Ep 10. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz
- TVPG
- December 17, 1998
- 21 min
-
8.7 (1,152)
Frasier Crane is back again with his festive spirit in the Christmas special episode of Frasier season 6, titled "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz". The episode focuses on the challenges of celebrating Christmas in a mixed-religious relationship.
Frasier, played by Kelsey Grammer, is in a committed relationship with his girlfriend Faye, played by actress Amy Brenneman. Faye is Jewish, and Frasier is doing his best to make the holiday season perfect for her. The episode begins with Frasier setting up his Christmas tree with Faye's help when his elderly neighbor Mrs. Moskowitz comes barging in with some holiday cheer.
Mrs. Moskowitz, played by character actress Millicent Martin, is the quintessential overbearing Jewish mother. She invites herself into Frasier's home without an invitation and is immediately put off by the sight of the Christmas tree. According to her, Christmas trees are an insult to Judaism, and Frasier and Faye should be ashamed of themselves.
As the story unfolds, Frasier attempts to keep the peace with Mrs. Moskowitz while also maintaining his festive spirit. Frasier's brother Niles, played by David Hyde Pierce, is also having his family over for Christmas, which puts further stress on the already chaotic situation.
Chaos ensues as Faye and Frasier try to navigate the conflicting beliefs of their two families. Meanwhile, Martin, played by John Mahoney, Frasier's father, is tasked with making a signature dish for the Moskowitz's famous family holiday feast. Despite Martin's reluctance to follow Mrs. Moskowitz's tradition, he eventually agrees. Eventually, the family gathers around the table to enjoy the dinner that Martin has prepared.
The culmination of the episode sees Frasier and Faye's relationship tested by Mrs. Moskowitz's overbearing nature. The couple must decide if they can continue building a relationship despite the religious and cultural differences between them.
Overall, the episode explores the timeless theme of cultural and religious differences. It also showcases the importance of acceptance and compromise in relationships. The humor throughout the episode balances the tension while delivering the valuable message at the episode's heart.