Frasier: Dinner at Eight

Air Date

Thursday September 30, 1993

Production Code

40571-003

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  9.4 Superb

  Frasier looks at Niles and asks, "What are you doing?" hide show

  The acting talents of David Hyde Pierce are further revealed in this episode, as we learn more about the character Dr. Niles Crane. Niles seemed very complacent about his marriage to Maris, not realizing that a woman might come along that would rouse his senses. Daphne Moon, the health care specialist that was hired to take care of Niles' and Frasier's father, just happens to be that one woman that stirs Niles' hormones. He becomes a very different person around her, and thus he becomes a more interesting character to watch. One of the fun things to witness in human nature is how a romance can develop from one spark of interest, and the beginning of that spark lies right here in this episode, though Daphne seems oblivious to it.
  
  David Hyde Pierce does such a wonderful job at acting out his instant attraction to Daphne that we all remember what it's like to experience love at first sight. However, the circumstances of his marriage force him to try and push away his feelings, and he even denies them to his brother Frasier. But observant and watchful Frasier knows all too well what is going on, and we suspect that Niles probably takes comfort in knowing deep down that his brother knows the feelings that he is afraid to express.

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  Sprigit Added Sep 25, 2006 All my reviews

• Guest Cast

  • Patti Lupone Voice of Pam
  • Eve Brent Hostess
  • Laurie Walton Waitress

• Stars

  • Kelsey Grammer Dr. Frasier Crane
  • Jane Leeves Daphne Moon Crane
  • David Hyde Pierce Dr. Niles Crane
  • Peri Gilpin Roz Doyle
  • John Mahoney Martin Crane

• Executive Producers

  • David Angell Executive Producer
  • Peter Casey Executive Producer
  • Kelsey Grammer Executive Producer
  • David Lee Executive Producer

• Supervising Producers

  • Sy Dukane Supervising Producer
  • Denise Moss Supervising Producer

• Associate Producers

  • Mary Fukuto Associate Producer
Episode Cast and Crew Details »

• Each episode has a different beginning title having to do with the Skyline of Seattle. This episode features lights turning on in the surrounding buildings near the Space Needle. [edit]
• When Niles meets Daphne she is folding a black shirt. The position of the shirt changes from being already folded in her hand to being held by the collar and back from shot to shot. [edit]
• When Niles, Frasier and Martin entered the Timber Mill, Niles remarked that the smell of charred meat in the Timber Mill triggered a scent memory for him. He then realized it reminded him of Maris in her home tanning bed. However, in "Voyage of the Damned" we learn that Maris cannot be exposed to even a few minutes of sunlight or she will "sear like an ahi tuna." If Maris cannot be exposed to even a few minutes of UV rays, how can she use a home tanning bed? [edit]

• International Airdates
  United Kingdom: 4th May 1994, Channel 4 [edit]

• Martin: Sometimes, there's nothing like a good steak!
  Frasier: How I wish this was one of those times. [edit]
• (At the Timber Mill)
  Waitress: Can I get you anything to drink?
  Frasier: Dear God, yes! [edit]
• Frasier: Remember when you thought the 1812 Overture was a great piece of classical music?
  Niles: Was I ever that young? [edit]

• Episode Title: Dinner at Eight
  
  The title of the episode is a reference to the famous 1933 film of the same name, Dinner at Eight. [edit]