Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 4 -> Episode 4.12

Death And The Dog

Frasier's KACL show is experiencing a pretty slow day with only a handful of callers, so he decides to help a caller suffering from depression by telling her about how Martin helped Eddie get over his depression. It all began 3 days ago with Martin becoming very concerned about Eddie's depressed state, prompting Daphne to suggest bringing in a dog psychiatrist to help him - an idea greeted with derision by Frasier. Martin then wants to get another dog as a companion for Eddie - something which is also instantly dismissed by Frasier. However, despite getting new toys for Eddie to play with, nothing Martin tries seems to have any effect on Eddie. As a last resort, Martin decides to hire a dog psychiatrist to hopfully cure Eddie of his depression.

Both Frasier and Niles greet his decision with derision, saying he is the very definition of a charlatan, and after the psychiatrist arrives, he is the butt of many of Frasier and Niles' jokes. First, he tries to assess Eddie, then carries out a personality questionnaire for those around him - asking them questions based on choices they think Eddie would make if he was human. Neither Frasier or Niles see any point to any of this, but when the psychiatrist concludes that Eddie is depressed because he is picking up vibes from those around him, everyone has to assess their own situation - leading to some pretty depressing conclusions.....

- Martin is concerned about Eddie's depression:
Daphne: Do you suppose a dog psychiatrist might be the answer?
Frasier: Only if the question is "What is the most asinine thing we could possible do"!

- Martin wants to get another dog as a companion for Eddie:
Martin: What could be more fun than having a brother or sister around the house?
Frasier: I fell for that trick once too you know.

- Dr Kagan asks Roz to show him around Seattle:
Dr Kagan: Well, if you have an afternoon, perhaps you could show me the hotspots.
Frasier: Oh, I think that could be arranged (!)

- Martin can't believe Niles can't see his dog is a canine substitute for Maris:
Martin: It acts like Maris, it barks like Maris. Aside from the fact that it eats once in a while, they're practically dead ringers.

- Daphne continues Dr Shaw's personailty quiz about a Human Eddie:
Daphne: If Eddie were one of the Beatles, I think he'd be George - I don't know why.
Frasier: And yet she's never been committed - I don't know why (!)

- Roz tips a glass of water over Frasier after he tells his listeners about her date with a gynaecologist:
Frasier: I've just gotten the signal from Roz that we're running out of time.

- Martin suggests it's Frasier who's depressed:
Martin: You're the one who hasn't had a date in a year - not to mention 2 failed marriages.
Frasier: And yet you did (!)

- Niles worries the afterlife will be like high school:
Niles: Mozart will tell me he's busy, but then later, I'll see him with Lincoln and Shakespeare.

With a subject like depression, you may worry that the whole episode is going to be a bit depressing, but thankfully this is both a clever and enjoyable episode that contains a good proportion of funny lines and memorable moments. Aside from the highlights above, there is also a wonderful bit when Eddie is looking at Martin, Frasier and Niles are arguing and all he can understand is his name, with the rest of the conversation coming over as unintelligible rubbish. This is followed later by Martin watching Frasier and Niles arguing in psychiatric jargon, and all he can understand is his name with the rest completely intelligible. I also loved a prediction Daphne got from a psychic she once visited informing her that she will take a carving knife and kill all of the household - this is laughed off, but then Daphne adds she was right about her moving to Seattle!! Although not quite a classic episode, it is still a highly enjoyable episode that should keep any 'Frasier' viewer entertained throughout.

Rating

84 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 90.8%
Total Number of Reviews: 9