A Tsar Is Born Written by Charlie Hauck
Directed by Pamela Fryman
=====================================================================
Production Code: 7.7
Episode Number In Production Order: 151
Original Airdate on NBC: 11th November 1999
Original Airdate on CH4: 18th February 2000
Episode filmed on 12th October 1999
Synopsis written on 11th November 1999
Transcript written on 20th February 2000
Transcript revised on 22nd April 2001.
Review {Mike Lee}
As a general rule, my least favorite episodes are the ones
that trade on Frasier and Niles's snobbery for the humor.
This one is the exception because it manages to do so in
such an original way, both in the raising of their conceit,
and in their delicious comeuppance at the end. It also
features a nice insight into the brothers' relationship
with Martin, as well as one of the smoothest-running plots
I've seen and a couple of memorable interludes, especially
the hilarious one with Daphne's wedding dress. A
Transcript {nick hartley}
Act One.
Scene One - Café Nervosa.
Frasier enters the café to find Roz at one of the front tables
surfing the net on a laptop. Frasier sits with her.
Frasier: Hello, Roz.
Roz: Hey.
Frasier: Oh, what are you up to?
Roz: Oh, they put in phone jacks so you can go on-line. I was
just talking to this guy who sounds really great. [Frasier
sighs as if the idea is absurd] What? I'm a very busy
person, how else am I going to meet people?
Frasier: It just seems so impersonal, Roz. God, what ever happened to
human contact? Engaging people, face to face, eye to eye.
Roz: [points out Martin at counter] There's your dad!
Frasier: Don't let him see me. [turns away as Martin crosses to the
table]
Roz: Hey, Marty.
Martin: Hey, Roz.
Roz: Hey.
Martin: What you been up to?
Roz: Oh, just surfing the net.
Frasier: Hi, dad.
Martin: [ignoring his son] You know, I never got into that net stuff.
Roz: Really? You really ought to give it a try. It's a great way
to stay in touch with your friends and your family.
Martin: Family? Gosh, you know, that's nice to know that some people
still care about their family.
Frasier: Dad, please!
Martin: Well, I gotta go. I'm going night-fishing with Duke... and
Eddie, of course! I wouldn't leave Eddie, you don't turn your
back on your family!
Martin exits the café.
Roz: What is that all about?
Frasier: Oh, our Cousin Dodie's wedding was last week. Oh, excuse
me, Cousin Dodie's "weddin'!" A western theme. On the
response card it asked for our chili preference: mild or
"kick ass!" Anyway, Niles and I told her that we had a
conference to attend at the Therapist's Guild.
Roz: There's no Therapist's Guild, is there?
Frasier: No. Dad found this out.
Roz: Wait! Didn't you have a Therapist Guild conference on
Alice's last birthday?
Frasier: [changing the subject] The point is, it struck a nerve with
dad! [then] I'm sorry, Roz, it's just that he thinks we're
ashamed of his family, it's been an issue with him for
years, and now he hasn't spoken to me for days. Thank God, I
don't have to deal with this tonight. I've already ear-
marked a fine bottle of Chateau Bischville.
Roz: Oh, hot date?
Frasier: No, Niles is coming over to watch "The Antiques Roadshow"
with me.
Roz: [mocking] I guess you'll be coming in late, tomorrow!
Frasier: It's our favourite show, Roz.
Roz: Party!
Frasier: All right, that's enough.
Roz carries on mocking Frasier as the picture fades to black.
Scene Two - Frasier's Apartment.
The lift doors open outside Frasier's apartment. Niles and Frasier
step off of and cross to the door. They are carry wine and nibbles.
Frasier: I think the roadshow is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
tonight. Amish country!
Niles: Oooh, quilts!
They enter the apartment.
Frasier: I'll cork the wine, Niles, you set up the cheese cakes.
However they are startled when Martin enters from the kitchen with
some nachos and a can of beer before nestling in his chair with the
remote. The brothers shout his name.
Frasier: I thought you were going night fishing with Duke? [Martin
doesn't reply] God's sakes, you can't keep this up forever,
dad. [no response] Well, all right, fine. I hope you don't
mind, but Niles and I are planning on watching a television
show.
Martin: Oh, really? Well, I'm surprised you don't have a conference
to go to!
Frasier: Dad, we said we were sorry about Dodie's wedding.
Niles: Yes, and we did send her a baby gift.
