Notice! Spoilers ahead for Frasier Season 2, Episode 8, ‘Thank You, Dr. Crane.’THE Frasier The reboot’s second season brings Frasier Crane back to Seattle and, in the process, brings the original series to an end 20 years after it ended its run. While Health ended its 11-year run on NBC in 1993, the network found a way to continue capitalizing on the success of the Boston-set sitcom. Admittedly, giving Kelsey Grammer’s prominent but still supporting character her own show was risky considering Rhea Pearlman’s failure The tortellis. That said, the original Frasier only needed 1 episode to prove its quality, which it maintained throughout its run.
Grammer was and continues to be great as the elitist, but with a heart of gold, Frasier Crane. That being said, the original Health spinoff could not have been successful without the rest of the cast. The old man Frasier I had to create a few plot holes to introduce John Mahoney and David Hyde Pierce as Martin and Niles Crane, and they were worth it considering the role they played in the show. Peri Gilpin’s Roz and Jane Leeves’ Daphne, on the other hand, completed the ensemble. Because of this, it took two decades for the Seattle-based company to Frasier show to actually finish.
The story of the original Frasier continued even after Frasier left Seattle
Frasier changed, but the rest of the cast’s lives moved forward
At the end of the original FrasierFrasier decided to end his 11 years in Seattle and move to San Francisco to work in TV. Much has been made about the ending, which included a final twist in which Grammer’s character flew last minute to Chicago to pursue a romantic relationship with Charlotte. This also marked the end of their KACL show, The Frasier Crane Showwith Roz becoming manager of the radio station.
In fact, it was the start of some really interesting stories for those Frasier was leaving behind in Seattle.
That said, considering the effectiveness Frasier developed the arcs of the rest of the ensemble, the older brother Crane’s move did not feel like the true end of the project. In fact, it was the start of some really interesting stories for those Frasier was leaving behind in Seattle. Niles and Daphne just had their only son, David, who is now grown up and a member of the cast of Frasier revival. Meanwhile, Martin and Ronee had just gotten married and were starting to live together.
Frasier may be the show’s titular character, but between him and those he was leaving behind in Seattle, there were still compelling stories that could have continued without him. Some of these things the revival referred to. This includes Freddy returning to the Emerald City to watch the Mariners’ first NFC championship with Martinand David’s childhood with Niles and Daphne.
No one from the original Frasier cast still lives in Seattle after Frasier Season 2, Episode 8
Frasier convinces Roz to leave KACL
Two decades since Frasier was last on screen in Seattle, he returns to his home state in Frasier Season 2, Episode 8, “Thank You, Dr. Crane.” Although he has returned to the Emerald City in the past, including when Martin died, this is the first time Frasier’s Seattle has appeared on a show. He travels to the West Coast with Freddy while Roz stages a unique revival of The Dr. Frasier Crane Show to help the KACL newbie.
Roz’s move means that no one else from the original group is still in Seattle.
Unfortunately, Frasier’s homecoming makes his former producer friend realize it’s time to leave his position at the radio company. With Roz wrapping up her work, nothing ties her to the Pacific Northwest anymore. Frasier himself suggests that it might be better for her to move to the East Coast, with him and Alice there. Roz’s move means that no one else from the original group is still in Seattle. Martin is dead, while Niles and Daphne have left Washington state – something the Paramount+ series confirms in the same outing.
Frasier no longer has a reason to return to Seattle after Roz leaves KACL
It’s the end of an era for Frasier
Now that Frasier and the rest of the original cast are no longer in Seattle, Grammer’s character no longer has any compelling reason to return. This effectively ends the franchise’s time in the Cranes’ hometown. Granted that Frasier and Roz can still visit their KACL friends, Gil and Bulldogwho supposedly still work at the radio station, but their future meetings are not as important as visiting family.
The only reason Frasier would want to return to Seattle is to visit Martin’s grave. In “Thank You, Dr. Crane”, Frasier and Freddy celebrate the life of the Crane patriarch by visiting his favorite bar, McGinty’s. Additionally, this could very well be the last time Seattle will be a part of the Frasier franchise.