Taking Liberties (Frasier)

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“Taking Liberties”

Frasier episode

Niles declaring his marriage with Mel is over as he loves Daphne

Episode no.

Season 08
Episode 04

Written by

Sam Johnson, Chris Marcil

Directed by

Kelsey Grammer

Guest stars

Jane Adams (Dr. Mel Karnofsky) , Nicholas Hormann (Alan Murchie), Victor Garber (Ferguson), Noel Conlon (Henry Worth), Heather Ehlers (Lois Fischer), Francis Guinan (Ted Fischer), B.J. Ward (Diane Murchie)

Production no.

40571-176

Original airdate

21 November 2000

Episode chronology
← Previous	Next →
"The Great Crane Robbery"	"Legal Tender Love and Care"

‘Taking Liberties’ is the fourth episode in the eighth series of the American NBC television sitcom Frasier. It is significant in that it brings a close to the ‘Niles / Daphne / Mel Karnofsky’ triangle that have been a significant plot point throughout the seventh and eighth seasons.

1 Main cast and characters
2 Plot outline
3 Trivia
4 See also

[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

Ferguson waking up Frasier

Having decided that it would be inappropriate to continue to use Daphne's services as his housekeeper since she is now dating Niles, Frasier is scanning the 'help wanted' section of the newspaper when Niles arrives at Cafe Nervosa, intent on drowning his sorrows in espresso; he is still trapped in his marriage with Mel, who is still forcing him to act the fool at various social gatherings in return for her promise of a quick, simple divorce, despite it becoming increasingly clear that she spitefully intends to drag it out as long as possible. The latest occasion was at the high-profile funeral of a local luminary, whom Frasier is interested to learn employed a butler whose services are now available. Although both brothers have yearned to employ a butler to serve them and scramble to employ his services, Frasier plays the 'Daphne won't have to work' card - and so it is that Ferguson, a classically trained and refined Englishman from a long line of butlers, comes to live in the Crane household, immediately impressing the family with his polite manner and charming intelligence. Among his earliest successes is his advice to Frasier on appropriate gifts to send the new chairman of the Opera Board, Alan Murchie, to gain his favour and therefore secure a now-vacant place on the Board. He also forms a friendship with Daphne, both sharing a background growing up in England - he is skeptical, however, when hearing of Daphne and Niles' clandestine relationship, believing that social class remains too strong a presence in such relationships, inevitably dooming them to failure.

Ferguson's doubts would seem to be proven when Niles arrives to pick up Daphne to take her to a romantic evening at his apartment, only to have to cancel and run straight to Mel's side at her request. Frasier's gifts to Murchie pay off, meanwhile, and Frasier decides to hold a pre-opera party in which his place on the board will hopefully be sealed. Once again, Ferguson's talents prove essential, both in organising the party and ensuring that Martin is ferried safely out of the way where he will prove no bother. Niles arrives to go on a date with Daphne at all (or at least, to go to the shopping mall with her); unfortunately, Mel, a friend of some of the board members, has been invited along to the party at the last minute. Niles is forced to cancel his plans with Daphne once again and play along, both to appease Mel and as to not jeopardise Frasier's chances with the board. Daphne, who has previously been resigned to being the 'other woman', has taken Ferguson's advice to heart and begins to despair that the charade will never end and that Niles will not risk his social standing for her.

Ferguson consoling Daphne

The party initially progresses smoothly, despite the presence of Roz, who has arrived at the apartment to drop off wrapping paper Frasier bought to support her daughter's kindergarten, and who has taken it upon herself to offload as much as she can to the wealthy members of the board. During conversation, however, Mel rashly agrees that she and Niles will make an appearance at the New Year's Eve party of her friends on the Board and Daphne, who has been reduced to helping Ferguson serve food and drinks, overhears and runs out, upset. This is the last straw for Niles, and he takes Mel aside, demanding that she put an end to the vindictive game she is playing. Mel defiantly refuses, and Ferguson, who has overheard the increasingly heated argument, attempts to save Frasier some embarrassment by discreetly ending the evening. Frasier, however, is unaware of the argument and intending to deliver a speech that will seal the deal for the opera board, prevents him from doing so. Unfortunately, when he begins to speak, the polite silence he receives only makes the shouting match that Mel and Niles are engaged in all the more audible. Niles, infuriated and no longer caring about what anyone else present thinks, tells Mel that he is in love with Daphne and is not going to put her through any more torture; their sham of a marriage is over. After a brief, stunned pause, the members of the board rush to console Mel and storm out of the apartment, ruining Frasier's chances of getting onto the opera board. Daphne and Niles can be together at last and the two decide to celebrate their freedom by going for a walk together. Frasier asks Ferguson what the best way to mend the rift with the board would be, only to learn that Ferguson must tender his resignation; inspired by Niles' example in putting his love for Daphne before his social standing, Ferguson has decided to renew his acquaintance with a certain Lady Westerfield he once let get away. But not before he has drawn his employer one final bath. Fraiser finishes the episode with the line "Carry on Ferguson." A reference to P. G. Wodehouse's Jeeves books.