Martin: Well, Duke cancelled out on me. You can have the TV in an
hour. I just want to watch my game show.
Frasier: Oh please, not a game show?
Martin: Hey, I happen to like it, all right? People bring in all
their junk from the attics and these experts tell them what
it's worth.
The brothers realise that this synopsis is very similar to the show
they are about to watch.
Frasier: Are you talking about "The Antiques Roadshow?"
Martin: Yeah.
Frasier: Well, that's the program Niles and I are going to watch!
Martin gives a look of disbelief, so do the brothers.
Niles: I'll just check outside and see if the world has ended.
Niles enters the kitchen to set up the cheese cakes as Frasier heads
to the couch opening the wine.
Martin: Well, if you want to watch it, no one's stopping ya'.
Frasier: Well, wonderful. [laughs]
Martin turns on "The Antiques Roadshow."
Presenter: [v.o:] And you have no idea what this writing desk might
be worth?
Woman: [v.o:] No, my husband bought it at a garage sale.
Frasier: That's a lovely piece. I'd say it's Sheridan.
Presenter: At auction, this would bring in more than eight thousand
dollars.
Martin: Whoa! Ca-ching!
Niles enters with the cheese.
Woman: What about this chair? Is it an original too?
Niles: It certainly looks it.
Martin: Er, no, they always do this. Set 'em up on the first one
and then lower the boom on the second one.
Niles: I think that carving looks authentic.
Frasier: So does the inlay.
Martin: No, no, no!
Presenter: I'm sorry to say this chair is a reproduction, worth at
best one hundred and fifty dollars.
Martin smiles at the disbelieving boys.
Martin: Keep watching, boys. You'll get the hang of it.
Scene Three - Frasier's Apartment.
The three Crane men are getting very friendly at last. Niles is sat
on the floor with a wine glass in his hand. Frasier's sat at the
table with a wine glass. Martin is in his chair with a can of beer.
"The Antiques Roadshow" is still running.
Presenter: [v.o:] The real clue here is the veneer.
The Crane men, playing their drinking game, all shout out "veneer" and
take a swig of their drinks.
Presenter: And now for some background information on the beautiful
city of Harrisburg.
Martin: Mute!
Martin turns the sound off as Daphne enters with a green box.
Daphne: Evening, all. [they greet her] Wow! I don't see the three of
you watching the same show very often. What's going on?
Pavarotti jumping the Grand Canyon?
Martin: It's "The Antiques Roadshow." What you got in the box?
Daphne: Oh, it's Donny's mother's wedding gown. He wants me to wear
it at the wedding. What if I don't like it?
Frasier: Daphne, if you want to try it on, we'll be glad to have a
look.
Martin: Just go put it on.
Daphne exits with the box to her room.
Frasier: Dad, dad, turn it up. [he does]
Presenter: But the real masterwork is the unique art deco headboard.
It features a variety of veneers.
They all raise they glasses.
Presenter: Mahogony veneer.
Once again they all take a gulp.
Presenter: Burled walnut veneer.
Yet again they swallow another swig.
Presenter: And cedar wood veneer.
For the final time they take one last drink.
Presenter: And now back to our...
Frasier: Next week we gotta pick a different word. Need another
bottle of wine.
Martin: Yeah, me too, I love these educational shows.
Frasier enters the kitchen with the old bottle of wine as Niles also
brings in Martin's old beer cans. Frasier gets a new bottle as Niles
gets another beer from the fridge for his father.
Frasier: You know, I can't get over dad. It seems this little rift
between us has been mended.
Niles: Can you believe he used the word "craftsman," and he meant the
architectural style, and not the rotary sander?
Frasier: You know, that's uncanny.
Niles: Well, you heard him.
Frasier: No, not that, you just said "rotary sander."
They go back into the living room.
Frasier: Dad, did we miss anything?
Martin: No, just some bozo with a credenza who doesn't know a
Biedermeier from a Hoskamire.
They all laugh.
Presenter: [the show is finishing] That's it for this week. See you
next time on "The Antiques Roadshow." Next Saturday the
roadshow will be here in Seattle. Viewers can bring their
treasures to the convention centre for a free appraisal.
Martin: We oughta go, that'd be great.
Frasier: Well sure, dad.
Niles: That does sound like fun.
Martin: Yeah, I'm going to go and have a little root around in our
closet. I bet I can find a nice little object d'art they'd
be interested in.
Martin exits to his room.
Niles: It's as if that panhandler I gave money to was a genie
granting all my wishes.
