The Good Son (Frasier)
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| “The Good Son” | |
|---|---|
| Frasier episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 01 |
| Guest stars | Cleto Agusto (Delivery Man) Gina Ravarra (Waitress) Linda Hamilton (Claire) Griffin Dunne (Russell) |
| Written by | David Angell Peter Casey David Lee |
| Directed by | James Burrows |
| Production no. | 40571-001 |
| Original airdate | 4 May 1993 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| – | "Space Quest" |
| List of Frasier episodes (Season 1) | |
"The Good Son" is the official title for the award-winning pilot episode of the television show Frasier. This first episode attempts to both establish the show, introduce the primary characters, and distance itself from its parent, Cheers.
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
Dr. Frasier Crane, formerly of Boston, has recently arrived back in his birthplace of Seattle to restart his life following his painful divorce. He has recently acquired a job presenting a phone-in psychiatry show on the local radio station KACL, where he works with producer Roz Doyle. He is looking forward to restarting his life as a bachelor.
Unfortunately for him, fate—and his younger brother, Dr. Niles Crane—have other plans. His father Martin, a gruff, blue-collar ex-police detective has been invalided out of the police force owing to a hip injury received in the line of duty, which has had such an effect that he can now barely function by himself (although, with characteristic stubbornness, he attempts to anyway). After Martin slips in the shower, Frasier has decided that Martin cannot live by himself, but he cannot live with Niles, either, as he does not get along with Niles' wife Maris (despite Frasier's objection that no one does). The only other alternative, save putting Martin in a retirement home, is for Frasier to take him in.
Reluctant, as he and his father have never had a close relationship, Frasier nevertheless agrees to take Martin in. Unfortunately, he was not counting on Martin bringing along his favorite chair—a tatty old green recliner that does not match Frasier's elegant, eclectic apartment. To make matters worse, he is also bringing along his best friend Eddie, a lively Jack Russell Terrier with a habit of staring at Frasier for hours on end.
Frasier is soon at his wits' end; not only are he and his father clashing frequently, but Frasier is run off his feet trying to take care of Martin. Eventually, Niles agrees to step in and help, not by taking Martin in, but by agreeing to jointly pay for a home health care provider to take care of Martin when Frasier cannot.
Unfortunately, Martin's surly attitude plays against most of the applicants; that is, until he meets Daphne Moon, a friendly and sweet English woman who nevertheless puts Frasier off through her numerous eccentricities—most prominently, the fact that she believes herself to be psychic. Martin, however, has taken a liking to her, and offers her the job, but through a mix-up, she believes the position to be live-in, which means that she will have to move into the apartment.
This is the last straw for Frasier: not only has he had to give up his space to Martin and Eddie, he must now give up more of his space to a complete stranger. A bitter argument between Martin and Frasier ensues, in which Martin (with some justification) accuses Frasier of taking him in merely so that Frasier can feel like he's doing the right thing, and Frasier (also with justification) points out that he's still tried to make a home for Martin, only to have his every effort put down and sneered at without even so much as a thank you. Martin seems to be about to say 'thank you', only to storm off, leaving a distance between the two.
The next day at work, Frasier is complaining about his troubles to Roz, who in turn tells him the story of Lupe Vélez, pointing out that although life might not go the way we plan it to, it can nevertheless work out anyway. Frasier then takes his next call, only to find that it is Martin on the line who, in explaining the problem, apologizes for his ungraciousness. Frasier in turn apologizes for his insensitivity, and Martin finally manages to say 'thank you' ("You hear what I said?! I said 'thank you'!"). Frasier then goes on to take a call from a woman, upset and tearful at the break-up of her relationship; and proceeds to tell her the story of Lupe Vélez...
[edit] Awards
- James Burrows won the DGA Award and the Emmy Award in 1994 for directing the episode.
- The 1994 Emmy Award for Writing in a Comedy Series for this episode went to David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee.[1]
[edit] Trivia
- Lupe Vélez was an actress in the 1930's who committed suicide in 1944. Her suicide was triggered by romantic problems, not the desire to be remembered, as Roz claimed.
[edit] Memorable quotes
- Niles: I thought you liked my Maris!
Frasier: I do - from a distance. The same way you admire the sun. Maris is like the sun - just without the warmth. - Niles: [after reading a retirement home brochure] Golden Acres. We care, so you don't have to.
