Ep 1. The Proposal

In the season five premiere of Cheers, titled "The Proposal," the audience is introduced to a new character named Frederick Crane. Frederick is the young son of Dr. Frasier Crane, who has become a regular at the bar since his introduction in season three.

The episode begins with Frederick entering the bar with a gift for Diane Chambers, the waitress who he has developed a crush on. He tells her that he hopes she will accept the gift as a token of his affection and that he has also written her a poem. Diane is flattered by the gesture but informs Frederick that she cannot accept the gift and that she is not interested in him romantically.

Meanwhile, Sam Malone, the owner of Cheers, is preparing to propose to his girlfriend, Janet Eldridge. However, before he can muster up the courage to pop the question, Janet reveals that she has been offered a job in Australia and will be leaving in two weeks. Sam is torn between proposing and potentially keeping Janet in Boston or letting her go and pursuing his dreams of owning a chain of bars.

As the night goes on, Frederick becomes increasingly despondent over Diane's rejection and ends up getting drunk. He eventually stumbles into the back room where Sam is preparing to propose to Janet and mistakes her for Diane. He proceeds to propose to Janet on Diane's behalf, believing that it will make Diane happy. Janet, caught off guard, declines the proposal, much to Sam's relief.

After learning what happened, Diane goes to talk to Frederick and explains that she could never be with him because of their age difference and the fact that she is seeing someone else. Frederick accepts her rejection but is still heartbroken. Meanwhile, Sam realizes that his relationship with Janet was not meant to be and decides to let her go and pursue his own dreams.

Overall, "The Proposal" is a heartwarming episode that explores themes of love, rejection, and following your dreams. The addition of Frederick as a recurring character adds a new dynamic to the show and sets the stage for future storylines. Cheers manages to balance humor and heart in a way that few sitcoms can, making it a beloved classic that continues to resonate with audiences decades after its initial run.