Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 9 -> Episode 9.03

The Return Of Martin Crane

At the radio station, Frasier takes delivery of a cake he ordered for the celebration he is throwing that night to celebrate Martin's return to work, but is appalled to find it only says 'Congrats' so he sends it back and persuades Roz to pick up the re-done one. Back at Frasier's apartment, Niles and Daphne surprise each other with tickets to shows: Niles managed to get hold of two tickets to Billy Joel, while Daphne secured two tickets to the Mongolia throat singing festival! The only problem is that both shows are on the same night - tonight. Niles and Daphne decide to see Billy Joel, and offer Frasier the tickets to the throat singing festival. He, of course, jumps at the chance, but then Martin reminds everyone that they all agreed they would be supportive if he went back to work - which means someone has to walk Eddie at 10pm. This leads to some heated discussions between Niles, Frasier and Daphne over who would do it, but the thought of going back to work brings back memories to Martin of his last day at work on the police force which lead to him getting shot during a hold-up at a convenience store.

- Kenny wants Roz to go to a lingerie store for him:
Roz: I am not going to Victoria's Secret for you!
Kenny: Victoria's Secret? Whoa, whoa, Rockerfeller - I'm talking K-Mart!

- Frasier can't believe they couldn't fit 'Congratulations Dad' on his cake:
Frasier: People have written the Declaration of Independence on a grain of rice (!)
Delivery Man: Not with frosting!

- Niles can't believe the tickets Daphne has managed to get for him:
Niles: Tickets to the Mongolian Arts Festival - that's 4 solid hours of throat singing!

- Frasier suggets that walking Eddie comes under Daphne's job description:
Daphne: Customarily, Dr Crane, it's not my job - I do it as a favour to your father.
Frasier: Would you do it as a favour to me?
Daphne: No!

- Roz comes out of Martin's room to hear Niles, Daphne and Frasier argue over who is to walk Eddie:
Daphne: Let's just all leave now - then Roz'll have to walk it!

- In flashback, Martin recalls having dinner with Niles and Maris:
Martin: Last time she didn't eat anything - she just sucker air through a rice cake.

A more serious episode than of late, but no less enjoyable for all that. There were some very enjoyable moments when everyone was fighting over who was going to walk Eddie, but the most interesting parts are the flashbacks as they fill in some important gaps in 'Frasier' history. We have often heard Martin's story of getting shot while on the beat but have never seen it enacted till now. There were some nice touches, such as Niles with longer hair and discussions of Niles and Maris' marriage which made them feel realistic. A nicely written and performed episode.

Rating

76 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 79.7%
Total Number of Reviews: 3