Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 7 -> Episode 7.22

The Dark Side Of The Moon

Daphne is at a therapist's because a judge decided after causing a four car pile up, she needs some anger management. Daphne then explains in flashback how this event occured - it all began with a surprise party thrown by Donny at Niles' apartment. Everyone is playing party games, with Mel in charge, when there is a knock at the door and Donny then introduces the surprise guest - Daphne's favourite brother. Daphne is thrilled that Steven is here but Donny says it's not him. It is in fact Daphne's least favourite brother - Simon Moon, a beer swilling freeloader as everyone is about to find out. Roz, however, develops an instant attraction for him and spends the rest of the party chasing him. However, spilling his drink on Daphne's favourite dress at the party is on the beginning, as Simon then proceeds to make Frasier and Daphne's life a misery after he moves into Frasier's apartment, especially after Frasier finds Simon sleeping naked in his bed!.

Finally, a grateful Daphne has a night to herself but Martin returns from McGintys early after the cable went out, so he's going to watch the game at home. He is soon followed by Frasier, home early from his concert after catching Simon's cold, closely followed by Simon himself and some co-horts he met down at the pub who he has invited back to Frasier's to watch the game. Everyone is ordering Daphne about and she soon can't take any more of their bossing her about, so goes down to the laundry for some peace and quiet. She discovers there that someone has thrown her favourite dress into a puddle of bleach and ruined it. Daphne takes her revenge by taking that person's clothes and strewing them all over the floor. With great timing, Donny has invited his parents over to meet Daphne - and they meet her in a foul mood pouring herself a large whisky. Just then, the lady whose clothes Daphne threw on the laundry room floor arrives prompting Daphne to get even angrier - and so throws her clothes on to the fire and out of the window, causing the 4 car pile up.

The psychiatrist now sees why Daphne felt provoked but is confused on one point - why Daphne was wearing her favourite dress to Niles' apartment if she didn't know Donny was throwing a party there. Just what was she expecting? It is at that point that Daphne realises that she does have feelings for Niles and isn't sure what to do next ......

- Niles' team have to show their Toilet Paper Bridal Gown:
Niles: We're not finished yet.
Martin: You shouldn't have spent so much time with the sketches!

- Martin and Simon seem to be getting along, much to Frasier's dismay:
Daphne: Simon's introduced him to rugby.
Frasier: I really must thank him for that (!). Poor Dad, before he came, had no sport to watch between the hours of 2 and 6am!

- Martin tells Daphne he had a great time a McGinty's with Simon:
Martin: He's a great storyteller. Is it true you wet your pants the first time you saw a Chinese person?

- One of the friends Simon brings back is called Paris:
Martin: Paris? Does that make you French?
Paris: No, but a couple of beers might!

- Daphne returns from the laundry crestfallen as the rest of the guys watch the game:
Daphne: Look at this - my favourite dress ruined!
Everyone: Hooray!!

- Daphne realises she has feelings for Niles:
Daphne: Oh my God - Dr Crane!
Therapist: You know, it might be time to start calling him Niles.

This, the penultimate episode of the season, puts Daphne firmly back in the spotlight after being sidelined for a number of episodes, and a great job Jane Leeves makes of it too. We get to see her in full blown angry mood, and very funny it is too, as everything just gets on top of her. There are also some great moments resulting from the arrival of Daphne's bad-seed brother Simon, most notably the reaction Frasier has when he finds Simon naked in his bed. A good script kept it going to the end, but what raises this enjoyable episode greatly is Daphne's realisation at the end of the episode that she really does have feelings for Niles- quite unexpected and a great cliffhanger on which to start the next episode: the season finale.

Rating

81 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 96.0%
Total Number of Reviews: 4