Something Borrowed, Someone Blue
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article may not be compliant with the content policies of Wikipedia. To be compliant, it must be written from a neutral point of view, must be attributable to reliable sources free of original research, and must be encyclopedic. |
| Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page. | |
| “Something Borrowed, Someone Blue” | |
|---|---|
| Frasier episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 07 Episode 167 & 168 |
| Guest stars | Anthony LaPaglia (Simon Moon), Jane Adams (Dr. Mel Karnofsky), Brooks Almy (Mrs. Richman), Saul Rubinek (Donny Douglas), Millicent Martin (Gertrude Moon) , Teri Ralston (Miss Carney), Tom Byrd (Tim Webb), Rob Klingman (Bartender), Anthony Montgomery (Waiter), Cameron Dye (Nigel Moon) |
| Written by | Christopher Lloyd, Joe Keenan |
| Directed by | Pamela Fryman |
| Production no. | 40571-167 & 40571-168 |
| Original airdate | 18 May 2000 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "The Dark Side of the Moon" | "And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon (Part I)" |
"Something Borrowed, Someone Blue" is the title of the two-part season finale of the seventh season of the American NBC television sitcom Frasier. It is significant in that it brings to a climax the romantic character arc between Niles Crane and Daphne Moon, a significant running plotline for the first seven years of the show's production.
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
[edit] Plot outline
The episode was originally broadcast in a one-hour format, but has frequently been repeated and syndicated in two parts.
[edit] Part I
Two days before Daphne's wedding to Donny Douglas, Frasier, Daphne, Niles and Mel (Niles' girlfriend) return to Frasier's apartment, having attended the funeral of the building's doorman, Maurie. They are greeted by Roz, who comes bearing a gift for Daphne; a garter to wear as part of her wedding dress, so that she has 'something borrowed' in keeping with tradition. Upon receiving it, Daphne bursts into tears; she has been emotional all week, and it's not just because of the funeral. Everyone merely assumes, however, that she is suffering from wedding jitters. Finally calming down, she shows Roz the wedding seating plan; much to Roz's displeasure, she is seated next to an old boyfriend, and has no intention of appearing dateless. Nevertheless, she spurns Frasier's offer to accompany her, on the grounds that it would be like going to the Prom with a brother (causing both Frasier and Niles to defensively protest that they did not attend the Prom together, but went stag... together).
Martin then returns to the apartment, bearing a final gift from Maurie; a rare bottle wine retrieved from France following the Second World War. Maurie had saved the bottle his entire life, waiting for a special occasion to drink it; the fact that he never found one gives everyone in the apartment pause for thought about seizing the gift of life, but they are all nevertheless relieved by a knock on the door when it looks like Frasier is about to start reciting parables. The newcomer is Simon Moon, Daphne's obnoxious and boorish brother, in town for the wedding. Neither Roz nor Frasier are pleased to see him, Roz because Simon previously stood her up, and Frasier because it appears that Simon is intending to grace the apartment with his (unwelcome) presence. Thankfully, Martin agrees to allow Simon to stay in his Winnebago instead.
Niles and Mel prepare to leave; they are going to a cabin in the woods as a mid-week retreat to celebrate their six-month anniversary. As Mel goes on ahead, Niles confesses that he feels anxious about their relationship; Mel has been pressing for the two to move in together, but Niles doesn't feel ready for that step. Frasier suggests that Niles' reluctance stems from lingering feelings he has for Daphne, a suggestion Niles is quick to shoot down, claiming to be over his crush on Daphne. Frasier then reminds Niles of Maurie and his wine, urging his brother to seize the moment and move on from his habitual sense of caution. Inspired, Niles leaves.
