Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 1 -> Episode 1.21

Travels With Martin

Frasier's brochures for a vacation have arrived, and he plans to go alone. However, Roz shames him by telling him he is taking her mother with her, so Frasier resolves to try and improve his relationship with his father by going on vacation with him and lets him choose the destination. Martin wants to see America in a Winnebago, an American motor home, and Frasier is excited on the outside but appalled on the inside. So he tries to convince Niles to come with him because he is worried about what will happen when the two of them are alone, who refuses until Martin announces he has convinced Daphne to come, for the same reason, upon which Niles agrees immediately. Once on the road, Martin wants to go to Mount Rushmore but as they approach the turn-off, Frasier decides they should become free spirits and go where the wind takes them. Although initially appalled, Martin eventually enjoys it and they stop off at a tourist place where you can have your photo taken with a grizzly bear. As they have the photo taken, Daphne learns they are in Canada and screams - she doesn't have her Green Card yet. The rest of them resolve to try and smuggle her back across the border. As they approach the border, they are pulled over - will they make it pass the border guard with Frasier and Niles on edge and Daphne only able to say 'Sure' in an American accent......?

- Frasier's vacation brochures have arrived:
Roz: There's nothing wrong with pampering yourself on your vacation - after all you do work 3 hours a day.

Frasier: He's counting on this trip - he was going on it with Mom.
Niles: Yes, but she lucked out and died (!).

- Frasier tries to convince Niles to come with him and Martin on their trip:
Frasier: Niles, you have to come with us.
Niles: Frasier, you're my brother - that entitles you to my bone marrow and one of my kidneys, but this is an imposition.

- Frasier's way of distracting Niles from Daphne in the Winnebago.

- Frasier comments about Martin's obsession of covering a certain number of miles:
Frasier [to Martin]: Your way of relaxing seems like an obsession, eh Niles.
[Frasier turns to see Niles filming a sleeping Daphne]

- Daphne's reaction as the photo is taken.

- A border guard enters the Winnebago to talk to everyone:
Guard [to Niles]: What was the purpose of your trip, sir?
Niles: Fun (!!!).

After Martin suggests they drive to Yellowstone Park while Niles and Daphne sleep:
Frasier: It'll be a nice surprise for the two of them.
Martin: I've got a better surprise - let's tell Daphne we're in Mexico!

A brilliantly funny, and to my mind, classic episode of the show which is John Mahoney's favourite episode too. The episode deals very well with the common thread of Frasier's relationship with his father by showing that when Frasier tries to bond with his father it fails, but when they don't try they get along just fine. There are also many great moments such as the scene where they have their photo taken with the bear, and trying to get past the border guard with Daphne being only able to say 'Sure' in an American accent. Superb from start to finish, this is an undoubted high point of the first season

Rating

90 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 94.3%
Total Number of Reviews: 14