Not the best of Season Four, Jun 23, 2006

Reviewer: Sparky from UK

On the surface it seemed like a 'good' episode if a tad formulaic. The plot was very contrived and you could expect what was going to happen throughout the show which shouldn't necessarily be the case so early in the show's run.

Unfortunatley its not one of my favourite episodes of Frasier and it suffers from a lack of instant wit, and relies heavily on visual gags, which although have a place in Frasier, they aren't as effective without heavily-comic and 'snappy' writing.

A slightly sad ending also puts a spoiler on things and leaves you feeling a bit miffed at the situation.

Overall, it is not the best of season four, but certainly better some others in later series, where the writing suddenly deteriorated . (See Season Eight reviews)

Rating: 72%

Mixed Doubles, Apr 07, 2006

Reviewer: Amz from Wiltshire, UK

I enjoyed this episode a lot, I was in fits of laughter when Niles realised what Rodney was like and said "I want to kill myself!" But, I was almost crying at the end when Dapne says "I love you Dr Crane" as a friend and Niles says it back, but really he means it in another way. Another great episode.

Rating: 89%

Simply perfect, Jan 26, 2006

Reviewer: Nick from North Wales, U.K.

This is an absolutely stunning episode which contains the obvious comedy highlight of Niles meeting Daphne's new boyfriend, the wonderfully named Rodney. The show changes gear however and the superb acting from David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves along with impeccable writing make the final scene heartbreaking for anyone who has ever suffered at the hands of unrequited love.

Rating: 100%

Mixed Doubles Review, Aug 07, 2005

Reviewer: Harlequin from Finland

Wonderful episode, both funny and touching. Just like season two episode Breaking the Ice this combination works brilliantly. Frasier at its best.

Rating: 94%

Sheer comedic perfection, Jul 29, 2005

Reviewer: Stuart from London

Along with 'The Candidate', probably the funniest and cleverest episode of all. An object lesson in structure and timing that plays to the strengths of all the characters.

The appearance of Daphne's new boyfriend Rodney, an exact clone of Niles, is one of the classic Frasier moments, especially when Niles escapes to the kitchen to observe: "Well, he's rather a pretentious fop!".

From the mild slapstick of Niles and Rodney (even the name is perfect) both answering their mobiles in camp synchronisation through to the bittersweet ending, when Niles yet again fails to communicate his true feelings to Daphne, we are treated to a brilliant script, flawlessly delivered.

Even Fawlty Towers was never this polished.

Rating: 99%

'Mixed Doubles' review, Jun 10, 2005

Reviewer: Jocelyn from London, UK

With Linda Morris and Vic Rauseo having departed, Season 4 saw Christopher Lloyd assuming sole showrunner duties and the extra workload this created is presumably why his solo scriptwriting output would be reduced to just one episode per season from now on. Still, when such episodes are of the quality of 'Mixed Doubles' it seems churlish to complain. This is a wonderful episode full of laugh out loud moments as Frasier advises Niles against rushing into asking out a newly-single Daphne, only for her to quickly find another man, Rodney, who is the spitting image of Niles. The scene with Niles and Rodney presenting a virtual mirror image is brilliantly done and leads to one of the great lines of the series as Martin answers the phone with 'I can't talk now Duke. I'm in The Twilight Zone!' I also love the scene with Roz helping Niles pick up a date at the 'Sure Thing' bar where he meets his own short lived date, Adelle, while there's a great moment where, having confronted the cheating Rodney and Adelle, Frasier discovers that Rodney has a brother who sounds like (in Frasier's opinion) the spitting image of himself: 'Spooky!', he replies. The episode closes with a beautifully written dialogue between Niles and Daphne, with the latter making clear that she'd never go out with a man who was separated, something which seems all the more poignant in retrospect considering the pair's future storylines.

Rating: 90%

MIXED DOUBLES, Jun 06, 2005

Reviewer: Cake for Brains from Manchester, UK

Even now, after viewing this episode at least ten times, I came away just thinking to myself, ‘Wow!’ Season Four is widely regarded, and quite rightly so as the best season of ‘Frasier’ and this episode has to be the jewel in the twinkling crown of it, as it is totally flawless in every capacity. Not only is it the best episode of the season, but it also stands as being my second favourite episode of all time. Such is the powerfulness of the comedy; it melds enormously funny one-liners, scenarios and dialogue that is so brilliant it hurts with endearing, emotional drama that manages to be tender and poignant. Christopher Lloyd has here created an absolute masterpiece.

Where do I start? Every scene contains something hysterical and special. The first scene is noticeable for Daphne’s break up with Joe (can we hasten to the post potato portion of the dialogue), which leads Roz to take her to a singles bar called ‘The Sure Thing’, with which Frasier quips: ‘How flattering, they’ve named a bar after her!’ The scene also witnesses Niles make an important decision, that he is going to confront Daphne with his feelings for her. Martin is very funny in this:
NILES: So you’re okay with it?
MARTIN: Well, yeah, she’s single now, you’re single now, what’s the problem?
NILES: No, I just thought you say something more ‘dad’ like
MARTIN: Like you’re out of your mind, or she’ll never go for it in a million years, or someday you’ll look back on this as the stupidest, most idiotic thing…

However this episode goes high into the realms of classic when we are introduced to Daphne’s new boyfriend, Rodney, who turns out to be an exact replica/clone of Niles! This notion is so simple, it provides perhaps the biggest laughs in the series’ entire run. I cried laughing when the two men shook hands, only to both turn and dust their hands with handkerchiefs. The scene also throws up some great dialogue, most noticeably Niles ‘I want to kill myself’ when he realises that he is like Rodney. Martin answering the phone to Duke had me on the floor:
MARTIN: I can’t talk now Duke – I’m in the twilight zone (!)
The scene is also memorable for another of my favourite quotes, which sees Niles breaking one of Frasier’s new antique Henry VIII china mugs.
DAPHNE: Rodney loves to smell my hair (tinkling of broken china)
FRASIER Anne Boelyn?
NILES: Catherine of Aragon

Favourite quote: (When Martin and Frasier go into the kitchen after meeting Rodney)
FRASIER AMD MARTIN: (simultaneously) What the hell was that?

The humour just seems to escalate every time I watch this episode. However, all humour diffuses in the last scene as it we are given a scene that is humane and a perfect ending to a perfect episode as Niles and Daphne discuss their love lives. Christopher Lloyd has created dialogue that is very moving and quite sad as they re-enact what may have happened if they had met at the singles bar. The ending where Niles subtly proclaims his love for Daphne is bittersweet and inspiring. This episode is an example of what all sitcoms aspire to, it’s unsurpassable in its laughter factor, spot on with its characterisation and also contains a wonderfully performed end sequence that can bring a tear to the eye. A faultless piece of television, ‘Frasier’ at its best.

DAPHNE: (jokingly) Ooh, I love ya, Doctor Crane
NILES: (seriously) I love you too Daphne

Rating: 97%

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