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Episode reviews for Episode 1.11 - Death Becomes Him

Avg. Viewer Review: 82.3%
Number of Reviews: 6

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Light and dark, Jun 26, 2012

Reviewer: Tid from SW England


This was in many ways a typical grade-B Frasier episode - serious in
intent, but with some highly amusing running gags.

The theme of death was never going to provide a barrel of laughs, and
indeed, Frasier's obsessive idea of how his own unexpected demise
should be handled was somewhat artificial, though it did set up one of
the gags. Better by far was the ending, where Frasier is called upon to
comfort the grieving widow and to his own surprise comes up with a
philosophical bon mot that is affecting and quite deep.

But my favourite things about this episode were the three running
gags - Niles trying but failing to appear more macho after hearing
Daphne say she prefers men that way; Frasier's post-mortem stickers
that Niles uses on a good bottle of wine, and a bath-robe; and the
"you're not Jewish, are you?" response made to most of Frasier's
remarks when he calls to pay his respects to the grieving family. Eddie
also has a few great cameos.

All in all, not the funniest, but still a nice little episode.


Rating: 84%

 

The Real Deal, Sep 24, 2009

Reviewer: M. Sherry from phoenix


This episode could have been a play in itself. It was brilliantly written and amazingly acted. It was full of wisdom and pathos and ended with hope and a smile. It is my favorite Frasier episode ever.


Rating: 100%

 

Not my scene, Jul 09, 2009

Reviewer: Sammy J from Canberra, Australia


This episode is very season one: it makes good use of the
characters (Niles' entire subplot trying to impress Daphne with his
alleged masculinity is fabulous), and continues to examine facets of
Frasier's life. Unfortunately, while the show bravely takes a darker,
more serious path, it didn't work for me. Frasier's investigation of his
own mortality seems a little forced, and in my opinion the scenes
that develop are neither funny nor serious enough to warrant
attention. Not a wasted effort, but not an achievement by any
means.


Rating: 74%

 

Another tight episode, Jan 26, 2006

Reviewer: Nick from North Wales, U.K.


Aside from Martin's rather over the top outburst at the doctor's surgery this is an interesting story which benefits from finishing on a rare positive note. As so often Niles provides many of the laughs with his selfish attitude to Frasier's possible demise.


Rating: 82%

 

Review of 'Death Becomes Him', Sep 18, 2005

Reviewer: Beer Necessity from York, England


An episode about Frasier coming to terms with his own mortality was never going to be a side splitter, but there are some very funny moments here all the same. I enjoyed the opening few scenes in which Niles tries to appear more 'macho' to Daphne, firstly by claiming the serviette swan he made was actually a B-52 bomber, and then by attempting to open a jar of nuts (which he is humiliatingly unable to do). The highlight of the episode comes when Frasier hands out stickers to Niles and Martin asking them to label items they would like bequeathed once he passes away. Niles’ selfish streak (an hilarious character trait which would sadly disappear in later seasons) comes to the fore as he persuades Frasier not to open a rare bottle of wine so he can place a sticker under it. Another amusing moment comes when Frasier discovers one of Niles' stickers on his bath robe.

The scene at the Shiva is very well constructed as the fact that Frasier isn't Jewish becomes more apparent to all in attendance. There is also a nice philosophical ending when Frasier resolves the episode's central issue for the late doctor's widow. In keeping with the theme tune's end credit lyric "I may seem a bit confused but I got you pegged!" Frasier again seems able to resolve everyone's problems but his own - even when it's the same issue! Very nicely done.

Just one last point about this episode - Daphne mentions in the opening scene that she has never had a serious relationship but we find out in season 4 that she was actually engaged for years to a mechanic called Clive! It's easy to see how she could forget that relationship; the man had all the charm of a cricket bat...


Rating: 77%

 

'Death Becomes Him' review, May 18, 2005

Reviewer: Jocelyn from London, UK


Quite a black humoured episode in which Frasier starts to ponder his own mortality following the death of his healthy young Doctor. I liked the scenes at the shiva when Frasier was trying to find out from family members what the cause of death could have been, especially when he callously joked if anyone had checked if Dr. Newman was really dead! The funniest part of the episode however was when Niles kept attaching labels to Frasier's belongings in the hope of inheriting them later on! Although this episode is a touch too depressing in subject matter to be funny all the way through it remains an interesting and mostly successful attempt to try something a little darker than usual.


Rating: 77%