The Last Time I Saw Maris
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| Frasier episode | |
|---|---|
| “The Last Time I Saw Maris” | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 08 |
| Guest star(s) | Patrick Kerr (Noel Shempsky) Irene Olga Lopez (Marta) Paul Mazursky (Voice of Vinnie) |
| Writer(s) | Ian Gurvitz |
| Director | Phillip Charles Mackenzie |
| Production no. | 40571-057 |
| Original airdate | 28 November 1995 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "The Adventures of Bad Boy and Dirty Girl" | "Frasier Grinch" |
"The Last Time I Saw Maris" is the title of the eighth episode of the third season of the American television sitcom Frasier. It is notable as being the start of a running storyline in which Niles Crane and his unseen wife Maris began a separation period.
Contents |
[edit] Main cast and characters
Kelsey Grammer - Frasier Crane
David Hyde Pierce - Niles Crane
John Mahoney - Martin Crane
Jane Leeves - Daphne Moon
Peri Gilpin - Roz Doyle
[edit] Plot outline
Frasier's show - in which a Lothario calls wondering if he's left a pinky ring in the home of one of his numerous conquests, and in which Roz learns that she is the subject of a petition organized by her not-so-secret admirer Noel, designed to immortalize her in Star Trek as a four-breasted alien queen called 'Rozalinda' - is interrupted by urgent news; Maris has gone missing without trace. Frantic, Niles is convinced that she's been kidnapped; she has been missing for three days (naturally, on knocking on Maris' bedroom door and receiving a frosty silence in return, Niles assumed all was well), and there has been no note or word of any kind.
Plans to sweep the koi pond, however, are put on hold when Maris' recent credit card transactions are checked; no restaurants have been charged, meaning that she is still alive. The other charges indicate that she is merely indulging in a shopping expedition in New York, and Niles is relieved that she is alright. Frasier, on the other hand, is subdued and annoyed, and he points out Maris' lack of concern in going on a shopping spree without leaving word, causing Niles a great deal of stress.
Reminding Niles of Maris' previous selfish behaviour and arrogance concerning Niles' side of the family, Frasier disregards Martin's advice to keep out of it and demands that Niles express some kind of emotion. An outbreak of hives is insufficient in this case, and eventually Niles, enraged by Frasier's prodding, smashes a vase. Having expressed his anger towards Frasier, Niles proceeds to vent his spleen at Maris, with the result that numerous items of crockery - and a wedding present from Martin - are smashed into pieces. Niles' triumph of self-expression, however, is shortlived, as Maris is seen coming up the driveway and he is immediately thrown into panic by the mess. Frasier, however, persuades Niles to stand up to Maris for a change, show her the mess and confront her about her selfishness.
Later, Niles celebrates his triumph at Frasier's, where he recounts Maris' excuse - an impromptu shopping spree - and delights in recalling how he demanded an apology from her. The telephone rings, and he calmly answers it, acknowledging what Maris says calmly and reasonably. It is not, however, the hoped-for apology - Maris is demanding a divorce.
As Niles has been kicked out, Frasier is made to give up his bed for Niles by Martin as punishment for interfering in his brother's marriage (an interference Martin happily lectures Frasier about repeatedly). Attempting to heal the wounds and make up for what his interference has wrought, Frasier attempts to see Maris and discuss the matter reasonably, but receives a bucket of water in his face and a chasing by her dogs as a reward.
The next morning, Niles is behaving calmly and rationally - a little too much so, as he has already made moves to rent a bachelor apartment and is considering wearing jeans, growing a goatee and joining a gym. Frasier fears that he is repressing his true feelings and not allowing himself to consider what is happening (despite Niles' insistence that he is, in fact, noting them down in his journal).
Frasier is later proved correct when, in saying goodbye to his staff and moving his belongings out, Niles suffers a panic attack and refuses to leave. When Frasier and Martin try to calm him, he emotionally bemoans everything he is giving up - the history and routines he and his wife have. When given an ultimatum by Maris - he can stay if he apologises for everything and accepts that it was all his fault - Frasier urges him not to give into Maris this time, to stand up for himself and say "...I will not let you treat me like this, Lilith! Maris!!"
Having lost all credibility, Frasier implores Martin to step in, but Martin refuses, saying that this is a decision that Niles must make on his own, and no matter what his family will support him. Martin's admirable even-handedness, however, lasts exactly until Niles appears to be going to apologise to Maris - at which point he explodes about how insane that approach is after everything Maris has done. Niles, however, was merely going to get his car keys; and after a last wistful look around his house he leaves, determined not to merely crawl back to Maris this time.
[edit] Trivia
- The episode's title is a parody of The Last Time I Saw Paris, the name of a 1954 film starring Elizabeth Taylor (based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story 'Babylon Revisited') and also of a book by Elliot Paul.
