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Frasier - Season 9
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When the show wobbled.....
Review date: 2008-06-18 Rating: 6 out of 10
Season 9 of Frasier is arguably the weakest of the show so far. I give it only 3 stars, with a heavy heart, but I am judging it against the previous seasons, which have been generally outstanding. There are some very funny moments between Frasier and Niles but you get the feeling Frasier needs to move on.
I enjoyed "Room Full of Heroes", "Bla-Z-Boy", "The Love You Fake" and "Cheerful Goodbyes" but there are no standout episodes of comic farce that would enter the hall-of-fame (like season 4's "Ham Radio" or season 5's "The Ski Lodge"). In fact I don't even remember most of the other episodes. This is due to some weak writing and lack of fresh ideas, which you would expect by the ninth season of any show.
The Niles and Daphne story has now developed to them being an item, but as much as you wanted them to get together they just don't seem right as a couple. Watching Niles in his hopeless yet hilarious pursuit of the oblivious Daphne made for so many great moments in the first six seasons, but that edge to their story has now gone. To compensate, the writers decided to develop sub-plots involving Daphne's strange family. While Daphne's mother (Gertrude Moon) and brother (Simon Moon) were nicely introduced in season 7, we get an unwarranted overdose of Mrs Moon in this season, which makes you wonder why earlier recurring characters like Bulldog were axed.
If you are new to Frasier go to season 1 and work your way up to season 7; you will enjoy comedy of the highest calibre. If you're not, then watch it by all means but don't have high expectations.
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Reviews
Low point
Review date: 2008-06-01 Rating: 6 out of 10
I have to agree with the reviewer who said that the core of Frasier's success is the dialogue between the three central male characters. At different times this can be poignant, incisively insightful, and downright side-splitting. It has been the reason for the series massive success but somehow, at the beginning of series nine the writers lose the plot and start introducing (or cementing in place) new characters and writing storylines with an undertone of resentment and aggression. The humour is still there but in less plentiful supply. The majority of this series is like this - sparks of the old humour heavily overshadowed by introspection and bickering. But then, in the last few episodes the writers seem to regain their optimism and start to reproduce the sharp, witty, and positive dialogue of the earlier series. Cam Winston is a success - albeit a little uni-dimensional - but Daphne's mother and father add nothing except more of the gratingly embarrassing counterpoints best provided by her brother alone.
As a Frasier fan I have to say that this is very good but not, as a whole, up to the standard of the earlier series.
One of greatest sitcoms of all time shows further signs of age...
Review date: 2008-02-16 Rating: 8 out of 10
Season 8 is not regarded very highly, and rightly so. Whereas Seasons 1-7 (particularly the first 4 seasons) are probably as high a standard, and as consistently funny, as any comedy ever made, the loss of the dynamic between Niles and Daphne meant Season 8 lacked the spark of previous years.
So, how does Frasier recover it`s first weak season? Definitely, there are some seriously funny episodes in Season 9. "Bla-z-boy" is one of the strongest episodes of the entire run, never mind this season. The tension between Martin and Frasier is wonderful, as Frasier can`t accept the fact his longest successful relationship is the one with his father. Similar tensions are showcased in "Room Full Of Heroes", but this time it`s Niles who offends Martin. A personal favourite episode is "Wheels of Fortune", a brilliantly cast Michael Keaton as Lilith`s half-brother Blaine, who plays on Frasier`s good-natured side with the perfect scam. Watching Frasier and Niles catching a cricket that has sneaked into the apartment in "The First Temptation of Daphne" is great; as always, my favourite moments are dialogue between Grammar, Hyde-Pierce and Mahoney.
Low points - I don`t know what others think of Millicent Martin as Daphne`s mother, but I always found her incredibly annoying! And she is in too many episodes! New characters weren`t needed in Frasier, the original half-a-dozen were strong enough to carry things on...one massive exception is the superb Cam Winston! Another development that was definitely not needed was a bizarre development between Frasier and Roz in "The Guilt-Trippers". Especially when viewed retrospectively, considering Roz`s reluctance to leave Frasier`s side in Season 11, this episode comes a little out of the blue for my tastes. Like most fans, I love Roz, but she has a literally rubbish storyline throughout the series, as she dates a garbage-man. Considering that Roz would date anything in the first few series, it doesn`t quite feel right that she would be so superficial.
As always, the episodes with top-class banter between Frasier, Niles and Martin are the strongest, and there are enough to save the series. 4 stars is the bare minimum...some great episodes, but probably a few too many that seem to be filler. Better than Season 8 though!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
David Hyde Pierce
Peri Gilpin
Kelsey Grammer
Jane Leeves
John Mahoney
Creators:
John Mahoney (Primary Contributor)
Kelsey Grammer (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437946331
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2008-04-28
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 506 minutes