Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 10 -> Episode 10.15

Trophy Girlfriend

It's time for the Crane brothers sports club squash tournament, and Frasier is expecting to be teamed with Niles again but he has other ideas: as they have been eliminated in the second round for nine years in a row, Niles has decided to team up with Jim Braggett (something of a poseur) in the hope of doing better. Understandably, Frasier is upset at his brothers actions but luck is at hand when Chelsea Gray, a girls gym teacher, walks into the room. She and Frasier briefly met some time ago and mentions that she is looking for someone to team up with her for the mixed doubles. Frasier is reluctant initially but when he sees her hit a great ball at Jim Braggett he agrees! This decision pays off handsomely when Chelsea and Frasier win the mixed doubles tournament which delights Martin as his son has finally brought home a trophy that doesn't have a book on it, while Niles is a bit jealous of brother's achievements and hopes he can do just as well with Jim. Frasier also admits to Daphne that he has developed a bit of a crush on Chelsea and is worried that she doesn't feel the same, but Daphne manages to convince him to take the plunge and is rewarded with a date with Chelsea when she says yes.

After they have been dating for a while, Niles tells Frasier that he first he couldn't believe he was dating a gym teacher on account of their dreadful experiences they both faced when they were at school but remarks that Chelsea couldn't be more different. Frasier is also enjoying their relationship but things change when he goes to pick Chelsea up at her school and witnesses Chelsea berate a rather fat girl for not trying hard enough to climb the rope. This brings back memories of Frasier's horrible cigar-smoking gym teacher Coach Fuller and as a result he can no longer look at Chelsea without seeing her as his former gym teacher. Will Frasier manage to get past this for the sake of their relationship.......?

- Niles reminds Frasier they have been eliminated from the squash tournament in the second round nine years in a row:
Frasier: Niles, if you're suggesting taking that powder made from sheeps glands, the answer is never again!

- Chelsea and Frasier celebrate their mixed doubles win:
Chelsea: There's no 'i' in team.
Frasier: Like there is in Niles!

- Martin is worried Niles is jealous of his brother's win:
Niles: I'm a bit more grown up than that.
Martin: No you're not - it still bugs you that Frasier's name comes first alphabetically!
Niles: Well, that was your fault!

- Chelsea comes into the cafe but Frasier sees her as Coach Fuller:
Coach Fuller: Hello sweetie!

- Coach Fuller and Frasier hugging and taking a bath.

- Roz and Julia find a way to be friends - by insulting each other:
Julia: You know there's a place down the street that's open all night.
Roz: Just like your mouth?
Julia: Just like your legs?

The idea of Niles dumping Frasier for someone else in the squash tournament is a promising one and there is some good comedy in the first half of the episode. However, when the episode moves on to having Frasier only being able to see Chelsea as his old gym teacher Coach Fuller, the law of diminishing returns applies because while it is funny the first time, it becomes less and less funny in the second and third scenes. That said, it was nice to see Bob Hoskins in a 'Frasier' episode and there was a nice twist at the end where Chelsea could only see Frasier as the kid she berated in gym class. Roz and Julia'a plot about finally finding a level where they can be friends by trading insults with each other was nothing special, leaving us with an amusing but rather run-of-the-mill episode.

Rating

69 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 67.8%
Total Number of Reviews: 5