Frasier Online Episode Guide: Episode 9.15

Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 9 -> Episode 9.15

Wheels Of Fortune

Episode Details

Written by: Ken Levine & David Isaacs

Directed by: Jerry Zaks

Original US airdate: 26th February 2002

Original UK airdate: 12th April 2002

Cast Information

Main Cast

Frasier Crane	....	Kelsey Grammer
Niles Crane	....	David Hyde Pierce
Martin Crane	....	John Mahoney
Daphne Moon	....	Jane Leeves
Roz Doyle	....	Peri Gilpin

Recurring Cast

Guest Cast

Blaine Sternin	....	Michael Keaton
Audience Member No. 1	....	Kari McGee
Audience Member No. 2	....	Richard Redlin
Audience Member No. 3	....	Janet Song

Guest Callers

Episode Synopsis

Roz gives Frasier a message she got while his show was on - it's from a Blaine Sternin. Frasier is instantly shocked and tells Roz to phone him back and tell him he's dead! We then learn that Blaine is Lilith's half-brother, and has a reputation for conning people (Frasier, in particular) out of their money, with Frasier particularly angry about Blaine stealing a treasured trinket of his. When Frasier arrives home, he is informed that Blaine has phoned to announce her is in Seattle and is coming to visit - much to Frasier's annoyance - and there is also a package: the trinket that was stolen by Blaine. Enclosed is also a note that proclaims he is a changed man, something which Frasier refuses to believe. A knock at the door follows - it's Blaine, who is now in a wheelchair thanks to an accident. This prompts the rest of Frasier's family to start to believe that he has changed, especially when he announces that he is now a preacher.

Later on that evening, Frasier talks to Blaine alone and asks him what he wants: Blaine replies he wants Frasier to forgive him. Frasier reluctantly agrees, on the condition that he never set foot inside his home ever again - but then Daphne invites him to stay for dinner, during which Blaine reveals that he is holding a preaching session the next day and invites everyone to come and see him in action, to finally show that he is a changed man. Frasier is still unconvinced, and so tries to get hold of the doctor who treated Blaine after his accident before he goes to see Blaine preach but is only able to leave messages for him. While watching Blaine preach, and seeing everyone fall under his spell, Frasier decides enough is enough and goes up on stage to denounce Blaine as a co-merchant before pushing him out of his wheelchair, just as the doctor who treated Blaine calls back. Frasier, having been proved wrong, forgives Blaine and gives him back the trinket he once stole from him as a goodwill gesture. However, Frasier is about to learn that Blaine's con-merchant days are not quite behind him......

Episode Title Cards

That's How They Talk In Sweden

Episode Highlights

- Roz tells Frasier that someone left him a message:
Roz: A Blaine Sternin called.
Frasier: Blaine Sternin? Call him back - tell him I'm dead!!

- Frasier reads Blaine's note saying that he is a changed man:
Frasier: He must think I've got turnips growing out of my ears!

- Daphne is shocked at Frasier's attitude towards Blaine:
Daphne: Dr Crane, he's in a wheelchair.
Frasier: Which means that someone somewhere is missing a wheelchair!

- Blaine tells everyone he is a preacher, explaining he is in partnership with the Lord:
Frasier: What genius - the Lord! A credible partner who doesn't take a cut!

- After Blaine sticks a fork in his leg to prove he is paralysed:
Martin: Blaine, can I take a photo of you with a fork in your leg.

- Frasier is told the doctor who treated Blaine is busy:
Frasier: Too busy to talk to Dr Frasier Crane, from [switching to German accent] 'de Nobel Prize Committee'

- Frasier acknowledges he was wrong about Blaine:
Frasier: There's a lesson learned.
Martin: Don't throw a guy out of a wheelchair - who knew (?!)

Frasier Online Episode Review

Michael Keaton guest stars in this episode as Blaine Sternin, but the real stars are the writers, Kevin Levine and David Isaacs, who having written for 'Cheers' and 'Frasier' show they know how to write a great episode. This is a hugely funny, laugh out loud episode that has Kelsey Grammer being funnier than he has been for ages, as he gets to vent his anger at every turn over Blaine's claims that he has changed. There is also a great ending as well when we discover Blaine manages to get the better of Frasier one more time, which is perhaps a little predictable after Frasier finally forgives Blaine, but I can forgive this as it doesn't really spoil what is a rather good episode.

