Over the course of eleven seasons, Frasier created one of television's great romances between Niles Crane and Daphne Moon, and with David Hyde Pierce recently announcing to IndieWire that a Frasier reboot is definitely happening, it's time to revisit some of their most important episodes. Where the first seasons are a humorous and whimsical portrait of their relationship, full of scintillating innuendos, the latter seasons reveal the complicated reality after the bloom of romance has worn off.
Frasier knew that after so many episodes featuring Niles and Daphne longing for one another, giving fans what they wanted would be a gamble, but growth and development continued for them long after they finally got together, with further episodes that focused on complex themes of idealization and jealousy showing how well-written and authentic their love story was.
"Dinner At Eight"
Niles meets Daphne for the first time when Frasier is interviewing potential physical therapists for his father, and is immediately struck by her beauty and delightfully quirky personality. For a person with his intellectual background to look past her insistence on "psychic abilities" makes it obvious he's smitten.
Full of the awkward inferences and innuendos that would be the humorous hallmark of their interactions for the first several seasons, their chemistry is as undeniable as it is tragic. For someone who's never seen, Maris's shadow looms large, and they must confine their interest to a few longful glances.
"A Mid-Winter Night's Dream"
'Twas a dark and stormy night, and Daphne was trapped at Niles' house after graciously offering to help him reconcile with a fuming Maris. Thanks to the soft candlelight provided after a power outage, the mood is set for a night of forbidden romance, the first of many tempting situations the pair will find themselves in.
With Niles ionately playing the piano to accompany the thunder and lightning outside, and Daphne floating through the cavernous manor in a lacy white negligee, the episode (which comes towards the end of the first season,) is fraught with amusingly over-the-top gothic stereotypes. Because their relationship couldn't be serious at this point in the series, it plays up tropes in a theatrical and highly entertaining way.
"Moon Dance"
By season 3, Niles and Maris are divorced, and a war is waged in the Seattle society pages between both bitter parties. Eager to show his ex-wife that he's not spending every night alone pining for her, Niles decides to attend a high-society dance with an heiress, but must rely on Daphne's tango instruction if he's going to sweep her off her feet.
When his date can't make the event, Niles and Daphne prove they're complete couple goals, impressing everyone with the ion and proficiency of their tango. Swept up in the ion of the dance, Niles blurts out his feelings for Daphne, but sadly she dismisses his words as part of an act to make Maris jealous.
"Mixed Doubles"
Finally, the time has come when Daphne and Niles are single simultaneously, and Niles can't wait to it his feelings to Daphne, but soon Frasier's meddling has him waiting a day to let Daphne process some post-break-up emotions. As it turns out, Daphne doesn't need a day, and starts dating a man she meets at a single's bar almost right away, who might as well be Niles' twin (right down to his obsession with cleanliness).
Their relationship doesn't last, leaving Niles yet another opportunity to profess his undying love to Daphne over a drink, but instead, the pair simply spend a quiet evening in each other's company. Though their contrasting personalities are usually used to create humor and tension, these moments highlight just how similar Niles and Daphne really are to one another.
"Daphne Hates Sherry"
Sherry isn't one of the characters who appears the most in the series, but she receives a significant character arc as Marty's serious girlfriend in season 4, much to Daphne's dismay. Seattle experiences an unprecedented heatwave, and as Sherry spends more time at Frasier's apartment, her and Daphne begin to start fighting, until the tension escalates to such a degree that Daphne shows up out of the blue at Niles' apartment hoping to stay the night.
While her visit is innocent enough, the rising heat fuels rising ions, and innuendos abound about their physical desire for one another. Daphne comes to her senses and makes up with Sherry, but it's the closest the pair have come to throwing caution to the wind and consumating something. It's clear that not only does Niles have feelings for Daphne, she might be starting to recognize a strong attraction to him as well.
"First Date"
At this point, Niles and Daphne's near-misses at forming a relationship are one of the best running gags on Frasier, but Niles is determined to ask Daphne out on a date. Unfortunately, Daphne overhears him talking to Frasier, and suddenly gripped by cold feet, he invents a crush on his neighbor when she presses him for more information. She agrees to help him plan the perfect date for someone who doesn't exist.
Unlike prior episodes in the series, this one emphasizes a playful and flirtatious side of Niles and Daphne's relationship, as they sing songs in the kitchen, tell jokes, and demonstrate convivial domesticity that is leagues removed from the steamier times they've been thrown together.
"Something Borrowed, Someone Blue"
This two part episode at the end of season 7 is the one fans have been waiting for, when Niles stands on the precipice of losing Daphne forever the night before her wedding to Donny. Not only does he surprise himself by actually itting his feelings for her, she surprises him by returning them just as strongly.
Because of the steady buildup for this important moment, fans are as exhilarated as Niles and Daphne to be embarking on a journey that's been years in the making.
"Hungry Heart"
The "will they, won't they" aspect of Niles and Daphne's relationship is one of the things from season 1 that keeps getting better over time, but after seven seasons, it's clear that something needs to give, so they finally take the plunge and begin dating in earnest in season 8. He's so enamored with Daphne that he doesn't realize there are aspects of their relationship that aren't working.
Frasier isn't afraid to show what happens after the fairytale ending, when two people get together and have to confront everyday reality. Not only must the pair face the fallout from their exes, but also come to with the fact that neither of them are perfect people. Niles, in particular, has to realize how his idealization of Daphne for years may be driving her into a depression.
"The First Temptation Of Daphne"
Even after Niles and Daphne have been married, fears and insecurities begin to creep into their relationship. Their commitment to one another gets tested when Daphne discovers one of Niles' patients has feelings for him in a situation called "transference." Overcome with suspicion and jealousy, Daphne starts spying on the woman, going so far as to confront her in person.
This episode in season 9 reveals a different side to Daphne and to Niles; for once, she's desperately chasing him, and he is the coveted one that she doesn't want to lose. Niles also demonstrates a fortitude of character and a forcefulness that he rarely shows when he gets incredibly angry at Daphne for violating his trust. As difficult as it is to watch, it's necessary to see how precarious their relationship is without transparency.
"Good Night, Seattle"
The series finale finds Niles and Daphne on the cusp of parenthood, with Daphne going into labor at the same time that Marty is getting married to Ronee. Everyone ends up in the most unlikely of places (a veterinarian's office), with Marty and Ronee exchanging their vows as little David is welcomed into the world.
After eleven years full of trials and triumphs, Niles and Daphne complete one chapter of their love story and embark on another, prepared to share it with a new member of their family. For a couple whose timing has always been off, it's great to see them finally in sync, exactly where they need to be.