Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 3 -> Episode 3.02

Shrink Rap

The episode opens with Frasier and Niles in therapy, and the two brothers start to recount how they got there. Frasier experiences the limitations of psychiatry over the air when he has to cut off an interesting caller to make way for Bulldog's show, while Niles suffers the indignity of another psychiatrist who indulges in screaming sessions to treat patients. So when Niles suggests he and Frasier go into practice together with Frasier replacing the screaming psychiatrist, Frasier is very excited.

Martin is however very dismissive, recalling past Crane brother projects such as trying to run a restaurant, and write a book together - both of which were disasters. Niles and Frasier decide to go ahead anyway, but arguments soon ensue between the two brothers: firstly about the position of a plant, and then when Frasier sits in on one of Niles' group sessions, he just has to give his own opinion. They are at each other's throats when a couples' therapist comes in and offers to help the brothers overcome their sibling rivalry. He decides that they are too competitive and should stay away from each other. What will Frasier and Niles decide......?

- As Roz tries to get through to Frasier through the studio window:
Frasier [analyzing a caller's dream]: So a girl on the other side of the glass with an urgent message, but you're unwilling to receive.

- Bulldog interrupting Frasier's show.

- The "screaming" therapy from the office next to Niles while he counsels the sole survivor of a plane crash.

- Daphne enacting an orgasm 'When Harry Met Sally' style while Niles looks on aghast.

- Niles ducking as Frasier attempts a Hi-5.

Daphne [to Frasier about Niles]: Honestly, I don't know how you put up with him.
- Cut back to the therapist's office:
Niles: Liar! Liar! Daphne never said that.
Frasier: Well, she said it with body language.
Niles: I happen to be fluent in that language and she said nothing of the kind.

Martin: You know the best thing about getting old? Your hair may turn grey, your joints may stiffen, you may even have to walk with a cane, but people still ask you to help them move(!).

Frasier [to Niles' group]: Just pretend like I'm not here.
Niles: And good luck with that.

- After Frasier describs a patients solution to her problem as a "panacea for the pain"
Niles: You will find my brothers quite deft with those peppy little bromides - a panacea for the pain. You can almost hear the phrase: "We'll be right back after these words from Pringles".

Niles: Are you insane?
Frasier: If I were Doctor, you'd never know it (!).

The synopsis does not explain the unusual structure of the episode with parts of the story being retold by the brothers in flashback with some exaggeration (most notably when Niles 'says' Daphne acted out an orgasm when in fact she just told it). This makes the episode, already packed with some wonderful Niles/Frasier catty exchanges, all the more enjoyable. It is also nicely resolved where the two brothers find a level on which they can exist comfortably - when they are one up over others.

Rating

83 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 83.0%
Total Number of Reviews: 4