the fight before christmas, Jul 18, 2007

Reviewer: person1 from Canberra, ACT, Australia

This, I think, is one of the best Frasier episodes since 'The Ski Lodge'. One importnant issue, is that this episode shows how Mel is so much like Maris, and that Mel does not seem to have much trust in Niles. This is also the first episode where Daphne starts to fall in love with Niles.

Rating: 98%

Episode so good it will make the thesis for my BA-assignment, Mar 15, 2006

Reviewer: Lars Bo from Odense, Denmark

Hello Frasier fans.

I am myself a Frasier fan, and I must say this is one of the best Frasier episodes I've ever seen. This is because a lot of the trends and serial elements within the series are repeated within this epide; The joyful banter between Roz and Niles, Niles' attraction to Daphne, Frasier's Inability to host a decent party etc.

Off course the episode has a lot of superb comedy elements, but it is so good and trademark an episode that it will make the thesis for my BA-assignment at SDU University in Odense, Denmark. I will be looking at the theories of dramaturgical interaction of Erving Goffman to enlight the narrative structure within Frasier.

I can only say: Watch this episode. It really is a trademark Frasier episode

Rating: 99%

'The Fight Before Christmas' review, Aug 05, 2005

Reviewer: Jocelyn from London, UK

Dealing with the aftermath of the dramatic events of the previous episode where Daphne finally discovered Niles' feelings for her, this seasonal debut episode from writer Jon Sherman expertly blends this storyline with one regarding Frasier's doomed attempt to throw his own Christmas party, which proves to be somewhat less popular than one thrown by neighbour Cam Winston (a character mentioned here for the first time but who would not make an appearance until Season 9). There's a great scene at the KACL Christmas party which sees Frasier constantly putting his foot in it, both by getting Niles into trouble by letting on to Mel that he had spent the previous night with Maris and also hurting Kenny's feelings when he mentions his own rival party, while the scene with Gil and his muscular gingerbread men is hilarious. This being a Christmas episode there's the inevitable inclusion of a tasteless piece of decor courtesy of Martin, in this case a dancing Santa which neither of his sons seems able to successfully break! Ultimately though it's the main Niles/Daphne plot which propels the episode with some good scenes between Daphne and Roz where the latter reveals she already knew about Niles' feelings and the nicely played balcony scene where Niles asks for Daphne's present back temporarily resolving this storyline very effectively and bringing this eventful two-parter to a close.

Rating: 82%