Rating

82 %

Latest Viewer Episode Review

Avg. Viewer Review: 79.2%
Total Number of Reviews: 6

The Wheel Turns, Aug 20, 2009

Reviewer: David Sim from Skelmersdale, Lancashire

Quite a fun little episode this. Its definitely a choice morsel in a lean Season 9. Thanks to a cast on top form. A grand, scene-stealing guest turn from Michael Keaton. And best of all, a surprise one-off (until Season 11) return to the writing staff from co-writers Ken Levine and David Issacs.

Its a pity they didn't stick around more often instead of dipping in and out of the show from season to season, because they definitely know how to write great Frasier. Everything comes together well in this breezy, very enjoyable episode. Its a sweet cocktail.

After a dog of a show, Roz drops a bombshell in Frasier's lap. Blaine Sternin is in town. He's Lilith's half-brother, and black sheep of the family ("What does it say when Lilith is the white one?"). He's a con-man with a silver tongue and a snake-oil haircut. And he's an master at separating Frasier from his money.

Frasier is sure Blaine's got some scheme up his sleeve. And he wants Frasier to put up the funds for it. But when Blaine arrives at his apartment, Frasier's in for a shock. Blaine is in a wheelchair. After a car accident, he lost the use of his legs. And he had a religious conversion. Now he only wants to help his fellow man. Frasier's not buying it for a second. And goes to any lengths to prove that Blaine is a leopard that will never change his spots.

Wheels of Fortune gets a lot of mileage from Frasier's dismissal of Blaine's transformation. It throws up plenty of great lines of dialogue. And one thing that's welcome about this episode is that no annoying subplots drag it down. Ken Levine & David Issacs are smart enough to know that the main story is good enough to carry the episode on its own. And it does. Right to the finish line. Its an episode that could easily have fit into anyone of the earlier seasons.

This is also the second time we've had a story about a man in a wheelchair. The other one was Season 3's The Friend. But I would rather watch Wheels of Fortune because its much funnier. God forbid anyone ever says a Season 9 episode is better than a Season 3 episode!

But this is. Because unlike Bob, Blaine is a far more entertaining character. Some people have objected to a famous name like Michael Keaton playing the part. But I didn't really see a problem with it. His presence fires up much of the episode. Like Derek Jacobi in last season's The Show Must Go Off. He really has a ball with the part.

I love the bit when Blaine takes a pin off Daphne and sticks it in his leg. To prove he's not faking it. (Something that sets up a great gag on the credits when Martin has Daphne stick a pin in his leg with a notepad hidden inside, and she jabs the wrong leg!). But this episode really is a two-man show. Kelsey Grammer and Michael Keaton, between the two of them, put a real bounce in the episode's step.

Kelsey Grammer gets all the best lines. And it just gets funnier as he pokes holes in Blaine's conversion. Like when Blaine says he's a preacher now, Frasier's answer to that is "The Lord! What genius! A credible partner who doesn't take a cut!" When Blaine says grace at the table and they all join hands, Frasier removes his Rolex before taking Blaine's. And when Blaine brings up the Apostles, Frasier offers him money if he can name three of them. He names all 12 of them! And still takes the money!

Things come to a head when Blaine invites the Cranes to his airport chapel(!) where he preaches. Love the enraptured look on Martin's face during Blaine's sermon. Frasier can't stand seeing so many people hoodwinked by a fraud(?). And to prove he is, he tips Blaine out of his chair. Just in time for Blaine's doctor to call Frasier to confirm his paralysis.

It all leads to a wonderful climax as it finally seems Blaine has changed Frasier's mind. Only for Blaine to get the last laugh when after Frasier donates a generous sum and opens the front door, he finds an empty wheelchair! And howls in despair! Some say its predictable but I found it a delightful sight gag. Its the funniest ending in ages.

Although Roz is typically underused as usual, Wheels of Fortune is a winning episode on all other counts. A fun Frasier that really deserves more attention then it gets.

Rating: 85%

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Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 9 -> Episode 9.15

Wheels Of Fortune

The Wheel Turns, Aug 20, 2009

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