The Frasier revival has a Seattle problem that can be fixed with a heartbreaking revelation. Kelsey Grammer is returning as the highbrow psychiatrist who first debuted in Cheers. Getting the reboot off the ground wasn’t a walk in the park despite Frasier being one of the most decorated and successful sitcoms ever. Even after Paramount+ officially ordered a 10-episode first season, Grammer, who also produces the show, and his writers struggled to find the perfect story for Frasier Crane’s small screen return. Ultimately they did, deciding that his fourth and possibly final act should be set in Boston.
Coming back to his old Cheers stomping grounds makes sense for the Frasier reboot. It allows the series to show how much Frasier has grown since his early days of dating Diane Chambers and eventually becoming friends with the rest of Sam Malone’s pub. Given the involvement of his and Lilith Sternin’s kid, Freddie, Frasier returning to the East Coast also allows him to reconnect with his grown-up son. Amid these factors, however, the Frasier reboot creates a new plot hole with regard to how he transitions into his new life in Boston.
Frasier Flies From Seattle To Boston In The Reboot (Instead Of Chicago)
As confirmed by Paramount+’s official Frasier revival announcement, Frasier will be flying from Seattle to his new home in Boston instead of Chicago. For context, Frasier moved to the Midwest at the end of the original Cheers spin-off to pursue a relationship with Charlotte. Not much has been revealed thus far about Frasier’s time in the Windy City, but Grammer said that he lived a full life in Chicago, hinting that he had been staying there until his latest move. Logistically, it’s odd that he would fly further west to Seattle before doing a full cross-country flight to Boston.
The fact that neither Niles Crane nor Daphne Moon will appear in the Frasier revival makes Frasier’s flight path more irrational. This means that his time in Seattle will be brief before settling in New England, making his Pacific Northwest essentially pointless. Despite the confirmed guesting stints of Bebe Neuwirth as Lilith and Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle, David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves opted to sit out the Paramount+ project. Their son, David, will be a series regular, but he will also be based in Boston.
Frasier Comes Home To Seattle For Martin’s Funeral
This Frasier reboot plot hole has an easy fix. Unfortunately, it’s utterly heartbreaking, especially for viewers of the original Cheers spin-off. The only justified explanation for Frasier’s return to Seattle before relocating to Boston is to attend Martin Crane’s funeral. The Crane patriarch, played brilliantly by John Mahoney, was integral in the Seattle-based series’ success. He made some of its most touching moments work, especially as he got used to having both of his sons around more often.
Sadly, however, Martin won’t be in the Frasier reboot as Mahoney has already died in 2018. The revival is confirmed to not only address the character’s absence but also honor his legacy. Tackling the matter from the get-go is the best way to approach the situation. Frasier coming home to Seattle and attending his father’s funeral effectively does that. The Frasier revival doesn’t have to dwell in the tragedy. This way, Niles and Daphne’s absence won’t be overly scrutinized Instead, it needs to incorporate Martin and everything he stood for throughout the show as Frasier starts his new life in Boston.
Why Martin’s Legacy Will Be Important In The Frasier Reboot
As previously mentioned, Martin was intrinsic in the original Frasier show. While he won’t be in the Paramount+ revival, his presence will loom over the series as Frasier reconnects with his own son after some conflict. The Frasier revival’s pilot episode title, “The Good Father,” is a direct callback to its predecessor’s premiere which was called “The Good Son.” They reference Frasier and his changing roles as Martin passes away and he deals with Freddie in the reboot.
Frasier’s relationship with Martin wasn’t always great. The first season of the Seattle-based series dealt with their constant conflict. Throughout every fight, however, they eventually developed a great dynamic — an experience that could help Frasier as he repairs his own troubled relationship with Freddie in the Frasier revival. As previously revealed, Freddie didn’t follow in his parents’ footsteps, opting to be a civil servant like his police grandfather by being a firefighter. Aside from the similarities in the nature of their jobs, there will likely be more parallels between Martin and his grandson, and it’s up to Frasier how he will deal with that in the reboot.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
