Deathtrap (Frasier episode)

Infobox Television episode | Title = Deathtrap
Series = Frasier
Season = 9
Episode = 19
Airdate = 2 April 2002
Writer = Jon Sherman
Director = Kelsey Grammer
Guests = Cameron Bowen (Young Frasier)
Chase Armstrong (Young Niles)
Hal Landon Jr. (Mr. Lasskopf)
Prev = War of the Words
Next = The Love You Fake

"Deathtrap" is the nineteenth episode in season 9 of American sitcom "Frasier".

Cast and characters

Main cast and characters

*Kelsey Grammer – Dr. Frasier Crane
*David Hyde Pierce – Dr. Niles Crane
*John Mahoney – Martin Crane
*Jane Leeves – Daphne Moon
*Peri Gilpin – Roz Doyle

Recurring cast

*Ashley Thomas – Alice May Doyle

Plot outline

The first scene of this episode is a flashback to Frasier and Niles as schoolchildren, stealing a skull from the school science laboratory to use in a production of "Hamlet".

The Cranes' old family house is up for sale, and Frasier and Niles decide to pay it another visit, wondering if it would be worth purchasing and turning into a bed and breakfast. The owner, Mr Lasskopf, has no memory of them, but Martin remembers that he never returned their security deposit. The brothers soon realise that the house is too small to be a bed and breakfast, but then they remember that there is a memory chest hidden under a loose floorboard, so they return secretly after dark to find it. First, however, they find a human skull, and leap to the conclusion that they have stumbled upon an unsolved murder, involving Mrs Lasskopf.

Roz has bought Alice a hamster, and at first the noise of its exercise wheel keeps her awake at night. Then one problem makes way for another when the dog eats the hamster, and Martin has to explain to Alice the concept of death without upsetting her.

Episode Title Cards

*"Bryce Academy, 1964 / about 3 p.m."
*"If these floors could talk"

Cultural reference

While in the process of solving the supposed murder, Frasier remarks that someone is "very dead", and Niles sarcastically retorts, "Well, Poirot, you've done it again(!)" He is referring to the fictional Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot created by Agatha Christie.