Daphne: Would you marry me in this?
We see that Daphne has entered. She is wearing the "wedding gown."
It consists of white go-go boots, a fluffy white veil and very little
else. In fact, just a white miniskirt connected to a tight white bra
by flimsy suspenders. Niles nearly faints.
Frasier: [whispers] How much did you give?
Niles: It's attractive, Daphne. It's a bit unorthodox.
Daphne: Yeah. That's what I think.
Daphne picks up the phone and calls Donny.
Daphne: Donny, I've just put your mum's wedding dress on. A
mini? It's obscene! You can see my... What? No, I took
the green box. [laughs] No problem, then. Bye. [hangs up]
I took the wrong dress. This is from his mother's third
marriage in 1968 in Las Vegas.
Daphne starts laughing along with Niles. Daphne bends down trying to
control her laughter. Niles peers over her and down her bra without
her noticing.
Daphne: Can you believe people used to actually dress like this?
Niles: I wish I had a picture of it for whenever I needed a laugh.
[trys to follow her to her bedroom]
Frasier: Niles!
Niles walks back sighing in fantasy.
A TSAR IS BORN
Scene Four - The Antiques Roadshow.
Martin and Frasier are hanging around the set. Martin is holding a
rather ugly clock consisting of a small round dial set in the middle
of a hideous bear.
Martin: This bear clock's been in the family for generations, I
can't wait to see how much it's worth. Do you think they'll
put a dollar figure on it?
Frasier: Sounds about right.
Martin: Very funny, but you know, your grandpa passed this down to
me and someday, when I'm gone, it'll be passed on to you.
Frasier: Dad, please, I don't even want to think about that day.
Martin: You know, I've got to see if I can go and get this baby
appraised.
Martin goes off to the appraisers as Niles enters.
Niles: I am so sorry, but on the way in I had the most amazing
celebrity sighting: Hans Detriech.
Frasier: [thrilled] The loveseat expert?
Niles: The very same. He's much smaller in person than on
television. He's that big. [holds a hand up to the
bottom of his neck]
Frasier: Get out!
Martin: Boys come over here, they want to put me and the clock on
TV.
Frasier: Good Lord, we can't appear on TV with that hideous thing.
Niles: Everyone we know watches this program.
Frasier: Thank God he didn't bring along that dreadful mounted
jackrabbit's head with the antelope horns.
Niles: The Jackalope! Texas's answer to the Minotaur.
Martin: So what do you think of that, boys? They said they've never
seen anything like it.
Frasier: Dad, you know, this could go either way.
Martin: Oh, I know. I'm not going to act like one of those saps I
make fun of. Doesn't matter if it's worth two dollars or two
thousand, I'm just gonna say, "That's pretty much what I
figured."
The director shouts that tape is rolling so Niles and Frasier back
off out of view from the camera. The bear clock is on a table in
front of the camera. Martin and the appraiser are standing around
the table.
Martin: [calls to boys] Guys, which one of you wants to come and
hold this?
Frasier: No, no, dad. We wouldn't dream of it.
Niles: This is your moment.
Director: Everybody ready? Action.
Appraiser: So, Martin, what can you tell us about this Pewter clock?
Martin: [playing to the camera] Well, it is a clock set in the
stomach of what appears to be a bear.
Appraiser: Actually, it's much more than that. It's Russian, made in
the mid-nineteenth century.
Martin: That's pretty much what I figured.
Appraiser: Actually, it's a stunning piece. It was made by André
Krogyn, who worked for Tsar Alexander II.
Martin: That is pretty much what I figured.
Appraiser: I don't know if you're descended from the Romanovs, Martin,
but all of Krogyn's known bear clocks were done
exclusively for the Romanov family and are now in the
Hermitage Museum.
By now, Niles and Frasier, baffled by the findings, have walked into
camera view and are standing alongside Martin.
Appraiser: Martin, you may be surprised to learn that this clock at
auction would easily bring $25,000.
Martin: [excited] Ca-ching!
Frasier: What he means is, that's pretty what we figured.
End of Act One.
Act Two.
Scene One - Frasier's Apartment.
Martin, Niles and Frasier enter the apartment with the bear clock in
hand.
Frasier: After you, dad.
Martin: Thank you.
