Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Frasier season 2 finale.
TheFrasierrevival’s season 2 finale wraps up a slightly improved sophomore year by sticking to its signature storytelling approach. It’s no secret that when the Paramount+ reboot of the beloved sitcom was announced, it was met with a divisive response considering the risks of bringing it back. It didn’t help that the majority of its original ensemble isn’t involved, including David Hyde Pierce’s Niles and Jane Leeves' Daphne. TheFrasierseason 1 finaleeffectively addressed the show’s premise, which was about Frasier reconnecting with his son, Freddy. However, Paramount+ deemed that the series deserved at least another year.
Cast
Ten episodes later,Frasierseason 2officially ends with “Father Christmas.” Continuing its tradition of ending with a holiday-themed episode, the outingshifts its focus to Nicholas Lyndhurst’s Alan Cornwall, as the show delves deeper into his personal life. As has been teased throughout the year, Frasier’s British best friend also has a difficult relationship with his child, although it’s much worse, considering that he and his daughter, Nora haven’t seen each other for years. After finding out that she’s in Boston, Frasier and his cohorts find a way to reunite the father and daughter for a Christmas miracle.
Frasier Season 2 Finale’s Storytelling Shift Risk Pays Off
Alan Cornwall’s Storyline Is Unexpectedly Emotional
As a character,Frasieris only as good as the ensemble around him. That was the case in bothCheers, when he spent his every night hanging out at Sam’s pub, and in the originalFrasier, whether he was out and about with Niles and Roz or at home with Martin and Daphne. Season 2 found a way to feature Peri Gilpin more prominently this season, paving the way for the nostalgicSeattle-setFrasierepisode, which also featured familiar faces such as Bulldog Briscoe and Gil Chesterton.
Lyndhurst is as good in the emotional moments as he is with his comedic timing.
In “Father Christmas,” Frasier is sidelined to tell Alan’s narrative — a big risk considering much of Lyndhurst’s role thus far has been as a supporting player, as great as he is. But ultimately, it is a breath of fresh air. While his and Nora’s story still falls in the same box that the franchise has been playing in for years, it’s presented through a different lens, as it involves a father and daughter. Lyndhurst is as good in the emotional moments as he is with his comedic timing. Despite barely having any set-up, the arc is poignant and touching.
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Alan’s story also effectively utilizes Frasier, by highlighting one of his best and worst traits — his compulsion to meddle. This comes from the character’s need to help other people, although occasionally, it backfires. However, Frasier’s role in “Father Christmas” serves two of his most important relationships in the show. It strengthens his friendship with Alan, as they encounter their first serious fight on-screen, and it highlights his similarity with Freddy, as the young Crane meddles to fix the Cornwalls' relationship.
The Frasier Season 2 Finale Exemplifies The Show’s Potential
But It May Also Be Time To End Frasier’s Final Act With “Father Christmas”
TheFrasierseason 2 finale is one of the show’s stronger episodes. It features many of the aspects that made the classic series such a fan favorite. “Father Christmas” includes a fun scheming plot, an odd-ball B-narrative with Eve, David, and Roz, and a heartfelt story with Alan at the center. While it isn’t as seamless as some of the best episodes from the original show, it highlights the potential of the revival — something that it can keep in mind in caseFrasierseason 3ever happens.
Watch the complete original Frasier and the revival on Paramount+.
“Father Christmas” perfectly balances the new and old, with the expansion of its storytelling to develop the show’s fresh characters while maintaining the tropes that the franchise is known for. It highlights how much theFrasierreboot has evolved from its earliest episodes for the better. There has been barely any focus on the Harvard aspect of its storytelling in its sophomore year, but it is absent in the finale, suggesting that it is time to drop it altogether. The show can still find ways to gather Frasier, Alan, and Olivia even though they are no longer co-workers, anyway.
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Ultimately, theFrasierseason 2 finale is much like its predecessor, and would be a good way to close out the series altogether. While there are storylines that could benefit from a third season, none of them are big cliffhangers that demand resolution. Frasier is happy with his life in Boston. He hasa solid social circle, a thriving love life, and an improving relationship with Freddy. Maybe that’s enough for his final act.
Frasier
Follow Frasier Crane in the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston, Mass., with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge and an old dream or two to finally fulfill.
