Mr. July, wearing a uniform, and having a full head of hair. Unimpressed, Eve points out that he is at home reading “Little Women”. She urges him to show David how to properly talk to girls. Freddy announces his “gift of game” technique that he will demonstrate. Eve calls him a “loser” before offering to help.

Spotting Dean Melvin, Olivia announces she needs some air. Alan and Frasier agree to wait until she returns to meet Melvin. After she leaves, they race over to greet Melvin who is struggling with a bottle cap. Alan utilizes the gauntlet to remove the cap. Melvin wishes they were around all the time. Upon return, Olivia greets the real Dean Melvin. She says Alan and Frasier believe the waiter will help them get into the club.

Freddy teaches David how to approach a girl. When David greets Eve with “Hello milady,” Freddy blows his whistle. David’s every attempt is a failure. After watching Freddy and Eve’s demonstration, he suggests they are into each other.

Veritas Et Consequentia – The waiter identifies himself as Kevin before pointing to Dean Melvin. Alan and Frasier look over to see Olivia entertaining Melvin. Utilizing his hand trapped in the gauntlet, Alan tries to give her the bird. Kevin says to let him know if they want to get high later. After boasting of being accepted into the club, Olivia claims to have influence on the final membership slot which she will accept bribes. Alan assures her that their friendship is rock solid when Frasier offers up Freddy. Alan agrees to go ice skating with her. Frasier tries to convince Alan to forget the Founder’s Club. He blames Alan for their not getting into the best clubs at Oxford. Alan says the place isn’t so great. Frasier pleads with him to ruin his chance of getting into the club.

In the wine cellar, Alan agrees to help him in exchange for a bottle of vintage Scotch sitting on the mantle. Frasier finds himself lulling over a vintage Chateau Chien Blanc. Alan admits to accidentally locking the door.

At the pub, David is tasked with putting what he learned to the test. After ordering a tonic soda and grenadine on ice, he accidentally meets Saara (Cheyenne Perez). He admits to being nervous. She explains how she calms down by reciting the state capitals. He tells her that he recites the U.S. presidents. They both sniff old books to calm their nerves. He invites her to the nearby used bookstore. She readily accepts. David promises Eve and Freddy that he will do better the next time. Saara says, “Milady” before they are off to the bookstore.

Alan knocks the vintage Scotch off the mantle into Frasier’s hands. Frasier asks if he cares about anything. Alan confesses to deeply caring about Frasier and his cat. He apologizes for mucking up Frasier’s opportunity to get into the club. Frasier stresses the need to belong somewhere. Alan asks why he can’t be satisfied with good enough. Frasier denies being mad at him. Alan admits to lying about the door to give them time to “hash it out” when Melvin approaches inviting Frasier to join the Founder’s Society. Frasier accepts.

Replacing the gauntlet on the shelf, Alan puts on the metal helmet. The episode ends.

 

Frasier Review

Frasier has always desired to belong to a club. In their Oxford days, Alan’s stunts kept them from getting into the best clubs. A Golden Plume invitation may be the answer. Olivia and Alan also receive invitations to Harvard’s elite Founder’s Society. They all agree to boost each other instead of themselves. Everything is going as planned until they discover there are only two membership slots available. Olivia convinces them that Kevin, a waiter, is the Dean of Harvard. While they entertain Kevin, she impresses Dean Melvin enough to extend her a club invitation.

Frasier convinces Alan to forget about the Founder’s Society for a bottle of vintage Scotch. Alan lures Frasier to the society’s wine cellar and pretends to have accidentally locked the door. Alan gets his vintage Scotch which they both agree has a terrible taste. He confesses to deeply caring about Frasier and his cat. Frasier is no longer mad at him. Alan shows him that the wine cellar doesn’t have a door. Melvin extends Frasier an invitation to the Founder’s Society.

Eve tasks Freddy to teach David how to talk to girls. After several failed attempts with Eve, they take him to the pub. Oblivious to his success, David scores a date with Saara. They visit a used bookstore to sniff old books to calm their nerves.

For the most part, the jokes hit the mark. The writer(s), crew, and cast continue to produce humorously clever content. Definitely worth watching. The episode deserves a 6.8. Get more Frasier recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more. Join our forum to discuss the latest celebrity happenings and TV series.