Bad Dog (Frasier)
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| Frasier episode | |
|---|---|
| “Bad Dog” | |
| Episode no. | Season 05 Episode 18 |
| Guest star(s) | Robin May Florence (Waitress), Thomas J. Reilly (Father O'Rourke), Peg Stewart (Mrs. McCloud), Christopher M. Brown (Bulldog's Engineer), Robert Ruth (Coach Nugent), Michelle Crispin (Bulldog's Date), Ashley West Leonard (Customer # 1), Jill Matson (Customer # 2), Doug Hance (Joey Katona), Peggy Miley (Bernice Briscoe) |
| Writer(s) | Suzanne Martin |
| Director | Pamela Fryman |
| Production no. | 40571-109 |
| Original airdate | April 7, 1998 (U.S.A) |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "The Perfect Guy" | "Frasier Gotta Have It" |
Bad Dog is the eighteenth episode in the fifth series of the American television sitcom Frasier.
Contents |
[edit] Main cast and characters
Kelsey Grammer – Dr. Frasier Crane
David Hyde Pierce – Dr. Niles Crane
John Mahoney – Martin Crane
Jane Leeves – Daphne Moon
Peri Gilpin – Roz Doyle
Dan Butler - Bob 'Bulldog' Briscoe
[edit] Plot outline
Whilst waiting in line at Cafe Nervosa (the line being extremely long after yet another pernickety suggestion by Frasier) a conversation between Bulldog, Frasier and Roz about the up-coming SeaBee radio awards - and the extremely embarrassing maternity dress that the pregnant Roz must wear - is interrupted when Frasier spots a man who appears to have a gun. In the resulting chaos that follows, it appears that Bulldog is a hero when he pulls Roz out of the way, causing the gunman to flee. Bulldog is hailed as a hero by the other patrons of the cafe.
When Frasier returns home that night, as well as having to put with Niles attempting to broadcast the news of his own (extremely minor) SeaBee nomination, he learns that Bulldog's heroics have made it onto the news. This outrages him, as he was seemingly the only witness to what actually occurred; rather than bravely pushing Roz out of the way, Bulldog in fact cowardly attempted to use her as a human shield, only happening to knock his coffee onto the gunman, thus defusing the robbery attempt entirely by accident. Frasier is disgusted that Bulldog would knowingly accept praise for something that he didn't do, whilst Daphne is annoyed that Bulldog would receive a lifetime of free muffins as a reward, knowing full well that he doesn't eat them.
The next day at work, Frasier's anger only increases at the fawning way in which Roz and everyone treats Bulldog, and especially the way Bulldog arrogantly milks his 'heroism'. Angrily confronting Bulldog with the truth, Frasier decides not to reveal it to everyone, but will instead wait for Bulldog's conscience to get the better of him. As Bulldog learns (on-air) that he will receive a special 'Man of the Year' award for his actions, Frasier confidentally expects Bulldog to confess on-air as a result. Naturally, Bulldog merely accepts the award as being owed to him.
At home, whilst Daphne and Niles practice for Niles' award (with Niles eagerly encouraging the 'tradition' of the presenter hugging and kissing the winner), Frasier returns home, still troubled by Bulldog's actions. He insists that is not so much Bulldog's hypocrisy he is angered by, but the idea of a sane man genuinely displaying no conscience for his actions. Daphne, however, knows the meaning of conscience, resulting in a slightly disconcerting expose into her psyche for the Crane boys. Attempting to reassure Frasier, the others assert that Bulldog's lack of conscience may just be a front, and that he may privately be riddled with guilt. Frasier seems to accept this - although, of course, he has to leave and check anyway.
Bulldog, meanwhile, is completely guilt-free (and is even enjoying himself with a pair of sisters). Frasier is utterly astounded, as Bulldog seems to have no trouble whatsoever with what he did, and even dismisses using a pregnant woman as a human shield as a 'little thing'. Frasier leaves, but not without declaring that if he has anything to do with it, there will be no way that Bulldog can accept the Man of the Year award.
The evening of the award ceremony arrives, and as Roz bemoans the fact that her maternity dress makes her look like a disco ball, and Daphne muses on the origins of the saying 'monkey suit', Niles learns that he is not in the main ballroom, but is seated with the rest of the technical awards in the Napolean Room (named as the ceilings are so low). Frasier, meanwhile, has been making preparations for Bulldog's award, and intends to make it memorable...
Neither Frasier nor Niles win the awards for which they were nominated (although Niles was frequently mistaken for the waiter, being the only person present at the technical awards wearing black tie). Frasier, meanwhile, is unconcerned, as he is utterly obsessed with the Man of the Year awards, which will be presented at the end. Repeatedly stressing the honour of the occasion, Frasier has arranged for Bulldog's childhood parish priest, his second grade teacher, his peewee football coach, the president of his fanclub and even his mother in an attempt to shame Bulldog into revealing the truth. Expectantly, Frasier leaves Bulldog to his speech... only for Bulldog to shamelessly accept the award.
Frasier is apoplectic at this; Bulldog is a coward and a liar, and refuses to display any shame for his actions. And to make matters worse, he's being rewarded for it. It is the last straw, but not only for Frasier; finally driven to the end of his patience with Frasier's obsession with the subject, Martin yells out that there's someone with a gun in the audience aimed at Bulldog as he is triumphantly passing the table. In the brief panic that follows, Bulldog immediately attempts to use his own mother as a human shield - in full view of everyone in the room. The truth about Bulldog's cowardice and hypocrisy is finally exposed to the outraged audience, and there is uproar. And as Bulldog is stripped of his award and attacked by both Roz and his own mother for his actions, Frasier, finally content that justice has been served, settles back to watch.
[edit] Trivia
[edit] Memorable quotes
- Martin: I'm not a hero. I just wanted you to shut up.
