Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 2 -> Episode 2.05

Duke's, We Hardly Knew Ye

Niles comes to Frasier with an exciting proposition - go halves with him in an investment in a property development company called Meadow Wood Properties. At first reluctant, Frasier eventually agrees. That evening, Martin invites both Frasier and Niles to Duke's for a beer - they are initially shell-shocked. Not even their mother had been to Duke's, leading Frasier and Niles to search for reasons why they have been invited and come up with none. Once there, however, everyone is friendly and jovial towards them, even though they seem out of place. Then Martin launches into a toast - 'to those heartless bastards at Meadow Wood Properties who are tearing this joint down'.

Frasier and Niles try and get out of the deal but find that they can't. Frasier is convinced that he can live with the guilt, but finds it tough going until he actually tells his father the truth. Initially angry, he soon comes to terms with his loss, and both father and son go down to Duke's for one last drink before the demolition team begin. As Martin finally says goodbye to the place, Niles rushes in determined to stand in the way and not let them tear down the bar. His commendable stance soon evaporates, though, when the demolition of the bar begins.....

- Niles walks in as Roz is spitting raisins into a cup:
Niles: I see all those years at finishing school really paid off (!).
-Roz spits a raisin at Niles.

- Martin is cutting out coupons from the newspaper:
Martin: Hey look at this - 25% off Butter Buds Imitation Butter.
Frasier: My - I can almost taste that scampi now (!).

- Daphne is wearing a new fragrance 'Forbidden', and Niles arrives.
Niles: Is that 'Forbidden'?
Frasier: In every sense of the word!

- Frasier and Niles attempt to work out why Martin invited them to Duke's:
Niles: Duke's is where he goes to escape the stresses, strains and petty annoyances of everyday life.
Frasier: In other words - us!

- At Duke's:
Duke [to Frasier]: We all felt terrible when we found out your wife was screwing around behind your back. What was her name again?
Rest of the bar: Lilith!

- After discovering they can't get out of the deal:
Niles: You mean you can look Dad in the eye, day after day, knowing you have destroyed his sanctuary. You can live with that?
Frasier: You forget I married Lilith - I can live with anything!

A really nice episode that deals touchingly with Martin losing what is perhaps his second home. There are also some vey funny moments throughout the episode, such as the moment when Frasier and Niles find out they have invested in the company tearing down Duke's, and also some nice one liners too. The episode is a little drawn out towards the end, but has a suitably emotional ending as Martin finally says goodbye to Duke's.

Rating

79 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 78.5%
Total Number of Reviews: 2