Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 6 -> Episode 6.18

Taps At The Montana

Niles can now afford to get back his prestigious apartment in the Montana - unfortunately the tenant Frasier found to sublet to, Dr MacLowery, has a secret passion for tap-dancing and this has constantly annoyed the other tenants while Niles has been away on a tour of Africa (well, he couldn't tell them he was at the Shangri-La!) - so much so in fact, that the tenants board are having a meeting to decide whether or not to terminate his lease.

Frasier then suggests having a party for all the board members at which Niles can impress them with food and intelligent conversation, and hopefully show them what an asset he is to the building. Things begin well enough but when Niles's bird Baby suddenly dies, Daphne assumes it was the hors d'oeuvres that killed him - which Frasier has just served to the guests. However it turns out it was Daphne's loose earring. So while Daphne hurredly makes some more appetisers, Frasier gets everyone involved in a game of 'Murderer' which takes a decidely morbid twist when the murderer, Mr Probst, chooses that moment to die. Frasier then has to think on his feet so as not to let the other guests know something has happenned. Will he succeed and will Niles get his apartment back.......?

- After Niles has a particularly trying meal out with Frasier:
Martin: Some days it's just not worth getting out of bed.
Niles: At the Shangri-La, it's the highlight of my day - so I can slam it right back into the wall!

- Frasier and Niles meet Dr MacLowery at the Montana:
Dr McCloud: I figured if I didn't dance, I'd go crazy.
[He launches into an over the top dance routine]
Niles: I'm not sure he caught it in time (!)

- At Niles's party:
Daphne: Lucky my earring didn't fall into the punch - someone could have choked.
Frasier: Yes - nothing says "Party" quite like a tracheotomy!

- After Roz reports one of the board members pinched her:
Niles: It's not working - people aren't mixing, people are pinching....
Frasier: Calm down!

- After Frasier starts clearing the appetisers into the bin:
Niles: Frasier, are there any hors d'oeuvres left?
Frasier: This intrepid little crab puff has survived - all I need now is a very sharp knife and 16 toothpicks (!)

An episode that shares many similarities to Season 4's 'To Kill A Talking Bird' as it sees Niles return to his apartment at the Montana, only to find himself trying (again) to impress the tenants board this time to try and stop them rescinding his lease! Somewhat predictably, things don't go to plan but despite the fact that party sequence felt like it dragged in places, David Lloyd still manages to create an entertaining episode - I liked the way Martin tries to fend off the amorous affections of Mrs Latimer and Roz's reaction to discovering she's been lying next to a dead Mr Probst. Good all round fun, then, even if never tops the farcical brilliance of 'To Kill A Talking Bird'

Rating

79 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 76.0%
Total Number of Reviews: 3