Frasier: So, you know, dad? I've been thinking, we should find an
appropriate place for this clock. How about right here on
this console? [puts it on table behind sofa]
Martin: Oh, I get it! It doesn't look quite so bad to you guys now
that it's worth twenty-five grand. Oh, I could kick myself
for not bringing that Jackalope!
Martin exits to the kitchen as Niles and Frasier give a look at each
other.
Niles: What an amazing day, eh?
Frasier: It certainly was. You know, Niles, I was meaning to ask you
about something. Remember the appraiser said something about
the bear being from Russia, dad being part of the Romanov
family?
Niles: Yeah, yeah, you know, that struck my ear too.
Frasier: Yes, although I don't seriously believe there's any real
chance of that.
Niles: [half-heartedly:] No, of course not.
Frasier: [dragging it out:] It's a long shot.
Niles: It's possible.
Frasier: Although we do have the bear.
Niles: I know.
Martin enters back from the kitchen.
Frasier: Oh, dad. Niles just reminded me of something I completely
forgot. When the appraiser mentioned that the bear was from
Russia...
Martin: Oh, yeah. Well, it probably got passed down through your
great-great grandmother. She was from Russia.
Frasier: A-ha, he said something about the Romanov family?
Martin: Oh, yeah, that, eh? Are you sure you want to hear about
this?
Niles: [no question] Yes, dad.
Martin: Well, I guess you would have found out anyway after I died.
We're royalty! [Frasier and Niles are ecstatic] But I didn't
want you to grow up spoiled, so I abdicated and took a job in
Seattle on the police force. [the brothers realise his joke]
It was kinda hard giving up that royal way of life, but I
think maybe it's the swans that I miss most.
Frasier: Very funny, dad. Point taken. Sherry, Niles? [crosses to
sherry]
Niles: Please.
Martin: I'm sorry to disapoint you. I know you'd rather be anything
else in the world except Cranes.
Frasier: Dad! Now that is just not true, we are proud to be Cranes.
It's just innocent curiousity.
Martin: Well, I gotta go call Duke. But don't get excited, he's not
a real Duke.
Martin exits to his room as Frasier brings the sherrys across to
Niles.
Niles: Well, we stepped in it that time.
Frasier: Yes, what the hell is wrong with us? Asking whether we are
related to the Romanovs. We just got past this whole Crane
shame thing.
Niles: We should have known it'd just upset him.
Frasier: Yes, and for what? Trying to find some distant connection to
royalty.
Niles: Even if we can prove it, what do we have?
Frasier: Huh, a story to tell at parties.
Niles: An occasional seat at a state dinner.
Frasier: Some meaningless title. It's insane.
Niles: Ridiculous... destructive.
Frasier: Still, there is this grandmother.
Niles: I'm right behind you.
Frasier: You know, Niles, given our new pride in the Crane name,
perhaps it would behoove us to research our family tree.
Niles: Actually, in a way we'd be honouring dad.
Frasier: Yes, of course we wouldn't need to tell him.
Niles: No.
Frasier: Just a few hours on the internet, a trip to the library, we
could sketch in the entire family tree.
Niles: And if there should happen to be a connection to the
Romanovs...
Frasier: Well, what harm is there in that? It is amusing to
contemplate, isn't it, Niles? You, me, dad - all part of an
ancient noble family.
Martin then burts out his room wearing his jackalope and chasing
Eddie into the kitchen shouting "That jackalope's gonna get ya'!"
showing off the true noble spirit of the Crane family.
Scene Two - Café Nervosa.
Frasier is surfing the internet and tracing his family tree at the
window seat as Roz enters wearing a red dress with a silk shawl.
Roz: Hey, Frasier. How's the research going?
Frasier: Oh, sit down, Roz. I'll bring you up to speed.
Roz: No, thank you. [sits on another table] I'm meeting someone.
Frasier: Good God! Not one of your interent dalliances?
Roz: It's just coffee, okay? Listen, this guy's totally legit, he
e-mailed me his picture.
Frasier: A picture? Oh, for God's sakes, Roz, what can you learn from a
picture? The man's probably a lunatic, a psychopath... [looks
at picture] Oh, he's a pretty boy.
Roz: Yeah.
Frasier: Wait, I know this photo. It's the cover of this month's
Bidwell's catalogue.
Roz: Are you sure?
Frasier: I'm positive. I ordered those socks and driving shoes.
Roz: How could someone do this?
Frasier: Well, it's probably some insecure would-be Romeo trying to
lure you into a meeting.
And then, as if in response to his description, in pops Noel.
