The Fight Before Christmas

Infobox Television episode | Title = The Fight Before Christmas
Series = Frasier
Season = 7
Episode = 11
Airdate = 16 December 1999
Production =
Writer = Jon Sherman
Director = Pamela Fryman
Guests =
Prev = Back Talk
Next = RDWRER

"The Fight Before Christmas" is the eleventh episode in season 7 of American sitcom "Frasier". It is the second part of a storyline that spans two episodes, continuing from the previous "Back Talk".

Cast and characters

Main cast and characters

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

Recurring cast

*Tom McGowan – Kenny Daly
*Edward Hibbert – Gil Chesterton
*Jane Adams – Dr. Melinda "Mel" Karnofsky
*Saul Rubinek – Donny Douglas

Plot outline

Frasier is planning his Victorian Christmas party at home, and is trying to keep it a secret at KACL, having only invited Roz out of his work colleagues. He has also invited Cam Winston, deciding to call their feud to a temporary halt. Daphne is having an awkward time, as Frasier does not remember what he said under the influence of his painkillers, and Niles does not yet realise that she knows his feelings. Niles, meanwhile, has to offer his condolences in person to Maris after her old gardener Yoshi dies, but Frasier advises him not to tell Mel. She eventually finds out and is very angry, so Niles does his best to talk her round.

Frasier's Christmas party is a disaster, and it does not take long for him to find out why: Cam Winston is holding a rival party in his apartment, and poaching all Frasier's guests. Daphne panics when she learns that Niles and Mel have broken up, and still more when she overhears Frasier in the kitchen advising Niles to "make his feelings clear to her" (not knowing that he means Maris).

Episode title cards

*"Anyone for a hot buttered margarita?"
*"Come A-Wassailin’ to Frasier Crane’s Holiday Fest / Elliott Bay Towers #1901 / Regrets Only"

Cultural reference

The episode title refers to a famous anonymous Christmas poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas", which opens with the line: "'Twas the night before Christmas…" The word "fight" is substituted for "night" here, in reference either to the temporary break-up between Niles and Mel, or to the ongoing feud between Frasier and Cam Winston.

Memorable Quotations

"Gil Chesterton has made some very muscular gingerbread men for the KACL Christmas party, and cannot stop eating them"
Gil: This is my last little man, I promise. "(takes a bite)" Oh, Gil, who are you kidding? "(exit)"
Frasier: No one, Gil.

"Mel has discovered from Frasier that Niles was with Maris the previous evening, and storms off"
Niles: "(to Frasier)" Anything else in the box, Pandora?!