Frasier Online Episode Guide -> Season 9 -> Episode 9.15

Wheels Of Fortune

Roz gives Frasier a message she got while his show was on - it's from a Blaine Sternin. Frasier is instantly shocked and tells Roz to phone him back and tell him he's dead! We then learn that Blaine is Lilith's half-brother, and has a reputation for conning people (Frasier, in particular) out of their money, with Frasier particularly angry about Blaine stealing a treasured trinket of his. When Frasier arrives home, he is informed that Blaine has phoned to announce her is in Seattle and is coming to visit - much to Frasier's annoyance - and there is also a package: the trinket that was stolen by Blaine. Enclosed is also a note that proclaims he is a changed man, something which Frasier refuses to believe. A knock at the door follows - it's Blaine, who is now in a wheelchair thanks to an accident. This prompts the rest of Frasier's family to start to believe that he has changed, especially when he announces that he is now a preacher.

Later on that evening, Frasier talks to Blaine alone and asks him what he wants: Blaine replies he wants Frasier to forgive him. Frasier reluctantly agrees, on the condition that he never set foot inside his home ever again - but then Daphne invites him to stay for dinner, during which Blaine reveals that he is holding a preaching session the next day and invites everyone to come and see him in action, to finally show that he is a changed man. Frasier is still unconvinced, and so tries to get hold of the doctor who treated Blaine after his accident before he goes to see Blaine preach but is only able to leave messages for him. While watching Blaine preach, and seeing everyone fall under his spell, Frasier decides enough is enough and goes up on stage to denounce Blaine as a co-merchant before pushing him out of his wheelchair, just as the doctor who treated Blaine calls back. Frasier, having been proved wrong, forgives Blaine and gives him back the trinket he once stole from him as a goodwill gesture. However, Frasier is about to learn that Blaine's con-merchant days are not quite behind him......

- Roz tells Frasier that someone left him a message:
Roz: A Blaine Sternin called.
Frasier: Blaine Sternin? Call him back - tell him I'm dead!!

- Frasier reads Blaine's note saying that he is a changed man:
Frasier: He must think I've got turnips growing out of my ears!

- Daphne is shocked at Frasier's attitude towards Blaine:
Daphne: Dr Crane, he's in a wheelchair.
Frasier: Which means that someone somewhere is missing a wheelchair!

- Blaine tells everyone he is a preacher, explaining he is in partnership with the Lord:
Frasier: What genius - the Lord! A credible partner who doesn't take a cut!

- After Blaine sticks a fork in his leg to prove he is paralysed:
Martin: Blaine, can I take a photo of you with a fork in your leg.

- Frasier is told the doctor who treated Blaine is busy:
Frasier: Too busy to talk to Dr Frasier Crane, from [switching to German accent] 'de Nobel Prize Committee'

- Frasier acknowledges he was wrong about Blaine:
Frasier: There's a lesson learned.
Martin: Don't throw a guy out of a wheelchair - who knew (?!)

Michael Keaton guest stars in this episode as Blaine Sternin, but the real stars are the writers, Kevin Levine and David Isaacs, who having written for 'Cheers' and 'Frasier' show they know how to write a great episode. This is a hugely funny, laugh out loud episode that has Kelsey Grammer being funnier than he has been for ages, as he gets to vent his anger at every turn over Blaine's claims that he has changed. There is also a great ending as well when we discover Blaine manages to get the better of Frasier one more time, which is perhaps a little predictable after Frasier finally forgives Blaine, but I can forgive this as it doesn't really spoil what is a rather good episode.

Rating

82 %

Avg. Viewer Review: 80.1%
Total Number of Reviews: 7