Noel: Hello, Frasier.
Frasier: Noel.
Noel: [to Roz] What have we here? An empty seat next to yours.
May I?
Roz: No! Of all the dumbass things you've done to get me to go
out with you, [starts hitting him with picture] e-mailing me
this picture is the most moronic!
Noel: But Roz!
The man in Roz's photo enters Nervosa and watches the scene.
Roz: Forget it, Buddy. I'll take your mouse wire and wrap it around
your nerdy little neck until your eyes will pop out like
champagne corks!
Noel: [looks at picture] But I didn't send you this.
Roz: Yeah right, then who did?
Noel: My guess would be... [points to man] that guy.
Roz: Oh my God! [the man exits dissapointed with her] Oh, Noel, I'm
so sorry.
Noel: How sorry?
Roz: Not that sorry.
Roz exits chasing after her date as Niles enters and sits with
Frasier.
Niles: I just saw the Bidwells guy.
Frasier: How goes the research?
Niles: Oh, I think you're going to be very pleased. According to
this catalogue of Russian antiquities, the bear clock was
last seen in Moscow in 1879.
Frasier: Well, hold on to your fur hat, Niles. I just discovered that
our great-great grandmother emigrated from Russia... 1879!
Niles: My God, it's all coming together. I can practically picture
the scene.
Frasier: Yes.
Niles: Our great-great grandmother, smelling revolution in the
wind...
Frasier: ...secretly slips away in the black Russian night...
Niles: ...taking the bear clock with her to remind her of better
days.
Frasier: Yes! The ticking hands of time counting down her return, her
royal power merely hibernating. [Frasier's mobile sounds, he
answers] Yes? Yes, yes, I'll hold.
Niles: Who is it?
Frasier: It's Dr. Myshkin. He's an attaché at the Russian embassy,
also an expert on the Romanovs. [to phone:] Yes, Dr.
Myshkin. This evening? Would be fine. About seven ó clock.
Yes, I live in the Elliot Bay Towers. I'll see you then.
[hangs up] He has some important information for us. My God,
Niles, this is it. The final link to our royal past. I'm
going to issue a press release!
Niles: Not before I shout it from the rooftops. [notices Martin
entering] Here's dad, hide everything!
They quickly clean things off the table and shut the laptop as Martin
enters.
Martin: Hey guys, I thought I'd find you here. You know, you just
missed seeing yourselves on "The Antiques Roadshow." And you
know, the phone's been ringing off the hook, everybody wants
to buy that bear clock.
Frasier: You're not thinking of selling it, are you?
Martin: You're damn right I am, some guy just offered me twenty-six
thousand for it. I'm gonna buy me a big hunking fishing
boat, and a waif pound of 450 with a fun deck. Good for
fishin', crusin', or just plain tubin'!
Niles: Did you hear that Frasier? We can go tubin'. [Niles mouths
to Frasier "Do something"!]
Frasier: You know, dad, perhaps Niles and I could sell the clock for
you. I mean, we do know the antiques world and you know, we
could get you more than twenty-six thousand.
Niles: I should think at least thirty thousand.
Martin: Ah, you know, maybe I will let you boys handle this.
Frasier: Wise move, dad.
Niles: Yeah, we hate to see you get manipulated.
MYSHKIN ACCOMPLISHED
Scene Three - Frasier's Apartment.
The doorbell sounds. Niles and Frasier answer it to Dr. Myshkin.
Myshkin: Dr. Crane.
Frasier: Dr. Myshkin, please. Come in. This is my brother, Dr. Niles
Crane.
Niles does a communist salute to Myshkin.
Myshkin: [spots clock] Oh, there it is.
Frasier: Please, have a look. [he does] Is it authentic?
Myshkin: Without a doubt. [Frasier gasps]
Niles: Frasier, I know.
Then Daphne enters from her room with the laundry.
Frasier: Daphne, you know, there is some caviar on the ice in the
kitchen. Now would be the appropriate time, if you would,
please?
Daphne: [sarcastic:] Oh, I am so sorry. Here I am, dawdling with
the laundry when it's ten minutes into caviar time!
Daphne exits to kitchen.
Myshkin: As I mentioned, I have some information which should be very
interesting to you.
Frasier: Yes, yes, please make yourself comfortable. Do tell, tell.