As a wedding gift, Martin gives Daphne the bottle of wine, causing Daphne to break down once more. As Martin leaves to help Simon move in, Frasier is left to comfort Daphne... and Daphne takes the opportunity to reveal the real reason for her highly emotional state. She knows about Niles' seven-year crush on her. Frasier is enraged to hear that Niles' secret has been blurted out, furiously demanding to know the identity of the 'nattering gossip' who revealed the secret - and is thus most alarmed to hear that it was, in fact, himself. Daphne, however, has more pressing concerns; having tormented herself with her own feelings towards Niles, she has fallen in love with him, but is agonized about what to do regarding it - not least because she is getting married in two days, and there is no guarantee that Niles continues to feel that way for her anymore. Frasier nevertheless urges her to confront Niles and discuss this with him before her marriage... before revealing that, unfortunately, he's gone away for the evening.
The next day, Daphne nervously overindulges on chocolate chip cookies whilst waiting for Niles to come around the apartment. Her mood is not improved by Simon, who cheerfully informs the room about her various previous romantic entanglements before insinuating that her reason for marrying Donnie stems from her being 'in the family way'. As Frasier carries Daphne to the elevator in order to prevent her from doing serious physical harm to her brother (and thus revealing the whole tangled affair to Mrs. Richmond, an eavesdropping neighbour), Roz (who had returned to grovel before Frasier to be her wedding date, having found no one else) very reluctantly agrees to go to the wedding with Simon.
Niles enters the apartment, about to explode with excitement; he has, on impulse, married Mel, having followed Frasier's advice in a greatly unanticipated fashion. As Martin reels from the shock, Daphne and Frasier return, causing Frasier to try and get Martin out of the apartment (so that Daphne can talk to Niles) and Martin to try and get rid of Daphne (so that she won't hear about the wedding, and thus believe Niles and Mel to be upstaging her and Donny). It is Frasier who wins the battle... and is thus most aghast when he learns what has happened. Storming back into the apartment, he manages to interrupt Daphne and Niles before anything can be discussed, and sends Daphne away in order to discuss the wedding. Mel arrives, and despite Niles' desire to keep the secret from Daphne, obliviously and insensitively blurts it out when Daphne re-enters the room. Daphne appears to take the news well, warmly congratulating the two, before leaving the apartment... and, heartbroken, breaking down in tears in the elevator...
[edit] Part II
Frasier arrives at the luxurious hotel where Daphne and Donny's wedding will take place, hoping to speak to Daphne about recent events. As Donny leaves the room to bolster his strength for finally meeting Daphne's mother (and to comfort Roz, who has had to endure a trip up to the resort in the Winnebago with Simon and Daphne's relatives), Frasier takes the opportunity to apologise to Daphne for recent events, having had no idea that Niles would take his advice to heart in such an extreme fashion. Daphne brushes it off, claiming to be in love with Donny, and to thank him for his concern and friendship, gives him the rare bottle of wine that Martin gave to her.
As they embrace, Daphne's overbearing and hypercritical mother Gertrude bursts in, taking the opportunity to thank 'Donny' for finally getting her daughter away from 'that horrible Dr. Crane', who constantly interrupts her phone conversations. Realizing her mistake, she is no less critical about the real Donny, and bitterly complains about the resort and her husband's stress levels before storming out - leaving Daphne thankful that she wasn't in one of her dark moods.
That night following the reception dinner, as Daphne's brothers show themselves a good time (and become increasingly rowdy), Frasier and Martin escape to the lounge bar. Martin takes this opportunity to inquire about Daphne - he knows there's been something up, and Frasier reveals that Daphne knows about Niles (cravenly blaming Roz for revealing it), and that she possesses feelings towards him. Frasier confesses that he doesn't believe either Daphne or Niles when they claim to be over each other, leading Martin to warn him about interfering--two marriages are at stake.
Donny and Daphne join the two for a drink, leading Martin to reveal that his favourite beer, Ballantines, will no longer be produced... and, clearly referring to Daphne, muses on how sad it is when something so treasured and beloved leaves after so long. Niles and Mel, also fleeing from the increasingly rowdy party, join them, and as Donny invites Mel to dance Niles and Daphne find themselves left alone. Deciding to dance as well, the two melt into each other's arms, unwittingly revealing their true feelings in their intimate embrace and the secret, longing gazes they send to each other... unaware that Frasier is watching the whole thing.
