Fraser Season 2, episode 5 has the reboot’s most direct reference yet to Niles Crane, which ends up being both a blessing and a curse. David Hyde Pierce did not return as Niles for Frasers reboot, with the actor choosing not to return as he was focused on new projects. However, the character still has a presence in the series, not least thanks to his and Daphne’s son, David (Anders Keith), being a series regular.
Nicholas Lyndhurst is part of that Fraser Reboot’s cast as Alan Cornwall is the closest the reboot has to a NilesIn terms of his close relationship with Frasier, which sometimes spills into a rivalry. But with Frasier writing his memoir in Season 2’s “The Squash Courtship of Freddy’s Father,” there’s a chance to bring Niles “back,” at least in some fashion.
It is the closest thing yet to a nails appearance
Niles could not appear on the screen in Fraser Season 2, episode 5, but his character has a clear role in the story. Fraser seeks feedback on his memoir, and David sends a copy to Nils for his thoughts, which are suitably witty and cutting. It’s best to catch Niles’ voice, with some pointed bars and gentle ribbing from his brotherAlong with references to things like Dante’s InfernoAnd contains a few great gags, such as:
Alan: Makes you long for death.
Frasier: I think that’s a bit much, Alan.
Alan: No, that’s what Niles wrote on the back of your memoir.
These not only bring Niles’ voice and personality to the show, but recap the sibling rivalry and humor that helped make the original series so great. With Pierce not wanting to return, it’s good that the reboot can still find a way to mention and honor the character. He should be a part of Frasier’s life, and this is a good way to include him.
Niles’ “return” shows how much the Fraser reboot misses him
The absence of David Hyde Pierce leaves a big hole in the series
If there is a downside to Niles, making Co Niles has always been one of the funniest parts of FraserAnd while characters like Alan are enjoyable, There is no one who quite matches the comedy – both verbal and physical – that Pierce brought to the show.. He added so much to the high farce of the original, and that simply cannot be replicated.
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Frasier’s move to Boston helps alleviate the issue, but only to a degree. It provides a built-in explanation for why he isn’t a permanent fixture in the show, but doesn’t address why he didn’t visit not only his brother, but even more so, his son.
|
Original Frasier characters that returned in the reboot |
|
|---|---|
|
Character |
Actor(s) |
|
Fraser Crane |
Kelsey Grammer |
|
Freddie Crane |
Christopher and Kevin Graves (Cheers) Luke Tarsitano (Frasier, original series) Trevor Einhorn (Frasier, original series) Jack Cutmore-Scott (Frasier, reboot) |
|
Lilith Sternin |
Bebe Neuwirth |
|
Rose Doyle |
Early Gilpin |
|
Alice Doyle |
Ashley Thomas (original) Greer Grammer (reboot) |
|
Baby glasses |
Harriet Sansom Harris |
Hopefully, if Fraser Season 3 happens, perhaps the actor could be talked into an appearance for an episode. See him, and indeed Daphne (Jane Lives), again would fill the final gap in Frasers reboot, making it feel like a stronger continuity and properly fixing the issue with his absence. Frasier and Niles together have their own kind of magic, and if the reboot really gets close to the original, it would be a trick to bring that back, but it’s unlikely to happen as things are.