Ep 3. Halloween (1)

It's Halloween in Seattle, and Frasier can't wait to host his annual costume party. He's put a lot of effort into his own costume, as have the other guests, but things start to go awry when Frasier's son Frederick shows up dressed as - of all things - a fairy.

The party is already in full swing when Frederick arrives, and Frasier is delighted to see him. That is, until he realizes what he's wearing. Frasier had envisioned his son dressing up as a fireman or a cowboy, something appropriately masculine for a nine-year-old boy. But a fairy? Frasier immediately worries that Frederick will be teased by the other kids, and he's horrified at the thought of his own son being laughed at.

Frasier tries to gently steer Frederick towards the snacks table, hoping to avoid any awkward confrontations. But Frederick is determined to enjoy himself, and he's not about to let his dad's anxieties spoil his fun. As the party continues, Frasier becomes increasingly preoccupied with making sure his son is safe and happy. He's not the only one, either - Roz is equally concerned, and she tries to distract Frederick by showing him some magic tricks.

Meanwhile, Niles is having his own costume-related crisis. He's come dressed as Cyrano de Bergerac, complete with a prosthetic nose that makes it hard to eat or drink. When he tries to nurse a glass of port, he ends up spilling it all over himself, much to Daphne's amusement. Martin, as usual, is the voice of reason, pointing out that the point of a costume party is to have fun and not worry about the little things.

As the night wears on, Frederick starts to feel a little self-conscious. Seeing all the other kids in their macho superhero costumes has made him doubt his own choice. But Frasier and Roz are quick to assure him that there's nothing wrong with being a fairy, and that he looks great. Frederick seems to take heart from their words, and he joins in with the other kids in a game of bobbing for apples.

The game takes a turn for the chaotic when Martin, whose knight costume is proving to be cumbersome in tight spaces, accidentally knocks over the apple barrel. Apples go flying in all directions, and the kids fall into giggling heaps on the floor. Even Frasier can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all, and he feels a sense of deep gratitude for the people in his life who have helped him get over his own insecurities.

As the night winds down, Frasier takes Frederick aside to apologize for the way he reacted earlier. He tells him that he loves him no matter what, and that he's proud of him for being himself. Frederick, in turn, reassures his dad that he had a great time, and that he wasn't bothered by the teasing. Frasier realizes that he's been projecting his own insecurities onto his son, and that it's not fair to him. He thanks Frederick for being patient with him, and for teaching him a valuable lesson about acceptance.

By the end of the night, the party has been a great success. Frasier has learned to let go of his perfectionist tendencies and enjoy himself, and Frederick has learned a valuable lesson about being true to himself. They share a hug as the other guests start to depart, all of them tired and happy after a night of revelry. As Frasier shuts the door behind the last guest, he reflects on the fact that sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is just be yourself.