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Episode reviews for Episode 1.03 - Dinner At Eight

Avg. Viewer Review: 88.2%
Number of Reviews: 11

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A True Classic, Apr 29, 2013

Reviewer: Orion from Pennsylvania


Upon first viewing, this episode had me nearly crying with laughter. I
was into Frasier before, but Dinner at Eight made me REALLY get into
the show.

The back and forth between Frasier and Niles at The Timber Mill is
absolutely hilarious and I love how Martin really puts his two snobby
sons in their place.

Overall, one of my favorite Frasier episodes.


Rating: 100%

 

one of the best, Sep 03, 2011

Reviewer: Steven from Lakewood,Co.


Are you kidding? This episode is perfect one of the best of Frasier and a personal favorite! First this is the episode where Niles meets Daphne and vise versa and them making fun of the middle class in successive jokes was brilliant. wasn't over played one bit. But what I really love about this episode was the writers showed how much diffrent the Crane boys are from there father, Martin! This episode is a work of art!!!!!!!!!!!


Rating: 100%

 

Dinner at Eight, Apr 20, 2010

Reviewer: Norm, Jr. from Somewhere, CA


Our first real look at Martin and his interaction with his sons is a decent entry into season 1. The Timber Mill business was a little far-fetched and seemed to be for the sake of a few Frasier and Niles "aghast expression" moments, but if you take them for what they are, you laugh. The major demerit that befalls this ep is the excessiveness of the boys utter contempt for their father's lifestyle. One or two jibes at the middle-classness of the restaurant would've been enough. But seven or eight in succession was a wrong-turn for the writers (esp. for those of us that love a good steak and dem fix-ins), though Mahoney's outburst was written as equally great. Aside from that, a good watch.


Rating: 85%

 

The Mud-pie's Coming, Jan 11, 2010

Reviewer: Landrew from Texas, the "cow-puncher" state


Not necessarily the funniest episode, but it contains without a doubt the funniest single line in the entire series:

"Dad, wait -- the mud-pie's coming!"

I belly-laugh every time is see that scene! LOL


Rating: 96%

 

Funny, but typical, Jul 08, 2009

Reviewer: Sammy J from Canberra, Australia


I don't like this episode as much as prevailing opinion seems too. I
remember when I first saw it, I really did like it but in retrospect, the
concept has been done much better (and is one of the core formulas
of the series), that this pales a little bit.

The episode does have some good moments, and it is a credit to the
cast that they pull it off so well. Notably, of course, Niles' infatuation
with Daphne begins!

Also, this episode shows how intelligent this series was willing to be.
After going against network advice and creating two characters who
were very similar rather than "Wacky opposites" in Frasier and Niles,
the show then allows them to be equally as flawed (if not more so)
than the other characters by exposing their snobbery, but not curing
them of it. So, points for theory if not practice, I suppose!


Rating: 78%

 

Snobbery in Action, Mar 17, 2009

Reviewer: Warren Lancaster from Toronto, ONT, CAN


"Dinner at Eight" - a fabulous example of how snobby Frasier and Niles can be. Everything from making fun of Martin's sharkskin suit to making fun of the restaurant. I find the scene in the apartment when Frasier says "We should expose dad to some of the finer things in life" and the restaurant scenes when Frasier and Niles keep making fun of the restaurant in that mean-spirited manner rather hard to watch. The snobbery of the Crane brothers can be just sickening sometimes and this is one of those times. One good thing does come from this episode and that is the start of Niles' crush on Daphne that would stretch all the way to the end of season seven. For that this episode has some points in its favour.


Rating: 82%

 

Dinner At Eight, Apr 07, 2006

Reviewer: Amz from Wiltshire, UK


This is another memorable episode of Frasier. The scene in Timber Mill was one of the funniest ever. I loved all of the jokes that Niles and Frasier made about the restaraunt, but felt sorry for Martin when he walked out saying their mother would be ashamed. The most hilarious part was when Frasier and Niles decided to eat their meals, but struggled, and then we see them in the tag at the end still trying to clear their plates when everyone had gone home.


Rating: 90%

 

Another well written episode., Jan 25, 2006

Reviewer: Nick from North Wales, U.K.


