So from time to time, I get television shows to review that frankly I don’t really follow. However, my wife does, so she grabbed the tenth season of Frasier from me quicker than a crackhead getting a fix at the methadone clinic. I encourage you to peruse and enjoy her literary stylings.
For about 20 years, the character of psychiatrist Frasier Crane gave us awkward humor, taught us about Freud, and was the only character on television who tried to get sherry promoted from cooking liquor to a regular drink.
With the 10th season being the last of Frasier to be released on DVD, we are left to ponder several things: 1. The odd order in which the seasons were released (the final season was released way ahead of several later seasons), and 2. After so many years as Seattle’s radio psychiatrist, what can the 10th season give us that hasn’t already been seen?
I don’t even know why I needed to watch Season 10. I had already read all the transcripts for nearly every season in my spare (read: bored) time at work. Yes, I’m that big of a fan. It’s one of those things where it’s such a harmless, fun program that you can easily watch a marathon of Frasier and still feel like you can watch more. So that’s my quick answer to no. 2 above. Season 10 is just plain fun.
Let me quickly recap the other consistent characters. We have Frasier’s roommate and father, Martin (John Mahoney, Say Anything). Since being shot as a former police officer, Martin moved in with his son. Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves, Seinfeld) is Martin’s physical therapist and was the general apartment maid until she got engaged to Niles (David Hyde Pierce, Hellboy), Frasier’s brother, fellow psychiatrist, and serious doppelganger. Last but not least is Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin), Frasier’s radio show producer and friend.
This season sees 24 episodes on four discs, including (and I can pretty much do this from memory):
Disc 1:
The Ring Cycle: Daphne and Niles decide on a whim to marry in Vegas. Before they break the news to Frasier and Martin, they realize how upset everyone would be to know that they couldn’t see them get married. They conclude the best course of action is to just get married again, three times.
Enemy at the Gate: Frasier gets on his mighty horse as a parking garage attendant tries to charge him for merely turning around within the garage. As Frasier holds his moral stance on the illegitimacy of the parking policy, he also holds up traffic with Niles in the car.
Proxy Prexy: Frasier wants to win this year’s condo board president spot but knows the whole building can’t stand him. He asks his father to be his president puppet. Things go well until Martin thinks he can run the show without Frasier’s help.
Kissing Cousin: Zoey Deschanel (Elf)guest stars as Roz’ younger cousin who visits Seattle. Roz tries to keep up with the twenty-something but finally has to admit she’s old.
Tales From the Crypt: A much funnier episode in the imagination. It’s Halloween and Frasier has arranged a spooky and frightening scene for Bulldog, the station’s obnoxious prankster. However, things don’t go as planned and the joke is on someone else.
Star Mitzvah: It’s Frasier’s son’s bar mitzvah and Frasier has been taught by Noel, the office geek, how to give a speech in Hebrew. Problem is, Noel’s a geek, and he’s been wronged by Frasier, which tempts him to teach Frasier another “language.”
Disc 2:
Bristle While You Work (Pt. 1): Niles finds out he has a heart problem and goes under the knife. The series’ misguided attempt at a serious episode.
Rooms With a View (Pt. 2): Niles is in the hospital. That’s about it.
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (Pt. 3): Niles is scared to return to a regular routine even though the doctor’s cleared him.
We Two Kings: Niles and Frasier find out that Martin’s working Christmas day so they decide to switch the fake gifts at Martin’s office Christmas display with their real gifts, to be able to spend Christmas with him.
Door Jam: Frasier gets a piece of Cam Winston’s mail. Because Cam is one of the most egotistic individuals in Frasier‘s building, he has gotten an invitation to an exclusive spa. Frasier and Niles visit the spa as Cam and friend, and are increasingly frustrated with their low status.
The Harassed: Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives) stars as Julia, a tart, mean, and unfeeling financial analyst for the Seattle radio station where Frasier works. Frasier gets some signals crossed and comes on to her, prompting a sexual harassment seminar.
Disc 3:
Lilith Needs a Favor: Lilith flies in from Boston to ask Frasier for some of his sperm. She wants to have another Crane! Frasier has mixed feelings about having a child with someone he doesn’t love anymore.
Daphne Does Dinner: Frasier and Niles have such bad experiences throwing parties together that Daphne suggests Niles and she throw one as a couple. Frasier is miffed to not be included, but feels a little better when Daphne needs help.
Trophy Girlfriend: Jeanne Tripplehorn (Basic Instinct) guest stars as Frasier’s new tennis partner who quickly becomes his girlfriend. The only problem is that she’s a gym teacher, which brings back some bad memories for Frasier.
Kenny On the Couch: The station manager’s divorce is official and Kenny is down in the dumps, leaving Frasier to help him with therapy.
Roe to Perdition: One of the funniest episodes. When throwing a party, Niles and Frasier find out that the price of caviar has increased astronomically, leading to an under-the-table deal with a random guy who promises the best caviar at a low price. They get greedy and the well dries up, and they’re left to deal with withdrawal.
Disc 4:
Some Assembly Required: Frasier and others take part in a habitat for humanity type project, except Frasier just can’t let go. He tries to tell the new homeowners how to decorate.
Farewell, Nervosa: Frasier’s coffee house, Nervosa, has introduced a singer to enliven the coffee-going crowd. Frasier is beyond upset and searches for a new caffeinated sanctuary.
The Devil and Dr. Phil: Dr. Phil guest stars as Frasier’s former agent’s cash cow. His agent, Bebe, tries to woo Frasier back, promising what Dr. Phil has.
Fathers and Sons: Frasier’s late mother’s male research partner visits Seattle. Martin realizes how alike he is with Frasier and Niles and starts to question his paternity.
Analyzed Kiss: Frasier and hell-spawn, Julia kiss, but Frasier isn’t sure of the reasoning behind it. He tries to get to the bottom of it using his analytical skills. Sometimes a kiss is just a kiss.
A New Position for Roz: Roz has been offered a promotion at another station. She sees Frasier getting closer with Julia and is jealous, but also knows that he deserves better. Roz isn’t sure whether to take the promotion and gives Frasier an ultimatum.
Video
Well, it’s a sitcom; it’s not great, but it’s not horrible.
Audio
See above Video comment.
Special Features
As per usual Frasier seasons, nothing.
Final Thoughts
Season 10 of Frasier gives us more laughs, and isn’t that what it’s meant to do? If you’ve got the other seasons, you’ll probably want to get this one also.
