First Class – As the episode opens, Eve (Jess Salgueiro) runs lines with Freddy Crane (Jack Cutmore-Scott) who questions if it is the right role for her. She accuses him of utilizing an “acting scale of one to Backdraft” to rate her. He describes Backdraft as a “cinematic masterpiece”. She argues that it is “fire porn”. Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) approaches in a tweed jacket for his first day of teaching at Harvard. Freddy admits to being impressed it took Frasier less than a minute to tell them about his Harvard teaching position. Frasier sarcastically says shorter than his stint at Harvard as a student. He boasts of how his new position will allow him to share his wisdom with students. Eve explains the plot of her impending audition. When Freddy asks for some privacy, Frasier reminds them of Eve’s rent-free apartment across the hall. Arriving in a tween jacket, David Crane (Anders Keith) asks Frasier if they are “twinsies”. Frasier rushes to change his jacket. David boasts of taking Frasier under his wing for his first week at Harvard. Frasier reminds him that he attended Harvard.
Greeting Frasier with a cappuccino, Olivia (Toks Olagundoye) says he is the first educator in years with passion and vital signs. She gives him a replica of his former talk show thinking cap to present to the students. He tells her that is all behind him. She assures him that he is under no obligation to use it but it is custom made and shipped overnight. Alan Cornwall (Nicholas Lyndhurst) attributes his low classroom attendance to Frasier’s popularity. Frasier enters his classroom to a round of claps. As he starts to explain to details of his History of Psychology course, Sarah (Amy Workman) interrupts to ask if she should confront her potentially cheating boyfriend. He declines to provide personal advice when a student says his mother wants to know if he is as handsome in person as on TV. He claims People Magazine labeled him handsome before resuming his lecture about Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt. David tells on the student for Googling Frasier’s worth. Frasier assures him that it is okay. Stunned by the amount, David says his Christmas gifts seem ungenerous. Frasier demands his career stay out of the classroom before opening the door for students not there to be led on an academic odyssey. Students file out of the classroom.
Frasier says his students seemed bored with his lecture when he sees Alan is distracted. Alan complements his successful lecture. Frasier admits to failing because they refused to take him seriously. Alan assures him if he stops trying, he will not fail. Olivia informs Alan that some of Frasier’s former students enrolled in his class. Alan demands Frasier get his act together. She questions what went wrong with his decades of show business experience. He says that is entertainment, not teaching before reminding her that he isn’t a dancing bear. She tries to convince him to revert to his former entertainer self in the classroom but he refuses. She reminds him of how much Harvard is paying him for good numbers. She suggests he collaborate with Alan. Frasier argues that Alan is Lazy. Alan tries to think of a response but gives up. Olivia threatens to prohibit Alan from keeping his cat in his classroom if he refuses. He reluctantly agrees.
Downtown Tabby – Alan introduces Frasier to his cat, Margaret Scratcher. Frasier tells Alan that he wants to influence students, not be a showman. Alan asks if his TV show was impactful before confessing to not tuning in. Frasier plays an older episode of Dr. Crane in which he shows little care for making his guest, Lauren (Monique Edwards) cry. In an episode of season 13, Frasier explores Albert Swinestein’s, a pig, brain and discusses his Fra-vorite Things. Frasier tells Alan that his show became nothing more than “meaningless fluff”. He fears it will become his legacy. Alan suggests it is about how he sees himself, not how people see him. Frasier disagrees.
Second Class – Oliver tells Frasier that his classroom has been updated but he is sure not to notice. Frasier thanks her for taking care of him. She says anything for her Fra-vorite teacher which she later denies saying. Frasier walks into his classroom to see a partial replica of the Dr. Crane stage. When he confronts Olivia, she confesses to tricking him and Alan. He asks if she wants him to be the dancing bear. She says that is why he was hired. When he threatens to resign, she warns that his leaving will not make the numbers worse. He reminds her that she is talking about Harvard. She stresses the importance of his showmanship to finally beat her sister who has always been more successful than her.
The Crane’s Speech – Freddy tells Eve if she wants the role, she will need to sound pathetic and beaten. She asks for an example when a downtrodden Frasier walks through the door. Frasier believes his destiny is to be a failure. Portraying a puppet on a string, he says once his usefulness dries up, they will put him back in a box. Freddy urges Eve to be like Frasier. David bashes the school for trying to force Frasier to be a showman that was of his own choosing for 15 years. Frasier tells Freddy that he may resign from Harvard. Freddy sarcastically taunts Frasier for thinking about dropping out of Harvard. He assures him that there is no shame in being a quitter. Frasier denies being a quitter. Freddy recalls the times Frasier quit things he started. Eve explains how the character that she is auditioning for utilizes the only person who takes her seriously to encourage others to do the same. Frasier needs a Julius.
Third Class – Eve, pretending to be a student, asks Frasier to explain what was up with Hermann Ebbinghaus without the gimmicky showmanship. David admits to being hurt because they excluded him from their scheme. Eve and David’s verbal dispute ends with Frasier putting on his thinking cap.
Alan finds a sullen Frasier sitting alone. Frasier says his dream of returning to Boston triumphant is slipping away. Alan scolds him for acting like a baby when he has it all. Frasier expresses his desire to make an impact. Olivia confesses to having acquired the thinking cap when she attended one of his shows. Frasier is shocked to learn she was a Craniac. She attributes his show to her Ph.D. After Frasier leaves, Alan points out that the thinking cap was recently for sale in her office. The episode ends.
Frasier Review
The jokes are quirky and clever. The quality of the screenwriting is consistent if not improved from the pilot episode. Highly recommend it for a laugh or two. At this rate, NBC should commission a second season of the Frasier reboot.
The episode deserves a 6.5. Get more Frasier recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more. Join our forum to discuss the latest TV, movie, and celebrity news.