Myshkin: [holds up a book] This is a copy of the diary of Princess
Sonia Romanov, daughter to Tsar Alexander II. At eighteen
she fell in love with a commoner, an American. [Niles mouths
"Our grandmother" to Frasier] Which of course, some people
did, but Sonia decided to give everything up for love.
Frasier: Quel a le guards.
Myshkin: She enlisted the aid of a scullery maid, who smuggled money,
clothing and this bear clock out of the palace.
Niles: [thrilled] She would elope to America!
Myshkin: Yes, that was her plan, but when Sonia found her way to the
train station under the cover of night, the scullery maid
absconded with everything including the clock.
Niles: Servants!
Frasier: There's a back aching for the lash!
The camera then cuts to Daphne who has already entered the room with
the caviar. She gets the wrong end of the stick.
Daphne: I'm moving as fast as I can! [slams caviar down and exits]
Frasier: Now, tell us. How did we get our clock back?
Niles: Yes, tell us how did great-great grandmama retrieve it?
Myshkin: But Doctors Crane, your ancestor is not the princess, your
ancestor is the scullery maid. On behalf of the Russian
people, I thank you for retrieving this for us.
Frasier: You mean you're just going to take it?!
Myshkin: Well, it's rightful place is in the Hermitage Museum.
Niles: But this clock has been in our family for generations...
Frasier: Niles. [Frasier motions him to cover the front door, he
does]
Myshkin: Dr. Crane, we could settle this in the courts, but you
wouldn't win. Do you really want this to come out in the
press?
Frasier: Well, do you really expect us just to let you walk out of
here with a precious family heirloom?
Myshkin: Did I mention that your ancestor, before she married a Noah
Crane in 1882, worked as a prostitute in New York?
Frasier: Enjoy your bear!
Niles steps aside letting Myshkin out. As the door is opened we find
Martin just entering.
Myshkin: Dr. Provida Myshkin.
Martin: Oh, hello, Marty Crane. I see you've got the clock.
Myshkin: That's right. Good evening all.
Martin: Bye.
Myshkin and the clock disappear forever.
Martin: You sold it! I hope you got a good price.
Frasier: Gee, dad, I hope you didn't buy a boat.
Martin: No, I was thinking of it and then I thought, oh hell. We've
been getting along so well... [to Frasier:] And you don't
like fishing. [to Niles:] And you get seasick. Why don't we
get something we can all enjoy, you know, so I bought this!
[holds up a picture of an RV to the boys]
Niles: [mock excitement:] A winnebago!
Frasier: A big one!
Martin: Thirty-three footer with air suspension and power jacks.
Thirty thousand used, but you got that much for the clock,
right?
Frasier: Of course.
Martin: Oh, that's great. We can go anywhere. You know, the first
place I want to go is Elmo, Nebraska. We got a whole mass of
cousins down there. [exits to kitchen]
The boys slump down on the couch and pick up some drinks.
Frasier: Well, we're out fifteen thousand each.
Niles: And we've got to take long trips in a winnebago.
Frasier: And we're not Romanovs, we're descended from thieves and
whores.
Pause.
Niles: You know, I remember reading that Henry James once had a
liaison with a Russian prostitute in New York.
Frasier: I'm right behind you.
They clink glasses once again.
End of Act Two.
Credits:
Niles is sipping sherry on Frasier's sofa as Daphne enters the living
room dressed once again in the revealing bridal outfit. She climbs
up on the coffee table and begins an enthusiastic rendition of the
frug, the swim, and other 60's dances. Niles beams and sips his
sherry.
Suddenly Niles wakes up from a nap on the sofa, and looks around
eagerly to find Daphne, who isn't there. He drains the dregs of his
sherry from a glass on the coffee table, and settles back down to try
recapturing his enticing dream.
Guest Appearances
Guest Starring
ROBERTSON DEAN as Dr. Myshkin
PATRICK KERR as Noel
NEAL LERNER as Appraiser
GRACE ROWE as Stage Manager
Synopsis {kathy churay}
ACT ONE
SCENE ONE - CAFE NEVOSA - DAY
(Frasier, Roz, Martin)
Roz is seated at a table typing on a laptop computer as Frasier comes
over to her table. Since the cafe has installed phone jacks, she's
been chatting online and is becoming a big fan of meeting people that
way. Frasier complains that it seems so impersonal and that people
should talk face to face, but changes his tune abruptly when he spots his
father and attempts to hide. Martin sees them anyway and comes over
to greet Roz warmly and pointedly ignore Frasier. Roz tries to sell
him on the virtues of chatting with family and friends on the computer,
and Martin agrees that one doesn't turn one's back on family. He
bids Roz goodbye, still without acknowledging Frasier, and goes off to
get ready for an evening of night fishing with Duke.