Finally cornering Niles, Frasier takes him up to his room, revealing that he cannot stay silent any more. Despite Frasier having watched them dance, Niles continues to deny that he is still in love with Daphne... until Frasier reveals that Daphne knows how he feels towards her. Outraged that Frasier would try to poison his new marriage like this, Niles makes to leave, but is stopped short when he learns that there is a possibility Daphne shares his feelings. Niles, naturally, is tormented between his marriage to Mel and his feelings to Daphne, but resolves to talk to Daphne about it... who, by chance, is passing the room at that moment, with Donny.
Alone with Daphne, Niles confesses that Frasier has told him of their conversation. Agitated, Daphne refuses to discuss the matter - but is stopped short when Niles finally tells her that he loves her. Before they can discuss anything, however, they are constantly interrupted; firstly by Martin, then by Donny (who has developed a boil on his foot), then by Mel (who wants to discuss honeymoon arrangements with Niles), and then by Daphne's entire family (who, having been kicked out of the bar, decide to throw the party in Frasier's room instead).
Escaping the party to the balcony, the two stand together awkwardly, Niles chattering about the scent of the breeze to make the moment last a little longer... until Daphne takes action, and the two share their first kiss. It would seem that Daphne can finally call him 'Niles', not 'Dr. Crane'... but Daphne disagrees. They have made too many commitments to too many people, and no matter how they feel about each other, they can't back out of them now. Tearfully, Daphne bids 'Dr. Crane' goodnight and slips away, leaving Niles alone.
The next morning, as the wedding is set to take place, Niles sits in the front cabin of the Winnebago, heartbroken. As this is one wedding he probably won't be able to bear without weeping hysterically and rending his clothes, Martin and Frasier join him... Frasier bringing with him the rare bottle of wine. He has been wondering what he can use it to toast, and has decided to honour Niles taking a brave chance in revealing his feelings to Daphne. Over Niles' objections, the bottle is opened, and the three men prepare to enjoy a glass... only to discover that the wine is undrinkable. Unfortunately, Maurie kept his winerack in the building's boiler room. The two men leave to attend the wedding, leaving Niles alone with his thoughts... until a knock at the door rouses him, and he turns to see Daphne, before him in full wedding dress, asking him if he wants to go on a date. She has chosen him after all, and as the two prepare to flee the wedding (and the doubtlessly annoyed people attending it), Daphne realizes that she can finally call him 'Niles'.
[edit] Miscellanea
- This episode sees the end of the Niles / Daphne / Donny romantic triangle that began in 'To Tell the Truth'. Although the consequences of their actions will be explored in the next season, Daphne and Niles will remain a couple for the rest of the series.
- This episode introduces Daphne's overbearing mother Gertrude, played by Millicent Martin. Although her father is mentioned, he will not be seen until Season 9.
- The title is a play on the traditional wedding verse indicating what a bride should wear on her wedding day in Western cultures. The full rhyme (including the final line, not traditionally referred to in the United States) is thus:
-
- Something old, something new
- Something borrowed, something blue
- And a lucky sixpence in her shoe.
[edit] Memorable quotes
- [On learning that Daphne has found out Niles' secret]
Frasier: [Furious] Somebody blabbed, didn't they? Why can't people just keep their mouths shut?! Who was it - Dad? Roz?
Daphne: You.
Frasier: What?! - Daphne: Dr. Crane, I haven't answered your question.
Niles: I know, that's why I keep talking. That way, even if I don't get the answer I want, I can still make this moment last a little longer. - [After Daphne has just kissed him passionately]
Niles: I think you can call me 'Niles' now. - [As Daphne and Niles prepare to drive away from the wedding]
Niles: Fasten your seatbelt, Daphne.
Daphne: Fasten yours, Niles.
