Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 8 -> Episode 8.03

The Great Crane Robbery

There's a new owner of KACL - a 20 year old dotcom millionaire by the name of Todd Peterson. When he meets Frasier, he tells him he's a big fan of his show. Frasier is, of course, flattered and invites Todd to dinner at his apartment to discuss some new ideas he has for his show. At dinner, Todd admits that being an overnight millionaire has meant being invited to a lot of parties where everyone expects him to know everything about living the high life whereas in reality, he knows next to nothing. This prompts Frasier to offer his services as a guide to the finer things in life, with the prospect of greater things in radio somewhere at the back of his mind, and Todd readily accepts the idea of being mentored by Frasier. At first things go very well, but when Frasier attends Todd's housewarming at the apartment block where Frasier lives, he discovers that Todd has copied the entire layout of his apartment - swiftly followed by having Todd copy the clothes he wears!

Frasier resolves to talk to Todd, and suggests to him that he has to find his own style rather than simply duplicating Frasier's. The conversation leads Frasier to look at his own life, and instead of Todd changing his apartment, Frasier has the idea of finding a new look for his own apartment......Meanwhile, Mel is causing Niles more misery by forcing him to embarass her in public so that people will think Niles drove Mel away.

- Frasier is extolling the virtues of Chez Henri as it is re-opening after the fire there last year:
Frasier: Just goes to show you that a four alarm fire is no match for five star courage! This is Frasier Crane saying goodbye and good mental health.
Roz: Still haven't got a table for opening night?
Frasier: And it's killing me!

- Daphne is annoyed at Niles having to spend more time with Mel:
Niles: Once she gives me the divorce, we can go anywhere we want - Paris, Florence, Rio.
Daphne: How about my room to fold laundry?
Niles: I hear it's lovely this time of year (!)

- The new KACL owner, Todd Peterson, is overawed by Frasier's knowledge:
Todd: Frasier, you really know your stuff. I mean great paintings, cool furniture, African sex toys!!!

- Frasier tells Niles he has become a mentor:
Niles: Good for you - helping the underpriviledged.
Frasier: Actually he's a billionaire.
Niles: Ah - the forgotten minority(!)

- Mel forces Niles to embarrass a man who drinks too much:
Mel: Would anyone like another drink?
Andrew: Well, I'm a little dry.
Niles: Dry?! I know that's not your liver talking!

- Frasier wants his Dad's opinion on his new look apartment:
Martin: Looks great Son.
Frasier: There's nothing here.
Martin: I know (!)

After the disappointing previous episode, this one I thought was much better - a return to something resembling 'normal' 'Frasier' with a good story about Frasier being a mentor to the new station owner boss. The script is smartly written with everyone getting some good lines (except Roz who gets reduced to a near cameo role), which means I enjoyed it rather a lot. The ending was a little disappointing as the episode seemed to stop rather than end, and the Mel/Niles sub-plot felt a little bit forced at times, but despite this the episode was entertaining nonetheless.

NB: I get a lot of e-mails asking me what the music is that plays during the sequence where Frasier is trying out different furniture in his apartment. The piece of music in question is called 'Classical Gas' by Mason Williams.

Rating

78 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 74.5%
Total Number of Reviews: 2