Roz asks Frasier what the problem is with his father. Frasier
explains that Martin is still angry at Frasier and Niles for making an
excuse not to go to their cousin Dodie's recent Western-themed
wedding. Martin thinks the boys are ashamed of their family and
hasn't spoken Frasier for days. Frasier is looking forward to not
dealing with Martin that evening; Niles is coming over to watch the
Antiques Road Show on public television.
SCENE TWO - FRASIER'S APARTMENT - THAT EVENING
(Frasier, Niles, Martin, Daphne)
Frasier and Niles arrive at the apartment with cheese and wine, looking
forward to their evening of television, only to find Martin preparing to
watch his favorite gameshow -- which turns out to be the Antiques Road
Show. All three of them are flabbergasted to realize they like the
same show, but they settle in and start making guesses about whether the
antiques show will turn out to be real or not. Predictably, Martin
proves better at figuring out the pattern of the show than either of his
sons.
DISSOLVE TO THE APARTMENT - LATER
The three Cranes are still watching the show and having a rather good
time at it, too. They have begun a friendly drinking game where
they each down a large swallow from their wineglass or beer can each time
the word "veneer" is mentioned. Just then Daphne arrives
home with a large box under her arm. It's Donny's mother's wedding
gown, and Daphne is apprehensive about looking at it for fear she won't
want to wear it. Martin suggests that she try it on for them to
look at, and she exits to her room. The men return to drinking and
watching their show, where a discussion of wood surfaces nearly finishes
them off. They decide to take a break from drinking and the boys go
to the kitchen to replenish the supply of beer and wine.
Frasier and Niles remark at how engrossed their father has become in the
antiques show. It's as if their father has picked up some of their
polish, and the rift between them has been mended.
The boys return to the living room just in time to hear the end of the
show, and the announcer saying that the show will travel to Seattle the
following week. All three Cranes exclaim over the exciting news,
and Martin rushes off to his room to see whether he can unearth any
"objets d'art." Niles remarks that he had given some
money to a panhandler earlier in the day, and it's as if all his wishes
are coming true.
Another wish is apparently granted as Daphne enters the living room
wearing white go-go boots, a short bridal veil, and a white satin wedding
dress that consists of a miniskirt and midriff-baring top held together
with flimsy suspenders. Niles's jaw drops. Daphne can't
believe that Donny wants her to wear such a thing, and she gets him on
the phone to tell him so. It turns out Daphne has grabbed the wrong
dress, and Niles shares a laugh with her while surreptitiously ogling her
in the skimpy outfit. She returns to her room to take the dress
off, nearly followed by an entranced Niles until Frasier brings him back
to earth.
SCENE THREE - EXHIBITION HALL - THE FOLLOWING WEEK - DAY
(Frasier, Niles, Martin, TV host)
The hall is filled with hopeful people and their precious heirlooms as
Martin waits his turn with an ugly antique bear clock. His father
passed it on to him, and Martin promises Frasier that someday it will be
his. Frasier feigns enthusiasm as Martin heads off to find an
appraiser for the clock. Niles arrives just in time to hear
Martin calling them over to the appraiser's table. The producers
want to put Martin on the show. The boys are reluctant to appear on
camera with the hideous clock and leave Martin alone to his moment of
glory.
Their interest is piqued as the host informs Martin that the bear clock
was made by a famous Russian artisan who worked exclusively for the
Romanovs. The clock is sure to be worth at least $20,000 at
auction. Meanwhile, the boys creep closer and closer to the camera
as the host mentions the Russian royal family, and they finally end up
side by side with Martin, looking into the camera with their best
impersonation of imperial dignity.
ACT TWO
SCENE ONE - FRASIER'S APARTMENT - AFTER THE ANTIQUES SHOW
(Frasier, Niles, Martin)
Frasier polishes a cozy spot for the precious clock on the console
directly behind the sofa as Martin goes off to the kitchen for a
beer. Frasier and Niles start to discuss the antique show host's
mention of the Russian royal family, and before long have half-convinced
themselves that they are Romanovs. As Martin returns to the
living room they inquire delicately about the possibility, and Martin
goes along with them for a few moments before bursting their
bubble. They did have a great-great-grandmother from Russia, but
that is as close as they will ever get to royalty. Unfortunately,
the boys will have to be content with being mere Cranes. Martin
exits to the bedroom.
