Season 8 - the beginning of the end?

[Thomas Wayne]

Hi there,

I've just started watching season 8. I have a R2 dvd player, so I am at the mercy of CBS's/Paramount's release policy for R2.

I'm a few episodes into season 8 and I can't help but being somewhat dissappointed. The Daphne story line indeed is much less funny (as elaborately discussed in this forum), but also many of the jokes seem familiair and predictable. Perhaps I have just been watching too much earlier frasier episodes in anticipation of season 8.

Also I get the feeling the cast is performing more or less on automatic pilot, which is probably not so strange since they had been doing it already for seven years at the time.

Am I wrong in my perception? I haven't seen seasons 9 through 11 yet, (apart from seeing them on T.V. many years ago), are those seasons going to be the same as season 8 or will there be episodes like the old ones that got me hooked on the show?

Regards,

Wayne

[Wezzo]

I'm of the opinion that S8 was the series' nadir, and that there was some minor improvement in S9 and S10, and a real step up in quality for the final season.

[Mayday Malone]

It was the beginning of the end but a nice gradual descent to the end. S8 through to S11 have, I feel, an even mix of good and bad but like other sitcoms I can think of, it's finest hour was probably S1-S3.

[Moon-Crane]

I'd say S9 is probably the worst of 8-11. Only the truly outstanding Bla-Z-Boy shines like a beacon from that year. S8 and S10 each have a handful of decent eps, imho. S11 is easily the strongest of the four, though

[CatNamedRudy]

I'd say S9 is probably the worst of 8-11. Only the truly outstanding Bla-Z-Boy shines like a beacon from that year. S8 and S10 each have a handful of decent eps, imho. S11 is easily the strongest of the four, though

And I'd say S9 is the best of 8, 9 and 10!

[barnaclelapse]

Eh...I'm still excited to see those seasons in a better order than when they were on the air (I was never able to follow Frasier the way I wanted to when it was on the air).

Also, with those rare shows/films I absolutely love, I have a bad habit of becoming notoriously easy to please.

[Mr Blue Sky]

I'd say S9 is probably the worst of 8-11. Only the truly outstanding Bla-Z-Boy shines like a beacon from that year. S8 and S10 each have a handful of decent eps, imho. S11 is easily the strongest of the four, though

And I'd say S9 is the best of 8, 9 and 10!

It's a tough one isn't it. I'd definitely agree S9 had more highs than either 8 or 10, but more lows as well. S10 is fairly similar but with fewer high points than S9. S8 is just unremittingly dull, save for a handfull of above average episodes.

S11 shouldn't even be grouped with S8-S10 IMO. It had different writing staff and showrunners for one thing, and the overall quality was akin to the classic years.

[Mr Blue Sky]

It was the beginning of the end but a nice gradual descent to the end. S8 through to S11 have, I feel, an even mix of good and bad but like other sitcoms I can think of, it's finest hour was probably S1-S3.

It's funny, because I felt the show was at its peak during seasons 4 and 5.

[CatNamedRudy]

It was the beginning of the end but a nice gradual descent to the end. S8 through to S11 have, I feel, an even mix of good and bad but like other sitcoms I can think of, it's finest hour was probably S1-S3.

It's funny, because I felt the show was at its peak during seasons 4 and 5.

Me too. Only I think I'd add 3 onto that list.

[Manifan]

It was the beginning of the end but a nice gradual descent to the end. S8 through to S11 have, I feel, an even mix of good and bad but like other sitcoms I can think of, it's finest hour was probably S1-S3.

It's funny, because I felt the show was at its peak during seasons 4 and 5.

Me too. Only I think I'd add 3 onto that list.

Agree with this.

[Ngee]

Its all about Niles and Daphne for me. Season 11 is the only one I haven't seen all of (something i'll rectify when I go home for easter as the DVD is waiting for me), so I can't comment on that but the series as a whole goes downhill after Niles and Daphne get together IMO. It just loses a whole element and the dimensions of their characters change to much to make it as enjoyable as the earlier seasons for me.

[Chocolate Fan]

8 is pretty much as bad as it gets. There's some hideous writing throughout, but there are a few nice points. Some of the earliest episodes are quite nice, documenting the early stages of [spoiler]Niles and Daphne[/spoiler], although some can only be described as "watchable".

Then there's Dr. Tewkesbury, the most boring character with the most vomit-inducing pink nightie... As you reach the end, the episodes will become worse and delve on unwatchable, which is a shame for a show which, in it's fourth season, simply rocked the world.

[Thomas Wayne]

It's funny though that in the episodes were Daphne was away at the "fat farm" S8 reminds me of the great seasons of before. IMO episodes such as "Sliding frasiers" and "Hooping crane's" are watchable.

I found episodes such as "A day in May" and "Semi decent proposal" really disappointing.

Altough some other posters disagree, the first time I saw "Motor Skills" I thought it was quite funny.

