Frasier

Capt, what would be the best introduction to the show? I was gonna show this to a friend who's never really watched it, but didn't want to start with episodes like "Out With Dad" or "The Ski Lodge." I'm sure they'd be good, but they seem great because of your fondness and familiarity of the characters.

I like how according to those DVDs Frasier slowly turns into a dog.

Here's a good primer to the show

"The Good Son":
As the pilot, it sets up what the show is very well, but it's not a super complicated show to follow and the pace and tone are a little off. In the first few episodes, and the pilot especially, Martin Crane is too gruff. But it is important as the start of the relationship between Frasier and his father.

"Dinner at Eight":
The third episode is arguably better as a "pilot". This is the episode that introduces Niles to Daphne, and his reaction simply one to behold. Niles secretly yearning after Daphne (though it's not a secret to Frasier) would inspire many jokes to follow through many, many episodes. The bulk of the episode is about Niles and Frasier going to a hacky steak restaurant, so this is a good one for laying the groundwork for Martin's relationship to his sons.

"The Show Where Lilith Comes Back"
Lilith doesn't appear in many episodes, but it is important backstory for Fraiser. However, the episode is worth it just for each character's reaction to her character, and it goes toward understanding each character a little better.

"Ham Radio"
Often cited as one of the funniest episodes, it's also one where a background knowledge of characters isn't necessary. It's a zany episode that goes off the rails as Frasier tries to host a radio drama.

"The Two Mrs. Cranes"
Daphne's ex-fiance visits her in Seattle, and she pretends to be married to Niles, who quickly warms up to the idea. However, as more people enter the apartment, and an important fact revealed, the lies spin out of control.

"My Coffee With Niles"
This episode sets up the two brothers and their relationship well. The entire episode is set inside a coffee shop, structured about the simple question, "Are you happy?" Frasier won awards for its writing for its witty, intelligent writing, and if you don't love this episode you probably won't love this show.

"Out with Dad"
It's the comedy of mistaken identity, and what I'd call their best episode ever. Martin has to pretend to be gay, leading to a complicated set of circumstances escalating with each new lie. It's hilarious all throughout, and it works well when you know the characters.

Capt, just watched "Space Quest," and Niles does not meet Daphne yet, and I'm fairly certain you mean the third episode ("Dinner at Eight"), which I'm about to watch. Especially because the "Space Quest" was pretty mediocre.

Yeah I mixed up episodes. I edited the post so people can refer to it.

Let me know when you watch the next episodes. I think the show nearly hits its top form by the end of the first season.

Have you watched Cheers? I'm sure it would be fine if I dove right into Frasier, but I was going to watch Cheers at some point anyway. MAYBE IT WOULD ENHANCE MY FRASIEXPERIENCE.

Or maybe I should just say fuck da police, I mean the rules, and watch them concurrently. Oh, that would be bad. ASS.

I agree with this, although I personally prefer Frasier. Though I only saw the first three seasons of Cheers, and then random episodes throughout the rest of the seasons. Diane and Sam do make separate appearances in Frasier, and he refers to his past, but anything relevant is briefly explained.

I love how this show can occasionally go serious and try to paint the nuances of a sometimes strained -- but strengthening -- parent-child relationship. Martin's call-in to Frasier's show during the pilot was a nice, brief glimpse of this, and so was episode at the steak restaurant where Martin finally chews the boys out for being rude snobs, and as a tribute to him they decide to stick it out and eat the whole damn steak. The sentiment manages not to feel forced, nor undercut when they lighten things up with a joke. I mean, hell, it is a comedy, obvs.

One of my favorite moments of the kind of balancing act they do was when Martin lied to Frasier that the memory of his wife was what was holding him back from pursuing the neighbor he "met" through the telescope, when actually it was a fear about how she'd perceive him and his leg. Martin's a caustic old coot, but he has a real soft spot for Frasier sometimes, and he knows him well enough to know this is an excuse he'd leave alone and respect. This is also a nice showcase of the old man's vulnerability. And it led Martin to a great scene with the eavesdropping Daphne. DOUBLE GOOD SCENE.

The episode about Frasier's mother's affair was my favorite to date so far. I think it might have made me cry. I don't know, it was a long time ago. Last week.

Last episode I saw was the one where Frasier hangs out with the model's kid. Sometimes he's eminently competent as a therapist, but he has his hilariously naive moments when he's out of his comfort zone, and even when he knows better, his vanity often leads him astray, at least for a while. I like it. And I just love the pompous, avuncular "I'm listening."

These are some of my thoughts about Frajer so far.

OH, I also read on the Wye-kuh-pee-DYE-uh that Kelsey Grammar was pretty coked up or drunk or both for a lot of this, which simultaneously saddens and impresses me that he's so good.

So I bought the box set yesterday and am probably going to start watching it tonight on account of my horrible head. (And knowing me, I'll probably get through it quicker than Affro.)
So expect some thoughts soon!

Oooh good, Doc! Let me know what you think of "Guess Who's Coming to Breakfast?" the first episode I gave an A to in S1!

You whaaa?! I think my love for that episode stems from how awkward and cringe-inducing humor is my favorite kind of humor. Frasier's embarrassing behavior is a wonderful reversal on the typical "parent embarrasses the child" trope for extra awkwardness. But "You Can't Tell a Crook" is even better, so there's still hope for you yet.

Ok, so now I'm on season 3! That happened pretty quickly!
I've got holidays coming up, so I'll put up my thoughts on the first and second seasons sometime this week.

... I don't know what they are yet!
How about this: I'll do my full season rankings for seasons 1-2, and after that, I'll do my top 10 for the first 2 seasons.
We're flying through the 3rd season, and I must say that Moon Dance (which is the one I just watched) might be my favourite episode so far.

I'm half way through season 6.
Thoughts:
-THANK GOD FRASIER HAS HIS JOB BACK. He was a pathetic mess without it.
-The Christmas episode was good. Probably the best of the season.
-Otherwise: kind of hating this season.