Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 1 -> Episode 1.06

The Crucible

Frasier has purchased a painting by one of Seattles' hottest painters Martha Paxton. He mentions it on his radio show and before you know it, she's on the phone asking to come round and see it. Hastly, Frasier organises a cocktail party in the paintings honour with Martha as guest of honour but Eddie is licking the food, Martin embarrasses Frasier by showing guests pictures of murder victims and Niles is hot on Daphne's trail. Finally, Martha Paxton arrives but when she sees the painting, she announces to everyone that she didn't paint it. Frasier goes back to the art dealer where he bought the painting and asks for his money back, but he refuses even though it is a fake. Determined to see justice done, he thinks about taking matters into his own hands and goes back to the dealership armed with a brick, but Niles manages to stop him just in time.

- At the party:
Frasier: Where's Maris?
Niles: She's asleep on your bed under the guests coats. She exhausts easily under the pressure to be interesting.

- Niles and Daphne in the kitchen:
Daphne: Dr Crane, were you sniffing my hair?
Niles: Why would I do a thing like that - I'm a happily married man. I love my Maris.
Guest: Where should I put this coat?
Niles: Just throw it on the bed.

- Roz's entry to the party.

- After Martha Paxton says the painting is a fake:
Martin: And you thought I was gonna emabarrass you.

Frasier: God, I hate lawyers.
Niles: Me too, but they make great patients. They have excellent medical insurance and they never get any better.

- After Niles throws a brick through the dealers window, followed by some money:
Niles: We may be barbarians, but we pay for our pillaging.

A wonderful first half with Frasier being especially snobby and then having his world wrecked by learning his prized Martha Paxton painting is a fake with a killer line from Martin that ends the first half. The second half is less amusing but throws up a great moment when Niles learns of his nicknames at school, notably Peachfuzz, and throws a brick throw the shop window in revenge, ending what is an enjoyable if rather average episode.

Rating

73 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 75.7%
Total Number of Reviews: 10