Ep 16. The Cranemakers

In season 7 episode 16 of Cheers, titled "The Cranemakers," the gang at Cheers find themselves embroiled in a battle of wills when Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) decides to accept a job offer in Seattle and take Frederick, her and Frasier's son, with her. Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is devastated at the thought of losing his son and begs Lilith to reconsider, but she's determined to go.

Meanwhile, Sam (Ted Danson) is dealing with his own issues when he discovers that he's being sued by a man named Tom Kenderson (Roger Rees) who claims that Sam stole his idea for a new drink and passed it off as his own. Sam is convinced that he came up with the idea himself, but when Tom produces a prototype that looks suspiciously like Sam's drink, he realizes that he may have a serious problem on his hands.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise both between Lilith and Frasier and between Sam and Tom. Lilith tries to make peace with Frasier, but he's too upset to listen. Sam, meanwhile, is determined to prove that he didn't steal Tom's idea, but every time he tries to explain himself, he ends up making things worse.

The conflict between Lilith and Frasier comes to a head when Lilith accuses Frasier of putting his own wants and needs ahead of Frederick's. Frasier fires back, admitting that he's never forgiven Lilith for cheating on him (which happened back in season 4) and reminding her that he's been the primary caregiver for Frederick ever since their divorce. Lilith insists that she's been a good mother and that she's taking Frederick with her whether Frasier likes it or not.

As for Sam, things take a surprising turn when he's offered a deal by Tom's lawyer (played by Dan Hedaya). The lawyer tells Sam that if he agrees to settle the case out of court, Tom will drop the lawsuit and even give Sam credit for coming up with the drink idea in the first place. Sam agrees, relieved that the ordeal is finally over, but when he tells Diane (Shelley Long) about it, she's disappointed that he didn't stand up for himself.

In the end, Lilith decides to stay in Boston after all, realizing that Frederick's happiness is more important than anything else. Frasier is grateful for the change of heart and the two reconcile, at least for the time being. Meanwhile, Sam's victory is short-lived when he discovers that the lawyer was actually working for Tom's competitor and that they now own the rights to Sam's drink. Diane, predictably, isn't happy about this turn of events.

Overall, "The Cranemakers" is a typical episode of Cheers, full of humor, heart, and a little bit of drama. The Lilith/Frasier conflict is particularly well-handled, with both characters coming across as sympathetic while still having a real and believable fight. Sam's storyline with the drink lawsuit is a little more predictable, but still entertaining. All in all, it's a fine installment in one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time.