S9 is due to come out in April and I'm curious how it will compare to S8 and the golden years..

[CatNamedRudy]

It's funny though that in the episodes were Daphne was away at the "fat farm" S8 reminds me of the great seasons of before. IMO episodes such as "Sliding frasiers" and "Hooping crane's" are watchable.

I found episodes such as "A day in May" and "Semi decent proposal" really disappointing.

Altough some other posters disagree, the first time I saw "Motor Skills" I thought it was quite funny.

S9 is due to come out in April and I'm curious how it will compare to S8 and the golden years..

I like Sliding Frasiers a lot. Not as big on Hooping Cranes as some others are. I also don't dislike A Day in May nearly to the extent that some others do. In fact, I really like the Frasier section. And I like that Niles gets so screwed in the "Irrational Demand" department!

Dislike Motor Skills a lot!

[Chocolate Fan]

I found episodes such as "A day in May" and "Semi decent proposal" really disappointing.

I didn't particularly enjoy them either, although I found "The Wizard and Roz" to be the worst episode in the history of Frasier. I also liked "Motor Skills" (I had no idea that it was so poorly received!) and I think it's underrated, but not the best to be fair.

[Karin]

It's funny though that in the episodes were Daphne was away at the "fat farm" S8 reminds me of the great seasons of before. IMO episodes such as "Sliding frasiers" and "Hooping crane's" are watchable.

I found episodes such as "A day in May" and "Semi decent proposal" really disappointing.

Altough some other posters disagree, the first time I saw "Motor Skills" I thought it was quite funny.

S9 is due to come out in April and I'm curious how it will compare to S8 and the golden years..

I like Sliding Frasiers a lot. Not as big on Hooping Cranes as some others are. I also don't dislike A Day in May nearly to the extent that some others do. In fact, I really like the Frasier section. And I like that Niles gets so screwed in the "Irrational Demand" department!

Dislike Motor Skills a lot!

I really like Sliding Frasiers, too. And I have to admit, I do like Motor Skills,
I think it's quite funny - well, except for the subplot with Roz and Martin and that new dog... Hated that!

[Thomas Wayne]

Before I could watch S8 on DVD, I had high expectations of 'The Great Crane Robbery' based on the mini synopsis on this website. When I saw it, I thought they could have done more with it than they did.

Same with 'Taking Liberties'. I really could imagine Frasier and Niles leaping at the chance when a butler becomes available and them battling over who will get him.

I agree that episodes with the Dr. Tewkesbury are really bad.

[CatNamedRudy]

Before I could watch S8 on DVD, I had high expectations of 'The Great Crane Robbery' based on the mini synopsis on this website. When I saw it, I thought they could have done more with it than they did.

Same with 'Taking Liberties'. I really could imagine Frasier and Niles leaping at the chance when a butler becomes available and them battling over who will get him.

I agree that episodes with the Dr. Tewkesbury are really bad.

Really? You thought Taking Liberties could have been improved on? Taking Liberties is truly one of the standout episodes of S8. It's in my top 3 and most likely in 2nd place just behind Daphne Returns. (And the Dish Ran Away With the Spoon is up there at the top as well but I think Taking Liberties just outranks it a bit).

[Moon-Crane]

I'd rate Taking Liberties as one of the best of S8, too. Aside from the plot dealing with Niles/Daphne/Mel it could have sat just fine amongst any the best seasons.

[CatNamedRudy]

I'd rate Taking Liberties as one of the best of S8, too. Aside from the plot dealing with Niles/Daphne/Mel it could have sat just fine amongst any the best seasons.

One of the things I like about it is that Niles finally gets a backbone! Unfortunately, Daphne soon ripped it out again but still, at least it's there for a brief moment!

[Moon-Crane]

I'd rate Taking Liberties as one of the best of S8, too. Aside from the plot dealing with Niles/Daphne/Mel it could have sat just fine amongst any the best seasons.

One of the things I like about it is that Niles finally gets a backbone! Unfortunately, Daphne soon ripped it out again but still, at least it's there for a brief moment!

[Wezzo]

I like Taking Liberties but I see Thomas' point. I think it would certainly have been even more hysterical had it come in S1-6.

[Thomas Wayne]

Don't get me wrong, I think Taking Liberties is definitely one of the best of S8. I had just build up the episode in my mind recalling some of the best episodes from the earlier seasons, that's why I thought it was somewhat dissapointing.

[CatNamedRudy]

I suppose that had Taking Liberties been pre-Niles/Daphne it may have been different. Certainly much more of a sibling rivalry episode than it is.

Still though, like I said one of my favorite parts is Niles essentially telling Mel to go to hell so I like it just the way it!

[jlynn]

I am presently working my way through season 8 and so far i have to agree that this is not what i expected but i live in hope that it gets better. the ongoing saga with Niles and Daphne was dragged out far too long by now your thinking who cares!!!!!!!! lol