A very funny edition which sees Frasier and Niles at their most pompous when visiting Martin's favourite steakhouse. Another highlight is Niles' early attentions towards Daphne. Despite the obvious source for comedy in the father/sons' relationship it's perhaps fortunate that Martin softened as a character over time.


Rating: 84%

 

Review of Dinner at Eight, Jul 31, 2005

Reviewer: Beer Necessity from York, England


The first of many episodes from the Flett-Giordano/Ranberg partnership, who were to go on and write a full quarter of episodes for season 1. This is another early season gem which examines the relationship between the Crane boys and their father. There are a couple of character building lines from Martin which feel a little shoe-horned into the script ("Your family and your country are to die for, food is to eat" ; "I didn't have to get shot in the hip with a 38 to know I wouldn't like that") but that is a minor quibble in a very entertaining episode. The Timber Mill scenes are very well done, particularly the blank expression from the waitress as she takes Niles' elaborate steak order. It's impossible not to smile along with Frasier and Niles' schoolboy humour in the restaurant too, as they sarcastically suggest it could be used for a society ball.

This is also a landmark episode for the series in that it's the first time Niles and Daphne meet. David Hyde Pierce does particularly well in that first scene between the pair, and looks suitably 'bowled over' by Daphne.


Rating: 85%

 

DINNER AT EIGHT, May 18, 2005

Reviewer: Cake for Brains from Manchester, UK


After two excellent episodes, Season One continues its streak of outstanding comedy by delivering this third hilarious instalment. Written by veteran geniuses Chuck Ramberg and Anne Flett-Giordano, who were criminally underrated in my opinion, as they produced some of the very best episodes. This episode is no exception. I believe that this episode manages to juggle the right balance of unique snobbish Frasier humour but meld it perfectly together with morals. The episode begins well enough with one of my favourite call in problems, in which a distressed listener is avoiding her in-laws by laying down silently whenever they call.

This episode is indeed a landmark in the series as it sees the first meeting of Niles and Daphne. It is clear right from when they first met each other that there is chemistry between Jane Leeves and David Hyde Pierce, and Niles behaviour is very funny when discussing the Manchester accent before remarking again, ‘You’re Daphne?’. I think the two writers handled the meeting in a very subtle way, managing not to make it too soppy, romantic or contrived, which is a spell most American sitcoms fall under. Such was the handling of their meeting it meant that many subsequent episode could snake around the pair, some of which were some of the all time best episodes produced. So a big thank you for handling the characters so well there.

Also a thank you is owed for the priceless scenes in the ‘Timber Mill’ restaurant, which contribute enormously to the feel of the episode making it qualify as an instant classic. It just seems like a gun firing bullet after bullet of humour, and the bullet always seems to hit the target exactly. There’s the cutting off of the ties on entrance because the restaurant likes a casual dress code, Niles allergy to bacon bits in his potatoes, the brothers sarcastic remarks about the food and service and the beef trolley. My favourite quote would definitely be when Niles orders his steak:

NILES: I’d like a petit fillet mignon, very lean, but not too lean that it lacks flavour but not too fat that it leaves drippings on the plate. I don’t want it cooked, just lightly seared, pink in the middle. Not true pink, but not a mauve either; the slightest error either way and it’s ruined.

That above quote has to be one of the funniest pieces of dialogue throughout the entire eleven-season run. So much so I have taken to learning it and am eager to drop it into everyday conversation. Truthfully, without wanting to sound over the top, this review cannot to justice to the hilarity of the ‘Timber Mill’ scenes, as it demonstrates Frasier and Niles at their arrogant best.

Favourite quote:

MARTIN: Sometimes there’s nothing like a good steak
FRASIER: I wish this was one of those times

However, this episode also possesses a very raw, emotional side to it at the end when Martin snaps with his sons. I thought it was great when Frasier and Niles, after being told their father was ashamed at them, began to contemplate the fact that they had forgotten how to appreciate the lesser things in life like bacon, potatoes and fixin’s. Most sitcoms at this point would have had a scene in which the central character make it up with their father and there’s tears and a happy ending, but such is the uniqueness and brilliance of Frasier, we are treated to a bittersweet ending that rounds this one off perfectly. Even the tag scene is funny, which depicts the brothers still trying to finish their meals as a tribute to Martin well after the restaurant has closed for the night. Terrific episode.


Rating: 86%

 

 
 

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