In “Thank You, Dr. Crane,” Frasier’s (Kelsey Grammer) jaunt back to Seattle with Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott) wasn’t just a walk down memory lane; it was a full-on sprint, tripping over ghosts of radio past and questionable career advice. The Harvard bar scene felt like a quick exposition dump, cramming in Niles and Daphne’s Sedona vineyard and Tesla (really?) just to explain their absence. Efficient, sure, but also a bit jarring.
The KACL reunion was a treat, albeit brief. Seeing the old gang, Bulldog’s (Dan Butler) gong included, back in the studio felt right, even if the place was showing it’s age. Cafe Nervosa, somehow still standing, provided the backdrop for Frasier’s encounter with Lou (Rory O’Malley), a former caller whose life took a bizarre turn thanks to Frasier’s advice. The magic tricks were amusing, especially Freddy’s deadpan “It’s a seven” line.
Frasier’s sudden obsession with fixing Lou’s life, even at the expense of Roz’s (Peri Gilpin) carefully planned tribute show, was classic Frasier – ego and anxiety masquerading as noble intentions. His concern for his Seattle reputation seemed a bit much, considering the state of KACL. Roz’s scramble to find a replacement (poor Gil) felt like a punchline she didn’t deserve.
Just when the episode seemed to be losing its way, it pulled off a surprising turnaround. Frasier, in his own roundabout way, helped both Roz and Lou move forward. His conversation with Freddy about Martin’s passing was genuinely touching, a rare moment of emotional honesty. Even Lou’s rooftop escape, complete with a well-trained rabbit, turned into a comedic highlight.
The subplot with David (Anders Keith) and Alan (Nicholas Lyndhurst) at Harvard provided some unexpected laughs. David finally standing up to Alan was satisfying, and Olivia’s (Toks Olagundoye) Scottish accent was a delightful surprise.
This episode, while messy in parts, ultimately hit the right notes. It closed the door on KACL, nudged Roz towards a new chapter, and allowed Frasier and Freddy to connect on a deeper level. It was a reminder that even when Frasier stumbles, he usually lands on his feet, often at someone else’s expense.
New episodes of Frasier premiere Thursdays on Paramount+.
