A Crane's Critique (Frasier)

"A Crane's Critique"
Frasier episode
Episode no. Season 4
Episode 04
Directed by Jeff Melman
Written by Dan Cohen & F.J. Pratt
Original air date 22 October 1996
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Impossible Dream"
Next →
"Head Game"
List of Frasier episodes (Season 4)

A Crane's Critique is the fourth episode from the fourth season of American sitcom Frasier.

Contents

Cast and characters

Plot outline

From an outdoor table at the Café Nervosa, Frasier and Niles spy someone they recognize across the street. The man is T.H. Houghton, an author they idolized from childhood, whose one and only work was a landmark novel called Time Flies Tomorrow. They try to seize the opportunity to speak to him, depositing their father at a nearby sports bar, where he begins to watch the Mariners game. They return later to find him conversing with T. H. Houghton himself. It transpires that he is visiting Seattle and knows few people, but has much in common with Martin. He also hates talking about his work. These two truths prove a source of great frustration for Frasier and Niles, with increasing frequency as Martin and Houghton spend more time together. Then one day, Martin has plans to go to a Mariners game with Houghton, but when he calls round to Frasier's apartment first, he accidentally leaves his satchel behind. It contains a manuscript of his new book, The Chameleon's Song. When they discover this, Frasier and Niles cannot resist the temptation to read it, but are unable to cover their tracks before Martin and Houghton return. Martin is furious and embarrassed, but Houghton's reaction is ultimately not what any of them expect.

Cultural and historical references

See also