The Two Mrs. Cranes

Infobox Television episode | Title = The Two Mrs. Cranes
Series = Frasier
Season = 4
Episode = 01
Airdate = 17 September 1996
Production = 40571-073
Writer = Joe Keenan
Director = David Lee
Guests = Scott Atkinson (Clive Roddy)
Prev = You Can Go Home Again
Next = Love Bites Dog
Episode list = List of Frasier episodes (Season 4)

"The Two Mrs. Cranes" is the first episode of season 4 of American sitcom "Frasier".

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

*Edward Hibbert – Gil Chesterton

Plot outline

Daphne receives a phone call from Clive, an old fiancé whom she ditched due to his lack of ambition and drive. Wanting to let him down gently, Daphne had told him that they would try again in five years if both were still single, so Clive is in Seattle to pick up where they left off. Daphne agrees to see him that night, and Frasier urges her to be honest with Clive if she's still not interested. Clive arrives, and just as he is making his declaration of undying adoration, Niles, infatuated with Daphne, purposely interrupts. Daphne quickly introduces Niles as her husband, much to Niles' joy, and he starts playing the role immediately. When Frasier enters the room, Daphne explains that he is staying at the apartment owing to his marital difficulties with his wife (Maris), and whilst Daphne is explaining the situation to him, Niles (in no hurry to drop the pretence) invites Clive to stay for dinner. Martin appears and joins in the improvised deception, claiming to be a retired astronaut, who walked on the moon in the Apollo missions. Adding to the confusion, Roz stops by to return Frasier's opera glasses, and Martin, happy to escalate the charade, introduces her as Maris, there to reconcile with Frasier. The situation continues to become more and more complicated, particularly when Daphne realises that Clive is now far from the unmotivated slacker she dumped several years ago. Daphne's departure from his life motivated him to become a successful businessman. Further complicating the matter, the ever promiscuous Roz catches a fancy for Clive as well, and she and Daphne compete for his attention. This all disgusts Clive, who storm out after calling them all "unfortunate human beings." He departs saying he is shocked they are related to Martin, who he calls that "sweet courageous old astronaut," as he exits the apartment.

Episode Title Cards

*"Next in the repertory,“Cosi fan tushy”"
*"A swell of couples"

Memorable Quotations

"Martin is trying to persuade one of his sons to go with him to his platoon reunion"
Martin: Come on, they're great guys: Stinky, Wolfman, Boom-Boom, Jim. Of course, his name's not really Jim; we call him that because he likes to drink Jim Beam. Just like we call Hank “Bud” because he drinks Budweiser. Come on, you'd love these guys!
Niles: We're sherry drinkers, Dad. Think about it.

"Frasier to Martin, who after spinning lies about being an Apollo astronaut announces he is going to go to bed:"

"Don't forget your warm glass of Tang."

Trivia

*Clive is mentioned later in the series in the episode "Visions of Daphne".
*Possible sources for the episode's title include the films "The Two Mrs. Carrolls" and "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles", together with the TV series "The 5 Mrs. Buchanans" (which featured Frasier's recurring guest star, Harriet Sansom Harris).
*Certain stories fabricated for Clive's benefit foreshadow actual plot developments in later seasons.
*The actor playing Clive, Scott Atkinson, had to affect an English accent for the character, and the result has traits of several regions of England (primarily southern England) rather than focusing on Clive's native Manchester.

ee also

*List of Frasier episodes