Ep 1. The Two Mrs. Cranes
- TVPG
- September 17, 1996
- 22 min
-
9.1 (1,470)
In the season 4 premiere of Frasier, entitled "The Two Mrs. Cranes," Frasier's ex-wife Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) makes a surprise visit to Seattle with her new love interest, Dr. Pascal (Patrick Bristow), in tow. Meanwhile, Frasier's busy planning a surprise birthday party for his current girlfriend, Madeline (JoBeth Williams), but he is feeling conflicted about his feelings for both women.
As Lilith and Pascal's stay in Seattle is extended, they move in with Frasier's brother, Niles (David Hyde Pierce), and his wife, Maris. However, tensions quickly arise when Lilith and Maris don't exactly hit it off. To make matters worse, Frasier's father, Martin (John Mahoney), mistakenly invites them both to the same dinner party, leading to a disastrous evening filled with awkwardness, misunderstandings and secrets.
Throughout the episode, Frasier struggles to keep his emotions in check, grappling with his unresolved feelings for Lilith and his growing attraction to Madeline. As he navigates his complicated love life, his family and friends do their best to steer him in the right direction, with varying degrees of success.
"The Two Mrs. Cranes" is a classic episode of Frasier, full of witty banter, clever plot twists, and a standout performance by Neuwirth as Lilith. The episode explores the complexities of relationships and the challenges of moving on from past loves. It also sets up several ongoing storylines and character arcs that will play out throughout the rest of the season. Overall, it's a must-see for any Frasier fan.