Frasier and Niles can't believe they've gotten into their father's bad
graces again by showing a lack of enthusiasm for the family, but their
guilt is short-lived as they return to speculation about a possible
connection to the Romanovs. They resolve to do just a little bit of
research on the sly to check out their Russian ancestor.
SCENE TWO - CAFE NERVOSA - DAY
(Frasier, Roz, Noel, Roz's Date, Martin)
Frasier is seated near the window doing research on a laptop computer as
Roz enters in a slinky outfit. She informs Frasier that she's
meeting a man at the cafe, and he begins to take her to task for meeting
one of her "Internet dalliances." Roz retorts that this
guy is a catch, and shows Frasier a picture he sent her. Frasier
recognizes it immediately as the photo of a male model from the front of
a recent mail order catalog, and Roz is crushed to think that someone is
trying to lure her into a meeting.
Enter Noel Shempsky, who attempts to seat himself at Roz's table.
Roz goes ballistic and begins beating Noel about the head and shoulders
with the photograph, accusing him of e-mailing her the picture so she
will go out with him. Noel protests that he didn't send the photo,
and points out the model who has just entered the cafe looking for
Roz. Roz apologizes hastily to Noel and takes off after the model,
who has fled after watching her mistreat Noel.
Niles comes in to sit with Frasier and to exchange research
reports. Apparently the clock was last seen in Russia just shortly
before their great-great-grandmother emigrated. The brothers nearly
hyperventilate over the fantasy of their grandmother's romantic escape
from Russia. Frasier answers a call on his cell phone from Dr.
Myshkin, a Russian expert who has agreed to meet Frasier to provide some
interesting information about their family. They arrange for him to
come to the apartment that evening, and as they hang up, Frasier and
Niles frantically hide the research materials when Martin enters the
cafe.
Martin tells them that people have been calling with offers to buy the
famous clock, and he waxes enthuiastic about his plans to sell it and buy
a large boat. The boys are alarmed at his plan to sell their only
hope of nobility, and offer to sell it for him for more than he's been
offered. Martin agrees, and heads back home
SCENE THREE - FRASIER'S APARTMENT - THAT EVENING
(Frasier, Niles, Dr. Myshkin, Daphne, Martin)
Dr. Myshkin arrives from the Russian embassy to examine the clock, which
he pronounces absolutely genuine. Frasier asks Daphne to serve the
caviar in celebration, and they sit down with Myshkin to learn the story
of their family's connection to Russia. But the story isn't what
they'd hoped. It turns out that their grandmother was a servant who
absconded with her mistresses's valuables one night, and Myshkin informs
them that the rightful place for the masterpiece is in the Hermitage
museum. Frasier protests, but Myskin adds that they surely wouldn't
want it generally known that their grandmother had been a prostitute in
New York before marrying their ancestor, Noah Crane. Defeated,
Frasier allows Myskin to leave with the precious clock.
Martin arrives home just in time to see Myshkin's departure. He is
elated that the boys have sold the clock, and smugly informs them that he
has decided against buying the boat. Frasier and Niles's sighs of
relief are cut short when Martin reveals that he has spent $30,000 to buy
a Winnebago motor home, so that they can all takes lots of vacations
together. He exits triumphantly to the kitchen, and Frasier and
Niles realize glumly that they have just spent $15,000 each for the
privilege of Winnebago vacations with their father. Their only
comfort is Niles's recollection that Henry James once had a liaison with
a Russian prostitute in New York, and they toast to the possibility of
even that bit of reflected glory.
FADE OUT.
CREDIT TAG
Niles is sipping sherry on Frasier's sofa as Daphne enters the living
room dressed once again in the revealing bridal outfit. She climbs
up on the coffee table and begins an enthusiastic rendition of the frug,
the swim, and other 60's dances. Niles beams and sips his
sherry.
Suddenly Niles wakes up from a nap on the sofa, and looks around eagerly
to find Daphne, who isn't there. He drains the dregs of his sherry
from a glass on the coffee table, and settles back down to try
recapturing his enticing dream.
END OF SHOW
Legal Stuff
This episode capsule is copyright 2000 by Nick Hartley, Kathy
Churay. This episode summary remains property of Frasier, Copyright
of Paramount Productions and NBC. Printed without permission.
