Yahoo News Frasier Recap: Lilith and Frasier Get Into a Birthday Brawl for Freddy’s Affection
The day has arrived, Frasier fans: Bebe Neuwirth is back as Frasier’s prickly ex-wife Lilith… and poor Freddy is caught in the middle.
As Thursday’s episode opens, Frasier is happy to see that Freddy seems to be on a date at the bar, but his face freezes in horror when he sees Freddy is actually with… Lilith! Her hair may be gray, but she’s just as cold and composed as ever, and she and Frasier trade a few nasty barbs. (Frasier: “Who looked in the mirror and said your name three times?”) Alan tries to say hello, too, but Lilith doesn’t remember him, even though he gave a toast at their wedding in Aruba. Freddy is upset that his parents are fighting like this, but Frasier and Lilith play it off as “cutesy banter.” Things turn serious, though, when Frasier offers to throw Freddy a birthday party — and learns that Freddy already planned one with Lilith and didn’t invite Frasier because of the animosity between the exes.
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After more bickering, Freddy throws his hands up and uninvites them both to his party, and they realize if they keep this up, they could miss out on weddings and grandchildren down the line. Eve also convinces Freddy to work something out, and Frasier’s offer to pay for everything seals the deal. The birthday party is at a bowling alley (gasp!), where they dare to ask Frasier to wear someone else’s garish shoes (double gasp!). Alan shows up in a bright white suit and jaunty hat, the same outfit he wore to Frasier’s wedding, to jog Lilith’s memory, but he just ends up the butt of everyone’s teasing. (Lilith: “Go ahead and welcome us to Jurassic Park.”) Lilith is chummy with Freddy’s firefighter friends, which annoys Frasier, and it gets worse when she presents Freddy with her gift: a football… and an appearance from New England Patriot great Vince Wilfork to sign it! Freddy is ecstatic, and they grab Frasier’s gift — a pen once owned by J.D. Salinger — so Vince can sign the ball, but the pen doesn’t work, so they just throw it in the trash.
While Freddy shoots hoops with a cute girl, Frasier grouses about being outshined by Lilith, and when Alan orders a dirty mojito, Lilith finally remembers him. He gave an awful toast at their wedding and then broke into the hotel zoo and fed all the animals caviar, sticking Frasier and Lilith with the bill. Well, at least she remembers him. Lilith explains to Frasier that she knows Freddy better because she’s been around his whole life, and when Frasier protests, they find a way to settle it: a Freddy quiz drummed up by David. (Sample question: “What nail polish did Freddy wear when he was Goth?” Nice deep cut, writers!) Lilith easily bests Frasier in the quiz, but she’s stunned to find out Freddy has been living with Frasier, which Freddy never told her. That sets off yet another argument, which Freddy ends by ordering them both to leave.
Lilith later shows up at Frasier’s door, intent on seeing how her son is living these days. She mocks his Rorschach wallpaper (“I see someone trying too hard”), but she actually approves of the living arrangements, and she and Frasier sit down for a tender talk about their fractured union. She admits she was competing with him for Freddy’s approval, and Frasier theorizes that they both still feel guilty for getting divorced. Lilith gazes at a family photo that Freddy has on his nightstand, and Frasier gets choked up as he says: “I have a lot to make up for.” They take each other’s hand… and soon enough, they’re making out on Freddy’s bed. Freddy walks in on them and is disgusted — and then disappointed when the cute girl from the party comes in and sees his parents and then makes a quick exit. Well, so much for mending fences, Frasier decides: “I’ll take Christmas, you take Thanksgiving.”
Was Lilith’s return everything you’d dream it’d be, Frasier fans? Share your thoughts on this week’s episode in the comments below.
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